Book Coaching
Let's transform your ideas into the book of your dreams.
"Incredibly enthusiastic and helpful. He cares about stories and genuinely wants to help an author grow."
– Thomas Reeves (Lost Lambs)
Does this sound familiar? You have a great idea for a novel, but...
- You write a synopsis or an outline, and it’s brilliant, but your motivation disappears when it’s time to put words on the page.
- You’ve written a great first act, but when it comes to the heart of the story, you’re unsure where to take your characters, so you go back to revise the material you've already written instead of forging on.
- You set aside time to write, but self-doubt creeps in and you end up doing anything but write.
- You’ve followed the best writers, read all the books, and taken all the courses, but everyone makes it sound so easy. But for you, it’s overwhelming. There must be something wrong with you! (Spoiler alert: there's not!)
- You've only got one shot at this, and it needs to be perfect! Unfortunately, no matter how many times you revise your idea, perfectionism keeps you from moving forward.
- You want to write in a specific genre, but everyone else is telling you to write to market, and unfortunately, the story you want to tell doesn't line up.
You're not alone
Do you ever deal with that nagging voice in the back of your head that suggests writers go to their cave and boom, they come back with a polished bestseller that’s going to set the world on fire?
That's what all the other successful writers do, right? You didn't see their struggles, so they must not have had any.
Maybe it's time to put aside that notion of the struggling artist doing it alone.
Although it’s not discussed openly online or in most writing groups, writers struggle. Seriously. They all do.
Your favorite authors? Yep, they've dealt with fear, self-doubt, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and writer's block just like you.
But what if you had the support of a coach who’s been there? Someone who’s overcome his own self-doubt and who's finally accepted a process that works.
What if you had someone who could review your work as you write it and offer guidance, answer questions, and provide feedback along the way?
What if you had a book coach...
You’re ready for a book coach if:
- You have a few pages, some notes, an outline, or maybe just an idea for a great story.
- You want to write a book that readers are excited to read, and your goal is to create a book that sells.
- You want a road map to follow and someone to guide you to each milestone so you can focus on the writing instead of worrying about what to do next.
- You enjoy hearing feedback on your creative work, and you like brainstorming and problem-solving with others.
- You believe that writing a book is a skill set you can learn.
- You want to feel confident instead of overwhelmed, confused, and fearful.
- You're ready to invest your time, energy, and money on your writing.
Here's What You'll Get:
When working with me, you’ll learn about the processes necessary to write a story that engages readers. You’ll learn how to write a story you’re proud of without feeling like you’re alone.
After we’ve met and we agree we’re a good fit, here’s what you can expect when we work together as writer and coach:
- Guidance and accountability. I will give you weekly deadlines designed to keep you focused and on track. These deadlines will help you develop a solid writing routine that follows a specific process to write any book.
- Page reviews. I will review up to 30 pages per deadline. My review will include comments and in-line edits designed to show you what's working and what isn't when it comes to your story and your writing style. You can expect to see comments that provide specific and actionable tips that will help you as you write for the next deadline.
- Support. I provide friendly, encouraging support. But I'll also provide a bit of the tough love when necessary to keep you on track. You can consider me a fellow writer, mentor, coach, and cheerleader.
- One-on-one video calls. After you review my comments, we'll meet for a 60-minute one-on-one coaching call. This is an excellent way to discuss my feedback, share your concerns, and plan next steps.
- Email support. You can email me between deadlines for questions, brainstorming, and support.
Book coaching is NOT a good fit for you if:
- You've already written a complete draft. (If that’s you, consider Manuscript Evaluation.)
- You use AI to determine what happens next in the story.
- You want to keep doing it yourself, no matter how challenging it is and no matter how long it takes.
- Your goal is to churn out novel after novel, and your motto is quantity over quality.
- You’re looking for a publish-fast and get-rich-quick scheme.
- You expect a coach to guarantee your success.
- You want someone to write the story for you or with you. (If that's the case, you might want to look for a ghostwriter or a co-writer.)
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I hear from you?
When you contact me, I try to respond within 48 hours. From there, we'll set up a 30-minute discussion to see if we’re a good fit for one another. If we are, we can discuss a schedule in more detail.
How long does coaching take?
The time to write a novel varies. Among other things, it depends on how many words/chapters you can write between deadlines. Together, we'll set up a schedule that works for your needs. Typically, you can expect to go from idea to a finished first draft in 20+ weeks.
Am I guaranteed to finish my book?
No. As a book coach, I can help you understand the principles of good storytelling, and I can share some processes that have worked for others. However, you have to invest your time and energy in the project. I'll help, but it's still hard work, and how much you're willing to do will determine your success.
What genres do you work with?
While I have edited all types of stories, right now I’m focused primarily on genre fiction. I specialize in horror, fantasy, science fiction, and crime/thriller stories (especially if they have a hint of the paranormal. I work in most age ranges: middle grade, young adult, and adult.
Do you coach comic writers? What if I want to write a novella?
I love working with comic creators, so yes, count me in if you want to write a single issue, graphic novel, or series. I can also help with novellas.
Your Investment
My pricing is based on several different criteria, but you can expect to pay approximately $800 a month for book coaching.
Please contact me so we can discuss your project.