Booksong Book Coaching
Bring your story out of your head and onto the page.
One-to-one coaching as you draft your novel.
That initial flurry of ideas or words was giddy, but as the weeks turn into months or years, your story is still stuck on scraps of paper, fragmented across notebooks.
You’re struggling to create momentum, and the writing isn’t as good as you want it to be, but you can’t figure out how to deepen it. You’re going around in circles editing and perfecting or replacing an opening scene, chasing shiny new ideas but never seeing one story through to…
THE END…
I can help. I’m a writing and self-belief coach with all the tools to help you write your first draft.
I work with emerging or unpublished novelists who want to write well, navigate self-doubt, and finish their novels.
With feedback, support, and kind accountability as you write, you can…
✔ Get the words on the page,
✔ Find your voice,
✔ and deepen your understanding of craft.
What you can expect:
Support when resistance and self-doubt try to get into the driving seat.
Teaching and deep conversation about points of craft as you write.
Thoughtful, analytical feedback to help you see what is working, why, and what you could do to make it stronger.
Invitations to small group ‘body doubling’ sessions (a game changer for those folks with writer’s resistance or ADHD.)
“Our time working together has made me feel like the mystique of book writing has had the veil lifted, and I am no longer stumbling through the process blindfolded with my hands out in front, hoping my gutsiness will see me through.”
— P.E. Holdsworth
The Process:
After you express interest, we meet via zoom to see if it’s a good fit, discuss your writing and discuss logistics like scheduling.
You submit outlines, prewriting or draft material one working day before your appointment or at an agreed deadline between meetings.
Feedback: I’ll annotate with encouragement, magical questions and discussions of points of craft.
Deep Conversations: We meet for a deep conversation reflecting on that week’s writing in detail, zooming out to the big picture, or looking ahead to prepare for your next submission.
We repeat this rhythm for as long as it serves you.
“The best bit is having someone who seems as invested in the story as I am, someone to share all the plot holes / problems / confusion with and know that you aren’t on your own. I honestly can’t say enough good things about working with you.”
— Sophie Flynn. Author of All My Lies (Simon & Schuster: 2021)
The best way to find out more is to talk to me.
I love hearing about where you are and how you hope I can help.
FAQ
+ What does it cost?
All writers have unique needs and circumstances and we can discuss a bespoke package which will evolve as you write.
Example packages:
The starting point I would usually suggest is a regular appointment every other week, submitting upto 5,000 words each time (once we move into the drafting phase), and meeting for regular small group body doubling in between coaching calls. This would be £286 per month.
There are lots of options! Book a free call to discuss what will work best for you.
+ What is 'body doubling'?
Body doubling is a phrase that those in the ADHD community use to describe the mysterious procrastination-usting power of someone else simply sitting in the same room with you, doing their own thing, while you do the thing you've been avoiding. I've been running these cowriting sessions using Zoom since 2020 and they can be a great tool when you know you are ready to write but somehow, you just can't start. In 2024, I decided this was such an important part of my toolkit that all clients will receive invitiations to join me in small group body doubling or cowriting sessions.
+ What can I expect from annotations?
By annotations, I mean comments using Word’s commenting tool and sometimes edits to the words themselves using Tracked Changes. These annotations are not proofreading or copyedits. Instead, they are like ‘teachable moments’ that help you see where you have done something well and at times where you could strengthen your technique. I use annotations on the page to pinpoint moments, for example, where you might dig deeper, where you might be using too much telling, or where you have nailed it! You can expect at least one comment on every page. I also sometimes use annotations to suggest structural and line edit level changes. For instance, if a section or scene or paragraph would flow more smoothly somewhere else. I might use Tracked Changes to suggest where. If a beat of dialogue would be more dynamic in a slightly different order, I might use Tracked Changes to show you what I mean.
+ How many words could I submit at a time?
You can 0 to 10,000 words per call. If you’d like feedback on more than 10,000 words at a time, I will need longer to work on them before the call, but it can be arranged.
+ How long will I work with you?
There is a minimum commitment of four calls, but Booksong clients who get the best results tend to work with me for several months.
+ How often will we hold calls?
We could meet once a week, twice a month, or once a month. Twice a month suits most people.
+ When are you available for calls?
I prefer to hold calls on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10.30-12 or 1-14:30 (UK time). Ideally, you will choose a slot that suits you, and that will be reserved for you until you want to give it up. I do offer limited evening and weekend slots on request, where available.
+ How do you conduct calls?
We will meet on zoom unless you are able to come to my kitchen table in Worcestershire, UK (where you are most welcome!).