Memoir Mentorship
Are you ready to turn your experiences into a story others will want to read?
I work closely with a select number of women writers to help them write their memoir or autofiction with purpose.
Is this you?
You have something to say — a story others need to hear — but…
you don’t just want to write a book, you want to write a great book.
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.
If so, I can help. I’m a certified book coach passionate about helping women (cis, trans) 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:
Having a clear and comprehensive road map to follow so that you don’t have to wonder what to do next.
Getting personalized feedback on your writing so you’ll know exactly what you need to do to make it better.
Having someone to brainstorm and problem solve with as you write so that you're never going at it alone.
Feeling confident and inspired when you write instead of overwhelmed, confused, and full of doubt.
Having a finished draft that’s a reality—not just something on your vision board that feels out of reach.
Getting clear on your publishing goals with a cheerleader in your corner.
How Does Mentorship Work?
Unlike an editor who reads your manuscript, provides feedback, and is then done working with you, a book coach / mentor is by your side from idea to publication. Writing a book is hard, and it can often be a frustrating and overwhelming process. I’m there to support and guide you through every step of the process. I will help you stay motivated and on the right track so you don’t waste words or time getting to your goal.
Get ready for accountability, encouragement, guidance and tough love.
Together:
● We’ll work through a series of exercises designed to map your memoir and get super clear on the story you 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.
Work With Me
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1:1 Memoir Mentorship
Whether you’re just getting started, you’re somewhere in the messy middle, or you have a finished manuscript that just isn’t working, my 1:1 Memoir Mentorship is designed to give you the clarity, accountability, guidance, editorial feedback, and support you need to write forward.
Together, we’ll work through my Memoir Map system to help you clarify your story idea and give you a clear road map for how to write forward. We’ll have two 60-minute sessions per month, which include feedback on up to 25 pages each (for a total of 50/month), designed to help you write your memoir with confidence and excitement.
$750 / month
“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
“[The] Memoir Map was exactly what I needed to make fast progress on my manuscript...My confidence and pride - in my query letter, synopsis, and overall arc and themes of my memoir - from right before I started working with Jessica, to now, feel astronomically different. It feels like many years of work condensed into a short few months.”
—NATASHA BUFFO
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.