I can empower you to connect more deeply with your writing and yourself—and help you finish your book!
I was the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month for 12 years, so you might say my specialty is helping writers start and finish their book—no matter if you need book coaching, manuscript evaluation and editing, or ghostwriting.
It’s not an easy task because every book doesn’t have a single “muddy middle,” but multiple muddy middles—not to mention obstacles that are both internal and external (hello, Inner Critic, daily to-do list, and life demands!).
Obstacles are just part of the writing journey (and every story), but there are remedies, tips, and strategies to overcome any creative obstacle. We will work together to finish your work-in-progress and create a publishing path for your book.
Every book has its own rules, so my job is to help you identify the strengths of your project and work with you to:
- Start … and finish your book!
- Connect more deeply with your work
- Embrace the power of being vulnerable on the page (and beyond)
- Structure your life to prioritize your creativity (and create a balanced life)
- Turn obstacles into opportunities for growth
- Develop a creative mindset
Work with me!
My Experience
I’ve been working with writers for 30 years. My background as a writer, teacher, editor, and publisher informs my coaching.
Grant is a brilliant, kind, and insightful mentor. His knowledge and enthusiasm inspire. He’s also a discerning editor whose dynamic brainstorming sessions ignite inquiry, imagination, and joy.
—Bella Mahaya Carter
I’ve written extensively about creativity in numerous books and articles, and I bring this wisdom and more to my one-on-one work with writers. Here’s just a selection of my published pieces and books on writing topics:
- Pep Talks for Writers
- The Art of Brevity
- The Alchemy Required to Finish a Novel
- The Art of Seduction: How to Entice and Captivate Your Readers
- NaNoWriMo and Finding Your Creative Flow
- Immersive Idea Generation: Going on a Story Field Trip
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What I Do
One-on-One Coaching
Are you just starting out and looking for accountability to complete your book? Or maybe you have a finished manuscript, but you’re not sure what’s working or not working? I coach writers in all genres, with the goal of helping you reach your writing and publishing goals. I have coached thousands of writers to the finish line with their books. I can help with anything from characterization, structure, plotting, and, perhaps most important, showing up to write.
Writing a book is a giant endeavor, and there’s no reason to go it alone. I’d love to connect with you and hear more about your work and whether we might be a good fit for coaching.
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Manuscript Assessments and Editing
A manuscript assessment is a full read and evaluation of your manuscript, with detailed written feedback about what’s working and what’s not.
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Book Proposal Assistance
To write a book proposal is to … write a book (almost). There’s an art to communicating your idea for your book, showing your chops as a writer, proving your credibility, and positioning your book for agents and editors. You can enter this process with as little as an idea, and I’ll help you exit with a fully developed book proposal with edited sample chapters.
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Ghostwriting
When you hire a ghostwriter, you’re asking that person to write a book for you—but that doesn’t mean the process isn’t highly collaborative. The goal of a ghostwriting project is to tell your unique story, share your insights, and give you a voice that feels authentic. Achieving those objectives requires your involvement and creativity every step of the way.
My process will include one-on-one interviews, brainstorming, and then writing itself. While I am prepared to write as much of the manuscript as you’d like, I encourage you to be as involved in content creation and revision as you want to be.