The Art of Gathering

Why building community matters and what can happen when you do it

The Art of Gathering is the title of one of my recent favorite books. Priya Parker talks about the importance of coming together around a shared purpose, whether that’s to celebrate a wedding, mourn the loss of a loved one, or decide on a business strategy.

I never conceived of Author Accelerator as a community or a gathering. I set out to lead the new book coaching industry by training people to become book coaches and setting a standard for excellence. I thought that what we were doing was benefitting the industry as a whole, the book coach as an individual, and the writers they were serving. I simply didn’t think about the benefit of the collection of coaches as an entity.

But as the number of certified coaches grew, so did the sense that it was, indeed, a community and a powerful one at that.

After they are certified, coaches are welcomed into a membership program designed to support them as they launch and grow their businesses. People made personal and professional connections in that group. They showed up for each other. They taught each other. They celebrated together and commiserated together.

Things began to grow out of the community that I did not plan, design, or control — and at first, it kind of freaked me out. People would break off and form their own masterminds based on shared interests or location. They would gather for working sessions and retreats. I thought I was “losing” them — when in fact, what was happening was that they were spreading the love.

I became amazed at what mutual admiration, trust, and a shared language and purpose could turn into.

One of the gatherings was organized by two certified coaches in Canada — Michelle Bish and Alex Van Tol. The cultural climate and the publishing landscape in Canada is different than it is in the United States (which as I write that today feels like a gross understatement.) These two coaches realized that there was a lot to be gained by organizing themselves, and so they did.

Each month, about 25 Author Accelerator certified coaches and students gather to connect, to strategize, and to lift each other up. They have done important work in helping Canadian writers understand how to use government grants to buy book coaching services. They have spoken at conferences and recently launched a LinkedIn page. They swoop in to welcome any new Author Accelerator book coaching students and offer guidance and mentorship.

I have been a virtual visitor to the Author Accelerator Canadian Coaches group monthly meeting a few times now, and I always leave in awe of what they are doing. It’s powerful, it’s beautiful, it’s effective — and it just kind of blows my mind that this gathering grew out of the community I made. They are proof that in a group, goodness gets amplified.

I could not be more excited for them and more proud.

You can find Book Coaches Canada on their LinkedIn page and search their directory of Author Accelerator certified coaches.

The article, below, was their inaugural post.

I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to this group. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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What Does a Book Coach Do? And Why Should I Work with One?

By Alex Van Tol for Book Coaches Canada

Writing a book can feel like an overwhelming journey. There are so many moving parts—ideas, structure, deadlines, self-doubt—that it’s easy to get stuck before you’ve even begun. That’s where a book coach comes in. As certified book coaches, we work alongside you to make your writing process smoother, more efficient and much more enjoyable.

What’s a certified book coach?

Each of us in Book Coaches Canada has achieved certification in the genres of fiction, nonfiction or memoir. We’ve taken—and passed—one, two or all three of these rigorous training programs with Author Accelerator, qualifying us as professional book coaches in an industry that formerly had no standardized qualification. Our teacher, Jennie Nash—the founder of Author Accelerator—was a pioneer in carving out this very new niche in publishing, in response to the seismic changes the industry has undergone over the past two decades. (She’s literally written the book on book coaching!)

On our way to becoming Author Accelerator-certified book coaches, we undergo hundreds of hours of training, learning how to break a book project down into a series of steps that fit together like nesting dolls, learning about the publishing industry at large, reading case studies and client pages, studying the different paths to publishing, doing practice evaluations, hosting practice coaching sessions, conducting agent research, preparing query letters and other pitch materials, and attending accountability meetings with the Author Accelerator training team.

Each course takes 9–12 months to complete, with three practicums in each course. The standards are high—and the certification badge is a mark of earned expertise.

That badge serves as a signal of quality in an industry that’s known to be a bit of an unregulated Wild West.

Yes, there are some extraordinary editors out there, and there are other helpful professionals who do fine work. But certified book coaches are deeply trained in all stages of a book project, from the seed of your idea to what happens after your book hits the shelf. Moreover, we’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for writers to waste time and money on advice, courses or “boot camps” that just don’t get them where they want to go: a published book they can be proud of.

What exactly does a book coach do?

Simply put, a book coach is your guide, cheerleader and accountability partner throughout your writing journey. We bring a great deal of expertise in the craft of writing from our years as editors, publishers, marketing experts, professional writers, readers and teachers, and all of us are experienced in navigating the complexities of today’s publishing industry.

A book coach can help you take your book from idea to finished manuscript in a way that feels manageable and aligned with your goals. We can also help you build a competitive book proposal if you’re writing nonfiction. And many of us specialize in the pitch process: helping you draft a killer query, synopsis and / or proposal that’ll actually get your book looked at by agents, editors and publishers.

Writers often feel overwhelmed by the task of writing a book—especially when they realize all the moving parts!

A book coach helps you break this giant job into manageable pieces. They’ll help you get clear on your vision. What’s the big idea behind your book? Who is your audience? What do you want them to feel, know, or do after reading it? How do you plan to build your author platform, both before and after the book comes out? Do you want to pay to work with a hybrid publisher, or do you want to take a shot at landing it with a traditional press? Do you want to get to market quickly by self-publishing instead? Together, we’ll answer these critical questions and create a roadmap for your book.

Then comes the planning stage. This one’s REALLY important. You’ve probably heard of people who just open up a fresh page and start writing without formulating a plan beforehand. We call them pantsers👖…and we don’t advise this approach! Pantsers usually end up in the weeds halfway through, confused and discouraged, and certainly no closer to publication.

Writing a book without a plan is like setting off on a road trip without a map. A certified book coach will work with you to: develop a solid blueprint for your book; set realistic deadlines; choose the best path to publishing in an ever-shifting publishing landscape; improve your writing as you draft; and assist you in the final steps to publication, whether that’s pitching to an agent or bringing your book to market yourself. Along the way, your coach provides feedback to ensure your message is coming through clearly and powerfully. Think of your book coach as a second set of eyes and a sounding board for your ideas.

But a book coach’s role doesn’t end there.

Writing can be a lonely and emotional process, and it’s easy to lose steam or get bogged down in self-doubt.

We’re specially trained to help you wrangle your ideas onto the page, deal with the emotional ups and downs that come with writing a book, and keep you accountable. We help you navigate roadblocks, celebrate your wins and keep you moving forward, no matter how tough it gets.

So that’s a snapshot of what we do as book coaches, and how we help our writers.

Now let’s talk about why it’s in your best interests to work with a book coach. Here are just a few of the benefits:

1. A book coach brings clarity and direction to your book project.

A book coach helps you clarify your ideas and organize them into a cohesive structure. Whether you’re writing fiction, nonfiction or memoir, having a clear blueprint makes the process far less daunting. With our expert guidance, you’ll know exactly what you need to do at every step of the way.

2. Working with a book coach embeds accountability and motivation.

Life gets busy, and writing is often the first thing people jettison from their busy timetable. But when you work with a book coach, you’ve got someone on the other end of the line, waiting for your pages. A book coach keeps you accountable to your goals, helping you stick to deadlines and stay consistent.

3. Your book coach delivers expert feedback.

One of the most valuable aspects of working with a book coach is having an experienced publishing professional review your work. We provide constructive feedback to help you strengthen your writing, refine your message and create a book that resonates with your audience.

4. We provide you with emotional support.

Writing a book is a deeply personal process. It’s natural to feel vulnerable, or to question whether your work is “good enough.” As your coach, we’re here to support you through those moments of doubt and remind you of your unique strengths and the value of your message. And the world needs yours, delivered in the way only you can deliver it.

5. Working with a book coach saves you time and energy.

Publishing is a long game to begin with, and trial-and-error wastes precious time and energy. By working with a coach, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and make steady progress toward your goals. We help you streamline your process so you can focus on what matters: reaching readers with a book that truly reflects your vision.

6. Many book coaches customize their service to your unique needs.

Every writer is different, and every book brings its own challenges. Depending on their service offerings, your book coach may tailor their coaching to your specific goals, challenges and writing needs. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned pro tackling a new genre, we’re qualified to meet you wherever you are and help you move forward.

7. A certified book coach offers specialized guidance in a complex, competitive, fast-changing industry.

Many coaches operate in areas of specialty, not unlike physicians or software developers: some of us specialize in pitching, others in building out the blueprint, others in improving your craft as a writer, or guiding you through every step in self-publishing. Some offer group coaching or retreats, while others work on a 1:1 level only. There’s an expert for your every need in our midst.

8. A book coach helps you achieve your dream: a published book you can be proud of.

Maybe you want to get your whole memoir written, or maybe you’re looking to complete and polish a powerful nonfiction book proposal. Whatever your end goal, we help you stay focused on its achievement, providing the tools and support you need to get there.

If you’re serious about writing a book, investing in a certified book coach is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

You don’t have to go it alone. With the right guidance and support, you can turn your vision into a reality and create a book that makes an impact.

Have a look at our Book Coaches Canada coach directory to find the coach that’s right for you, and get going on the fun, fulfilling working partnership that’ll bring your book to life!

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You can find Book Coaches Canada on their LinkedIn page.

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