Book Coaching
I work one-on-one with new or seasoned writers to create books that will engage publishers, agents and readers.
- Do you have just the tiniest seed of an idea for a book? I’ll be the gardener that helps care for and protect that seed as it grows.
- Have you finished your manuscript and know that it would benefit from some expert attention? I’ll be the forester who considers both the forest and the trees (before she cuts down a few trees in a sustainable manner).
- Do you want someone to assess your project, listen to you, understand your goals, and mentor you through the process of crafting the best possible book? I can do all that and more!
- Together we will set milestones, find solutions to problems, and focus on both the big picture and the details. We will celebrate your successes and we will have fun doing it, I promise.
- I will motivate you to work hard and also hold you accountable for the work that needs to be done on your book. (I love a good schedule!)
- I also do substantive and stylistic editing. I look at plot, character, tone, voice, style, emotional impact and setting, among many other things. This is the fine-tuning that allows your work to sing.
- I can work with you as you undertake the daunting task of finding an agent or publisher. However, I cannot guarantee publication for anyone. Not even myself! Publishing is a complex and ever-changing industry. Definitely not for the faint of heart. (That’s not you, though, right?)
- Book coaching may include chocolate when you get a contract for your book!
Are you interested in book coaching? Let's book a consultation
Book Coaching Consultations
Free 20-minute phone consultation
I’d love to talk with you about your writing journey. What genre do you work in? Who are you writing for? What are your goals? What do you struggle with? Are you just plain stuck? How can a book coach help? We can have a free 20-minute chat about how to move your writing forward and actually enjoy doing it. Contact me at sarah@verbatimedits.com and we’ll set something up.
Book Coaching Services
Manuscript assessment:
A manuscript assessment involves a close reading of the manuscript as well as an objective analysis of the book’s strengths and weaknesses. All assessments include one initial phone call, detailed written feedback, and another phone call to discuss feedback. Manuscript assessments take up to weeks to complete, depending on genre, length, and complexity and how busy I am.
Contact me at sarah@verbatimedits.com to discuss whether a manuscript assessment is the right service for you.
Book Coaching Packages
Tier 1
- One initial phone call to get things rolling
- One phone call every two weeks
- Email support up to 3 times a week, weekdays only
- Between 7,500 and 10,000 words to be sent to me every two weeks for critique and discussion
- Coaching can start at any time during a calendar month. (A coaching month is 28 days.)
- All fees must be paid in full at the start of each coaching month.
- Payment is to be made by e-transfer. to sarah@verbatimedits.com
Tier 2
- One initial phone call to get things rolling
- One phone call a week
- Email support up to 5 times a week, weekdays only
- Between 5,000 and 7,500 words to be sent to me every week for critique and discussion
- Coaching can start at any time during a calendar month. (A coaching month is 28 days)
- All fees must be paid in full at the start of each coaching month.
- Payment is to be made by e-transfer to sarah@verbatimedits.com
Tier 3
- One initial phone call to get things rolling
- Two phone calls a week
- Email support up to 5 times a week, weekdays only
- Between 7,500 and 10,000 words to be sent to me every week for critique and discussion
- Coaching can start at any time during a calendar month. (A coaching month is 28 days.)
- All fees must be paid in full at the start of each coaching month.
- Payment is to be made by e-transfer to sarah@verbatimedits.com
- Custom packages are available upon request.
For coaching rates, please contact me at sarah@verbatimedits.com..
Sarah N. Harvey
Editor, book coach, and writer.
Helping writers polish their work - word by word, sentence by sentence - since 2005.
What My Authors Say
I have nothing but admiration for the work that Sarah Harvey put into my book, Mr. Mindbomb. This book is an anthological biography of my late husband, the founder of Greenpeace, Bob Hunter. I conceived the idea for this book over two years ago. I enlisted approximately 45 friends, relatives, admirers, prodigy and cohorts to write short story chapters about Bob's incredible life. To find a common voice, a smooth flow of sequences and to not repeat sentiments took a lot of time. Sarah worked with me to find a way to make this book sing the praises of Bob Hunter in a fashion that would make any reader feel a sense of awe. This is an inspiring book about a Canadian hero and Sarah knew just how to make the work a compelling read. She was astute and knowledgeable and made my book ready to be accepted by a publisher in short order. It was an honour to work with her.
Bobbi Hunter
Author of Mr. Mindbomb (forthcoming from Rocky Mountain Books)
At our first meeting Sarah expressed her concerns about me revisiting the trauma. She had just read my book. Really I had no clue what was to happen next. The journey through each page with her gave me courage and resilience. The timeline she presented made it easier to take the breaks when I did revisit the trauma. Her professional expertise in editing “Genocidal Love” kept my voice on every page. Thank you, Sarah, for your understanding of intergenerational trauma, your kind, caring patience and professional guidance.
Bevann Fox
Author of Genocidal Love: A Life After Residential School
Sarah Harvey picked my first YA novel out of the slush pile over fifteen years ago, and since then she has edited more than a dozen of my books: fiction and non-fiction, for children and for teens. She has been a wonderful editor and mentor, has taught me a great deal about writing, and has improved my books immeasurably. She edited my Silver Birch winning novel, Record Breaker, and both editions of my Stonewall Honor book Pride. Other books she has edited for me have gone on to be nominated for numerous awards—including the Governor General’s Literary Awards and four BC Book Prizes. Sarah has a keen eye for character development and story structure, respects the author’s voice and goals, and always helps me bring my book closer to what I want it to be. She is astute, insightful, thorough, and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her as an editor.
Robin Stevenson
Author of Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community, a Stonewall Honor book