Why Hire a Book Coach?
Whether you're planning to find an agent or self-publish, your book must be the best it can possibly be. It's sometimes difficult, though, to find people with the knowledge, skill, and commitment to help you craft your novel. That's where a Book Coach can help.
Does Everyone Need a Book Coach?
No. A good critique group or writing partner can help you with motivation and accountability. A community of people who love to read, understand what makes a good story, and are able to provide honest and constructive feedback can help you perfect your plot, character arcs, pacing, consistency, and emotional impact.
Unfortunately, finding such partners isn't always easy. That's when you might want to consider hiring a book coach.
What Is My Philosophy and Process?
When I have your manuscript, you can be assured that I will bring my 20+ years of persuasive and narrative writing experience to your novel.
Influenced by my years as a parish pastor, I believe in "speaking the truth in love." That means I'm going to give you honest feedback as kindly as possible. Whether I'm doing a manuscript evaluation, developmental edit, beta read, or critique, I'm looking for what works as well as what could be improved. I'm also committed to helping you strengthen your own story, in your own voice, and will work with you to keep it your own. My suggestions are non-presecriptive, and are intended to not only sharpen your story, but also build you up as a writer.
I do not use AI of any kind. I will not feed your manuscript into any LLM, nor use tools like ProWriting Aid or AutoCrit to evaluate your manuscript. When you hire me you'll get 100% human feedback.
What Genres Do I Work With?
I read multiple genres, but I'm most comfortable giving feedback on Women's Fiction, Romance, Domestic Suspence, and Psychological Thrillers.
Book Your Free Discovery Call Now
Manuscript Evaluation
This is the best place to start if you want a sanity check on your manuscript, or if you’re not really sure what you need. It includes a read-through of your entire completed manuscript and a Zoom call (up to 60 minutes) to discuss general impressions and next steps. I recommend you do this first no matter what service you think you need. It is REQUIRED before a Developmental Edit.
5 – 10 business days
Beta Reading
This includes a read-through of your completed manuscript and extensive margin notes. I’ll highlight what works, what questions I have and when I have them, words, sentences, and passages that stop me dead (in a good way), places where I’m taken out of the story and why, etc. I’ll basically have a conversation with your book while I’m reading it, and document that conversation in the margins. After you receive your manuscript back with my notes, we can schedule a 30 minute Zoom call for any questions you have or clarifications you need.
10 – 15 business days
Developmental Editing
This is a comprehensive review of your manuscript, including two read-throughs. I’ll include margin notes as I would in a beta read, plus an editorial letter of at least two pages (probably more) evaluating plot, structure, character development and arcs, pacing, emotional impact, and consistency. After you’ve received your feedback we’ll schedule a Zoom call (up to 60 minutes) to discuss it.
4 – 6 weeks
Brainstorming and Accountability
Writing a novel is a difficult undertaking, and no one should have to do it alone. If you haven’t found the right writing partner yet, I would love for you to bounce your ideas off me. Unlike the other services I offer, you do not need to have a completed manuscript for this one. Ideally you’ll have a few chapters written and an idea of where you want to go, but I can help you even if all you have is the idea. We’ll have regular Zoom meetings to define your goals, keep you on track, and work through any roadblocks you may encounter as you’re writing. As an optional extra, I can also critique your chapters as you go.
Manuscript Evaluations, Beta Readings, and Developmental Edits will require 50% up front, with the remainder due upon completion. Brainstorming and Accountability packages will be month-by-month, in advance. Authors who commit to three months and pay in full up front will be given a 15% discount on the entire three-month package.