Hiring a book coach is a great way to get the support and accountability you may need to finish the monumental project that is writing a book. Whether you’re tackling fiction, non-fiction, or memoir, a book coach—also known as a writing coach—can guide you through the process, helping you shape your idea, improve your writing skills, and stay on track to reach your goal. 

Many writers find that having consistent feedback and encouragement from an expert, as well as regular external deadlines, helps them complete their books more efficiently. But the key to getting the best results is working with a coach who’s aligned with your vision and whose skills match your needs. Book coaches run the gamut in terms of what types of projects or writers they’ll work with, what kinds of services they offer, how much or the kind of support they provide, and how much they charge.

Given all these options, it can be hard to know how to pick the right coach for you. That’s why Author Accelerator offers a matching service that takes the guess-work out of finding an ideal coach. If you’re curious about what factors into making these matches, or you’re evaluating possible coaches for yourself, these 9 considerations are essential for that “right fit.” Let this list help you get clear on what you want and need out of a book coach. 

9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Book Writing Coach

1. Do they specialize in your genre or type of book?

   Most book coaches serve a particular niche of writer based on book type or genre. This could be a broad distinction—like nonfiction vs. fiction—or it could be hyper-focused—like they only work with middle-grade epic fantasy. It may seem obvious, but it’s probably in your best interest to work with a coach who’s specialized in, or at least well-versed in, your genre. When you work with someone who understands the unique conventions, pitfalls, expectations, and idiosyncrasies of your type of book, you’ll get better direction and feedback.

2. Do they provide the level of support you want?

   Ask yourself: how much support do you want from your coach? Are you hoping to have someone to guide you, even hold your hand through the writing process? Or are you looking for some external accountability and feedback without a lot of day-to-day involvement? Some coaches are very high-touch, providing weekly deadlines with feedback, calls, and in-between email support; others may have less frequent deadlines and a more hands-off approach. You might even consider joining a group coaching program that’s led by a coach so you can get the benefit of expert guidance along with peer support.

3. Does their approach match your desires/expectations?

   Just as writers can have all different voices, book coaches have differing styles of coaching and providing feedback. Some are more nurturing, and others value tough-love. It’s important to consider what you need and want; otherwise, you could be very disappointed with—or even upset by—your first round of critical feedback when what you really needed was a confidence boost. That’s why you should try to be completely honest with yourself about what style of coaching suits you best.

4. Do they work with writers at your skill level?

   Here’s another gut-check you should do before hiring a book coach: What is your writing skill level and how much do you know about writing a book? This honest self-assessment is especially important if you’re writing fiction and memoir—you may write excellent articles, but writing description and dialogue are different. Despite having those advanced skills in one area, you may have beginning or intermediate skills in the type of writing you want to pursue with a coach. This should factor into the coach you decide to work with, as some focus on assisting beginning or intermediate writers who need to learn and develop their writing skills while they work on their books; other coaches only take on more advanced writers.

5. Do they focus on the part of the process where you are?

   While some coaches work with writers at every stage of the process—from developing the initial idea to supporting the query process—more often than not, coaches specialize here, too. They may focus on a particular part of the process, like revision; others may help writers at every stage, but only if they’ve worked with you from the very start. Coaches do this because they know where their strengths and interests lie. So, if you’re in the planning stages, you’re likely to get the best guidance from a coach who focuses on helping writers plan, as opposed to begging a book coach who normally does revision to work with you because you like everything else about them.

6. Do they serve writers with the same types of goals as you?

   You likely have a goal in mind for your book, whether you want to pursue a particular publishing path or you just want to finish a book to have the satisfaction of accomplishing it. A coach who primarily coaches writers in the independent publishing space probably could help you pursue traditional publishing, but they’re not going to be as knowledgeable about navigating that path. Similarly, if you’re writing your book just for yourself—for that satisfaction and maybe to share with close friends and family—you might be better working with a coach who helps similar writers so you don’t feel pushed toward publishing or the conventions it requires. 

   Note that no book coach can guarantee that by working with them you will achieve publishing success in any space.

7. Is budget or experience more important to you?

   There is typically a correlation between the price and experience-level of a book coach. This is not to say that the only great coaches are the ones who have decades of experience and charge a high price tag for it. In fact, you can find some excellent coaches who are just starting out. You have to carefully weigh what’s most important to you.

8. Does the writing coach have a waitlist?

   This is a smaller consideration, but it might be something you’ve overlooked. Many book writing coaches and editors can book out months in advance. If you’re willing to wait to work with your dream book coach, this isn’t a problem. But if you’re ready to get started right now, and maybe you’ve rearranged some other aspects of your life so you can focus on your book, nothing will kill your momentum like a waitlist.

9. Do their values and interests align with yours?

   Writing a book is a deeply personal experience. It often forces you to plumb the depths of your life, your values, and your emotions. It requires deep vulnerability. If you don’t feel comfortable with your book coach because their interests and views don’t align with yours, this can be difficult. Many coaches have a statement of their values, or clearly express their views in their marketing, so that writers can determine for themselves if it’s a good fit.

Taking some time to think through these considerations and determine your wants and needs will ultimately help you find the best fit in a book coach.

This means more success and enjoyment for both of you during the project and will likely lead to a better outcome: You writing the best book you can.