This post has a lot of moving parts, because there’s a lot going on! In it, I explain my coaching philosophy and what it looks like to work with me. It’s good information, but if your eyes lit up when you saw “gratitude special” or “new offer” in the subject line and want to learn about those, scroll down. Otherwise, carry on to read more.

What do you really want in 2020? To finish that novel? To write a memoir? To get a book contract or publish your own book? To submit a book proposal? Or maybe you just want to establish a regular writing practice, one that will feed and soother you through all life’s ups and downs.

Are you currently accomplishing these things? If not, I have a suggestion for you.  Why not ask for coaching as a Christmas gift? Those items you have on your Christmas list now? You’ll be tired of that cute outfit by next and that fancy blender will be gathering dust in the cupboard by this time next year. But if you spend the money on coaching instead, you could have a book out by this time next year. Or you could be submitting it to agents. Or you could have a completed book proposal.

Better yet, treat yourself.  There’s no better investment than spending money on you and what you’ve longed to do for so long. The world needs your voice, people.  Maybe what you need this year is coaching to get your words out in the world.

A lot of writers I come in contact with have vague ideas about writing coaching. They think they might need it—but they are not exactly sure what it entails. It sounds a bit mysterious and scary, too.  So, I’ve decided to demystify the process by explaining all the ways it can help you.

I’m also feeling all gushy and full of gratitude as we enter the holiday season, so I have special offering for you. But it’s only good until the end of November so you need to act fast!

And finally, for those of you who don’t need full-on coaching but instead some encouragement and nudging to get your creative practice back, I’ve designed a special program for you!

What is coaching all about, anyway?

First of all, let’s take a look at the coaching. Some of the concerns I’ve heard expressed include:

Does the coach tell me exactly what to do?

Does she boss me around and yell at me?  Send me off to do one hundred push-ups?

Do I have to do exactly what she says?

And what if I totally disagree with her?

I’m an old-school coach. I took life coaching training back in the early oughts, when it was still a relatively new thing. Back then, coaching was not about a stern coach telling you exactly what you needed to do. Rather, the coach understood that the client always knows the answer. It’s just that they sometimes need help pulling it up into the light of day.

I follow this precept in all my coaching. I assume that you know the answer—to what the next scene should be, or to why you aren’t sitting down to write regularly when you keep saying you want to.  But sometimes that answer is in your heart and hasn’t yet made it up to your brain. That’s where a good writing coach comes in.

How writing coaching can help you

–Getting words on the page. You want to write, but you have trouble getting to the computer. Or once you get there, you stare off into space without writing a word.

–Getting a supportive, objective opinion about your work. Yes, your mother loves it. But that’s what Moms do. They love you—and your work. A writing coach reads your work and tells you what works and what doesn’t.

–Help you develop ideas for plot and character. Brainstorming! Sometimes you need an objective eye to help you see things.

–Teach you everything about writing fiction and non-fiction. This is one reason I enjoy coaching so much—because as we discuss your work, I use examples from it as teaching moments.

–Help you establish a regular writing practice. You love to write, but you do it sporadically. You’d love to do it more.

–Guide you through the labyrinth of publishing. I’m familiar with both traditional and indie publishing and can help you decide which to pursue to begin with. After that, I can lead you through the process of submitting to agents. Or help you get going with self-publishing.

–Help you write a book proposal. Non-fiction books are sold through proposals these days. I’ve taught this, and guided clients to submit proposals that got rave reviews from agents. 

–Talk about marketing and social media. I know, you hate it. So do I. But it is a necessary evil that we must deal with.

How it works

You submit up to 20 pages of your work. I read it, critique it and send it back to you. We schedule a phone call to discuss it—and more, such as your writing practice and whether or not you are getting words on the page.

Gratitude Special

I’m grateful to all of you who read my newsletter. And I’m grateful to my wonderful clients. So I’m offering a Thanksgiving gratitude special.

Okay, here’s the deal. I’m raising my rates in January 2020. So if you are at all thinking of hiring me to coach you, now is the time to do it.

I’m also going to sweeten the pot. If you sign up by the end of November, I’ll gift you extra sessions! Those who sign up for a month (4 sessions) will get one extra session. That’s 5 sessions for the price of four. And those who sign up for three months (12 sessions) paid in advance, will get two extra sessions. That’s 14 sessions for the price of 12!

You can use these sessions any time, as you need them.

But remember—this gratitude special only runs through the end of November. You can start coaching any time it’s convenient, but to get the deal you need to commit and pay now.

New Offering: Jumpstart Your Writing!

Some of you may just need to get yourself going regularly again. You long to write but you never quite get to it. You don’t want to engage in a long-term coaching relationship and nor do you have a need for it.

What you do need is help establishing a regular practice.

I’ve realized that since this requires no reading and thus less of my time, I can offer a mini-coaching program to get you going again at a lower price. So here’s what I’m proposing: two or four hour-long sessions with me, depending on your needs. We’ll talk by phone or Skype or Zoom, whichever you prefer, and dig deep into your resistance and procrastination. Then we’ll figure out how to put those silly demons to rest once and for all so you can be the writer you long to be.

Because I’m passionate about helping writers get words on the page, I’m offering these at bargain basement rates: two hour-long sessions for $150, or four hour-long sessions for $300. I’ve got room in my schedule for just a few through the end of the year. Wouldn’t it be great to start 2020 with strategies and techniques to get your writing done?

Why me?

I’ve been teaching and coaching writing since 2003. I started shortly after I earned my MFA in fiction from Spalding University (have to brag a bit—it’s a top ten program). I’ve read hundreds of manuscripts, as a coach and editor and teacher.

And I’m a published novelist as well. My novel, Emma Jean’s Bad Behavior, was published in 2013 by Vagabondage Press, and my agent, Erin Niumata of Folio Lit, is currently shopping two other novels.

I’m not telling you this to brag (well, except for that one bit about my MFA program) but to tell you that I know my shit. I’ve been doing this a long time. It’s what I do. What I love.

And also—I’m nice. You’re not going to hear how terrible your work is from me. Yes, I’ll show you places where you can improve and explain why. But I’ll also point out what you’re doing right. I believe fervently that writers learn better from a supportive teacher than one who bullies.

So if you are interested, email me and we will set up a time to talk.  Or if you’re sure you want to do it and get in on the deal, reply and we’ll talk money, honey. And get going as soon as you want to!