Book Cocoon: Writing Support for Cultural Anthropologists & Speculative Fiction Authors
Winter Book Cocoon
A protective cocoon of support for your writing​​​​​
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90 day 1-1 book coaching program
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Start in January or February
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5 spots available + 1 scholarship (half-price)
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Enrolling from December 1 to January 31
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​A three-month cocoon of support, encouragement, and feedback on your writing, to help transform your book project into something wonderful.
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Two programs to choose from:
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Finish Your Draft (for authors with an unfinished draft, to get them to the finishing line)
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Revise Your Manuscript (for authors with a completed draft, to guide them through revisions)
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Do any of the following apply to you?
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You love writing, but you don't have a strong support network to help your writing flourish
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You've dabbled with writers' groups or graduate feedback seminars, but you have found the feedback unreliable
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You’ve worked with book coaches before, but they haven't given you in-depth editorial feedback on your manuscript
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You started writing and ran out of momentum
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You feel lost
In this program I offer:
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A solid anchor and foundation for your writing
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Strong accountability for your writing practice (so you actually keep going!)
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Reliable feedback on your manuscript
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Someone in your corner and first steps toward strengthening your support network for your writing​
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Insight into what may be holding you back
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"The biggest value I received from Andy was in the way he helped me to deepen my entire story. He showed me where beats or characterizations I took for granted had gaps to a reader, or raised questions I hadn't considered."
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—Robert Winter, Queer Romantasy Author
Testimonials
"The editorial report was one of the greatest feedback tools I have ever received."
—Vincent Burke, Queer Romantasy Author​
"Andrew gave me very meticulous and valuable feedback. His detailed comments crucially supported me in making decisions about how much and which work I was ready to do on the project and what publishers would be suitable."
—Dr. Leandra Bias, University of Bern
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"In an ideal academic world, colleagues would foster a supportive environment, providing reciprocal assistance with writing projects. In real life, there´s Andrew."
—Dr. Barbara Turk Niskac, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
About Me
I've been working as a developmental editor and coach/consultant since 2020, after a pivot from a career as a cultural anthropologist. Over the years, and through my own extensive writing experience (both fiction and academic), I've developed a strong awareness of problem points and pain points during a writing project.
Unlike many coaches, my sessions draw on a deep wealth of fiction and anthropological developmental editing and writing knowledge, and my coaching is informed by my work as a transactional analysis practitioner (a tool used for coaching and counselling).
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My coaching practice is supervised by a trained psychotherapist with whom I meet once a month, so you have an extra cushion of support in your work with me.
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Track A: Finish Your Draft
For authors who have started a draft but stalled
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Kick-off call (30 mins) where we plan our time together
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Email support throughout
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8 x 1 hour coaching calls over the three months
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In-depth feedback (manuscript comments) on up to 10,000 words of your writing. I can offer this at any time during our coaching together, and up to one month before or after the program on request.
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By the end of this program you will feel more confident about your writing and will have made significant progress on your project and have insight into what has been holding you back.
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Price: £1495 / $1950
Track B: Revise Your Manuscript
For authors who have a complete draft and need a possible revision plan and guidance​
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Kick-off call (30 mins) where we plan the revisions after you receive the critique
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Email support throughout
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Manuscript critique of your book (up to 100,000 words). This is delivered as an editorial report of up to three to five pages, and it includes a possible revision plan. The coaching starts after I deliver this report, and we discuss it on our first coaching call after the kick-off call.
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6 x 1 hour coaching calls over three months
Price: £1695 / $2195
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By the end of this program you will feel more confident about your writing and will have a revised manuscript and a much deeper knowledge of writing craft and developmental editing strategies.
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Payment plans available as standard. You'll have options to pay in two, three, or six monthly instalments.
5 spaces + 1 scholarship (half-price) available per semester for marginalized people to use as needed. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship place, let me know when you apply.
Steps
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Step 1: Register your interest
Step 2: I'll arrange a 30-min initial consult to check fit for the programme and to learn more about your project
Step 3: If we're both happy, there is a detailed form to fill in
Step 4: I'll send you a contract and invoice, and we'll set up our kick-off meeting​
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FAQs
Do you offer this program at other times of year?
No. This program is only offered twice a year, in winter and fall.
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The only exception is if you have institutional (university) funding for a coaching program with restrictions on dates. In that case, please contact me to discuss options. I'm a provider for various universities, including Yale University's Coaching for Success program.
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Do you offer any other coaching programs?
I offer a one-off book breakthrough hour, which can be booked at any time. I also offer a one-off manuscript clinic if you need specific help with a manuscript.
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What if my manuscript is over 100,000 words?
In this case, I can quote you a slightly higher fee for the package. But please note that unless you are an agented author who has been given permission to write a Very Long Novel, I do not review manuscripts longer than 130,000 words as part of this coaching program.
What if the coaching package isn't for me?
I don't want anyone to feel trapped in a structure that isn't working for them. If you decide the program isn't for you at any point, I will simply charge you pro rata for the sessions and edits you have used so far.​​
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