Fiction Book Coaching &
Nonfiction Book Coaching
Fearless Midlife Writers:
How to Start, Write and Finish Your Book: A One-on-One Coaching Program
I work with people in midlife who have dreamed of writing a book but were never able to devote the time and resources to do so and are now finally ready to put themselves first.
They want to accomplish this goal that has been marinating in the back of their minds and inside their hearts for years. If this is you, then you’re in the right place.
Do you have a story or book idea inside you but fear you don’t have the skills to write it?
Do you write with self-doubt (or not write at all) because you think you’re too old, it’s too late, and this whole writing thing seems like a silly self-indulgence?
Are you afraid your story idea or message isn’t worthy of a book or that it’s already been done?
Is your idea is clear in your head, but when you try to get it down on the page, you can’t do it?
I’ve talked to enough people to know that it’s not just the needs of others and the demands of a career that makes them put off their dream of writing a fiction or nonfiction book.
It’s the four-letter F-word: fear!
They’re afraid they might fail. They’re afraid they may not have what it takes. They worry they don’t have anything new or important to say. And they worry what other people will think when they say they’re writing a book.
But here’s the beauty of midlife: you get to choose YOU. Now is the time to put yourself first and use book coaching to help you do that.
Imagine what it will feel like to go from dreaming about writing your book to actually holding a finished manuscript in your hands and being able to call yourself an author.
When you work with me, you will:
Avoid a (midlife) crisis of regret and make peace with time–it will still fly by as quickly as ever, but you’ll have done the thing you always wanted to do.
Embrace the changes that come with midlife (emptying nest, more time, boredom with career path) as an opportunity to put yourself first and pursue your dream of becoming an author.
Gain confidence in your ability to do new, hard things and feel empowered to keep growing, discovering and learning.
Enjoy connection and a sense of belonging within the writing world, making new friends along the way with other writers, authors and even readers.
Feel proud that you created something lasting that will echo into the future in a way that only the written word can. Create connection and change lives within the recovery community
You’ve worked hard and done the things you needed to do—raised a family and/or cared for loved ones, built a career or business, made a home—i.o.w. brought home the bacon and fried it up in a pan.
Now it’s your turn.
That’s the exact reason I created my Fearless Midlife Writers—How to Start, Write and Finish Your Book program.
Midlife should be the beginning of something amazing!
This monthly one-on-one coaching program will take you from dreaming about writing a book to holding a finished manuscript. You’ll celebrate the passage of time and say “bring on the next birthday” because you’ll have made great use of your time and kept a promise to yourself to finally write that book!
I am an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach with certifications in both fiction and nonfiction.
The lengthy training and certification process I went through was designed and delivered by Author Accelerator Founder Jennie Nash who has written and published eight books and whose book-coaching clients have landed top New York agents and big publishing deals. I continue to train with Jennie and other industry professionals so that I can help you uncover your story and develop your book or novel idea into a finished manuscript that makes you proud.
Additionally, I developed a unique journaling method called Writing the W.A.V.E.S.© (Writing the Way to Acceptance, Validation and Empowerment through our Stories) that will help you establish a consistent writing practice and mine your stories for the “good stuff” to make meaning from your life’s experiences. I use this process, as well as other creativity tools (meditation, writing exercises, etc.) to help my clients unlock their most creative selves.
What’s included in the Fearless Midlife Writers: How to Start, Write and Finish Your Book monthly one-on-one coaching program:
A personal relationship with me—a certified book coach—who gets to know your story and becomes invested in your book so that you write a book that makes you proud and feel a connection to someone who will help you embrace the writer’s life.
Accountability so that you finally FINISH your book.
You get two pre-determined deadlines per month (you pick them, I hold you to them) where you submit up to 25 pages of work (double-spaced 1-inch margins, 12-point type).
You also get two thirty-minute one-on-one phone or video coaching calls per month to discuss my feedback and email and/or video chat support between deadlines.
Feedback on your pages with in-line comments and actionable steps to take for improvement so that you gain confidence in your ability to do new, hard things.
Seeing it right there—on the page with your words—is the best way to improve on all those fundamentals. If you’re writing fiction, we’ll tackle character development, plot, tension and conflict, voice, POV, and theme. You avoid plot holes (fiction) and major structural concerns (fiction and nonfiction) that could sink your book when you’re 60,000 words in, saving you heartbreak and months or years of frustration.
You also receive guidance on project management (because a book is an enormous project), organization and writing craft instruction, plus advice on the tools and technology to make the writing life easier
The means to finish your manuscript so that your voice and message echo into the future in a timeless way that only the written word can, giving you joy at your accomplishment and peace with the passage of time.
Help reconciling any questions you might have about the story you thought you were going to write and the one that has presented itself to you, if those two things are different so that you can take ownership of something that is uniquely yours.
For nonfiction writers working on a book proposal, you’ll get guidance and coaching on all the elements of a book proposal so you can pitch your book with confidence.
I’m committed to helping you avoid a midlife crisis of regret because you let another year pass without pursuing your dream to write a book. I’ve been a writer my entire life and I know how to make this happen. I also know how to recognize a story or experience that should be shared. When you work with me, I’ll help you find those story gems inside your experiences, too. That means you’ll finish with a beautiful book that makes you proud, and we’ll have a lot of fun along the way. With me as your coach, you’re going to keep those promises to yourself and you will FINALLY write that book you’ve always dreamed about writing.
The investment for this program is $700/month with a three month minimum.
There is a reason you have this dream to write and your next step is for us to talk about your dream and vision for this book or novel with a professional coach (and midlifer) who can help you. Click on the button below to fill out an interest form and I’ll be in touch to schedule a phone call.
Here’s what previous clients have to say about working with me.
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Gina Birkemeier, MAC, LPC, author of Generations Deep
Generations Deep has won multiple awards, including a 2021 1st place in the NYC Big Book Awards, an and 1st place in the 2021 Independent Press Awards.
“There are SO many things I could say here. First, I appreciate her integrity in that she only takes projects she believes in. Secondly, I really appreciate that Michelle doesn’t sugar coat her feedback. She will not only tell you what needs to happen to improve your book, but she will also help you make it happen. I was thankful for her inline comments on my book and her clarifying questions which helped make the book so much better (it’s easy to get stuck in your own head- thinking that people will just “know” what you’re talking about.) Michelle also has great ideas for promoting your work and helping you devise a plan. It felt like a true partnership, for which I am grateful.”
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Britta Eskey, Co-founder of COR
“I hired Michelle and she helped me with the book proposal. Her support was invaluable. I don't think I could have gotten to where I have in my writing process without her. I feel I have someone on my side for accountability, for expert advise and for inspiration. I love my weekly meeting with her and I highly recommend her for any part of the process. “
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Taylor Smith, Teacher, Des Moines, Iowa
“I finally, finally, finally finished a book and it’s because of Michelle’s coaching. I’ve been talking about this forever and I just couldn’t do it on my own. I kept getting stuck on plot problems or characters or point of view. Now, I’m revising my complete manuscript. Michelle was one part story coach, one part writing teacher, one part “LET’S get this book done!”
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Stacy Washington, Author, Eternally Cancel Proof (available on Amazon on 3.22.22)
“Thanks Michelle! My writing is always so much better after we talk. Your clarity is a game changer for me.”
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Rita Knesel, Occupational Therapist, MSOT OTR/L
“I’ve been working as an occupational therapist for thirty years and had been talking about writing a book about stroke rehabilitation for the last ten. But the last thing I wrote was my Master’s thesis and truth be told, that wasn’t a real page turner. I had no idea where to start or even what a book proposal was. Thank goodness for Michelle Cox.”
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Richard Lazaroff, M.D. , author
Author of forthcoming fiction novel and Some Assembly Required: A Guide to Savvy Parenting
“I have never had any “training” as a writer. Michelle Cox at times educated me about the writing process with critical but gentle help. She met all her commitments to me with respect to time to review my writing and Zoom sessions to review her comments. She allowed me to maintain my voice while improving it (akin to singing lessons I suppose).”
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Kelly Mason, Atlanta, Georgia
“I had an idea of the book I was going to write, but I wasn’t sure it would work. Michelle’s exercises helped me so much. Her comments and her coaching calls. . . helped me figure out my idea. Now I’ve got 30,000 words and I look forward to sending her my chapters each deadline. I can see my way to the end.”
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Carmen Blankenship, fiction author, retired nurse
“I’ve always dreamed of writing a book and Michelle helped me do it. She taught me so many things that I wouldn’t have learned on my own because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I can say I’m an author and it’s the best thing ever.”
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Debbie B. Wildwood, Missouri
“I enjoyed Michelle's class, Writing the W.A.V.E.S., very much. I'm an avid reader, but have no desire to write anything for public consumption. But, I'm on a quest to improve my creativity and spirituality, and Journaling has been interesting to me. I've journaled sporadically over the years, usually when I'm angry or sad. Never enough to get any lasting benefits. Michelle's class introduced me to ways I can keep Journaling interesting, enlightening, and I felt driven to do more! I would recommend this class to anyone who is interested in taking their creative journey to next level. Oh, the insights I've seen!!”
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Darrah MacLean, author of forthcoming YA novel
“Working with Michelle is like magic – she lifts the fog, gets you through the muddy middle and points you in the direction that’s true to your story, your characters, your vision for your book. Opening my early draft up to feedback was such a nerve-wracking experience – but I am beyond happy that I did. I was truly stuck in some spots and Michelle helped me through all of them, offering such insightful, thoughtful feedback that I knew she understood my characters and the story I am trying to tell.”
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Sandy Piper, MSC, LPC
“The W.A.V.E.S. method is a solid way for anyone to approach journaling. It sparks ideas by tapping into memories and experiences using a creative and full-bodied approach. Would recommend this class for anyone!”