Coach Spotlight: From HR Professional to BIPOC Book Coach

What is the path to becoming a book coach? Author Accelerator Certified book coaches answer 7 questions about their journey.

1. What did you do before becoming a book coach? 

I've spent the last 7 years working in Human Resources at various tech companies. I also began publishing cozy mystery novels, starting in 2021, and have a 6-book series under a pen name (Josephine Smith). 

In 2012, I spent a summer as an archaeologist in Peru—unfortunately, I don't get to play around in the dirt as much as I used to!

2. How did your background prepare you for book coaching? What skills/talents/experiences feel most relevant?

I'm a writer, and I spend a lot of time with writers. I understand the challenges of trying to take the words from your head and put them down on the page. I'm used to the ups and downs inherent in writing a novel, and I deeply respect this field, which makes me perfectly suited to support others who have the same desire to write.

In my day job in HR, I coach managers on how to be more effective in their jobs, and I regularly give them feedback and suggestions for how to improve. I believe in delivering feedback honestly but kindly, and I take that same energy into the work I do with writers.

I'm also a recent mom and have learned a lot about the importance of patience as I raise my son. Time moves differently when you're taking care of a baby, and I'm learning to appreciate every moment in my day, both the highs and the lows. I've also had to work on my time management skills to keep up my writing habit, since my free time is limited these days, and I find that I'm able to get more completed in less time.

3. What is your relationship to reading, writing, and/or creativity? What kinds of books do you read? What other creative work do you do?

I fulfilled my dream of writing a novel and sharing it with the world in 2021, and I haven't stopped writing seriously since then. My daily habit of morning pages (as described by Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way) helps clear out the cobwebs and give myself the space to work through any issues that might get in the way of my creativity. I credit morning pages as the primary tool I use to keep up my writing and publishing routine.

I love mysteries and romance, though I'll read most genres if the book is engaging enough for me.

4. What is the last best book you read?

I hopped on the bandwagon and recently read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. It always takes me a little time to get into fantasy novels since there's so much worldbuilding that has to happen, but as soon as the dragons showed up in this book, I was hooked. The last third of the novel kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through the end, and I can't wait to read the sequel soon.

5. What is your favorite part about being a book coach?

I love working closely with other writers and helping them to gain confidence in themselves and their writing. It can be hard to objectively assess our own writing, and I know how important it is to have a supportive editor give you thoughtful feedback.

When I coach writers, I find that a lack of confidence tends to be their biggest blocker, so I love it when I can genuinely gush over a piece of writing and help get the writer excited about their story again. I believe that if you are drawn to writing, you are meant to write, and it's just a matter of honing your craft to write the book of your dreams.

I especially love working with BIPOC writers and helping them bring their vision of the world to life on the page. As a Black woman, it's important for me to read books featuring characters who look like me and write novels that reflect my life, and I love helping others see themselves on the pages of a story. BIPOC writers aren't always given the space to be themselves in their writing, and my aspiration is to create a community of BIPOC authors writing the books they want to write and creating a legacy for themselves and their families.

6. What is your biggest challenge around being a book coach and what are you doing to address it?

Confidence is probably my biggest challenge. Confidence in myself as a book coach and as a business owner. I deal with this issue by reminding myself of all the positive feedback I've gotten from clients I've worked with. I also think about other parts of my life where I'm confident (my writing, my career in HR coaching managers), and I think about how I can transfer that confidence to my book coaching career. I'm capable of writing good books, and I'm an expert at helping managers get better results with their teams, so I remind myself that those skills are also important for writers.

As a new mom with a day job, I regularly struggle with having a long list of things I'd like to do but not having enough time. I follow the HB90 method of planning, created by author Sarra Cannon, to help keep my priorities in line and keep myself on track with my goals. I plan quarterly, only focusing on projects that are most important for that quarter and which move me closer to my ideal vision for life. Every day, I focus on the non-negotiables, the tasks that are most important for my business and writing success, and I do at least one thing every day that brings me one step closer to accomplishing my goals.

7. Who is your ideal client and what is the first service you offer them?

I help high-achieving BIPOC moms push past their self-doubt and perfectionism, gain confidence in their writer identity, and finally finish the novel of their dreams.

If you're interested in working with me and have just started thinking about your novel, I offer a 60-min Mini-Blueprint session where you'll figure out the essential elements of your story and we'll discuss on a call to help clarify your vision and get ready to start writing.

If you have a finished draft but aren't sure what to do next, I also offer a 50-page assessment to identify what's working and what could use some improvement. We'll discuss my recommendations in a 60-minute call to ensure you feel confident taking the next steps with your novel, including revision.

To learn more about these services or sign up for a session, please send me a DM at https://www.instagram.com/joseesmithbookcoach. I can't wait to hear from you!