Book Coaching

Write your book with expert guidance beside you.

You remain the author. We help you clarify the idea, build a workable structure, strengthen each chapter, and keep moving through the inevitable questions and challenges of writing a book.

Discuss Book Coaching

What Coaching Provides

Structure, feedback, and forward momentum.

Writing a book involves hundreds of decisions, from determining what belongs in the manuscript to knowing when a chapter is working. Coaching gives you an experienced editorial partner who can help you make those decisions without taking the writing out of your hands.

01

A clear direction

Define the book’s purpose, intended reader, scope, structure, and priorities so that you know what you are building before you spend months writing it.

02

Useful feedback on new pages

Learn what is working, where the writing loses focus, and what a chapter needs in order to become clearer, stronger, and more engaging.

03

Help solving difficult problems

Work through questions about chronology, pacing, voice, scenes, sensitive material, missing information, and the balance between storytelling and reflection.

04

Consistent progress

Establish realistic goals, deadlines, and next steps so that the manuscript continues moving forward rather than disappearing into an open-ended writing project.

If you’re looking for a writing partner, you’ll find no one better than Diana. I highly recommend her for writing projects large or small.

Lisa W.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a book coach do?

A book coach helps you plan, write, and revise your own manuscript. Coaching may include clarifying the book’s central idea, developing its structure, reviewing new pages, solving narrative problems, establishing deadlines, and helping you make steady progress toward a complete draft.

How is book coaching different from editing?

Editing usually focuses on evaluating and improving material that has already been written. Coaching is more ongoing and collaborative. It supports you while you are developing the idea, writing new chapters, making decisions, and revising the manuscript over time.

How is book coaching different from ghostwriting?

With coaching, you remain responsible for writing the manuscript. Your coach provides direction, feedback, editorial judgment, and accountability. With ghostwriting, the writer conducts the interviews, develops the material, and drafts the manuscript on your behalf.

Do I need to have started writing before I begin?

No. Some authors begin coaching with only an idea. Others bring an outline, several chapters, or a nearly complete manuscript. The work is tailored to your starting point and may begin with concept development, positioning, structure, or a practical writing plan.

Will you read and comment on my pages?

Yes. Page review is usually an important part of coaching. Feedback may address structure, clarity, pacing, voice, scenes, argument, and what the manuscript needs next. The amount of material reviewed between sessions is established in advance as part of the engagement.

What happens during a coaching session?

Sessions are working conversations focused on the manuscript and your current priorities. We may discuss recently submitted pages, resolve a structural problem, plan upcoming chapters, refine the book’s central ideas, or determine specific goals for the next stage of writing.

How often do we meet?

The meeting schedule depends on the project, your writing pace, and the amount of support you need. Many authors benefit from regular sessions every two to four weeks, while more intensive projects may require a different cadence.

How much does book coaching cost?

Fees depend on the frequency and length of meetings, the number of pages reviewed, the duration of the engagement, and the level of editorial support required. After an initial conversation, we provide a proposal describing the scope, schedule, deliverables, and fee.

How long does a coaching engagement last?

Some authors need focused help with a proposal, outline, or several difficult chapters. Others work with a coach throughout the development of an entire manuscript. The appropriate length depends on your goals, writing schedule, and the stage of the book.

Can you help me develop a book proposal?

Yes. Coaching can include developing the book’s concept, audience, positioning, chapter outline, sample material, author platform description, and other elements required for a nonfiction book proposal.

Can coaching help prepare my manuscript for publication?

Yes. Coaching can help you strengthen the manuscript and make informed decisions about traditional or independent publication. When the book is ready, we can also advise on editing, proposals, submission materials, design, production, and other appropriate next steps.

What kinds of books do you coach?

We coach memoir, biography, narrative nonfiction, business and leadership books, thought-leadership projects, and other nonfiction manuscripts. The coaching approach is tailored to the book’s genre, audience, purpose, and intended publishing path.

Start the Conversation

Ready to make steady progress on your book?

Tell us what you are writing, how far you have come, and where you feel stuck. We can help you determine whether book coaching is the right next step.