ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY
INSTIGATOR OF JOY
ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY
About the book
INSTIGATOR OF JOY
In this magical and moving memoir, the author shares her journey of overcoming abuse, isolation and despair to discover her enormous personal power. Brought up to believe she needed to shrink herself in order to be rescued, Nancy Illman shows us the rich rewards of being our authentic selves.
Decades after writing her Harvard honors thesis on the failure of feminist authors to provide an appealing alternative to traditional fairytales, Nancy has become her own fairy godmother and has told her own story.
Decades after writing her Harvard honors thesis on the failure of feminist authors to provide an appealing alternative to traditional fairytales, Nancy has become her own fairy godmother and has told her own story.
About the book
INSTIGATOR OF JOY
In this magical and moving memoir, the author shares her journey of overcoming abuse, isolation and despair to discover her enormous personal power. Brought up to believe she needed to shrink herself in order to be rescued, Nancy Illman shows us the rich rewards of being our authentic selves.
Decades after writing her Harvard honors thesis on the failure of feminist authors to provide an appealing alternative to traditional fairytales, Nancy has become her own fairy godmother and has told her own story.
Decades after writing her Harvard honors thesis on the failure of feminist authors to provide an appealing alternative to traditional fairytales, Nancy has become her own fairy godmother and has told her own story.
INFLUENCER OF JOY
Are you an influencer in the literary realm? Then you are invited to the exclusive Joyfly Press VIP lounge to apply for a free copy of the book for review.
Book Reviews
- Renee DeVigne,Associate Dean, George Washington University Law School“Embrace the wisdom in this book! Nancy guides us compellingly through her journey from pain and despair to the liberating freedom to consciously choose joy. Like Nancy, we can also choose and practice joy - and must do so urgently - if we are to survive and thrive in these most challenging of times. Manifest JOY! Nancy teaches us how.”
- Marianne Kimura,Japan"I got my copy of Nancy's book on Amazon a couple of days ago. It flows like music, she's truly a gifted writer! She's a musician and the narrative of her life, she plays it like a song. The ups and the downs of her life, the whole thing is engaging and moving. I enjoyed t a lot, especially of course the scenes in Harvard, which brought me back to those days (and made me wish I had known her back then). This book is from the heart and speaks to the joy and positivity she brings to the world. Bravo, Nancy!"
- Mary Pierce Brosmer,Founder of women writing for (a) change"One of the great joys of the New Year for me is being able to recommend a memoir which brought me delight as 2023 was ending, and I was reading with pen in hand, underlining WOW readback lines. There was wonder for me in the age-old literary paradox that the specific details created the universal. Nancy’s and my lives could hardly have been more different AND familiar patterns rose off the page as she captured scene after scene story after story."
Book Reviews
- Renee DeVigne,
Associate Dean, George Washington University Law School
“Embrace the wisdom in this book! Nancy guides us compellingly through her journey from pain and despair to the liberating freedom to consciously choose joy. Like Nancy, we can also choose and practice joy - and must do so urgently - if we are to survive and thrive in these most challenging of times. Manifest JOY! Nancy teaches us how.” - Marianne Kimura,Japan"I got my copy of Nancy's book on Amazon a couple of days ago. It flows like music, she's truly a gifted writer! She's a musician and the narrative of her life, she plays it like a song. The ups and the downs of her life, the whole thing is engaging and moving. I enjoyed t a lot, especially of course the scenes in Harvard, which brought me back to those days (and made me wish I had known her back then). This book is from the heart and speaks to the joy and positivity she brings to the world. Bravo, Nancy!"
- Mary Pierce Brosmer,Founder of women writing for (a) change"One of the great joys of the New Year for me is being able to recommend a memoir which brought me delight as 2023 was ending, and I was reading with pen in hand, underlining WOW readback lines. There was wonder for me in the age-old literary paradox that the specific details created the universal. Nancy’s and my lives could hardly have been more different AND familiar patterns rose off the page as she captured scene after scene story after story."
About the author
Nancy Illman
Real Life Fairy Godmother
Nancy Illman considers herself a displaced New Yorker; she grew up on Long Island, lived and worked in Manhattan, then became a mother in Cincinnati, again in Detroit, and a third time in Cincinnati. A wandering Jew, Nancy is also a descendent of Mayflower passenger and Separatist leader William Brewster. She studied English and American language and literature at Harvard, and obtained a law degree from Fordham.
She has published twice in legal journals: first, her allegorical painting, “Naked Restraints of Trade”, with an article about the power of art as a pedagogical tool, and then, another article about the dangers of attorney mediated divorce. Nancy is an amateur violinist and performs both locally and internationally. She is certified in decorative painting, Usui Reiki energy healing, whole food plant-based nutrition, aromatherapy, and soul empowered hypnosis.
The mother of three grown children, Nancy lives in Takoma Park, Maryland with her husband, Paul Newman, rescue dog, Sugar Pie, and rescue cat, Hercules. Often mistaken for a fairy godmother, she daily practices handstands, veganism, boundary setting, letting go and choosing joy.
About the author
Nancy Illman
Real Life Fairy Godmother
Nancy Illman considers herself a displaced New Yorker; she grew up on Long Island, lived and worked in Manhattan, then became a mother in Cincinnati, again in Detroit, and a third time in Cincinnati. A wandering Jew, Nancy is also a descendent of Mayflower passenger and Separatist leader William Brewster. She studied English and American language and literature at Harvard, and obtained a law degree from Fordham.
She has published twice in legal journals: first, her allegorical painting, “Naked Restraints of Trade”, with an article about the power of art as a pedagogical tool, and then, another article about the dangers of attorney mediated divorce. Nancy is an amateur violinist and performs both locally and internationally. She is certified in decorative painting, Usui Reiki energy healing, whole food plant-based nutrition, aromatherapy, and soul empowered hypnosis.
The mother of three grown children, Nancy lives in Takoma Park, Maryland with her husband, Paul Newman, rescue dog, Sugar Pie, and rescue cat, Hercules. Often mistaken for a fairy godmother, she daily practices handstands, veganism, boundary setting, letting go and choosing joy.
Real Life Fairy Godmother
Nancy Illman considers herself a displaced New Yorker; she grew up on Long Island, lived and worked in Manhattan, then became a mother in Cincinnati, again in Detroit, and a third time in Cincinnati. A wandering Jew, Nancy is also a descendent of Mayflower passenger and Separatist leader William Brewster. She studied English and American language and literature at Harvard, and obtained a law degree from Fordham.
She has published twice in legal journals: first, her allegorical painting, “Naked Restraints of Trade”, with an article about the power of art as a pedagogical tool, and then, another article about the dangers of attorney mediated divorce. Nancy is an amateur violinist and performs both locally and internationally. She is certified in decorative painting, Usui Reiki energy healing, whole food plant-based nutrition, aromatherapy, and soul empowered hypnosis.
The mother of three grown children, Nancy lives in Takoma Park, Maryland with her husband, Paul Newman, rescue dog, Sugar Pie, and rescue cat, Hercules. Often mistaken for a fairy godmother, she daily practices handstands, veganism, boundary setting, letting go and choosing joy.
Testimonials
- R. Shaeffer,International Human Rights Attorney"When my family first met Nancy, it was like meeting a fairy godmother, and that’s the role she has played in the lives of my children and me ever since. Nancy’s open heart and ability to connect in the realm of beauty and play has enhanced our existence at every turn. An absolute treasure of a human being who always comes bearing gifts.”
- Rita Lampe,Psychotherapist and Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner“Nancy’s playful and joyful energy is infectious. You can’t help but laugh, smile or join in singing and dancing when you are with her.”
- Jan G.,Management Executive“I will always remember when Nancy gave me jewel toned hair. People smiled at me and I smiled back. I had a month of spreading and receiving happy."
- Alison W.,Award Winning Jewish Educator“Nancy causes joy in other people by just being her beautiful, outrageous, funny self. She is not afraid to appear ridiculous, and she inspires others to feel free to tap into fun and silliness in a way that spreads immense joy to the people around her."
Testimonials
- R. Shaeffer,International Human Rights Attorney"When my family first met Nancy, it was like meeting a fairy godmother, and that’s the role she has played in the lives of my children and me ever since. Nancy’s open heart and ability to connect in the realm of beauty and play has enhanced our existence at every turn. An absolute treasure of a human being who always comes bearing gifts.”
- Rita LampePsychotherapist and Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner“Nancy’s playful and joyful energy is infectious. You can’t help but laugh, smile or join in singing and dancing when you are with her.”
- Jan G.,Management Executive“I will always remember when Nancy gave me jewel toned hair. People smiled at me and I smiled back. I had a month of spreading and receiving happy."
- Alison W.,Award Winning Jewish Educator“Nancy causes joy in other people by just being her beautiful, outrageous, funny self. She is not afraid to appear ridiculous, and she inspires others to feel free to tap into fun and silliness in a way that spreads immense joy to the people around her."
Other websites
Other websites
There are currently two ways Nancy shares her gifts in service of others.
(Each service has its own dedicated website. You can click on the image to visit the site.)
(Each service has its own dedicated website. You can click on the image to visit the site.)
Since 2020, Nancy offers meetings with clients on Zoom, to help you connect with your highest wisdom, your ancestors (including your dearly departed) and your spirit guides (including angels and prophets) from the comfort of your home. These sessions can bring tremendous comfort and clarity, helping you to unlock old thought patterns and move toward big goals, including expansion, balance and inner peace. They are affordable for everyone because I use a sliding scale in setting the fee for this service.
Another service Nancy offers is one she has honed over the course of more than three decades. After training in decorative painting at Parsons School of Design in NYC, and painting her entire life, she realized that she is channeling beauty and color, love and joy through her paintbrush. While commissioning a mural is not inexpensive, and often includes the cost of travel, lodging, and materials, this exclusive service enables me to serve clients in a way that continues to bring joy to your life for many years.
Latest blog posts
Latest blog posts
Get in touch
Get in touch
Feel free to ask any question you like.
Contact me at ncillman@gmail.com or use the contact form below.
Contact me at ncillman@gmail.com or use the contact form below.
Feel free to ask any question you like.
Contact me at ncillman@gmail.com
or use the contact form below.
Contact me at ncillman@gmail.com
or use the contact form below.
The contact details you provide here will only be used to get back to you regarding your question.
INSTIGATOR OF JOY 2023 - Nancy C. Illman - ncillman@gmail.com