Let's start with the difference between the fiction and nonfiction courses, and then talk about the memoir course.

A book coach will rely on certain tools and processes when working with fiction writers that they would not use when working with nonfiction writers, and each program aims to give a comprehensive view of what working with each type of writer would be like. The main differences in each course stem from the inherent differences in book structure and how books are bought and sold in the marketplace.

To go into detail:

In Part 1 of both courses, students learn Jennie Nash’s Blueprint for a Book method of developing a book idea. But the method varies for fiction and nonfiction writers. So the fiction course teaches the specific exercises that a book coach would use with fiction writers (e.g., figuring out who the protagonist is and what they want) and the nonfiction course teaches the specific exercises that a book coach would use with nonfiction writers (e.g., determining the book’s main argument and what the reader will take away from it). For both certifications, students prepare feedback on a Blueprint for a practice client.

Part 2 of both courses covers how to give editorial feedback on the page and via video call, how to manage a writer’s project, and how to vet clients so students know who they want to serve and how to do that well.

In Part 3 of the fiction course, students learn how to evaluate a full manuscript and help the writer make a plan for revision. Fiction books need to be complete before they are pitched to agents, so a book coach often helps fiction writers write and revise their manuscript. Being able to evaluate what is working or not working on the page, and articulate that to the writer in a useful way, is key for coaching fiction writers. For fiction certification, students complete an evaluation of a practice client’s full manuscript and edit the first two chapters.

In Part 3 of the nonfiction course, students learn how to help a writer develop a book proposal. Nonfiction books are pitched to agents and publishers on the book proposal alone, and do not need to be complete first. The book proposal can also be used as a marketing plan for writers who want to self-publish their book, so it’s key for book coaches working with nonfiction writers to know how to guide them through the book proposal development process. For nonfiction certification, students guide a practice client to complete a full book proposal.

Part 4 of both courses covers how to help a writer make a plan for pitching to agents. The process is similar for both fiction and nonfiction writers, though the market for each genre is very different. The specific considerations that a coach would need to be aware of are covered in each course. For both certifications, students guide a practice client to design a plan for pitching to agents.

The fiction and nonfiction courses are nine-month programs.

The memoir certification program follows a similar framework as fiction and nonfiction but includes additional sections fundamental to memoir, as well as lessons on both the fiction and nonfiction Blueprints. The practicums for memoir are for Practicum 1: Blueprint for a Memoir; for Practicum 2: Manuscript Evaluation and Mini Blueprint to show skill in evaluating a book’s marketplace positioning and marketing plan; for Practcum 3: the same requirements as the other courses.

See the syllabi for each course:

Fiction

Nonfiction

Memoir

Yes! We’ve heard from scores of students who are writers themselves that the program has had a remarkable impact on their own writing. They’ve been able to apply the tools and methods that the course teaches to their own projects – playing the role of both coach and client.

Students have also volunteered to be practice clients for others’ practicums, both to get guidance on their own writing and to get the writer’s perspective on what it’s like to work with a book coach.

Yes! You may enroll in the course at any time, and you will get full access to all the course material right away. You can work through the course material (video lessons, written lessons, practice exercises, and required reading) at your own pace, and complete the practicums at your own pace. You must apply for certification within 12 months of starting.

We offer coaching sessions with our coaching team to help you prepare for working with practice clients, completing the practicums, and applying for certification. There are also Coaches Exchange events, which are more casual, and Zone of Genius sessions with CEO Jennie Nash

The program is self-paced and students may move through it at whatever speed they choose. On average, we see students completing the requirements for certification in 6-9 months, dedicating 2 to 8 hours per week to the program. If you have more time to dedicate to the program each week, you could expect to move through it more quickly than someone who has less time per week.

Note that while most students should be able to steadily move through the course material (video lessons, written lessons, practice exercises, and required reading), the timing gets more variable around the practicum work, where you will be working with practice clients to demonstrate your book coaching skills. This is because you will need to work around your practice clients' schedules, and don't always have control over when they have their material ready.

You have 12 months to apply for certification.

The 12-month supported program is $9,000.

Upon certification, a membership/licensing fee is due in order to retain certification. The fee is $15/month. This fee covers the benefits of certification (including access to Author Accelerator’s Knowledge Base of tools and resources, access to our Mighty Networks community platform, and more).

You may elect to opt into Tier 2 of the membership community for $50/month if you would like more support. (This fee replaces the $15/month fee; it is not in addition to it.)

Masterclasses are available to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 members for an additional fee.

For more information, review our course terms.

Certification is determined based on a student's practicum work. Our certification team uses a standardized rubric to evaluate each practicum.

Certification is determined on a pass/fail basis. We expect to see in a student's practicums evidence of their skill as a coach, including editorial skills, emotional skills, and project-management skilsl.

You must complete the course requirements and apply for certification within 12 months. Extension months (up to 3) are available for purchase should you need them.

As part of your program fee, you will receive one certification application review and, if necessary, one Revise & Resubmit review. If a second Revise & Resubmit is necessary to meet the requirements of certification, there is an additional $500 fee.

The certification program is not accredited by an external institution, association, or organizing body. We do not have plans to seek accreditation from such a body, including a college, university, or other academic institution.

Book coaching is a brand new industry and Author Accelerator is pioneering how to train people in it. We do not believe the traditions of academia — teaching writing in a workshop setting, teaching the tenants of journalism, or teaching the craft of copyediting — are aligned with what book coaches need to learn to serve writers.

We believe that book coaching is best learned in an apprentice model (similar to how agents and book editors are trained: you have to do it to learn it). Our training program helps students understand how to do the work of book coaching and then gives them the chance to practice coaching writers in a set of practicums.

Our certification requires the submission of written work and recorded sessions of the student coaching the practicums, and we judge the results by a carefully constructed set of objective criteria.

As one of the first companies to train and certify book coaches, we are committed to setting the standard for excellence in the industry.

No. We don't offer a path to certification other than the process outlined in the previous answer. This is because we need to determine each coach's certification in the same way in order to be fair and adhere to a standard. Every coach applying for certification must enroll in either the fiction or nonfiction course and complete the practicums, which are based on the specific methods and tools we teach in the courses.

A coach with extensive editorial and/or coaching experience may "accelerate" their certification only by how quickly they move through the program. The program is entirely self-paced, so someone with experience may be able to move through the course material and practicums more quickly.

You must apply for certification within twelve months of starting the program.

The program consists of video lessons, written lessons, practice exercises and answer keys, and required reading.

Students complete three practicums, working with writers they have found and onboarded — which we teach you how to do. You will coach your writers and capture your written and video calls to turn into our certification team for feedback.

We will let you know if your work meets the requirements for certification or if more work is necessary.

You will be surrounded by a community of other book coach students. Mighty Networks is an online space where students can connect with fellow students and certified book coaches, as well as the Author Accelerator team, to ask questions and get additional guidance on the course lessons and practicums.

You can download the syllabus for each program here:

Fiction

Nonfiction

Memoir

Yes. If you would like to earn certification in a second or third genre, you will need to complete all the practicums in that genre and apply for each certification separately.

There is a 20% discount for your second certification course and a 40% discount for your third.

You celebrate your achievement and be welcomed into our Certified Coaches’ Community, where you will begin the work of launching and building your business.

Tier 1 membership is required to maintain your license and certification. Tier 2 is an optional add-on. Choose the tier that works for you and switch tiers at any time.

When you enroll in Tier 1 of our Certified Coaches’ Community (at $15 USD/month), you'll get the Book Coaching Business Launch It Kit to help you get your book-coaching business off the ground. You’ll also have access to resources and conversations to help you move you business forward.

If you opt in to Tier 2 ($50 USD/month) of the Community, you’ll also get the Business of Book Coaching Level Up Kit, monthly accountability calls, training sessions, and additional support to help you set and reach your business goals.

Master classes are available to certified coaches in either Tier 1 or Tier 2. Learn more about the Certified Coaches’ Community here.

Upon certification, you will enroll in our Certified Coaches’ Community. We recommend that coaches start in Tier 1 of the Community ($15 USD/month), where you will receive the following benefits:

• Advertise yourself as an Author Accelerator certified book coach

• Join chats and working sessions with our staff and fellow coaches

• Use Author Accelerator tools and resources with your clients, including the Blueprint books

• Join our searchable public coach directory to get new clients (you will be required to pay a 20% referral fee for any clients who come through the directory.)

• Become an affiliate for our Book Coach Certification program. You will receive $300 for any students who enroll to our program through your unique URL.

• Connect with other coaches in our online Mighty Network

• Come together with our whole community for biannual Town Hall meetings

• Start designing your dream business with our Book Coaching Business Launch It Kit

You may opt in to Tier 2 of the Certified Coaches’ Community for additional business support. You’ll get everything in Tier 1, plus…

• Our Book Coaching Business Level Up Kit to build and launch your dream business

• A monthly Business Accountability call to check in with your fellow Tier 2 coaches and share your goals, including breakout sessions focused on pricing, marketing, systems and process, and mindset

• A monthly Coaches Teaches Coaches event where you can practice presenting, share your knowledge with peers, and learn specific coaching skills

Learn more about the Certified Coaches’ Community here.

A coach’s certification is active starting when they join the Certified Coaches’ Community (starting at $15 USD/month) and for as long as they keep their membership active and uphold the code of conduct of our Community.

You can reach out to us at contact@authoraccelerator.com . We’d be happy to try to answer any questions we did not answer here.

Please see our program Terms of Use HERE for information on our Program Fee (and especially the Refund Policy), Participant Conduct, Program Term and more. Students are required to accept these Terms of Use upon entrance into the course.