I’ve been working in book publishing since 2000, as a publisher, as an editor, as a coach. So there are a number of ways I support writers, authors, and even publishers. I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for among the services I offer below.
Ongoing Coaching
Hire me for one-on-one coaching. I work with writers and authors at any stage in the process, whether you have an idea for a book you want to write, or whether you have a finished manuscript that needs something—but you’re not sure what. Contact me to find out more about how the coaching works. Lead by telling me about you and about your project. If your project feels like a fit, we’ll have a short 20- to 30-minute call or Zoom session to talk through my initial thoughts, your goals, and how I work with writers and authors. I work with memoirists and novelists, as well as writers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who have big-idea books and self-help books they’re ready to bring into the world.
Single consultations
A single consultation is similar to coaching, except it’s a single session for writers, authors, and publishers looking for specific advice. We would forego the complimentary session to zero in on your questions and needs. Single consultations generally run one hour.
Editorial Services
I offer a full range of editorial services and use an extended and trusted team of editors to execute developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading. You can read about what’s entailed in each of these levels of edits and check out our rates here.
Book Proposal Assistance or Ghostwriting (for memoirists and other nonfiction writers)
To start, I recommend checking out my e-book, How to Sell Your Memoir. Even though this book is geared toward memoirists, the suggestions are relevant to any nonfiction writer. Book proposals are one of my favorite processes, and I can’t emphasize enough the importance of having a comprehensive proposal if you want a real shot at selling your book to an agent or editor. I offer book proposal assistance (in the form of evaluations and/or coaching writers through the process) and ghost-writing services. Please contact me for a bid.
Manuscript Assessments
A manuscript assessment is a full read and evaluation of your manuscript, with detailed written feedback about what’s working and what’s not. If you’re not sure you’re ready for coaching but know that something isn’t quite working with your manuscript, this is a great place to start. For this service, I charge according to the word count of your manuscript-in-process, so please send me a synopsis of the work plus the word count. I’d love to read your work and support you to figure out the best next step forward.
Self-Publishing Assistance
I run my own publishing house, yes, but I strongly believe (and know) that there’s not one best path forward for every author. As such, I consider myself to be publishing agnostic, and I’ve long supported authors to self-publish. My team can support all your publishing needs—from cover design, to interior design, to editorial support, to project management services. Contact me and tell me about your project so I can support you with a bid for services.
Start or Grow Your Own Publishing Business
Since starting She Writes Press in 2012, lots of publishers reach out to me looking for a very specific kind of coaching—which is the kind of support authors-turned-publishers are looking for when they decide they’re ready to take the plunge and start their own press. If this is you, I can help you navigate the complicated world of book publishing, and to prevent a lot of the missteps I made when starting my own publishing company. Let’s talk contracts, business models, distribution, sales channels, printing, inventory, warehousing, and more.
Memoir Classes
I have an absolute love affair with memoir, which stems from the many memoir projects I acquired and shepherded to publication during my tenure as Executive Editor at Seal Press from 2004-2012. I teach a biannual intensive course called Write Your Memoir in Six Months with Linda Joy Myers (President of the National Association of Memoir Writers), along with six-week boot camps and other intensives, and our popular best-seller courses. Please visit our site to learn more, and explore more about the memoir classes I teach here.
Why Authors Need Author Advocates (this video is getting old, but I still have the same ethos this many years later!):