Author | Book Coach

Book Coaching & Editing

Make Sense of Your Memoir or Message

I help purpose-driven writers make sense of their memoir or message so they can shape their experiences into a meaningful book.

With compassionate, authentic, expert guidance, you’ll gain clarity, trust your voice, and write your book with confidence.

Go to Coaching

Go to Editing

Pen on top of pieces of paper in a dark shadow.

You have insights and expertise to share, but…

All that knowledge and experience can feel overwhelming. How do you know where to start, how to end, and what to include in between?

Planning a whole book can seem daunting, especially when you're not sure how to organize your thoughts.

Do you feel like you have a book inside you, but you’re…

worried your idea isn’t strong enough?
unsure where to even begin?
stressed because the idea of planning—and writing—a book feels intimidating?
overwhelmed because you have so much to share but don’t know how to put it into words?
struggling to organize your notes, ideas, or the various drafts you’ve started?

Imagine…

Having a clear vision for your entire book, one that gives you direction while still allowing flexibility for changes as you go.
Knowing exactly where your book begins and ends so you can confidently draft your memoir or develop your nonfiction proposal.
Feeling confident about your idea, with a clear sense of what to include, the timeline, or chapters so you can keep moving forward with focus and intention.

If you’re ready to…

Clearly define your story or book idea.
Share your insights and expertise with impact.
Feel confident in your book’s concept and structure before you start writing.
Save time and avoid the frustration of writing without a clear direction.
Get excited about your book and the journey of bringing it to life.

Then, you’re ready guidance and direction to move from confusion to clarity about your idea and book.

What People Are Saying

“Maurene is a powerhouse, and she’s been so instrumental in helping me give birth to my book! She’s organized, sharp, and wonderfully insightful, but most importantly, she gives very straightforward feedback in the kindest way possible; we have great collaborative conversations, and her coaching is top-notch. I was struggling with the organization of my book, and Maurene was able to draw out which direction the book really needed to go, helping me see the path clearly. I wholeheartedly recommend working with Maurene as a book coach!”

— Rebecca B.

How We Can Work Together

I coach narrative and hybrid memoir (a mix of memoir and nonfiction) and prescriptive nonfiction (self-help and how-to). Please also see Frequently Asked Questions.

If You're Ready for Revision:

Manuscript Momentum

Feedback on Your First 10 Pages

Your book’s first impression matters. Manuscript Momentum offers you personalized, expert feedback on the first 10 pages of your memoir or nonfiction work in progress. You’ll receive insights to clarify, captivate, and strengthen your work’s beginning.

Your first pages ignite the spark for your reader's imagination. How will you keep them hooked? Together, we'll fine-tune your writing voice and how you can craft a story that resonates with your readers from beginning to end.

Whether you’re fine-tuning pacing, sharpening character introductions, or establishing your book’s message, Manuscript Momentum provides you with actionable insights to help your work reach its fullest potential.

What’s Included:

In-Depth Feedback: Receive expert comments on clarity, flow, and tone in your opening pages.
Genre-Specific Guidance: Understand how your writing aligns with memoir and nonfiction conventions.
Reader Expectations Analysis: Get feedback on the expectations set by your first pages and how to align them with your message.
Actionable Refinement Strategies: Tailored suggestions to enhance pacing, develop characters, and create a compelling opening.
A 30-minute follow-up call to discuss the feedback and next steps

No matter where you are in your writing process, feedback from Manuscript Momentum ensures your work begins with strength and clarity. Start strong and give readers a reason to keep turning the pages.

Your Investment: $97

I'm Interested

Manuscript Analysis or Developmental Edit

Need feedback on your full manuscript or book proposal? Get expert input on the big-picture issues in your manuscript. Whether you're looking for a high-level overview (manuscript analysis), or an in-depth developmental edit, this is the option for you!

Both focus on key issues in your book. What's the difference? Great question!

A manuscript analysis is an overview of your book's main structure, themes, characterization, reader takeaway, and more.

Deliverables include:

A detailed editorial letter addressing big-picture issues about what works, what needs further development, and next steps.
A 60-minute follow-up call to discuss the feedback, address questions, and next steps

A developmental edit is takes the manuscript review to the next leve: it includes comments directly in your manuscript pages, as well as a full editorial letter.

Deliverables typically include:

In-Depth Feedback: Receive comments on clarity, flow, genre-specific guidance, and tone throughout your manuscript.
Reader Expectations Analysis: Get feedback on the expectations set by your first pages and how to align them with your message.
Suggestions to enhance pacing, character development, structure, themes, and more.
A 90-minute follow-up call to discuss the feedback and next steps

Your Investment: $10 per page*

I'm Interested

* Standard manuscript formatting: 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced Microsoft Word document.

1:1 Coaching: The Mess to Meaning Revision Process

A clear, structured approach to help you stop second-guessing and start shaping your manuscript into what it’s meant to be.

You’ve done the hard part: you wrote the draft.

But now you’re stuck somewhere between "this has potential" and "I have no idea how to fix it."

This is the step-by-step process I use to help you move from a messy draft to a manuscript that actually works.

1. Find What’s Working, What’s Not, and Why

We identify both the strengths and the gaps in your manuscript so you can build on what’s working and fix what’s not with clarity.

This is where you finally see your manuscript clearly without the overwhelm.

2. Get Out of the Mess and Into Meaning

We get clear on what your book is really about and align your message, story, and structure so it finally works as a whole.

This is where your book starts to make sense (to you and to your reader).

3. Shape What’s There Into What It’s Meant to Be

We restructure, refine, and develop your manuscript so it flows clearly, builds naturally, and delivers the impact it’s meant to have.

This is where everything starts to click into place.

4. Make It Clear, Cohesive, and Consistent

We smooth transitions, strengthen clarity, and ensure every part of the manuscript feels intentional and connected.

This is where your manuscript starts to feel like a real book.

5. Know Exactly What Comes Next

You leave with a clear, confident plan, whether that’s further revision, beta readers, or the next level of editing.

This is where you stop second-guessing and move forward with confidence.

Your draft has potential. Let’s make it work.

I'm Interested

Not Sure Yet? No Problem!

Writing a Book is No Small Feat.

My Feedback & Coaching Style

You have some experience. You've been writing for a while and know the importance of quality feedback. Maybe you're looking to get some of the benefits of an MFA program—such as feedback from a teaching professional—without the additional cost or work required of an entire program. If this is you, read on!

If you are serious about your writing, have a growth mindset, are open to suggestions and feedback, and are willing to examine your work (sometimes deeply), I can help you find your way forward.

I'll help you step into your story more fully through in-depth, heart-centered coaching that helps you navigate the messy middle of revisions.

I'll provide you with specific examples and options so you can see how my suggestions can be implemented. You're not required to use them, so if you don't like them, focus on what they illustrate instead.

Please note that I offer no guarantees of publishing or landing agent, that you'll have a best seller, or that you'll agree with all of my suggestions. I also do not provide line editing, copy editing, or proofreading.

What You Can Expect from Me

I'll help you find and develop the deeper parts of your story to help your work connect with your ideal readers within a safe space. You'll receive detailed feedback specific to your work and goals. I provide honest feedback but aim to deliver it in as clear and compassionate a way as I can.

I do not believe in unnecessarily harsh feedback—but that does not guarantee that feedback on your work won't always feel warm and fuzzy. You need to be prepared to hear what may not be working and why. I'll encourage you but will be honest about your work and what it needs.

While I may occasionally note wording or spelling issues, I do not provide line editing, copy editing, or proofreading.

What I Expect from You

You are serious about your writing and making improvements, regardless of whether or not you're well published or are working on your first manuscript. You can meet deadlines (except for unavoidable life events).

You're looking for specific feedback about your work to make improvements, and you carefully consider the feedback rather than get defensive. If you're only looking to receive praise, I'm not the coach for you.

If you are writing a memoir, I will assume that you have enough distance from the event or events for the writing process. While I always strive to address the subject matter with sensitivity, I will also provide feedback from a more objective, story-focused perspective.

However, I’m not a counselor, so if you need additional emotional support during the writing process, please ensure that you have that in place.

Are you interested in becoming a book coach yourself? Learn more here!

Midlife woman content while writing in an open notebook with sunshine coming in from the side.

You don’t have to do this alone!

Imagine having a complete plan for revising your book (with room for those unexpected “ah ha!” moments) and being ready to write with clarity and intention.