Work with me: Coaching
Why choose to work with me?
In short: I love stories! Not only am I a friendly and enthusiastic fiction coach, but I'm also a writer myself. I know how difficult it is to write a compelling story, and I also know the passion and hard work which goes into writing our stories. I would love to work with you and help you make your story shine!
What are my qualifications and experience?
Training:
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CIEP fiction editing training
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CIEP developmental editing training
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CIEP fiction coaching training
Professional memberships:
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Intermediate Member of the UK's Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
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Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors
Experience: I've been working with independent authors, publishers, and authors seeking traditional publication for the last three years. I also taught in higher education for ten years prior to becoming an editor.
Which writers would gain the most benefit from my coaching services?
My service is especially suited to newer writers, writers who are juggling writing with parenting or other life commitments, and writers who find developmental editorial reports overwhelming.
As an autistic person myself, I also try to accommodate the additional needs of people with autism / ADHD / AuDHD. For example, I send reminders before sessions, I can deliver coaching via email if preferred, and fidget toys / stimming are absolutely permitted! If you have any other needs then I will always do my best to accommodate them.
While I encourage parents to arrange alternative childcare while they undergo coaching, I'm a parent myself and I understand the challenges which come with that! I will always do my best to be understanding and accommodating.
Please see below for more information about each of the different coaching services I offer.
Do I offer an introductory coaching session?
If you would like to sign up for one of my coaching packages, then this will include an introductory session in which we will discuss your specific needs, challenges, what you wish to gain from coaching etc. The subsequent sessions will then be guided by the introductory session.
How often will coaching sessions take place?
This depends on your needs. Sessions will typically be one hour long, and may be monthly, weekly, or fortnightly. They will usually be held over Zoom.
The timing of the sessions will depend on both of our schedules. I'm based in the UK (London timezone) and I try to schedule sessions for when my children are in school (09:30-14.30 Mon-Fri). However, I can be flexible with times with enough notice.
I also offer written coaching for writers who - for various reasons - might find it difficult or impossible to speak via Zoom call.
Will I record coaching sessions?
I record our sessions via Zoom and then send the recordings to you so that we both have a record of what we discussed, any goals / actions etc. Please let me know if you do not wish for sessions to be recorded.
Do I use generative AI?
I DO NOT use generative AI in any aspect of my writing, editing, coaching, marketing etc.
If you have used gen-AI in any part of your writing process - including brainstorming, editing, and/or the writing itself - then please disclose this when you contact me. I will only work on projects with heavy human involvement, and I will judge this on a case-by-case basis.
Do I offer discounts?
I am transparent about my prices, and these can be found with the relevant services (please see below).
Discounts available:
- 10% discount to newsletter subscribers.
- 10% discount to members of marginalised communities (e.g. people of colour, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people etc). For info: I'm an autistic cishet white woman based in Yorkshire, England.
I'm happy to discuss payment plans.
To find out more...
...including prices and details about each type of coaching, then please select the relevant service below.
Coaching Services.
Testimonials.
"I worked with Claire on my first novel, and I have to say it was a delight to work with her. She was incredibly insightful and helpful, offering guidance and support, plus an understanding ear on what I was aiming to do. As a neurodivergent writer the enormity of writing a novel seemed huge, but with Claire’s help I managed to structure the story and ended up really enjoying the experience!"
Nick, horror author
"Claire has babysat me since chapter one, and I am immensely grateful for all the hard work and patience she has put into me and my story. Her wordsmithing skills, editing (both dev and copyedit), and attention to detail are top-notch and I highly recommend her services."
Tom, serialised litRPG author
"I really appreciated the big picture and small detail approach Claire took for the developmental edit of my first draft. She gave me ideas and perspective regarding the story arc of my main characters along with noting where my language was filtering the experience of my characters. Hashing out the plot of this book and my planned sequel was invaluable, not to mention fun!"
Jeannette, contemporary YA author