Book Coaching for Writers Balancing Classrooms, Kids, and Careers
I help writers plan, draft, revise, and pitch their novels with steady guidance, practical strategy, and accountability that fits their busy lives.
“During November, I really thought I would increase my daily word count. Instead, I hit a brick wall. Thank goodness I continued to invest in myself because I'm not sure what I would have done without Mandy as my book coach. She really helped me take down that brick wall, brick-by-brick…a huge burden was lifted, and I could focus on the story that I was trying to tell. I'm now on month five of working with Mandy as my book coach, and because of the goals she has helped me set, her feedback, and her thought-partnering, I am on track to have a complete first draft of my novel finished by the end of February!”
~Christina B, educator writing a romantasy
I’ve been where you are.
Before I became a book coach, I was a full-time teacher and a mom carrying around a novel idea that never seemed to make it onto the page. I wrote in scraps of time and filled notebook after notebook with scenes, character sketches, and something that loosely resembled a draft. I cared deeply about the story, but I didn’t understand how all the pieces were supposed to come together. I didn’t have a clear roadmap for how a novel actually gets built from beginning to end.
Learning the structure behind storytelling changed everything. Instead of guessing, I finally had a plan. Writing stopped feeling mysterious and overwhelming and started to feel steady and manageable.
Now I guide other writers through that same step-by-step process, so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and support instead of trying to figure it out alone. Writing a novel is way more fun when you have a coach by your side!
Who I Work With
You’ll probably feel at home here if you have a novel idea or a messy draft and feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward. Many of the writers I work with are teachers and moms who spend so much of their time caring for students, families, and everyone else, often at the expense of their own creative dreams. They want support that feels steady and realistic, not more pressure.
I also love working with teenagers who are learning how to channel their energy and imagination into a project they can feel proud of, as well as any writer who feels called to make the world a little brighter through their words.
You might be a good fit if you:
are balancing writing with teaching, parenting, or a demanding schedule
crave structure and clear next steps
want thoughtful feedback and accountability
prefer calm, practical guidance over hype or hustle
are serious about finishing your book
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
Ready to talk about your novel? Book a Call anytime — I’d love to hear about your story.
How I’ll Support You
Get clear on what your novel needs most right now.
We’ll figure out exactly where you are in the process and identify your next best steps, so you’re not guessing what to work on.Build a realistic, step-by-step plan.
Together, we’ll create a strategy that fits your life, your schedule, and your goals, whether you’re plannning, drafting, revising, or preparing to pitch.Receive thoughtful, specific feedback on your pages.
You’ll get detailed notes that show you what’s working and where you can strengthen your craft, from big-picture structure to line-level polish.Stay accountable and keep moving forward.
Regular check-ins and deadlines help you maintain momentum, even during busy seasons.
As your book coach, I’ll make sure you always know what to do next and never feel like you’re figuring it out alone.
Excellent question! A book coach is part editor, part project manager, part industry guide, and part accountability partner. Like a seasoned teacher, book coaches don’t just tell you what to do. They help you develop the skills you need to do your best work. And like an effective sports coach or personal trainer, a book coach challenges you to go beyond what you think you’re capable of, offering both encouragement and the occasional dose of tough love.
So why haven’t you heard of book coaching before? It’s a relatively new profession, born out of a growing need to help writers present the strongest possible version of their books when pitching agents or preparing to self-publish.
Why This Matters
Literary agents today are flooded with submissions, which makes the market highly competitive. Because agents only get paid when they sell a manuscript, they’re looking for work that is already polished and close to publish-ready (there will almost always still be revisions, whether with an agent or editor, but the bar is high from the start).
At the same time, hybrid and self-publishing have become more accessible and widely respected paths to publication. Writers choosing these routes often benefit from professional guidance and objective feedback to ensure their work truly is ready for readers.
That’s where a book coach comes in.
What is a book coach, exactly?
What made you decide to become a book coach?
So glad you asked. When we set out to write a novel, there’s usually a driving “why” that compels us to begin. The same is true for book coaching. Helping others has always been part of who I am, and I’ve almost always done it with a pen and notebook in hand.
After graduating from Michigan State University, I spent fifteen years as a high school English and theater teacher in southeastern Michigan. Eventually, I felt the pull to pursue my own writing more seriously. I began freelancing and teaching remotely, expanding my skills as an online educator and writing coach, designing curriculum, and coaching students through their college essays. In fact, I’m still a college essay coach! Learn more about that here.
I discovered book coaching while revising my own novel. Julie Artz was my coach during that process, and I remember thinking almost immediately, I want to do this. Helping other writers reach their goals, talking about craft and story all day, and supporting creative people through meaningful work felt like the perfect fit.
A year later, I enrolled in Jennie Nash’s Author Accelerator Fiction Certification program. Certification isn’t required, but training with experienced industry professionals mattered to me. I value education deeply and wanted to learn how to be the most thoughtful and effective coach I could be.
Now I get to spend my days helping writers move closer to their dreams, often with my furry companion, Lucky, nearby.
Book coaching feels like the work all the earlier chapters of my career were leading me toward.
As an Author Accelerator certified book coach, I am qualified to coach writers using Author Accelerator’s strategy, methods, and materials, but I operate independently of Author Accelerator and am not affiliated with them. Interested in joining me as a book coach? Click here to learn more about book coaching and then click here to sign up for the training.
What kinds of books do you read and coach?
You’re full of great questions! My reading tastes are as eclectic as the manuscripts my clients bring to me. I’ve coached literary fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, satire, fantasy, and flash, and I’m always excited to work with upmarket women’s fiction (the genre I write), historical fiction, speculative, and YA.
No matter the genre, I’m drawn to stories with compelling characters, a plot that unfolds through clear cause and effect, and thoughtful, polished writing at the sentence level. A strong idea is important, but it isn’t enough on its own. Craft matters too. Syntax, diction, and structure all play a role in creating a novel that truly resonates. That’s why I’m an avid flash fiction writer as well; it’s an excellent way to hone your sentence-level craft.
What don’t I coach? Hardcore sci-fi, physical horror, and erotica aren’t my jam. And while I love picture books, they’re not in my wheelhouse either. The same goes for nonfiction and memoir, though I’m always happy to recommend some fantastic coaches who specialize in those areas.
But enough about me. If you’re ready to take the next step toward finishing your novel, let’s chat.