What is Book Coaching?
It’s more than developmental editing. It’s like having a personal trainer or coach but for your writing life. Unfortunately, the publishing industry has changed over time and editors rarely have time to mentor or nurture writers through the writing process. That’s where I come in. I offer editorial and emotional support as you write forward. I look for your story’s impact on the reader, its logic, what drives and motivates your characters, whether you’ve created a believable world, and if your story meets the requirements of your genre.
I’m there for the whole process – the good and the bad. I’m there with you through the struggles and triumphs of bringing your ideas to life and onto the page. I’m also there as you hone your skills and face your fears and doubts. We’ll make sure your book is ready for submission to agents, editors, or for self-publishing. Whether it’s finishing that novel, figuring out how to start, or just needing help through the revisions, I can help you conquer those challenges so you can finish your book – a stronger book than if you had gone it alone
How long does book coaching take?
It depends on several things – what type of book you’re writing, how much time you have to spend on it, how clear your vision is for your book, where you’re at in your writing process, and if you’ve written any books before. It takes most clients about six to nine months to write and revise their manuscript. We’ll have regular coaching deadlines, usually every couple of weeks, where I’ll ask you to turn in up to 25 pages of work.
I also offer several other services that are listed at the bottom of this page. They range from helping you formulate and build a foundation for your book to manuscript evaluations, revisions, and query packages.
How can you help me?
Here’s how I believe I can help.
- I provide you the editorial and emotional support you need to succeed
- I provide one on one coaching, so you receive my full attention
- I give you evidence-based feedback, the good and the bad
- I help you become a better writer and tell a better story
- I help you finally start a book you just haven’t been able to start
- I help you finally finish a book you haven’t been able to finish
- I help you figure out when you need to revise, what you need to do, and then I help you develop a plan
- I help you manage your beta-reader feedback
- I help you develop a draft that is ready to submit to the marketplace. No manuscript is ever perfect, and agents and editors alike often request tweaks and revisions
Will you guarantee my success?
Sorry, but I can’t guarantee that. There are so many variables in the marketplace that have nothing to do with the quality of your book. But if you are willing to put in the hard work and time, I can help you accomplish the goals you have set, whether to finish a manuscript, self-publish, or reach a point where you’re ready to submit to agents and publishers. I can guarantee you will experience a sense of accomplishment and pride. And have written a book worth reading. A book that now has a better chance of succeeding and reaching its target audience.
I’ve never published anything. Will coaching really help me write my book?
If you have the drive, dedication, are open to learning, working hard, and willing to be coached, then yes. You should do very well. On the other hand, if you’re looking for someone to do the hard work for you, provide shortcuts to success, or feed your ego false praise, then you might not want to work with me. I will support and encourage you, be honest and truthful as possible about what I am seeing and challenge you to be a better writer.
I’m already a published author. Will book coaching still work for me?
Yes. Whether you have self-published or followed the traditional publishing route, you probably had a team of people help guide you through the process. A book coach is a great player to have on that team. I will give you my full attention, providing you with 1:1 coaching that your other team members may not have the time to give. I will be there to help you stretch your skills and move toward achieving your publishing goals.
How is book coaching different from all the workshops, classes, and conferences I’ve attended?
Coaching is different because you have my undivided attention. I am focused on you and your work. This is all about you. All about your process and goals. You’re not sitting through lectures that don’t pertain to you and your needs. You’re not workshopping your pages with other writers of different genres or those who may not have your level of experience. Your work is not being read piecemeal by other writers who don’t know the full context of your story. I am with you for 100% of the writing journey.
I’ve had awful experiences with other editors/coaches. Why should this time be any different?
I understand hiring a coach is always a risk. But let me tell you why I believe I can help you.
- I believe in coaching with integrity. At all times. I try to be honest and truthful as possible about what I am seeing in your work
- I have gone through an advanced Book Coach Certification Program to be able to call myself a book coach
- I take my clients and their work seriously and honor their dream and vision
- I use proven strategies to help writers achieve their goals
- I love helping people strive for reaching their full potential. And I love sharing those victories along the way
- I have over 25 years’ experience writing and editing
- My counseling experience helps me determine what coaching style each writer needs – tough love or a gentler hand
Why should I trust you?
I’m a very good writer and editor and have been doing this for a long time, both personally and professionally. I have always wanted to make a positive impact on the world, even if it’s just by bringing a smile to someone’s face. And I have been creating worlds and stories since I can remember. So, I focused my energy, honed my writing skills, and planned on being a novelist or a journalist. However, I was so fascinated by other people’s motivations and stories, I changed lanes and graduated with a degree in psychology. I found I really love helping people discover and reach for their own dreams. And that I’m really good at motivating and helping them find fulfillment in their endeavors.
Over the years, I have moved and lived in several different states. And I have never lost the desire to live a life immersed in writing and books. Whether I was a stay-at-home mom or working in a professional office setting I continued to sharpen my skills as a writer and editor. I have been a substitute teacher, counselor, litigation paralegal, researcher, consultant, technical writer, and project manager.
On top of that, I am an Author Accelerator Certified book coach and a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association. I have the systems, tools, and processes to effectively evaluate fiction and give excellent, evidence-based feedback. I am confident I can help most writers. And if I feel someone else would better serve your needs, I will tell you that and not string you along or make promises I can’t keep.
What fiction genres do you coach?
I coach fiction writers in several genres. These include women’s fiction, fantasy, paranormal, romance, mystery, horror, new adult, and YA. I’m not usually interested in hard-core Sci-fi or Christian, but I may make some exceptions if I feel I could bring value to your project.
What other types of editing and coaching services do you offer?
Manuscript Evaluation –
Lets you know how your story is holding together on every level, what is working, and what needs to be done to improve it.
Manuscript Evaluation and Edit –
Evaluates overall flow, pacing, and emotional payoff of a completed manuscript.
Build Your Foundation –
Lays the foundation, establishes the fundamental building blocks, and provides a clear roadmap for your entire book.
Manuscript Revision Package –
Includes not only a manuscript evaluation but I’ll coach you through your revision and get you to the next draft.
Query, Synopsis, and First Chapter –
Helps you develop and polish your query package. You end up with a strong query letter and synopsis that accurately represents your manuscript along with very clear and solid pages of your first chapter.