A creative writing coach is a professional who provides guidance, feedback, and support to help writers develop their craft and achieve their writing goals.
Are you looking to hire a writing coach who is the perfect fit? I hear you! Deciding to work with a coach—whether you’re looking for a fiction writing coach, a nonfiction writing coach, or a memoir writing coach—is a big step.
An experienced coach is able to work with writers at all stages of their journey, from beginners to seasoned writers. In my experience, the coach/writer relationship is a personal one. Not only do you need a coach who knows her stuff (of course!), but you want a coach who inspires and supports you.
From my years working as a writing coach, I have plenty of tips to help you know how to find just the right creative writing coach for you—as well as what to expect from that coaching relationship once you and your coach get into the nitty-gritty.
How to choose a creative writing coach
- Know your writing goals: Before you start your search, think about what you want to achieve from coaching. Do you want to develop your unique voice, find your personal style, complete your manuscript, discover the right genre for you and the ideal audience for your work—or all of that?!
- Research writing coaches: There are many writing coaches out there. Search for book coaches online, through writing associations, or by asking for referrals from other writers. (But remember, while each coach may be great in their own way, not all will be a fit for your needs.)
- Review writing coaches’ credentials: On their websites, writing coaches typically present their credentials—including their education and coaching experience. They might also share testimonials from writers who have used their services.
- Interview potential coaches: Schedule a consultation with potential coaches to discuss your goals and their coaching philosophy and style. During that meeting, notice if they give you their careful attention and respond to you openly and with a positive vibe.
- Sample a session with your top picks: Many coaches will offer some sort of a trial session. This will give you a hands-on chance to see if their coaching style and approach work for you.
A client of mine had this to say about hiring a writing coach: We all have our writing strengths and weaknesses. A good writing coach celebrates the former and helps improve the latter—and she creates an atmosphere of acceptance.
Ultimately, working with a coach can help you become a better writer, make progress with your writing goals, and increase your chances of success as a writer.
I’m an expert writing coach. I coach writers at all levels of experience, in all genres. Take a look at my rates page or book a free initial consultation to see how we might work together. I’m based in sunny Florida, but I am a writing coach for authors around the world. I look forward to talking with you—wherever you call home!