Looking for a professional writing coach?

What is book coaching?

Book coaching provides professional support for authors at every stage of the writing process. A book coach (or writing coach) works with you one-on-one, bringing structure, expertise, and accountability to what can otherwise be a solitary and overwhelming endeavor. Unlike an editor, who steps in once the draft is done, a book coach supports you during the writing journey — from first idea to finished manuscript. 

Your coach will help you develop your ideas into an outline, set achievable writing goals, and overcome creative blocks. They’ll provide honest feedback on your progress and give you the resources, education, and motivation to take your writing to the next level. They’re your teacher, cheerleader, confidante, taskmaster, and industry expert, all rolled into one. Through book coaching, you can meet your short-term and long-term goals: to write a better book now and to become a stronger writer for the future. 

Book coaching vs editing

While a book coach will help you reach the editing stages, they won’t directly edit your book themselves.

Once your draft is complete, you’ll need to work with a professional editor to get it ready to publish. 

Learn more about developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading here. You can also meet hundreds of the world’s best professional editors right here on Reedsy.

Who can benefit from book coaching?

Just like not every gym user has a personal coach, not every author needs a book coach. You’re most likely to benefit from book coaching if:

1. You don’t have any formal training in creative writing and are looking for all the benefits of an MFA without the extortionate price tag.
2. You want to finish your book, but struggle to maintain momentum without the support, encouragement, and accountability a writing coach provides.
3. You’re not satisfied with any of your drafts and want to know what you can do to unlock your full potential.
4. You’ve already published one or more books successfully, but need advice and support to increase your output and scale up your writing business.

On the other hand, if you can confidently complete an entire draft of a book, you probably don’t require a book coach, and can skip straight to hiring a developmental editor.

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Panel Discussion — Book Coaching
Types of Editing

What makes a good book coach?

Unlike personal trainers, book coaches don’t have to hold recognized qualifications. Anybody can advertise themselves as a book coach — which is why authors have to be so careful about whom they hire. A good book coach has:

• A deep understanding of the craft of storytelling and/or building an argument
• Comprehensive knowledge of the publishing industry and current market expectations in their speciality genre(s)
• Experience of working on book projects as an author or editor themselves
• Excellent pedagogical skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts in an accessible way
• Good interpersonal skills, including empathy, tact, and listening skills

Note that we have not included any particular study programs in this list. At Reedsy, we value proven expertise and experience over formal qualifications. Our writing coaches have worked with some of the best writers in the world as editors and co-authors. They know how to develop an author’s mastery of the writing craft and are also intimately familiar with today’s competitive publishing market.

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Browse more profiles on Reedsy

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Charlotte C.

A former bookseller turned editor and literary agent, I specialise in childrens and commercial fiction. I love polishing raw literary gems!

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Nicola C.

Picture-book editor with 10+ years' in-house experience at some of the UK’s biggest publishers. Let's see what we can create together!

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Erin D.

20+ years of experience guiding picture book, middle grade, and YA authors. I'm a professor, author, and your creative cheerleader.

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Reedsy Selection Criteria

How much does book coaching cost?

Book coaching typically costs anywhere between $80 and $250+ per 1-hour video call, depending on the coach’s experience.

There's no one-size-fits-all collaboration schedule, and the journey you take with your coach is entirely your own. Your number of sessions (and what you invest in them) depends on your goals, how you like to collaborate, and how much time you can give your book.

Many writing coaches on Reedsy offer a significant discount if you’re a long-term client.

Find out more

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Creating a Book Coaching Offer on Reedsy

How to find the right book coach

When you hire a book coach on Reedsy’s marketplace, you can rest assured about quality: we vet all of our freelancers manually and only accept the top 3% of applicants.

But quality isn’t all that counts: it’s just as important to find a writing coach who fits your writing process and style. To match with the best coach for you:

1. Narrow your search to book coaches who specialize in your genre. Research books by authors they’ve worked with in the past to see if they’re similar to yours. It’s also worth shortlisting coaches who have experience helping writers meet similar goals to yours, whether that’s “finish my first book” or “scale my writing business.” 
2. Ask potential coaches about their coaching format and communication style. How often do they meet with clients? Are clients allowed to contact them between sessions? Are they always positive, or do they sometimes tell it how it is? Look for a coach whose energy matches or complements your own.
3. Clearly communicate your needs. What do you struggle with when you’re writing? Do you find yourself encountering problems with time management, self-motivation, character development, or a saggy middle? Tell your writing coach upfront so that they know how best to help you.

Tips for working with a writing coach 

If you’ve found the perfect writing coach, it’s time to get excited about working with them. 

To get the most out of your coaching sessions:

1. Define your end goal at the start. What do you ultimately want to get out of your collaboration? Let your coach know so they can shape your sessions accordingly. Make sure you understand the scope of their services: establish in advance what’s included, what’s not included, and what costs extra. 
2. Always be honest. Your coach can only help you if you’re truthful about your progress, insecurities, and weaknesses. Each coaching relationship will be different, and a good writing coach will adapt to you and your book’s demands.
3. Do your homework! Your coach can guide you, but they can’t make you a better writer on their own: you have to put in the graft yourself. But the key point is that it doesn’t have to be a lonely journey: you can have help along the way.

Find out more

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