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.
Free 40-minute Zoom talks for writing groups
Are you in a writing group? Would your writing group like to know what book coaching is and how they might benefit from it? I’d love to talk to your group about all things book coaching. Contact me at sarah@verbatimedits to discuss whether this would be a good fit for your group.
Book Coaching Rates
Hourly rate for book coaching or editing: $90 an hour. This includes phone calls, Zoom calls or meetings.
Manuscript assessment:
$250 for 3 chapters (or 7,500 words)
$500 for full manuscript–50,000 words and under
$750 for full manuscript–50,000 words to 100,000
$1,000 for full manuscript over 100,000 words
All assessments include written editorial/coaching feedback and one phone call to discuss feedback.
Deposit of half the amount is due before assessment can be started.
Book Coaching Packages
$500 a month
- 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.
$750 a month
- One initial phone call to get things rolling. One hour max.
- 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..
$1000 a month
- 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