Book Coaching

One of my favorite parts of the writing process is helping other authors spark new ideas and problem solve their stories when they get stuck. As an engineer, my brain is programmed to design and iterate to come up with solutions for complex problems. As a writer and story engineer, I love the brainstorming process of early writing and revisions. There’s something magical about watching a story evolve as the characters come into themselves and find their voices and journeys.

If you’re stuck writing your first draft, unable to see your way to The End or know that the journey to The End doesn’t work, I would love to help! And once you have that messy first draft and are bouncing back in forth between conflicting critique feedback – or know the story isn’t ready to send to your critique partners yet – I would love to help. Guiding other writers through brainstorming, writing, and revising is what I love best about critiquing and editing.

A rising tide lifts all boats. It can be hard to remember that in an industry as complex and competitive as publishing. But I’m here to help guide and motivate you towards your goals. Your story deserves to be told, and only you can tell it.

Book Coaching on a Budget

If you are an aspiring author or a writer with a few manuscripts penned but still working to land an agent and/or editor, book coaching can be a great way to elevate your writing and improve your craft. Book coaching isn’t just for your manuscript; it’s to help you grow in your career and skills as well.

Book coaching, like any type of coaching, can be expensive. I realize that. I have an entire website devoted to budgeting and cutting costs. One of the core tenets I tell people when budgeting and allocating their income is to have a motivation and a goal that directs their spending. If your goal is to be a published author, whether traditionally published or self-published, book coaching can be a useful tool to help reach that goal.

To try to help lower the cost of book coaching (some programs out there are upwards of $10,000! I almost choked on my morning tea when I read that), I have two different packages you can pick from. I do require a three-month minimum commitment, as I think you need enough time in coaching to see progress and to get a value out of our time together and your money, but there are no nine-month to two-year requirements to work with me. I’m happy to work with you for as long as you would like, but my goal is to get you and your book elevated as fast as possible.

Additional evaluations, edits, or correspondence/session time is available on request and subject to availability at $150/hour.

What to Expect when Working with Me

While not an all-inclusive list (every writer and every story is different), here are some examples of what to except when working with me as your book coach.

• Setting goals and deadlines to reach said goals, including how to focus in order to succeed
• Developing an idea from a thought or “what if” into a story with structure, plot, and theme
• Trimming down your story to a main plot and a few supporting plots, or starting with a main plot and helping flush it out with side characters and subplots
• Deciding on which project is The Project (for now) and how to get started on diving into your story idea
• Support for your career and improving your craft, including things such as craft book recommendations and potential comp title reading recommendations to study and evaluate
• A friendly, supportive guide through your writing journey
• Working through where your stuck and how to fix it, along with tips on how to brainstorm to prevent writer’s block in the future
• Concrete suggestions on how to fix plotting, character, tension, structure, etc.

Editing Services

From the first five pages to a full manuscript, I love to brainstorm and troubleshoot. My background and schooling are in engineering, and I use the same problem solving and iterative process I learned in design engineering as a story engineer. I am an avid reader with experience in multiple industries, geographies, and skill areas, so I have a keen eye for detail to help make your fictional novel a realistic escape readers can lose themselves in. I write and read across several fiction genres, including:

• Contemporary Fiction
• Fantasy
• Mystery/Thriller
• Romance
• Science Fiction
• Women’s Fiction

I do not read or edit erotica and horror.

In nonfiction, I write and read across the following topics:

• Business and Finance
• DIY
• Food and Entertainment
• Health and Fitness
• Memoir
• STEM
• Travel Writing

What’s Included

All editing services include a detailed editorial letter and a follow-up chat for a chance to review any questions following your edits. Apart from manuscript evaluations, all services also include in-line comments.

Outline Reviews

Do you have an outline mapped out for your next novel but want feedback before diving into drafting? Let me help you spot character inconsistencies, issues with plot pacing, and overall story and character arcs issues before you spend months writing.

Manuscript Evals

Have your draft done and looking for a high-level review of characterization, plot, pacing, tension, theme, dialogue, etc. for revision guidance? Manuscript evaluations are a cost effective alternative to developmental edits without diving into in-line details.

Developmental Edits

Developmental edits are my sweet spot. As an engineer, I have a logical brain that has been formally trained to problem solve, and I love a good puzzle. As a writer, I use those skills to help troubleshoot story issues such as: plot and subplot flow; character motivations and reactions; action; and setting.

Line Edits

Have you already tightened your plot, perfected your protagonist, and found a killer ending but need a second set of eyes for grammar, voice, sentence pacing, structure, and flow? Drop me a query below for a line edit polish before publishing.

Query Packets

Do you have your manuscript completed but want one more set of eyes on your pitch, query hook, synopsis, and opening pages before querying agents? I can help strengthen your pitch to catch agents’ attention.

Testimonials

“Working with Lauren was fantastic. Her approach was both professional and encouraging. She took a close look at the first three chapters of my contemporary romance novel and offered way more feedback than I expected. Her insights were spot on, from line edits to developmental considerations such as pacing, plot, voice, and characterization. My story is so much stronger after implementing her critique. I recommend her editing services to anyone who wants their manuscript whipped into the best possible shape.” – Kimberly Crow

“An editor who can capture the author’s vision for their project, advise when to go deeper, make recommendations to connect current characters and settings to those past mentioned in a series, as well as line edit for strong pacing and maximum readability, is a rarity to find! Lauren is an editorial unicorn. Lauren has done all of these things for me, on multiple projects, spanning several years. I always receive more than I expect from her, and it’s always just what’s needed. My ICE series wouldn’t hit readers in the feels without her input, and it certainly wouldn’t be as polished. I absolutely love working with her!” – Kerry Evelyn (@TheKerryEvelyn)

“Lauren has creative x-ray vision, zeroing in on exactly what a scene is lacking. She asks just the right questions for my characters to come alive. Along with her insightful comments on the dramatic flow of my novel, Lauren is also an impeccable line editor, with a keen eye for improving narrative and dialogue. Lauren is a pleasure to work with: reliable, professional, and committed to our mutual success.” – Annie Fauve (@AnnieFauve)

“Lauren is hands down the best editor I’ve ever used. She’s thorough, spots issues others don’t, and is very professional. I also appreciate that she’s incredibly timely with her feedback. When she says she’ll return something by a certain date, you know you’ll see it in your inbox by that date, if not before. Lauren is easy to work with and I plan to use her repeatedly in the future.” – BC Krygowski (@BCKrygowski)

For more writer feedback, check out more than forty five-star reviews on my CritiqueMatch profile.

Brass Tacks

How much will an edit cost? That depends on the length of the project, the type of work you need done, and timeline restrictions. Generally, my services will cost $0.008 to $0.015 per word, with a $50 minimum. Use the form below to get in touch for a formal quote.

Let’s Connect!

I look forward to learning more about your project.