Our focus this month is on bringing in someone to assist you, such as a book coach or a ghostwriter, in completing your manuscript when you need some extra help.
Today we are thrilled to have Angelle Horste-MacKiernan of Finally Write Book Coaching & Editing as a guest writer to bring clarity about what a book coach can do for you!
You can find out more about Angelle and Finally Write on Twitter/X, Instagram and on the web.
There are a lot of opinions flying around about book coaching, and whether or not an author needs one. Let’s talk a little bit about what a book coach does, and then look at the best way to find the right one for you.
A book coach is sometimes known as a writing coach or story coach. Unlike an editor (who helps clean up a finished manuscript), a book coach works with the author from idea stage all the way through pitching and (hopefully) publication.
Think of a book coach as a trusted ally that guides and encourages you through your entire writing process. We work with you to refine your ideas, strengthen your plot, and develop compelling characters and themes. We help you through the intricacies of story structure, and serve as your personal sounding board and mentor. We provide expertise on genre, audience, and comparable works. We provide the support and accountability you need to get to ‘The End’.
And when you’ve finished writing, a book coach can even help you develop pitch materials and a list of potential agents/publishers.
Working with a book coach can be a great way to ensure your writing is clear and communicating the ideas you want it to, and that it will resonate with your target audience.
A book coach won’t change your voice or themes. We won’t write your book for you (that’s ghostwriting). And we don’t make promises guaranteeing your book will be published. (Anyone who says otherwise is being dishonest.)
Unlike a beta editor (usually a friend or fellow author), a book coach will tell you hard truths. No one wants to hear they need to do a lot of revision, or even tear their plot apart and start over. But as much as it might sting to hear your manuscript isn’t perfect, it’s still less painful than realizing you tried to pitch a manuscript with glaring plot holes in it to your dream agent. Ouch.
A good book coach will be transparent about fees and timelines, and will work with you to develop a coaching plan to fit your budget as well as your unique needs. Every author is different, and no coaching program is one-size-fits-all.
So how do you know if a book coach is right for you?
- Do you have an idea you’ve been backburnering for years, afraid you don’t have the tools you need to do it justice?
- Are you unsure where to start? Or stuck somewhere in the middle, so frustrated and confused that you’re considering giving up?
- Maybe you’ve been rewriting your book over and over, and just can’t seem to make it work.
- Do you have great ideas, but struggle to find the time (or motivation) to write?
- Maybe you’ve got a finished draft and need a little help to ensure it’s ready to pitch or submit for traditional or self-publishing.
If any of these resonate with you, it might be time to partner with a professional book coach.
How do I know if a book coach is legit?
- A good book coach will ask questions. They’ll want to know the big picture of your project and your publishing goals. How can we tell you if you’re on the right track or not if we don’t even know what you’re going for?
- A good book coach will dedicate time to speaking with you to discuss their suggestions and notes, whether you’re working on developing an idea or reviewing a full manuscript.
- A good book coach will have an open dialogue, not just a ‘this is the law’ approach. Writing is an art, and while there are guidelines we follow, at the end of the day, it’s your story. We want to help you make it the best it can be, not take it away from you or turn it into something you didn’t intend. Your voice is your voice.
- A good book coach will tell you hard truths with empathy and kindness. We will point out flaws — that’s part of what you need us for — but we will also encourage and guide you to grow and become better, and to believe in yourself and the power of your writing. We want you to succeed, not tear you down.
- Every coach has their own particular style. A good book coach will discuss with you up front what type of coaching they feel your work needs. They may evaluate a few sample pages to get an idea if they’re in agreement with your ideas of what you need and, if not, they’ll let you know.
- A good book coach will be transparent about fees and timelines, and will work with you to develop a coaching plan to fit your budget as well as your unique needs. Every author is different, and no coaching program is one-size-fits-all.
- A good book coach will be flexible with deadlines because life happens, but will hold you accountable and encourage you to set achievable goals for yourself that will keep you pushing forward.
- No book coach can guarantee that, if you work with them, your manuscript will be a bestseller. We can’t even promise it will be accepted by an agent or publisher. What we can do is help you make your book the best it can be, and develop a great pitch package, but there are never any guarantees. (If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, run)
In conclusion
At the end of the day, book coaching isn’t for everyone. There are writers who don’t like to receive criticism and feedback, or who would prefer to just go it alone. That’s fair, and more power to them. But there are many, many more writers out there who need guidance — a little or a lot — getting all the way to ‘The End’. For them, a book coach is the ally they need to make their books something of which they can be proud, and to give them a competitive edge in pitching and publishing.
If you’d like to learn more about book coaching, contact Finally Write today.
Angelle Horste-MacKiernan
Finally. Write.
