What Is a Book Coach?: Writing, Publishing, and Marketing Coaches for Authors
For first-time authors, will-be authors, and those who are asking “What is a book coach?” or “Do I need a book coach?” and who don’t know where to start, this is for you—especially for American nonfiction authors.
What does a book coach do?
Book coaches—also known as author coaches—help authors with the writing, publishing, and marketing/promotion of books.
They do this through one-on-one consultations, individualized or group programs, and online courses.
In this article, we’ll look at how coaches help authors write, publish, and sell more books—and I’ll provide some thoughts on hiring a book coach.
Book Writing Coach
What does a writing coach do?
A number of things.
Writing coaches help authors outline their book projects and improve their writing skills. They help authors complete a successful first or final draft.
Writing coaches may review drafts or work in progress, providing feedback and encouragement along the way.
They often offer regular check-ins with authors—once each month, perhaps, or as certain milestones are accomplished (or not accomplished). Coaches can keep writers moving forward. They can get writers unstuck.
Some help authors with the mindset of writing, serving as cheerleaders and accountability partners.
When to hire a writing coach? Writing coaches work with authors at any stage of the writing process. If you’re looking to hire one, make sure that they have worked with authors like you, on books like yours.
Most writing coaches have degrees in writing-related fields, have taught college students in writing-intensive courses or writing centers, or have worked in publishing. Others are experienced freelancers.
Working with a writing coach can be a great investment in your book and your future as an author.
After working with a writing coach, you’ll not only write better, faster, and more confidently; you’ll have a more publishable book; and you’ll have ongoing support and someone to touch base with along the way.
Book Publishing Coach
Another type of author coach is a book publishing coach.
What does a book publishing coach do?
Book publishing coaches help authors get a traditional publishing deal or offer self-publishing coaching.
Hiring a book publishing coach is an investment that will help you get published.
For authors who are pursuing traditional publishing—publishing with a trade publisher, big 5 publisher, or university press—
hiring a book coach means finding someone to help you draft and improve your query letter and book proposal so you can get a contract (we could call this a “book proposal coach”); identify publishers and/or agents to approach; pitch your manuscript to publishers and/or literary agents; and/or successfully navigate the often mysterious and arduous traditional publishing process.
sNew authors may know little about this world or how to break into it. Not knowing what’s normal or what to do next can be frustrating. That’s where a coach comes in.
As a publishing coach who has helped dozens of nonfiction authors get published, among other things, I help people who have manuscripts that are viable for traditional publishing to create queries and book proposals geared toward what agents and/or publishers are looking for. I help authors identify publishers and agents and devise a strategy for pitching their book.
Once the contract has been signed, like other publishing coaches, I offer guidance and insight into the traditional publishing process. That means helping authors complete the author marketing questionnaire, organize their final submission, navigate the pre-sales, copy editing, design, proofreading, and indexing process, and more.
I’ve done all this and more dozens of times, typically with one-on-one calls, email support, and helpful handouts and resources.
➡️See coaching package for traditional publishing
➡️Learn more about the Traditional Publishing Process online course for nonfiction authors
➡️Get my incredible up-to-date list of US publishers for nonfiction books—with submission guidelines.
An “indie author coach” can help authors self-publish in a strategic way—
so their books will stand out in a crowded market and so they can avoid mistakes and unnecessary expenses.
Hiring a self-publishing coach like me gives authors a step-by-step plan for self-publishing that works best for their goals, helps them identify exactly where they’ll make their book available, and helps them decide who to hire and what to hire out.
Self-publishing coaches help authors with strategy—most importantly, advising them on what self-publishing platforms and book formats are right for them and showing them how to optimize their book’s visibility and increase sales with key retailers and distributors such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing—also known as KDP.
They can also help authors with multiple books maximize profits and sharpen their long-term vision.
I’ve done all this and more dozens of times, typically with one-on-one calls, email support, and helpful handouts and resources.
➡️Click here for an example of a coaching package for self-publishing.
➡️Learn more about the Step-by-Step Self-Publishing Process online course for nonfiction authors.
When to hire a book publishing coach? Book publishing coaches can help authors at any stage of the process—during the writing process, to help the author anticipate what will be needed when it comes time to publish, or once a publication-ready manuscript has been produced, to help the author pursue and complete the publishing process.
Many book publishing coaches have either worked in publishing or have successfully published traditionally published books before. Most will have created content on publishing (you can access my articles related to publishing by clicking here) and have experience working with authors.
Some book coaches may claim to have a certification. There are a few master’s-degree and certificate-based programs in publishing, but not many. There are others who have taken courses and/or who work for online businesses and may have paid for training from other online programs that sell author services. Someone may have a “system,” but that doesn’t mean it’s “the system” or that it’s any better than anyone else’s system.
Working with a book publishing coach can help you navigate the book publishing process from start to finish and get your manuscript (and book) noticed in the crowded marketplace.
Invest in your future as an author.
Book Marketing Coach
Writing and publishing books is one thing, but getting them into readers’ hands is another. That’s where having some outside help and perspective can come in handy.
What does a book marketing coach do?
A book marketing coach, aka book marketing consultant, helps authors identify and capitalize on opportunities to publicize their book(s).
Book marketing coaches, myself included, show authors how to create, improve, and execute a book marketing plan geared toward their book and their goals.
That might involve advising authors on how to line up public speaking opportunities and podcast appearances, how to get more reviews (and how to put those reviews to good use), and more. I’ve done that, too.
Coaches might help authors looking to revive a backlist, which is a fancy way of saying they can help authors breathe new life into previous books they’ve written. Helping authors optimize an Amazon Author page or a Goodreads account, change metadata (if self-published), rewrite a book description, add Amazon editorial reviews, or redesign book covers (if self-published) are all possible services under the umbrella of book marketing coaching.
There are some book marketing coaches whose duties are a bit broader, in that they are more focused on promotions—paid advertising and the like.
Some coaches help authors set up paid advertising, like Amazon ads or Facebook ads, or special promotions, like a book promo from Written Word Media’s book promo sites, for example.
Authors who want to delegate such duties might hire someone (or a company) who can run Amazon ads, Facebook ads, or other paid advertising on the author’s behalf.
Some authors hire a publicist. For several thousand dollars, that publicist attempts to strum up opportunities for the author. That doesn’t work for all authors or all projects. It’s most common with first-time/one-time authors with large budgets and prolific self-published authors.
This approach is problematic in a few ways. It does not cultivate an audience for the long term, and book sales for the next book will have to be bought rather than earned. Some book marketing tasks are best taken on by the author; an author is the face of the book and thus often needs to be hands-on, especially if they plan to write several books.
There are also paid services that can do press releases for you and that can apply to book awards on your behalf.
When to hire a book marketing coach? A book marketing coach begins working with authors several months to a year prior to the book's “launch," also known as the book’s publication (pub.) date or release date.
You might hear a book marketing coach referred to as a book launch coach, consultant, or expert.
Some book marketing coaches have a background in marketing or public relations. Some have worked in the publishing industry. Others are or have been successful authors in their own right.
Working with a book marketing coach can help you get more exposure and sell more books in a way that is geared specifically to your book, your goals, and your personality.
➡️Click to see my author coaching services—coaching calls and book marketing plans and strategy for nonfiction authors.
You can also take a self-directed course and learn how to do this yourself. In doing so, you’ll get a ton of helpful resources and templates. Digital courses are often very valuable, especially if you plan to write another book, because the knowledge you gain you can take with you in the future.
➡️Learn more about The Best Book Marketing Strategies online course for American nonfiction authors.
How Much Does a Book Coach Cost?
Prices are wildly variable and depend on the genre, the coach’s experience, and the expected sales of the book. For hourly calls, expect to pay a minimum of $60 to $100 per hour.
Book marketing packages can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on what’s included and how involved the work is.
Digital courses, programs, and memberships taught by book coaches can cost anywhere from $49 to $1,999, depending on what is included.
Thoughts about Hiring a Book Coach
Should you hire a book coach?
Why do people hire personal trainers? Tutors? Therapists? Why do people take classes?
Because they realize that someone has expertise that can help them grow and improve. Because they need a little extra guidance.
You’ve got a lot to learn. You’re no expert. It’s easy to get stuck. This stuff isn’t easy.
If you’re considering hiring a book coach, consider this:
Sometimes it takes too long to sift through often contradictory information in videos and blogs and books. Sometimes we respond better to human interaction. Sometimes we need a more personalized approach. Sometimes we need someone who knows a little more than we do and who has our back. Sometimes we need to confirm we’re on the right path, or know what adjustments to make before it’s too late.
You’ve dreamed about it. You’ve talked about it. Maybe you’ve started it but soon realized that you can’t do it soon enough or well enough on your own.
I’m talking about writing your nonfiction book. Getting it published. Putting it in readers’ hands.
As I say in my book coaching services page . . .
Hiring a book coach helps you create, publish, or sell your book with pride and confidence. With a plan. To make more of an impact.
You’ll discover the steps, strategies, and secrets that will make your book a success.
You’ll better reach your goals and your readers’ expectations—in less time.
You’ll gain knowledge and skills for your next book.
You’ll be buoyed and supported in your author journey.
Hiring an experienced book coach may be just what you need in order to put your best book out there.
You might also like:
Daniel J. Tortora book coaching services (for US nonfiction authors)
Daniel J. Tortora editing services (for US nonfiction authors)
The Best Books on Getting Published: Learn How to Score a Publishing Deal
List of Traditional Publishing Companies (US) for Nonfiction Books
You got this!