This is the number one question writers ask me. It can be hard for writers to answer that on their own because getting enough distance to truly evaluate if your story is reader-ready and if you’ve got a pitch that positions it can feel impossible.

But I don’t want you to go it alone. That’s why I created WKND Pitch Perfection. I have read nearly a thousand queries in my time as a Pitch Wars mentor and book coach, and I created a mini course that you can complete in a weekend that takes you step-by-step through everything I know about query-writing.

For less than the cost of a query review from your local writing conference, you can have life-time access to a self-paced course that will teach you how to write a pitch you can send out with confidence.

Learn more about WKND Pitch Perfection.

That depends. On the market. On your premise. On how much time you have to devote to learning craft and deep revision. On getting your pitch and pages into the right hands at the right time. I don’t have a crystal ball, and I cannot guarantee you’ll get the book deal of your dreams after working with me (no one can promise that). What I can promise is that I leverage two decades of writing experience with strong story and market knowledge, project management, and strategic planning to help you develop both your craft and your story smarts. And I will help you both assess where you are and what you still need to learn to take the next step in your writing journey.

Clients often describe working with me as a one-on-one customized MFA program. So even if the book we work on together isn’t the one, or you need a few more rounds of revision after we work on a revision plan, you will learn craft skills that will help you with both the next draft and the next book.

Just like I hope my clients read broadly, I love to read a variety of age categories and genres. Speculative fiction (especially fantasy and sci-fi) is my sweet spot across all age categories. I hold a special place in my heart for nerdy books, underdogs, dragons, lyrical writing (including verse), genre-bending, and stories of kick-ass girls and women. 

I also love narrative nonfiction about environmental or social justice in the kidlit world. And any memoir that deals with women’s empowerment, writing, or recovering from trauma would be a great fit for me. I can coach you through the book proposal process and help you determine what platform building activities will help you bring your memoir out into the world with a splash.

Here are a few more specifics…

Please reach out to talk about:

• Any story that intends to smash the Patriarchy or subvert the status quo.
• Fantasy or romance of all stripes in all age categories
• Sci-Fi of all stripes in the kidlit space, dystopian/alt-history/post-apoc in the adult space
• Horror (MG only–I’m a bit of a fraidy-cat)
• Character-driven mystery or thriller
• Memoir dealing with trauma recovery, writing, or women’s empowerment/social or environmental justice
• Contemporary in all age categories, but especially high-concept/literary
• Historical, alt-historical, and historical fantasy in all age categories
• Novels or memoirs in verse
• Short story/essay collections or anthologies

But I’m not the best fit for:

• Crime
• Detective novels
• YA/Adult Horror
• Non-character-driven Adult Sci-Fi dealing with corporate espionage, epic space battles, or military themes
• Adult narrative nonfiction/self-help unless it has a strong social or environmental justice theme.

If your work is on my “not the best fit for list,” don’t despair! Ask me for a referral. I know a lot of fabulous coaches who take these genres!

There is no one answer to this question other than it takes as many revisions as it takes and it’s different for each book and each writer. However, Author Accelerator’s Hierarchy of Editorial Concerns can give you some guidance.

Most beginning and intermediate writers spend several drafts or perhaps even several books mastering the base level of the pyramid. Only once that base level is mastered can additional rounds of revision move you through the higher levels of the pyramid. That’s why, for example, it doesn’t make sense to hire a copyeditor (top of the pyramid), or even a line editor (second and third from the top of the pyramid), before you know your story is structurally sound. 

Some intermediate to advanced writers can tackle the base level of the pyramid over the course of one or more revisions without professional help. They may still benefit from support with prewriting/planning activities and with the accountability and support that comes with one-on-one book coaching. But it may still take two or more revisions to make it through the middle levels of the pyramid, and a line edit/copyedit will still be required before publication. This service is provided by your publisher, or for indie-published authors, outsourced to freelancers or a packaging service. 

Very rarely will an author nail all the elements of the base pyramid on the first draft unless detailed outlining is part of the process. So even with a coach’s help, it’s realistic to expect 2-3 revisions. Sometimes more.

The best way to level up your writing craft is to read as much as possible. That means reading widely (not just in your preferred genre/age category) and consuming other story formats from films to televisions to plays to short stories, comics, and graphic novels. But if you’re looking for great resources on the craft of writing, I love:

• Story Genius by Lisa Cron
• The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass
• The Magic Words by Cheryl Klein
• Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Alison

There are also many helpful blogs, podcasts, webinars, and magazines with excellent craft information. 

Have you every book and listened to every podcast, but are still struggling? See “What is a book coach?” above–maybe book coaching is for you!

I also have a weekly email newsletter full of writing tips and inspiration, beloved by over 2000 writers! Subscribe today!

If you’re obsessed with story and think you have what it takes to help others write their books, consider becoming a book coach. It’s the best job I’ve ever had and the only thing I like to do as much as writing! My friend and mentor, Jennie Nash, can help you on your journey. Check out her book, Read Books All Day & Get Paid For It. Or visit bookcoaches.com today to learn how you can become an Author Accelerator certified book coach in fiction or nonfiction.