Writer. Book Coach. Editor.

Book Coaching & Editing

Un-Mess Your Memoir^(tm)

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

With compassionate, authentic, expert guidance, you’ll gain clarity, trust your voice, and revise 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 if your manuscript starts and ends in the right place and has what it needs in between?

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

You know you need to revise, but you’re…

worried your story isn’t strong enough?
unsure where to even begin revising?
stressed because the idea of revising a book feels intimidating?
overwhelmed because you have put so much work into your draft and don't want to lose your vision?
struggling to organize your notes, thoughts, or various rewrites you've started by not finished?

Imagine…

Having a clear vision for your entire book, one that gives you direction for revising while still allowing flexibility for changes as you go.
Knowing exactly where your book begins and ends so you can confidently revise your memoir.
Feeling confident about your manuscript, with a clear sense of what to include, cut, or rework, and a story arc so you can keep moving forward with focus and intention.

If you’re ready to…

Clearly define your story's external and internal threads.
Feel confident in your book’s strengths and structure before you start writing.
Save time and avoid the frustration of writing and rewriting without a clear direction.
Get excited about your book, deepening your story, and the journey of bringing it to life.

Then, you’re ready for guidance and direction to move from confusion to clarity about your next steps.

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). Please also see Frequently Asked Questions.

Manuscript Analysis

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

Your Investment: $7 per page*

I'm Interested

Developmental Edit

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.

Monthly Coaching

This monthly coaching package is designed to help you where you are with revising.

We'll create a plan to envision your book so you can revise toward the book you envision.

I'll be with you each step of the way and will continue providing feedback and encouragement as you go.

Depending on where you're starting, the deliverables will vary. Examples include:

Regular submissions of book-planning pages.
Written work twice per month, up to 25 pages each (new or revised pages)
In-line comments for each submission
Detailed summary editorial letter for each submission
60-minute phone call after each submission (each recorded)
Ongoing support via email
Proper encouragement to keep going

Your Investment: $500 per month

Additional Considerations for Monthly Book Coaching:

Multiple months may be needed to get through an entire manuscript and/or to ensure that all revisions are completed.

Also, because the revision process can be intensive, we may focus on one or two primary issues before tackling other areas. This approach ensures the revision process is tailored to your writing style and needs. Otherwise, the process may become too overwhelming or disjointed.

When it is appropriate to do so, based on your specific progress, we will discuss whether or not the manuscript is ready for pitching or if additional work is still needed. Writing is an ongoing process, and additional rounds of revision (together or on your own) may be needed.

I won't recommend pitching if I don't feel your work is ready. My goal is for you to be as successful as possible, and providing you with false hope does not support that goal.

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 more fully into your story 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 publication or landing an agent, becoming 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 on your work to make improvements, and you carefully consider the feedback rather than getting 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(s) for the revision process. While I always strive to address the subject matter with sensitivity, I will also provide feedback from a more objective, story-focused perspective. This often means looking more deeply into your story when revising than when drafting.

I’m not a counselor, so if you need additional emotional support during the revision 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.

Revise Your Book With Purpose

You don’t have to do this alone!

Imagine having a complete plan for revision (with room for those unexpected “ah ha!” moments) and being ready to dive in with a specific plan and intention.