Why You Need A Book Coach: Empower Your Breakthrough

When I first started writing, someone didn’t sit me down and say, “Here’s why you need a book coach,” so that’s what I’m here to do for you, today!

While I didn’t start my writing career with a book coach, I’ve used many over the years. They are incredibly helpful for learning how to write a novel (or your nonfiction!).

Writing a book, whether it’s your first or your tenth, can be intimidating. Getting the idea is easy enough. Getting that idea from your head to your page in a concise, engaging manner, is another story. That’s why you need a book coach.

You can’t be a writer without writing, but that’s why you need a book coach: to help you through the process.

While the writing is up to the writer, sometimes the added help of a coach can ensure you don’t give up and are able to turn your book idea into a final product. 

We’ve taught over 8,000 authors how to write, publish, and market their books over the last 10 years. Today, we teach you what book coaches do, why you need a book coach, and how to find one.

Why you need a book coach: what’s covered

• What does a book coach do?
• How much does a book writing coach cost?
• Why you need a book coach
• How do I find a book coach?
• Want a professional book coach on your side?

What does a book coach do?

A book coach helps you through the process of writing your book, from brainstorming to publishing. The specific coaching style depends on the individual, and also your needs. 

If you need help with brainstorming, you need a book coach.

Want to outline but need a guide? This is why you need a book coach.

You’re stuck in the middle of your draft? You guessed it . . . find a book coach.

Are ready to pursue publication but don’t know how? Oh, you nailed it again. Find a coach!

A book coach can keep you accountable to complete your book on time.

Of course, they can’t do the work for you, but they encourage and guide you on how to do the work. This is why you need a book coach: so you know the steps you need to take and have the encouragement to take them.

You could even consider hiring a book coach for one aspect of your writing experience. A good writing coach can help you through your writer’s block, plotting, editing, etc.

I’ve worked with many different coaches, one for years, and they’ve all helped me with different aspects of my writing journey. Do you want to put your best writing out there? This is why you need a book coach. They help you discover your potential.

How much does a book writing coach cost?

The cost of your coach varies based on the services you hire them for. Ask yourself, why do I need a book coach? Then search online for coaches with services that meet your needs.

You can expect anywhere from $150 to $500 an hour for a one-off call, or a package that feels more affordable.

Remember, you’re not just paying a coach for their time but their expertise, their background, and their connections. While sitting down with a coach for one hour may feel like a short amount of time for a large investment, that one hour can propel you forward in ways you never dreamed.

I had a one-off session with a coach who recommended I reach out to a specific literary agent. While she provided feedback on my work, she also provided me with a connection. Connections are a key to publishing, whether traditional or self-publishing!

Why you need a book coach

If you’re choosing to invest in a coach, someone may ask why you need a book coach. They might even ask why you don’t just sit down and write.

Why you need a book coach . . . let me count the ways. Okay, in all seriousness though, hiring a book coach is not something to feel bad about. In fact, it’s very similar to hiring a workout coach to help you train.

When hiring a coach to help you workout, they may:

• Create workouts for you
• Help you learn what to prepare for meals
• Critique your form
• Encourage you to complete reps

The one thing the workout coach does not do is workout for you. You are the trainee and you must do the training yourself. This is the same reason why you need a book coach. They guide and help you through the process. They empower you to do the work.

However, just as hiring a workout coach can help you reach your goals in a much more efficient manner and help ensure lasting results, a writing coach can help you do the same. Let’s face it: Olympic champions have coaches so why wouldn’t you?

Articulate why you need a book coach

No it’s time to determine why you specifically need a coach. If you feel like some extra guidance, accountability, and a fresh set of eyes could help take your book from idea to publication, the question isn’t why you need a book coach, but what aspect do you want help with.

When asking, why you need a book coach, start by genuinely accessing where you are in your journey:

• Are you great at brainstorming book ideas? 
• Do you know if your original idea is strong enough for a full book?
• Do you need help outlining?
• Do you prefer to write via pantsing (figuring it out as you go)?
• Do you struggle to get your draft finished on deadline?
• Do you know how to go about pursuing publication?
• Do you know how to find a good editor and how to self-edit?

Answer the above questions honestly. If this is your first time ever writing a book, this is why you need a book coach. Hiring a coach to help you through the process will heighten your chance of being a success.

My writing coach played a huge role in my writing journey. In fact, if someone asked me, why do you need a writing coach, I’d likely start with telling them I didn’t know how to write!

Yes, I was in college, and I didn’t know how to write. I mean, I could put sentences together but I didn’t understand fiction writing rules. I just wrote down the stories I saw in my head. Thankfully, my coach taught me these rules.

Because of his help, a traditional publisher requested my full manuscript before I’d even finished writing the first draft. This is why you need a book coach. Whether you want to self-publish or traditionally publish, they help improve your writing by leaps and bounds!

Remember: Why do you need a writing coach? To help you learn the rules and then to help your book stand out.

How do I find a book coach?

You now know why you need a book coach but you find one by researching the writers you respect and seeing if they offer coaching services. If you don’t have a particular author in mind, a simple Internet search can help you out.

Before choosing what type of coaching to go with, answer for yourself, why do you need a book coach, then look into your options! For example:

• If you’re wondering about a particular writer’s thoughts on character development, check their website and published books to see if they’ve already covered that topic. If they’ve already covered your topic, read all the information they have.
• If you still have questions or think working with them in a coaching relationship would be beneficial, reach out. State that you’ve read their work, respect them as an author, and would love to talk further about the possibility of working together. Explain to them why you need a book coach so they understand what you expect and if they can offer it.

I’ve been part of just about every style of coaching, both as a writer and as a coach. Many well-known authors offer writing training via courses, guilds, or other packages for writers. This method is a way for established authors to coach many writers at once, and may be a good option for you.

Some authors offer courses that take you from beginning to end, some focus on specific areas of writing, and others focus on presenting their teaching in book form. 

Sometimes a free trial is offered where you can test a course to see if the particular style of coaching works well for you. As you research your options, note the possibilities, then narrow it down to the several that look best for you. 

Moving forward with writing coaches

As you work through the process of finding the right coach for you, take your time. Just as different literary agents represent different manuscripts in the traditional publishing world, different coaches focus on different areas of the writing process.

I once reached out to a coach and requested his services. At that stage, I was advanced in my manuscript and had worked with many coaches. He graciously complimented me and essentially asked the “why you need a book coach” question.

Thankfully, I had my list of why I needed his specific services. I told him why, and he kindly accepted me as a client. The lesson? Communicate what you need so the coach knows if they can help you.

Just as literary agents enjoy specific genres of writing, writing coaches enjoy working with specific types of writers. Be clear on your goals, aspirations, and where you are at as a writer. 

Tip: Don’t forget to enjoy the process!  Writing is a long journey with many different stages. While publication is a great goal to have, the moment of actually publishing is short. 

Enjoy the stages leading up to your goal, and the goal will be that much more rewarding. Honestly assess where you are. Do your research. Be professional. Be clear. Have fun.

My experience with book coaches

Like I mentioned, I started writing with no idea writing rules existed. I knew creativity was a skill, but I didn’t know how to develop it, let alone publish.

I began training with a bestselling author as an absolute novice writer. This was a huge privilege and taught me how much I didn’t know. Thanks to his help, I wrote my second novel.

With him as my main writing coach, I continued my publishing journey, working with more coaches on focused aspects of writing on an as-needed basis.

Together with my team of coaches, I reached feats I never could have reached alone. My book has garnered positive feedback from readers, editors, and reviewers alike. I have coached writers, taught at conferences, led a multi-week writers cohort, and edit manuscripts on a regular basis.

None of this is simply because I sat down to write a book, but because I had coaches to help me make progress in the right direction. Still wondering why you need a book coach? I’ll share Bill Soroka’s story in just a bit!

Want a professional book coach on your side?

We would be remiss if we didn’t just outright say—book coaching is what we do. We have specialty book coaches in everything from fiction to nonfiction, memoir to children’s books, and more.

Our coaching programs offer solid online courses for whatever stage you’re in: from writing your first book or novel to increasing sales on your books.

All of that combined with:

• Endless book writing and publishing resources and templates to get you moving
• A book coach to help you reach your goals
• A community group to post questions in and get real feedback from other published authors
• Live weekly Q&A’s and trainings to answer your questions in real time

So, if I didn’t tell you that, dollar for dollar, we are the most value-packed, Fortune 500, book coaching company out there, well, I would be leading you down the wrong path.

If you’re serious about hiring a book coach to help you achieve your writing or self-publishing goals, we can help!

First, check out this video from Bill on how he self-published (or check any of our reviews from students who have self-published with us). Then, book a call with our Resource Team to learn more.

Note: While Bill took a little longer to write and publish his books, we help authors DAILY write and publish quality best-sellers in 90 days or less. It’s all about the system.

Why you need a book coach: take your next step

Now that you know why you need a book coach, take your next step toward authorship with our free resource below!