Katie's Writing Notes

DO YOU NEED A WRITING COACH?

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Maybe you have an idea for a book (an e-book or a printed book), but you have no idea how to even start.

Or perhaps you have a book project that started out as a 15-page e-book (in your fantasies) that you thought you could whip out in a weekend, but it grew and grew, and now you don’t know what to do with it.  It’s a mess, all over the place, and the whole prospect is overwhelming.

Or perhaps you’ve got a full-length book idea (100-200+ manuscript pages), but you just need some handholding and direction.

Or perhaps you need occasional advice, a phone brainstorming sessions for idea bouncing, or help solving a writing problem.

I can help with all of these situations and many others: from the occasional 1 hour phone conversation to intense (daily, it seems) phone calls and emails about a current project or writing problem.

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WHAT IS A WRITING COACH?

A Writing Coach is:

* a published writer with experience in publishing (being published and self-publishing) and who has created a variety of writing projects (books, articles, blogs, courses, business communications, proposals, etc.),

* a writer mindful of the individual tasks and details of the writing process so she can guide the client through the process, one step at a time,

* a personal development expert who is able to guide the client to identify and achieve her goals and dreams, including creating action plans,

* a teacher who encourages the client to learn by doing – with as much handholding as desired – and encourages the process of self-discovery, which often involves life changes for the client (in attitude, perspective, confidence with skills and talents as a writer),

* in it for the long haul, establishing and maintaining a long term relationship with the client,

* all about creativity and adventure in achieving writing goals.

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WORKING PROCESS

Here is my process of working with Coaching Clients:

1. You contact me about my coaching services; we talk about your project, your writing goals and aspirations.  You send me a writing sample or the actual manuscript so I can see where you are as a writer.  The first 1/2 hour phone conversation (U.S.A. only) is free so we can see if we are a good fit.  If we connect, both with the project and each other, I accept the request for services.

2. We will talk about the estimated number of hours, charged at my hourly rate of $100 per hour.  You will need to prepay for a few hours to get started, the number of which we can discuss at the first call.  Since every writing client and writing project is different, I prefer to work hourly.

3. Once you have prepaid for a few hours, we can interact either via email or phone. We will discuss your starting point for the project (how far you’ve gotten so far) and next steps.  We will work together, step by step, until the project is finished or until you (or I) end the coaching sessions.

At any time, we can discuss the status of your project, how we’re doing, how much longer it might take.  I’ll be completely honest with you about this, to the best of my expertise and experience.

Here are some variables that can impact the length of the project time and my coaching time:

* your skills as a writer and how much handholding and detailed advice you need

* your familiarity with the writing process for the kind of writing projects we’ll be working on

* your writing goals for the project

* your degree of perfectionism (I am a recovering perfectionist, so I can spot the signs)

* your attitude and confidence as a writer (will creating this project be a breeze or like pulling teeth to get you to finish it?)

* your willingness to accept criticism and work through the revisions

* the amount of handholding you require.  You may require daily emails and phone calls, with comments on single pages produced, or you may be comfortable with weekly contacts and comments on chapters.

Of course, when I’m not working on your project or with you, no time is billed, so the more work you can do on your own, the less the project will cost.

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I AM WORKING ON YOUR PROJECT WHEN…

* the initial contact (phone call or email), after preliminaries and request for services is made,

* any getting-to-know-each other chit chat (after the first 1/2 hour).

* coaching sessions (often on the phone, but also reading and responding to emails)

* brainstorming sessions – with the client on the phone and with me alone in my office and my subsequent email/letter to you of my results

* critique of outlines and pages with recommendations

* email responses to questions and requests

* handholding and step-by-step guidance

* other tasks associated with the project.

Contacts can be  by email and phone (I prefer normal business hours, please).  And if you are or can be in the Portland, Oregon, area, we can actually meet in person.

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FEE STRUCTURE

Since every writer, writing project, and situation is different, I cannot quote one price for the entire project (mainly because I don’t like to work for free, and I don’t like overcharging, either).  I want to be fair to both of us with this relationship because it could involve years of contacts (hopefully).

I charge $100 per hour.  You can prepay for any number of hours that we both agree are reasonable for the project, or at least to get started.

I assure you that:

1. I will always be honest with you about your writing,

2. I will always treat you with respect, compassion, and understanding.

3. I will always make sure my comments will help you create the best possible product, even if the criticism seems a bit harsh at times.

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Refunds of Unused Hours:

If we finish the project or end the coaching sessions before your prepaid hours are used, I will refund the unused hours within 30 days of your written notice of your decision to end the sessions.

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SIGNING UP

When you want to tackle that writing project that you can’t seem to finish on your own, or start one you’ve been dreaming of writing, contact me at katieploeger@gmail.com.  Tell me a bit about yourself, your writing experience, and your writing project and the goal you have for it.  Tell me of any deadlines (from a publisher or self-imposed) that you are working with.

I will contact you to set up the initial 1/2 hour chit-chat, and I’ll tell you how to arrange payment.  I can use PayPal, or you can send me a check, but that will delay our starting work until the check clears.

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EXPERIENCE WITH WRITING PROJECTS

I have worked on the following types of projects, both my own and of clients:

- full length book projects (50-1000 page manuscripts) in various formats: trade paperback (short and long runs with a printer, print-on-demand), pdf downloads, Kindle and Smashwords (for many e-reader formats), and so on.

- short e-book projects (a few to 20 pages or so) in Special Reports, ebooks, etc.

- master’s degree thesis

- college level textbooks for publication

- children’s illustrated books

- home study courses and

- short e-courses

- instructional materials and packets for courses and workshops

- PowerPoint presentations (though I’m not a fan of them)

- website design and development; website content

- marketing collaterals (brochures, flyers, announcements, etc.)

- business communication materials (handbooks, procedure manuals, forms and systems to use the forms, documentation for equipment and computer software).

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Refer to the Bibliography and About pages for detailed information of my publishing credits, education, and other experiences.