The digital revolution has changed the world of publishing completely, and along the way, new jobshave been created. One of them is that of the author coach, also known as a writing coach or book coach. While there are plenty of author coaches around, it’s not a role everyone is familiar with, and every author coach will have their own unique way of working with their clients. In fact, you may be reading this and asking yourself, “But what is an author coach anyway?” So this post will explain a little about my interpretation of the role of an author coach, and how I work with my clients.
For me, an author coach is someone who fulfils several different roles for their client, so when you choose me to be your author coach, you’ll find I come with a lot of different hats!
As your author coach, I will be your cheerleader
Often writers don’t want to show their work to anyone – especially their close friends and family – until it’s finished. That’s fair enough but it also means there’s no one to share your successes with – whether those successes are finishing the first three chapters or overcoming writer’s block halfway through the book. When you work with me as an author coach I will be there to cheer you on all the way!
I’ll be your taskmaster
One of the biggest problems writers encounter is staying focused and completing their book. Life tends to get in the way, other projects become more pressing and your book can be side-lined – sometimes permanently. As your author coach I will be a tough taskmaster, setting you goals and holding you accountable to them. However, because I’m also human and I know how busy life is, I’ll also be flexible enough to help you find a way of working that suits you – rather than sticking to a strict routine.
I’ll be your advisor
As well as writing and publishing my own books, I’ve worked with over a hundred authors and have acquired a huge bank of information about how writing and self-publishing works, As your author coach, I will share my knowledge and experience to help you find the right path on your publishing journey. Every aspiring author has lots of questions about writing, editing, publishing and more and while I don’t profess to know everything – who does? – I will do my best to find answers and solutions.
I’ll be your reviewer
It’s impossible to take an objective view of your own writing. You’re too close to it – it’s your baby – and it can be difficult to see those areas that perhaps don’t quite work or need more development. Conversely, you may not see the sheer genius of your writing because you don’t believe yourself capable of it! As your author coach I will be happy to review each chapter and provide critical feedback to help you make your book as great as it can possibly be. I am an experienced writer myself, and also an avid reader – so I have a good idea of what works.
Finally, I’ll be your very own Mrs Motivator!
Writing a book can be difficult. You might find you get writer’s block or don’t feel confident in your own abilities, or you might just struggle to find the time to commit to your project. As your author coach, I’ll be there to motivate you, keep your spirits up and help you find the time, place and pace that works for you. Together, I know we can get that book written!
So there you have it: for me, the five main roles of an author coach are as taskmaster, cheerleader, advisor, reviewer and motivator. If you have a book in you but need someone to keep you accountable, hold your hand, cheer you on and give you genuinely helpful feedback and advice, take a look at my author coaching programme. This comprehensive programme includes everything you need to take your book from possibility to plan to publication, including unlimited coaching, “done for you” self-publishing and a range of marketing tools.
And if you’re not sure about whether working with an author coach is right for you, you can always take advantage of a free strategy call where we will explore if it’s the right option for you. Wherever you are in the writing process I believe I can help you. Let’s talk!
