Writing Coach Services
Are you struggling to start or finish your novel, memoir, or story collection?
A writing coach can help you find your way forward.
The good news is, you don’t have to remain stuck! You can finish your novel. You can find your writing rhythm. You can finish what you started, tell your story in a way that resonates with readers, and send your manuscript out into the world to find its true audience.
Is what you’re doing really working? If not, it’s time for a change.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to writing success. When you work with me as your writing coach, I’ll listen first, because I believe that asking meaningful questions and truly listening to your answers is the only way to understand the challenges you face as a writer. Once we’ve identified what’s holding you back, or what habits or assumptions are keeping you from living your most productive writing life, I’ll help you to identify specific steps to achieve your writing and publishing goals.
My philosophy as a writing coach
My goal as your personal writing coach is to inspire you and to get you past whatever obstacles are keeping you from doing your best writing. I don’t believe in writer’s block, but I do believe in writer’s fatigue! I’ll help you move past the fatigue, the uncertainty, and the procrastination, so that you can achieve success. What does writing success mean to you? Finishing that novel you started? Creating (and sticking to) a writing practice? Balancing your “day job” and family life with your dream of being a writer? Publishing your book? Becoming better at your craft? Whatever your goals, I’m here to help you reach them.
Through coaching, you’ll learn:
- How to finish a project, and when to let go
- How to turn small writing steps into big writing successes
- How to balance your writing life with your personal and professional life
- How (and when) to approach agents and editors
- How to handle rejection without losing your steam
- How to choose the best publishing model for your project
Book your first writing coach session now
- Use the scheduling form on this page to book your first session.
- Tell me what you’re working on and what challenges you’re facing.
- Are you interested in going in-depth over a longer period of time? Scroll down to apply for the Monthly coaching package.
Writing Coach Inquiry
Why choose me as your coach?
Because I have
- A proven track record as a writer, teacher, and editor
- More than a decade of experience mentoring graduate students
- A wide range of experience in writing and publishing. My books have been published with major New York publishers as well as university presses, and have been translated into 29 languages.
- Understanding: My breakthrough novel happened after I became a mom, while I was struggling to pay my mortgage in an expensive city, without adequate child care. I know how hard it is to integrate your writing life with your family life and your “day job.” In short, I can help you because I’ve been there, and I understand the challenges you face.
Monthly Coaching *
Work one-on-one with Michelle to achieve your writing goals.- One one-hour video coaching session per month
- A written critique of up to 20 manuscript pages per month (up to 6,000 words
- Two personalized coaching emails per month
- During your coaching sessions, we will discuss the writing you submitted and I will answer your questions and guide you toward next steps
- Billed monthly, cancel any time.
About the Book Doctor
Welcome to Bay Area Book Doctor! I’m Michelle Richmond–author, educator, and writing coach. During my 20-year writing career, I’ve faced my share of setbacks. Through countless rejections and endless revisions, I persisted and built the writing career I wanted. I feel grateful for the opportunity to live my writing dream, and I started Bay Area Book Doctor to help others live their dreams too. I’m just as passionate about helping other writers as I am about writing.
How do you know you’re in good hands? I’ve published five novels with a major New York publisher, including The Marriage Pact and the New York Times bestseller The Year of Fog, and two award-winning story collections with university presses. My books have been sold in 28 languages, and my latest novel has been optioned to 20th Century Fox. My articles on writing have appeared in Writer’s Digest, The Writers Chronicle, Glimmer Train, and elsewhere.
Teaching: I have taught in the MFA programs in creative writing at the University of San Francisco and California College of the Arts. I’ve also served as Distinguished Visiting Writer at St. Mary’s College of Moraga, Bowling Green State University, and Notre Dame de Namur University, and have taught novel writing for Stanford Continuing Studies. I received an MFA from the University of Miami, where I was a James Michener Fellow.