Memoir Coaching
Looking for accountability, editorial feedback and guidance to write the next great memoir?
I help writers get unstuck so they can turn their experiences into stories that sell.
You have something to say — a story others need to hear — but…
you’re stuck and don’t know how to move forward
you struggle with holding yourself accountable to your writing
you don’t know how to shape your experience(s) into a story others will want to read
you crave developmental edits and feedback from a knowledgeable guide to keep you on the right track
you’re tired of writing in a silo and you just wish you had someone to talk to and brainstorm your ideas with. Someone who gets it.
you don’t just want to write a book, you want to write a great book.
If so, I can help. I’m a certified book coach passionate about helping writers get unstuck so they can turn their experiences into stories other people want to read.
“Jessica got me to dig deeper into my past in ways I never imagined and helped me find the belief in myself that I could do this. I wake up every morning excited to work on the next chapter and Jessica’s thoughtful feedback gets the wheels turning for ways in which I can improve the next draft. If you’re thinking about writing a memoir, you want someone like Jessica by your side. I swear my memoir would not exist without her.”
—JESSICA LEIBE
“Jessica is an amazing coach and knowledgeable editor. She made me feel like my book was important and that I was capable of writing it. She showed up to each meeting ready to move the needle forward and at times it felt like she was more invested in my project than I was! She has the compassion to not overwhelm, the tenacity to go the distance, and the bandwidth to hold your vision with you, and for you when needed.”
—PAIGE BRADLEY-PECOUL
“I have clarity on how to move forward with my manuscript. I came into coaching confused, writing in circles with a lot of words and a jumbled storyline. Through our work, and mostly through [Jessica’s] edits, I was able to see the story come to life. I had it all there, but she was able to guide me to its potential. Her heart-centered approach was amplified in the way she delicately held the hard parts in a nonjudgemental and beautifully objective way while I sifted through the pain points. She has given me the gift of believing in myself as a writer, again. There is something undeniably healing in that.”
—KATHRYN VIGNESS
Writing doesn’t have to be a struggle.
Imagine this instead:
You have a clear and comprehensive road map to follow so that you don’t have to wonder what to write next.
You get personalized editorial feedback on a regular basis and you know exactly what you need to do to improve it and stay on track.
You have a professional with whom to brainstorm and problem solve as you write so you're never going at it alone.
You feel confident and inspired when you write instead of overwhelmed, confused, and full of doubt.
You have a finished draft that’s a reality—not just something on your vision board that feels out of reach.
You’re clear on your publishing goals with a cheerleader in your corner.
What’s My Coaching Style?
It's my job to help you write the best version of the story only you can tell. I'm equal parts story coach, editor, accountability coach, cheerleader and biggest fan.
On the days you doubt your writing ability or worry if anyone will actually want to read your book, I'm here to remind you that you CAN and they WILL. I don't believe you would invest so much of your heart, your time and your money into something you didn't believe was absolutely worth it.
As an editor and a coach, I ask a lot of questions. Your answers often lead us to new and interesting places, helping to deepen the narrative and provide clearer direction for how to write forward. I will highlight what isn’t working and why, but my role is not to provide the answers for how to fix it. I see myself as a guide and teacher. I may make suggestions or move things around to use as examples, but it will always remain your story and you will always have the final say.
When it comes to feedback on your pages, I meet you where you're at. Writers who are in the early drafting stages often need big picture / developmental feedback and help staying focused on the parts of the story that matter most. Writers who are a bit further along might need help improving their craft. Wherever you’re at, I promise you will make progress and your writing will improve.
Writing a book is hard, and it can be a frustrating and overwhelming process. I’m here to support and guide you through every step of the process.
Get ready for accountability, encouragement, guidance and tough love.
Together:
● We’ll work through a series of exercises designed to map your memoir — a process that builds off the Author Accelerator Blueprint developed by Jennie Nash that hundreds of writers have used to and get super clear on the story they want/need to tell
● We’ll create a writing and editing schedule that fits your lifestyle and feels sustainable and exciting while pushing you (slightly) out of your comfort zone
● We’ll work through personalized solutions for any mindset issues that are getting in your way (bye bye writer’s block, imposter syndrome and procrastination!)
● We’ll keep you motivated and on track through submission deadlines, editorial feedback, instruction and support.
● We’ll determine your publishing path and the steps to make it happen, whether you want to self-publish or work with a hybrid or traditional publisher.
“Working with Jessica has helped to open new dimensions for my memoir manuscript. Through The Memoir Map and structured discussion, she has really helped me to dig deep into the heart of my story, uncover my motivation for writing it, and reveal the gaps in my narrative, including ideas for best opening and closing scenes. For anyone working in memoir, I would not hesitate to recommend them to work with Jessica!
—WILEY WEI-CHIUN HO
Let’s Work Together!
Map Your Memoir
This one-time clarity session includes access to the story mapping process I’ve used with dozens of clients to help you define the heart of your story and give you a clear road map for how best to write it.
What you get:
The complete Memoir Map Workbook
Personalized editorial feedback on your Memoir Map
One 90-minute Zoom session with Jessica to discuss the feedback, dive deeper, and walk away with even more clarity on your story and next steps for how to write forward
$750/month
Here are two ways I can help you write your memoir…
1:1 Coaching
If you’re looking for customized, ongoing support to hold yourself accountable, stay motivated and on track, and write the best version of the memoir only you can write, this six-month container is for you.
What you get:
The Map Your Memoir workbook + feedback + clarity session
Two 60-minute Zoom sessions per month
Personalized, detailed editorial feedback on up to 50 double-spaced pages per month (25 per cycle)
A six-month container to help you stay committed to your memoir
Unlimited email support between meetings
Access to the Memoir Book Club
$1,000 / month
“Jessica is a master at this process. Working with her helped to untangle the yarn in my head and pull the threads 🧵 into a methodical order that I can knit into a cohesive narrative. Thanks, Jessica! It was getting awfully woolly up in the ‘ole noggin.”
—LESLIE B. SCOTT
Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely! Just book a connection call with me HERE and we can chat more about your story and how I can help.
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Right now, yes. I feel like my strengths lie in these two genres based on my background and education and because these are the genres I enjoy reading and studying. I'm not the right coach for genre fiction or traditional nonfiction projects.
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Yes! If you already have a finished draft you might want to start with a manuscript evaluation to get a better understanding of what's working and what you need to do to improve it. If you already know there are lots of issues with your draft and you need a full revision, then I'd recommend starting with coaching.
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Absolutely not! I wish I could, but nobody can promise that. The publishing industry is very subjective, and there are no guarantees even for already successful authors.
However, I can promise you that through dedication, guidance and a lot of heart, both your writing and your confidence will improve. And both are key ingredients to publishing.