What is a Book Coach?

A book coach is more than an editor, primarily because we walk with the writer either through the completion of a book or until the writer feels confident in finishing the project on their own. My hope is to work myself out of a job!

Book coaches provide accountability, deadlines, and project management, but we also can provide line edits, developmental edits, and even morale boosting when the world of writing or publishing begins to feel overwhelming. I do not offer proofreading or copyediting.

What makes you a good book coach?

When I first heard about book coaching, I realized that I’d been preparing for this role my entire adult life. My undergraduate degree is in journalism and music (with a creative writing certification), and I loved the world of publishing as soon as I stepped into my university’s newsroom.

After graduation, however, I realized that I wanted to stay in the academic world, so I earned a Master of Arts in Literature with a creative writing thesis that allowed me time and space to write my first full-length novel.

I began my teaching career and had three wonderful kids, and after my twins were born, I decided to write for an hour or two a week just to have time to myself. It took me four years to write a novel that I submitted to ninety agents, none of whom took my book. That’s when I decided to write faster and smarter.

I switched genres from historical fiction to suspense (so there would be less research time involved), and I wrote The Night She Went Missing in nine months. I found an agent and received a publishing deal relatively quickly, and after learning about book coaching, I realized that all of my career interests merged in this fabulous new job. Since then, I’ve received contracts for three books from Big Five publishers, and my fourth is currently on submission through my agent.

Do you guarantee that I’ll find an agent? Land a publishing deal?

No one should make those kinds of guarantees (if they do, take your money and run far away!). So much of the publishing industry is subjective, and even luck and timing play a role in outcomes. However, I know what agents and editors are looking for, and I can offer the tools, guidance, and accountability necessary to stand a chance at capturing an agent’s attention with a marketable manuscript. I’ll use my personal experience, my teaching skills, and my training with Author Accelerator to move you in the right direction.

What genres do you work in? Anything you won’t read?

Because I personally read, write in, and know the market for specific kinds of books, I prefer to focus on projects in the following genres:

• mystery, suspense, thrillers

• women’s fiction (for lack of a better term)

• historical fiction

• romance

• upmarket or high-concept literature

  I’m probably not the right book coach for you if you’re writing fantasy, sci-fi, or literary fiction because I don’t often read in those genres. You can find book coaches for a variety of genres in the Author Accelerator Directory. Finally, I don’t want to read gratuitous violence (especially against women) that takes place on the page, and I prefer to work with open-minded, well-intentioned individuals who treat everyone—regardless of race, gender, or sexuality—with respect. I understand that characters sometimes share unlikable qualities (my own characters certainly do!), but any unkindness or disrespect should be confined to that character arc.

  How can I work with you?

  1. Sign up for a FREE 25-minute Consultation

  2. Afterward if we decide we’re a good fit, you can complete the Client Intake Q&A.

  1. Email it to me at kristenbirdwrites@gmail.com and we’ll figure out a schedule to work together.

  My meeting availability is typically on weekdays between 1-4 p.m. CT, but I can occasionally schedule evening or Saturday morning meetings as needed.