What can a book coach do for me?
Writing is solitary. Publishing is shared. A coach bridges that gap.
A book coach works alongside you as you write, guiding you through the process, helping you stay on track, and making sure your book takes the shape you intended.
This isn’t about fine-tuning your grammar or line edits (though we’ll touch those if needed). It’s about helping you understand what kind of book you’re writing, who it’s for, and how to structure and express it clearly.
Writing without that guidance can lead to multiple, exhausting drafts before you find your line. Coaching helps you avoid that. It’s a partnership: structured support that makes the act of writing feel possible, even on the hard days.
How would I gain from hiring a book coach?
You might wonder whether you can justify the investment. That’s normal.
Writing groups offer community and general feedback. But a book coach brings professional training, focused attention, and structured support—tailored to your book and your goals.
Your coach is:
- A project manager, helping you reach the finish line
- A sounding board, helping you get the deep story right
- A guide, keeping you moving when life or doubt gets in the way
- A calm, honest voice at decision points
You could spend the same money on another course, a conference, or another stack of books. But only coaching offers one-to-one expertise, given in context, as you write.
Your book is more important than your fear.
How is coaching different from editing?
Editing happens after you’ve written. Coaching happens while you write.
A developmental editor gives you feedback once the manuscript is complete. A coach helps you shape it as it develops, reducing the need for large-scale rewrites later.
Coaching is particularly useful if you’re unsure where to begin, struggling with structure, or finding that your book keeps stalling. It’s strategic, reflective, and supportive.
Talk early. Save rewriting.
How does the billing process work?
I send you a secure payment link (using Stripe) so that you can easily make payment by credit card. This works for all countries.
Before we start work together, you and I agree a price. I may ask you to pay a 50% non refundable deposit when we agree to work together. This is so that you can be sure of securing my time to work on your book.
What advice do you give to writers who want publishing success?
First, define what success means to you.
Is it a traditional publishing deal? Royalties? A polished book you can hold and share? Recognition in your field? A legacy for your family?
Once you know what matters to you, you can shape your writing and publishing plan around it.
Publishing is a process. It needs a plan.
One piece of advice?
Write a good book that people want to buy—and to read.
How would coaching with you work?
You receive assignments tailored to your goals
- You write and submit them on a set schedule
- I give feedback on each one
- We meet on Zoom for in-depth discussion
It’s in the back-and-forth that the real progress happens. Coaching gives you structure, reflection, and momentum. We repeat the cycle until your goals are met.
Can you guarantee I’ll get published?
No.
Traditional publishing is competitive and shaped by taste, timing, and business risk.
Your book may be strong but still not find a home at a publishing house.
That said, today’s publishing landscape offers more paths than ever. I help you understand your options—from traditional to hybrid to independent models—so you can make informed decisions that fit your goals.
Why should I pay for a book coach?
Because writing without feedback is risky. It costs time, energy, and clarity.
A good book coach helps you:
- Avoid aimless drafting
- Understand where your book isn’t working—and why
- Protect your creative energy with a structured process
You don’t need to be clear to be coached. If you were, you wouldn’t need coaching.
Isn’t it better to spend my money on a developmental editor?
Not always. Developmental editing is valuable but it comes after the fact. If there are problems with your full draft, it’s a lot of work to re-write.
A coach works with you from the beginning, helping you avoid structural problems before they become embedded in a full draft.
The timing matters. Coaching at the planning or drafting stage can save you from tearing apart a finished manuscript later.
How do I go about publishing my book?
There’s no single right way—but there are risks in going in blind.
I’ll help you understand your options:
• Traditional, hybrid, indie and self-publishing models
• How money flows in each
• How to avoid scams and poor-fit services
• What to expect at each stage
Then we align your publishing path with your priorities. That might be income. It might be credibility, impact, or personal satisfaction.
Marketing is a process. It needs a plan.
Together, we make one that works for you.
I write nonfiction. How can you help me?
Most nonfiction writers seeking traditional publication need a book proposal—a detailed business case for your book.
We’ll work through:
• Your core idea and its purpose
• Your audience and what they need
• Your book’s structure and flow
• Your marketing plan and comparable titles
• Two polished sample chapters
The proposal is useful even if you choose to self-publish. It clarifies your thinking, lays solid foundations, and makes the writing easier.
A book coach helps you get to grips with your book—before you start writing it.
How do I get a polished proposal?
We work step by step. I guide you through each section, with feedback at every stage. We iterate until it’s strong, clear, and submission-ready.
By the end, you’ll know what your book is about, who it’s for, and how to write it.
You’ll also understand how the publishing world works and how to approach it.
Publishing is a process. It needs a plan.
I write fiction. Can you help?
Yes. I offer copyediting for fiction manuscripts, ensuring grammar, punctuation and spelling are correct and consistent, while preserving your voice and intention.
If you’re looking for coaching through the writing process, I work with selected fiction projects depending on scope and fit.
Tell me about your cancellation policy.
If you don’t want to continue working with me for any reason, tell me and we will stop.
Any deposit you paid me, and any advance payment for my services, are not refundable. You will pay me any outstanding fees we have agreed but otherwise, we just stop and walk away with no further commitment on either side.
Do you have any affiliations?
If you mean, do I get a cut when I recommend another professional, the answer is, No.
I neither use nor offer any affiliation arrangements with any other book coach, editor, publisher, agent, or anyone else.
I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Editorial Professionals, and a certified book coach under the auspices of Author Accelerator, Inc. I am also a member of the Law Society of England & Wales, as a practicing lawyer.
How long does coaching or editing usually take?
It entirely depends on what you want to achieve. To assess your manuscript in a developmental edit, I might need three weeks or less. To copyedit your manuscript, the same.
To coach you on the foundations of your book could take a month or to coach you through a full book proposal could take six weeks or it could take eight months.
With coaching, it depends on how hard and fast you are prepared to work and with editing, it depends on my own schedule. We agree a timetable when we get down to brass tacks and agree how we are going to work together.
Can coaching help if I’ve already written a draft?
Absolutely! You may have wanted to get all your ideas out on paper before talking to anyone. It’s only at that stage that some writers feel they can take stock and identify the problems they need help on.
Got more questions?
Let’s have a conversation.
By Zoom, up to 45 minutes. No charge or obligation.
