Addicts to Authors
Manuscript Writing and Book Coaching Program
Did you overcome an addiction and discover that you have a powerful story to share and a creative urge to write it down?
Do people always tell you that you should write a book?
Science suggests that there are similarities between addiction and the traits that are a prerequisite for creativity, so it’s no surprise that many alcoholics and addicts feel an impulse to write when they get sober. We are strong people with brave stories.
The problem?
You WANT to write but you’re not sure where or how to start, or if you’re on the right track. Maybe you’re unsure whether your story is best told through fiction or nonfiction.
Your recovery story is like a jigsaw puzzle still in the box. In order for its truth to become a blessing for others, you must dump it out, sort the pieces and put them together in a meaningful way.
Imagine what it will feel like to start and complete your manuscript—to turn your story into a blessing for others.
Imagine what will if feel like to say, “I’m an author.”
Imagine getting an email from someone that says, “Your book helped me feel less alone in my recovery. Your recovery story is MY story, too. Thanks for writing it.”
The Addicts to Authors Manuscript Writing and Book Coaching Program will allow you to:
Tell your truth through fiction or nonfiction
Turn your experiences and story into a blessing for others
Deepen your connection to others and change lives within the recovery community
Create joy from your hardships
Write a book
You climbed out of the hole of alcoholism or another addiction and you are living life sober and free.
Your sobriety is a hard-earned gift, but you understand that your past hardships are part of your recovery journey. Now you want to own your story and share it to benefit others. You’re stuck because you feel a tug to write in a meaningful, lasting way that will help the recovery community, but you need help starting or completing a manuscript.
That’s the exact reason I created my Addicts to Authors Manuscript Writing and Book Coaching Program—to take you from having a story or book idea inside your head to having a complete manuscript in your hands — from having a past of addiction to having a present and future of deeper connection and lasting impact through the written word.
I am an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach with certifications in both fiction and nonfiction.
The lengthy training and certification process I completed 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 take part in continuous training with Jennie and other industry professionals, and I bring everything I’m learning to 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.
What’s Included in the Manuscript Writing and Book Coaching Program:
A personal relationship with me—a certified book coach—who gives you professional, one-on-one feedback on your work. I get to know your story and book and become invested in it right alongside you.
Accountability: 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).
Feedback on your pages with in-line comments and actionable steps to take for improvement. 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. If you’re writing nonfiction, we’ll examine some of those things, as well. We’ll also examine message, making sure you have clarity on your book idea and that your passion and message are clear from the first page to the last page.
Two thirty-minute one-on-one phone or video coaching calls per month to discuss my feedback.
Avoidance of 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.
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.
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.
Email support between deadlines.
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.
As a sister in sobriety, I am committed to helping you uncover and write your story. That means that you won’t have to figure this out on your own and you won’t have to work with a writing coach who doesn’t relate to our past struggles and doesn’t know our recovery language.
I’ve been a writer my entire life and I know the benefits of putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. 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.
I believe in the POWER of YOUR story and I don’t want you to regret not writing it. Let me coach you as you start and finish your manuscript.
The investment for this program is $700 per month with a three month minimum. 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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MAC, LPC, Author of Generations Deep.
“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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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.
“From the very beginning and at every step along the way, Michelle created a structure and program that led me step by step through the organization and writing of my story. I’m so very excited to know my lifetime of experience can make for a great read. If what you want and need is your own personal coach moving you through concept to outcome, I highly recommend Michelle Cox. I could not have done it without her.”
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Richard Lazaroff, M.D.
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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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 nmovel
“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.”