Client Testimonials
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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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Kathy Carroll Rawlings, fiction and nonfiction writer
“So...this writing a book thing can be great, exciting, inspiring, motivating...and shit all in one breath. The process isn't clean, the emotions are plentiful, but the one thing that excites me the most, the thing that pulls me back to the keyboard and puts a pep in my step is collaborating with such an amazing writer as you. It warms my heart. Thank you. You inspire on so many levels. ✨️ Thank you!..
“I’m fifty-six and today I discovered the difference between a trainer and a coach. Spending my entire professional life in the learning and organizational effectiveness space, you would think I could have learned this long ago. As an expert in adult learning theory, instructional development, and training, I thought I understood coaching. Roles and phrases such as executive coach and life coach permeate media feeds, gaining popularity each year. Until now, I never appreciated the talent and gifts of an exceptional coach. I get it now. My book coach, Michelle Melton Cox, is that exceptional coach and the perfect match.”
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Stacy Washington, Author, Eternally Cancel Proof
“Thanks Michelle! My writing is always so much better after we talk. Your clarity is a game changer for me.”
Stacy hosts Stacy on the Right, on SiriusXM Patriot Channel 125, airing nightly 9 pm to midnight. She is the Communications Director of Family Vision Media and is an Ambassador for America First Policy Institute. Stacy is a decorated Air Force Veteran (and the fourth generation to serve in the armed forces in her family). While serving on Active Duty she was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Training Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. You can find Eternally Cancel Proof on Amazon.
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Richard Lazaroff, M.D. , author of Illumination
“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).”
Dr. Lazaroff picked up fiction writing as a second career after retiring as a pediatrician. Illumination has been nominated for a couple of awards related to Jewish fiction and Dr. Lazaroff has been interviewed on radio and for print about the novel and its historical origins. He will be one of the featured authors at the Jewish Book Festival at the Jewish Community Center in St. Louis. You can buy Illumination on Amazon.
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Melissa Mowry, fiction writer
“You are the answer to many, many years of frustrated, half-hearted attempts at writing a novel, all of which ended with a misguided belief that I wasn't cut out for this. In working with you, I've come to realize I was just missing one critical piece of the puzzle: support and accountability. I feel like I finally have a partner on what has been a long, lonely journey thus far. And now I know the truth: I am cut out for this. I just needed someone to remind me.
“You make me feel like I know what I'm doing which is a real confidence booster! When I get stuck with idea generation, you're there to provide a bird's eye view of a scene, and when I need to get into the nitty gritty of my characters' emotional development, you know the questions to ask to help me deepen and expand them. I also like that you point out where I could deepen things in a second draft, but help me keep the momentum of the first draft by not getting caught up in minor details. The usual imposter syndrome fears rear their ugly heads every now and then, but I think it's in good shape for a first draft.
“I'm finally making a daily commitment to my writing practice, which is something I've never been able to sustain. It's probably the most impactful part of the book coaching process for me. That you've allowed me to show up for my art in the way I've always wanted to.”
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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.”
Britta’s manuscript is complete and she is currently querying publishers.
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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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Lana Wilhelm, R.N.. author of forthcoming Stroke and the Spouse
“When you start to write a book, you think you can do it all on your own. And I think people get concerns like, “Oh my gosh, what would (book coaching) cost? But (what) you get is so great compared to the amount you spend. What you get for the fee (of book coaching) is ten times more than what you pay. You really get a personal relationship with someone who truly cares about what you're doing-that is truly invested in you. It's someone who is really listening to you, making notes, and guiding you. It's kind of like having a therapist while you're writing your book. Prior to working with Michelle, I struggled with the process of how to take my idea and move forward, where to start, and did I really have a good idea. Michelle was wonderful. If I had not worked with (her) I never would have finished this book. I would’ve given up.”
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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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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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Denise Carter, Missouri
"What it was like, what happened, what it's like now. That's how I tell my story and that's a good start to a book. I hope my A.A. story helps someone else, and it's helping me to write it with Michelle. I highly recommend her.”
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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!”