1:1 MEMOIR COACHING
The Remembering
Book coaching and strategy for writers ready to turn their experiences into a publishable memoir—with clarity, accountability, and transformational feedback.
Most memoir writers get stuck somewhere in the messy middle — not because they can’t write, but because they don’t have clarity.
When you stay stuck, you:
Spend most of your precious writing time reading what you’ve already written or revising in circles, which means you never really get closer to the end
Continue spending money on craft courses, craft books and writing groups that never really move the needle because your writing isn’t the problem; your lack of direction is
Worry you’ll never actually finish this book, but even when you’re not working on it…you think about it all the time.
And underneath all of that…
You start to wonder if maybe you just don’t have what it takes to pull this off.
You question whether your story is actually meaningful enough, or if you’ve been holding onto something that doesn’t quite work.
You feel a quiet guilt for not finishing it, especially because this story matters to you—and maybe to other people, too.
You’re Not AloneThe truth is, memoir is the hardest genre to write.
I know what it’s like to feel stuck in your story. When I was getting my master’s degree in creative nonfiction, I kept asking my instructors to teach me how to write a memoir.
They kept telling me to Just. Keep. Writing.
So I did. And I graduated with honors, in the top of my class. I was without a doubt a better writer than I was when I entered the program…
But I still didn’t know how to turn my experiences into a story others would want to read.
When I eventually trained to become a certified book coach and worked through the Author Accelerator Blueprint for a Book, everything clicked.
Since then I’ve helped numerous writers work through the blocks in their draft so they could finally bring their story from heart to page.
IT’S TIME TO GET UNSTUCK
Welcome to The Remembering
The Remembering is a high-touch, 1:1 memoir coaching experience designed to help you move through creative blocks, gain clarity on your story, and finally shape your lived experience into a publishable memoir.
I work with a small number of memoir writers at a time to ensure each client receives deep, personalized support so they can actually finish the book they started.
If You’re Ready To:
Stop circling the same draft without making real progress
Gain clarity on why your story matters and what it’s really about
Learn how to shape your lived experience into a compelling narrative
Receive structured guidance so you always know what to write next
Get personalized editorial feedback on your writing so you can improve quickly and stay on track
Build consistency and momentum with supported writing cycles
Move from confusion and overwhelm into confidence and excitement
Stop writing alone and finally have the guidance, direction and skill to finish your memoir and become a published author
THIS IS FOR YOU
WHAT TO EXPECT
Inside The Remembering, You’ll Get:
A Powerful Story Strategy Intensive
By the end of our first month, you’ll understand why your story matters, see both the external and emotional arcs of your memoir, and have a clear, actionable structure to move your draft forward.
Clear Direction & Momentum That Builds Over Time
You won’t be guessing what to write next. You’ll have a defined roadmap that helps you move through your memoir with direction and purpose. Through structured monthly cycles, you’ll move out of stuckness and into steady, meaningful progress on your manuscript.
Thoughtful, High-Level Feedback
You’ll receive personalized editorial feedback on your writing so you can strengthen your voice, refine your structure, and stay aligned with your story.
Consistent Support and Accountability
With two 1:1 sessions each month, you’ll have space to ask questions, work through challenges, and stay on track with your writing goals.
A Trusted Creative Partnership
You won’t be doing this alone. You’ll have a dedicated guide to brainstorm with, problem-solve alongside, and support you through the emotional and creative process of writing a memoir.
Growth as a Writer
As you work through your memoir, you’ll not only make progress on your book—you’ll become a more confident, capable writer.
A Defined Publishing Path & Guidance to Get There
You’ll determine your desired publishing pathand the steps to make it happen, whether you want to self-publish or work with a hybrid or traditional publisher.
MEET YOUR NEW BOOK COACH
Hi, I’m Jessica!
You don’t need to figure your memoir out alone.
Most writers don’t get stuck because they lack talent.
They get stuck because they don’t have:
a clear way to shape their story
someone to reflect the deeper meaning back to them
or the support to keep going when doubt sets in
That’s where I come in.
I’m a certified book coach and story strategist, and inside The Remembering, I guide memoir writers through the messy middle of their draft so they can shape and finish a publishable memoir.
My superpower is helping you uncover the internal story beneath your experiences.
Because memoir isn’t just about what happened.
It’s about what it meant—and why it matters.
When we find the heart of your story, everything else becomes clearer:
what to include, what to leave out, and how to shape it into something powerful and cohesive.
Inside this work, you’re not just getting feedback.
You’re gaining a partner.
Someone who can sit with you in the uncertainty, help you think through your story, and guide you forward when you feel stuck.
Someone who understands both the craft of memoir and the emotional weight of writing it.
My clients have gone on to:
Sign with literary agents
Publish with Big Five publishers, hybrid and small presses
Self-publish and share their stories independently
But more importantly—
They’ve finished the stories they once thought they might never complete.
As your coach inside The Remembering, I’m your:
story strategist
developmental editor
thought partner
and steady source of support
I listen deeply. I see what’s trying to emerge in your writing—even when it still feels unclear to you.
And I help you bring it into focus.
This is a space for honesty, depth, and real work.
We don’t stay on the surface.
We uncover the truths that give your story meaning—the ones that transform your memoir from something that simply happened…
…into something that truly resonates.
My role is to help you write the strongest, most meaningful version of the story only you can tell.
And when you hit the inevitable moments of doubt, I’ll be there to remind you: You can do this.
Your story is worth finishing.
THE DETAILS
How It Works
Month 1: The Story Strategy Intensive
We begin by laying the foundation of your memoir.
You’ll complete The Memoir Map—a 30-page guided workbook designed to uncover and structure the heart of your story.
You’ll submit your responses for in-depth editorial feedback, then we meet for a 1:1 strategy session to clarify your narrative and map your memoir with confidence.
Ongoing Monthly Coaching Cycles
Once your story foundation is clear, we move into a structured writing rhythm designed to help you actually finish your manuscript.
Each month you will:
Submit up to 60 double-spaced pages of your memoir
Receive high-level editorial feedback on your writing
Meet for two 1:1 coaching sessions for guidance, problem-solving, and accountability
Have unlimited email support
This cycle keeps you supported, focused, and moving forward—so you’re never stuck wondering what comes next.
Six-month commitment required.
$1,000 / Month
I Know How To Help Memoir Writers Succeed
DON’T JUST LISTEN TO ME
“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 could knit into a cohesive narrative. Thanks, Jessica! It was getting awfully woolly up in the ‘ole noggin.”
—Leslie B. Scott, Author of THE LIAR’S PLAYBOOK (Spring 2026; Simon & Schuster)
“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…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, Author of (A)SEXUAL LIBERATION (Spring 2027, Third Rail Press)
“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
“Working with Jessica has helped to open new dimensions for my memoir manuscript. Through story strategy 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, Author of THE ASTRONAUT CHILDREN OF DUNBAR STREET (Fall, 2026; Douglas & McIntyre”
“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, memoir in progress
Before I started working with Jessica, my memoir felt like a distant dream. Through weeks of accountability, guidance, development, direction, and a bit of nonjudgemental hand-holding, she has made this dream more and more of a reality. I highly recommend working with her, regardless of what stage your writing may be in. Unlike workshops or critique groups, I have been a part of before, her coaching delves deep to understand the true meaning of the work, bringing hope into sessions when I thought I was most lost. Also, the tone that she delivers all of her critiques and advice is calm, understanding, and incredibly knowledgeable. I trust her with my deepest secrets and worst writing!”
—Helena Guglielmino, memoir in progress
IT’S TIME TO TYPE “THE END”
Ready to Stop Spinning and Write the Best Memoir Only You Can Write?
Step 1: Complete the Application Form
I only work with six writers at a time. To ensure we’re a good fit, fill out this online application form. It takes about five minutes to complete.
Step 2: Book a Connection Call
I’ll review your application and if I think I can help, I’ll send a link to schedule a Zoom call so we can get to know each other and see if we’re a good fit.
Step 3: Get Ready to Kick Off
We’ll get you scheduled and you can get started on the workbook part of the Story Strategy Intensive right away.
I Know How Scary It Can Be to Invest in Yourself and Your Memoir
ONCE YOU’RE INSIDE THE REMEMBERING, YOU’LL:
Move out of uncertainty and into a clear, guided path forward
Know what to write next—and why it matters
Receive thoughtful, high-level feedback that strengthens your story
Have consistent support so you’re no longer doing this alone
Build real momentum instead of stopping and starting
Grow in confidence as both a writer and a storyteller
Make meaningful, visible progress on your manuscript
Be able to finally see yourself becoming a published author
Books I’ve Helped Bring Into the World
Hear From Writers In The Work
“I can see myself growing and maturing as a writer.”
“What I’m writing now is what I envisioned this book being.”
— Matt Fabish
“Revision is so much harder than writing. Probably because I just keep getting more honest.”
— Lizzi Barnett-Korn
“I’m happy that I’m in the space of not overthinking about writing and just writing. It makes this much easier and it makes the idea of a book feel much more attainable.”
— Maggie Hall
”She’ll put you at ease even as she encourages you to take bigger, braver writing risks.”
—Natalya Savka
REAL TALK
This Coaching Program is Not for Everyone
Inside The Remembering, you can expect a supportive, structured, and deeply personalized coaching experience designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
This work requires honesty, consistency, and a willingness to stay engaged with your story—but you won’t have to do it alone.
You’re the right fit for The Remembering if:
You’ve started your memoir but feel stuck or unsure how to continue
You want structure, feedback, and real guidance—not just motivation
You are ready to take your writing seriously and make real progress
You want to turn your lived experience into a meaningful, publishable book
You’re willing to be supported over time, not rushed through a quick fix
This program is not a good fit if:
You are looking for a done-for-you writing service
You are not ready to engage consistently with your writing
You are not open to feedback and revision
You are looking for a “quick book in 30 days” solution
You are using AI to write your memoir
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Probably not. Writing a great book almost always takes longer than the writer imagines. The initial container for The Remembering is six months to give us time to dive deeply into story and strategy and for you to gain solid clarity and momentum, but many writers take 9-12 months to finish a manuscript, and longer for revisions and pitching. Some stay with me for that work, and others gain enough confidence to do it on their own.
-
I work with all kinds of memoir, whether it’s narrative, literary, hybrid, speculative, autofiction, or something experimental.
I'm not the right coach for genre fiction or traditional nonfiction projects.
-
If you’re still searching for the heart of your story (the "why it matters”), the right structure, or help with publishing and you think a coach can help, then absolutely!
If you’re looking for someone to read your full manuscript and provide a manuscript evaluation or developmental edit, then no. I no longer offer full editing services.
-
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.