Achieving Both Certification and Publication
Today we’re excited to celebrate TWO major successes for Jessica Bull! She earned her book coach certification the same week she learned her book is going to be published! Check out her amazing story below.
How did you come to book coaching?
I discovered book coaching when I took Suzy Vadori’s online course, the Wicked Good Fiction Bootcamp. I remember thinking it was a unique mix of creative writing instruction and life coaching, and I found it so inspiring. It helped me tap into ‘why’ I wrote and give my own story real heart. After a series of near misses in my writing career, my confidence was bruised, but Suzy’s combination of challenge and encouragement helped restore my faith in myself.
What was your experience in the Book Coach Certification program? What did you find most satisfying? What did you find most challenging?
I decided to become a certified book coach myself because I wanted to know the feedback I provide to other writers is constructive and valuable. Author Accelerator is a reassuringly rigorous program. Certification requires evidencing a lot of work, and a deep understanding of the writing process. However, this was balanced by the joy of working one-to-one with my practicum clients and the thrill of seeing them achieve results.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’re taking away from the training?
Don’t bother polishing until the fundamentals are in place. When reviewing, it’s easy to get distracted by typos and grammar, but there’s no point in perfecting line edits until the bones of a story are in place. Are the stakes high enough? Is the character arc clear? Is the theme obvious? These are the elements which make a great read.
What did you do to celebrate earning your certification?
I indulged in my favourite hobby, shopping for books!
Tell us more about your coaching plans!
I’ve just launched my coaching website and I’m building my initial client list. I especially want to coach writers working on historical fiction, mystery and/or romance, with a feminist lens - as these are the voices I love to read.
What are the next steps in your career as a writer?
I’m also busy editing my own debut novel, Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner, which will be published in the UK by Penguin Michael Joseph and in the U.S. and Canada by Union Square & Co, with translations available around the world in early 2024. All this means I’m delighted to be several steps closer to achieving my childhood dream of reading and writing stories all day.
