As a writer who has worked with several Author Accelerator book coaches and continues to do so, I know for a fact how valuable and critical this working relationship is to my growth. I come to the table for outside perspective and guidance on how improve and to be shown where my strengths lie because my take on my own writing is often inaccurate.
To say that book coaching is scammy because of the potential for false praise traded for dollars insults both book coaches and a writer's intelligence.
As a writer I wouldn't continue to work with someone who wasn't teaching me, and helping me grow. And a writer the onus is on me to work hard, study my craft and apply what is suggested that I agree with, that which aligns with the story I'm writing. No one is going to hand me anything. Not in writing, not in life.
Working with an Author Accelerator book coach was the reason I worked my ass off to become one. The reason I left a decade long medical career as physician assistant. I strive to embody the integrity of the Author Accelerator program every day.
I believe in this work. It is a honest, honorable, humbling career filled with joy and pain for both the writer and the coach--like any other work that deeply matters to those engaged.
Thank you for your passion and your willingness to put stakes in the ground and draw lines in the sand Jennie. Standing right there with you.
Such a good post, Jennie. I think we also have to be careful who we choose to work with. For example, I get a lot of approaches from people who seem to want a therapist. Although they clearly have a story to tell the world, warnings to give, cathartic arcs and tales of remarkable struggle to share, they are going to be disappointed if that's the coach's main focus. And then they blame the coach or editor because they have to do something with those feelings.
If book coaching were scammy, this scenario would not happen ever...an individual contacted me recently about book coaching. Their partner was working with a book coach and they "wanted what she's having." A full outline, pages written, and on their way to their first draft of their first manuscript. What could be better than that? You nailed it, Jennie.
This is such a helpful framework for responding to people's inquiries about book coaching. I got an MA in psychology and worked as an editor and a proofreader before becoming a book coach, which to me are far more relevant skill sets than having published fiction. I've written nonfiction books about writing.
Fascinating to me that people still sometimes insist that a bestselling fiction author is the only one equipt to help them. A bit like saying someone who's been a victim or a lawsuit is more helpful than a lawyer, no? And as you correctly said, bestselling authors are often better at simply writing books than teaching others to do the same.
So incredibly well-said. I get why people might have a knee-jerk reaction to "coach" (also see: guru) but I was a teacher first and to me they're just synonyms. I teach clients how to navigate the writing and publishing process, the end.
Oh Jennie, I am a mix of emotions right now. So disappointed, so shocked, so infuriated that people would speak of book coaches in such a demeaning way. I have nothing but respect for you and the work you do through Author Accelerator. I am currently querying my memoir, and I can say with certainty, I would not be in this position if it hadn't been for the hard work I did with my book coach, who I was matched with through Author Accelerator. Thank you for the work you do. Thank you book coaches for the work you do. I applaud you.
Editors Canada perhaps did what you thought of doing, Jennie, in creating a national association and certification program for editors.
To be fully certified, editors have to pass four 3-hour exams: structural editing, stylistic editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Editors Canada developed Professional Editorial Standards against which editors are evaluated on these exams. The standards have just been updated.
However, Editors Canada provides no comprehensive training, only piecemeal webinars, and the failure rate for these exams us about 80%. As a result, relatively few editors attempt to be certified.
What is of tremendous value in Author Accelerator certification is the intensive training and practicums. As an older adult, I would much rather demonstrate my skills and knowledge in three practicums than in a 3-hour exam. Your approach integrates learning and practice, which is invaluable. Bravo!
"a scam to promise a writer something no one can deliver—representation by an agent" Yes, no guarantees. But a book coach who can put me in front of an agent would be worth hiring.
Richard, I feel like these comments are disrespectful in that you are ignoring what I am saying. A book coach is not only valuable if they can get you in front of an agent and getting in front of an agent is not the be-all and end-all. This was the whole point of my post.
Well I apologize. But not sure how else I can phrase my inquiry. Let me put it this way. I know several writers with agents. They all say they queried, but when questioned closely it turns out someone, an MFA instructor, a friend of a friend, or someone else they knew in the business got that query in front of the agent. So my question is: Are there writing coaches who can act as a conduit in the same way? If so, I would hire that coach.
Thanks Jennie. Yes I remember discussing this with you before but not sure we resolved the issue. And yes, there's other ways to get an agent besides knowing someone. Celebs get agents, rock star social media types get agents. But get an agent through an unsolicited query? Here we have a difference of opinion, and that's fine. Finally, I understand that you hire a coach for many reasons besides getting an agent. But the last and final hurdle for any writer is the agent. If the only thing a coach can do is tweak my query letter, well then again, we have that difference of opinion.
And again I'm serious. I want to hire a book coach. One may contact me any time. I'm ready. But like any good consumer, I have a few questions, and I believe you know what one of them is : ) Thanks again.
I have had MANY, MANY clients over the years land agents they had no introduction to.
I have also had MANY, MANY clients who did not land an agent and found other ways to reach their readers because that was what they were committed to.
I find it insulting that you would say to me that you think all a book coach can do is tweak a query letter. Did you see this post I wrote (among many others)?
And your repeated insistence on demanding that a coach can get you an agent is just -- also insulting. Any coach I have trained (more than 220 of them) will not tolerate that kind of unreasonable demand, so you will have to look elsewhere for someone to take your money. This is *iterally* what I wrote about today in this post.
So now I feel you have been disrespectful and also insulting. We can have a difference of opinion -- absolutely -- but I don't have to allow disrespect and insulting behavior in my community.
Please consider this a warning. I'm happy for you to stay if you wish to learn, but if you continue to make these kinds of comments, I will ask you to leave.
I’m curious, Richard. You say you want to hire a book coach. And one can contact YOU at any time. It’s my understanding that this usually works the other way around. You would be seeking out and contacting potential coaches. And if one of your requirements is that they promise they can get you an agent. That’s a huge red flag. I mean, that is what would be scammy.
Thanks. First yes, I will contact book coaches myself. I am intrigued by the entire process, and everything a coach does. I think I'm ready, and since we're on a book coaching site, why not put the word out?
Second, and the more important of your comments, is the agent issue. In no way do I want a book coach to "promise" an agent. This would indeed be wrong. Referring to my comments, I wanted "a book coach who can put me in front of an agent", and "writing coaches who can act as a conduit".
I see nothing wrong with this. I want a book coach connected to the industry in such an important way. Someone who will say, "If, at my sole discretion, I feel this novel is worthy, I should be able to get you some kind of comment as to what the industry thinks." That's all.
Thanks again for your inquiry. These are important issues and I appreciate the opportunity to engage.
As a writer who has worked with several Author Accelerator book coaches and continues to do so, I know for a fact how valuable and critical this working relationship is to my growth. I come to the table for outside perspective and guidance on how improve and to be shown where my strengths lie because my take on my own writing is often inaccurate.
To say that book coaching is scammy because of the potential for false praise traded for dollars insults both book coaches and a writer's intelligence.
As a writer I wouldn't continue to work with someone who wasn't teaching me, and helping me grow. And a writer the onus is on me to work hard, study my craft and apply what is suggested that I agree with, that which aligns with the story I'm writing. No one is going to hand me anything. Not in writing, not in life.
Working with an Author Accelerator book coach was the reason I worked my ass off to become one. The reason I left a decade long medical career as physician assistant. I strive to embody the integrity of the Author Accelerator program every day.
I believe in this work. It is a honest, honorable, humbling career filled with joy and pain for both the writer and the coach--like any other work that deeply matters to those engaged.
Thank you for your passion and your willingness to put stakes in the ground and draw lines in the sand Jennie. Standing right there with you.
Thank you, Stacy! You're a shining example!
What a great response👆You’ve lived it from both sides and, like Jennie, know exactly what you’re talking about 💯
So well said, Jennie. I'm saving this to come back to if I get discouraged or the "turkeys" manage to get me down.
Smart!
BAM!
BAM indeed!! So good Jennie Nash 🔥🔥
Such a good post, Jennie. I think we also have to be careful who we choose to work with. For example, I get a lot of approaches from people who seem to want a therapist. Although they clearly have a story to tell the world, warnings to give, cathartic arcs and tales of remarkable struggle to share, they are going to be disappointed if that's the coach's main focus. And then they blame the coach or editor because they have to do something with those feelings.
So true
Well said, Roz!
Thanks, Stuart!
If book coaching were scammy, this scenario would not happen ever...an individual contacted me recently about book coaching. Their partner was working with a book coach and they "wanted what she's having." A full outline, pages written, and on their way to their first draft of their first manuscript. What could be better than that? You nailed it, Jennie.
What amazing word of mouth! That's awesome!
This is such a helpful framework for responding to people's inquiries about book coaching. I got an MA in psychology and worked as an editor and a proofreader before becoming a book coach, which to me are far more relevant skill sets than having published fiction. I've written nonfiction books about writing.
Fascinating to me that people still sometimes insist that a bestselling fiction author is the only one equipt to help them. A bit like saying someone who's been a victim or a lawsuit is more helpful than a lawyer, no? And as you correctly said, bestselling authors are often better at simply writing books than teaching others to do the same.
The lawyer comment made me LOL!!!!!! I'm glad you found this piece helpful.
Yay!!! We all need a good 🤣🤣🤣
As a writing coach/English teacher myself, I find this post to be very encouraging! Thank you, Jennie!
I'm so glad! Thanks for letting me know.
This post is FIRE. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank you for it. ♥️
You're so welcome!
"We write because making art of any kind often makes us feel alive."
Yes!
Thanks for sharing such insight. As a consultant we have certification programs (I'm in one of them right now).
I appreciate you sharing.
Thanks for letting me know!
So incredibly well-said. I get why people might have a knee-jerk reaction to "coach" (also see: guru) but I was a teacher first and to me they're just synonyms. I teach clients how to navigate the writing and publishing process, the end.
Oh Jennie, I am a mix of emotions right now. So disappointed, so shocked, so infuriated that people would speak of book coaches in such a demeaning way. I have nothing but respect for you and the work you do through Author Accelerator. I am currently querying my memoir, and I can say with certainty, I would not be in this position if it hadn't been for the hard work I did with my book coach, who I was matched with through Author Accelerator. Thank you for the work you do. Thank you book coaches for the work you do. I applaud you.
I'm SO glad to hear this and can't wait to hear how your project unfolds. Thank you for your kind words.
Editors Canada perhaps did what you thought of doing, Jennie, in creating a national association and certification program for editors.
To be fully certified, editors have to pass four 3-hour exams: structural editing, stylistic editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Editors Canada developed Professional Editorial Standards against which editors are evaluated on these exams. The standards have just been updated.
However, Editors Canada provides no comprehensive training, only piecemeal webinars, and the failure rate for these exams us about 80%. As a result, relatively few editors attempt to be certified.
What is of tremendous value in Author Accelerator certification is the intensive training and practicums. As an older adult, I would much rather demonstrate my skills and knowledge in three practicums than in a 3-hour exam. Your approach integrates learning and practice, which is invaluable. Bravo!
This is fascinating! I did not know about any of this -- thank you so much for sharing!
How is a book coach different from hiring an editor?
This post should answer that question! https://jennienash.substack.com/p/book-coaching-101-part-1-whats-a
"a scam to promise a writer something no one can deliver—representation by an agent" Yes, no guarantees. But a book coach who can put me in front of an agent would be worth hiring.
Richard, I feel like these comments are disrespectful in that you are ignoring what I am saying. A book coach is not only valuable if they can get you in front of an agent and getting in front of an agent is not the be-all and end-all. This was the whole point of my post.
Well I apologize. But not sure how else I can phrase my inquiry. Let me put it this way. I know several writers with agents. They all say they queried, but when questioned closely it turns out someone, an MFA instructor, a friend of a friend, or someone else they knew in the business got that query in front of the agent. So my question is: Are there writing coaches who can act as a conduit in the same way? If so, I would hire that coach.
I answered this question on another inquiry you made along these same lines -- did you see that one? I can try to dig it up.
In short -- the idea that you can only get an agent if you know someone is just simply wrong.
And the idea that this is why you hire a book coach is also wrong.
Thanks Jennie. Yes I remember discussing this with you before but not sure we resolved the issue. And yes, there's other ways to get an agent besides knowing someone. Celebs get agents, rock star social media types get agents. But get an agent through an unsolicited query? Here we have a difference of opinion, and that's fine. Finally, I understand that you hire a coach for many reasons besides getting an agent. But the last and final hurdle for any writer is the agent. If the only thing a coach can do is tweak my query letter, well then again, we have that difference of opinion.
And again I'm serious. I want to hire a book coach. One may contact me any time. I'm ready. But like any good consumer, I have a few questions, and I believe you know what one of them is : ) Thanks again.
I have had MANY, MANY clients over the years land agents they had no introduction to.
I have also had MANY, MANY clients who did not land an agent and found other ways to reach their readers because that was what they were committed to.
I find it insulting that you would say to me that you think all a book coach can do is tweak a query letter. Did you see this post I wrote (among many others)?
https://jennienash.substack.com/p/book-coaching-101-part-1-whats-a
And your repeated insistence on demanding that a coach can get you an agent is just -- also insulting. Any coach I have trained (more than 220 of them) will not tolerate that kind of unreasonable demand, so you will have to look elsewhere for someone to take your money. This is *iterally* what I wrote about today in this post.
So now I feel you have been disrespectful and also insulting. We can have a difference of opinion -- absolutely -- but I don't have to allow disrespect and insulting behavior in my community.
Please consider this a warning. I'm happy for you to stay if you wish to learn, but if you continue to make these kinds of comments, I will ask you to leave.
I’m curious, Richard. You say you want to hire a book coach. And one can contact YOU at any time. It’s my understanding that this usually works the other way around. You would be seeking out and contacting potential coaches. And if one of your requirements is that they promise they can get you an agent. That’s a huge red flag. I mean, that is what would be scammy.
Thanks. First yes, I will contact book coaches myself. I am intrigued by the entire process, and everything a coach does. I think I'm ready, and since we're on a book coaching site, why not put the word out?
Second, and the more important of your comments, is the agent issue. In no way do I want a book coach to "promise" an agent. This would indeed be wrong. Referring to my comments, I wanted "a book coach who can put me in front of an agent", and "writing coaches who can act as a conduit".
I see nothing wrong with this. I want a book coach connected to the industry in such an important way. Someone who will say, "If, at my sole discretion, I feel this novel is worthy, I should be able to get you some kind of comment as to what the industry thinks." That's all.
Thanks again for your inquiry. These are important issues and I appreciate the opportunity to engage.