Book Coaching

What is a book coach?

If your goal is to refine your writing and prepare it for publication, a book coach can facilitate that process. Many similar titles might be applied to the role of book coach: publishing consultant; writing coach; book shepherd or doctor or whisperer; or editorial consultant, for example. When I hear the word “coach,” I tend to think of someone who teaches a specific skill set, like a sports coach, but the term could also be thought to refer to someone who facilitates the development of a set of skills and strategies that helps a person reach a goal—and that’s the essence of a book coach.

Book coaches have varied skill sets and specialized industry knowledge. Some specialize in book proposals for nonfiction manuscripts or query letters for fiction manuscripts and may also seek out suitable agents and publishers. Others help develop a manuscript from scratch or from a work in progress. Another kind of book coach provides nonjudgmental editorial feedback, space for reflection, accountability, and support throughout the publication process, whether you choose to query agents and publishers or self-publish. That’s the kind of book coach I am.

I’m like the in-house editor of old—the one who would review your manuscript, walk you through editorial suggestions, bolster your enthusiasm, provide feedback on your revisions, explain the many steps toward publication, and, of course, set deadlines. For the most part, this brand of editor, someone like the late editor Robert Gottlieb, doesn’t exist in publishing houses anymore, certainly not to the extent that it used to. That’s the kind of editor I’ve always wanted to be—the one who champions your book at every step. The book coach role is the modern equivalent of that traditional in-house editor.

How we work together depends on what your goals are, where you are in the writing process, the nature of the project, and the kind of support you’d find most helpful. The first step is to have a chat about your project—this first consultation is free: no obligations and no sales, just an informal chat to get to know each other a bit. Then we can discuss how we might work together. Would you benefit from twice-monthly Zoom or phone sessions? Or a one-off consultation to discuss beta reader or developmental feedback you’ve received? Do you want ongoing support as you navigate querying agents and publishers or self-publishing? My approach is tailored to the needs of each project and the preferences of each writer.

I love collaborating on creative work in this way, and I’m eager to hear about your project and how I can help.