It’s a common perception that authors must lock themselves away in a cave and hunch over their text alone until it’s finished. The upside? You get to avoid your annoying neighbors. The downside? Your writing quality might suffer. Many authors find themselves in need of personalized support, inspiration, and expertise to turn their creativity into reality.

Enter the book coach: a specialist with years of experience who acts as a crucial guide on your authorial journey. Aiming to keep you on track while providing important feedback, they can be a helpful resource for aspiring authors. Here are five ways to know that you should hire a book coach!

If you want motivation and accountability

It’s no secret that writing a book can be a solitary and daunting task. Have you often found yourself checking your emails, scrolling through instagram or overplanning while you’re supposed to be writing? If so, you’ll likely find value in hiring a book coach. They act as a supportive partner by offering encouragement and motivation to keep authors focused and enthusiastic throughout their projects.

You could have the most incredible narrative and character ideas, but if you’re struggling to write consistently, then completing a book will be a difficult task. Regular check-ins with strict deadlines set by someone else can help authors make steady progress toward their goals. Think of them as the writing equivalent of a gym partner: they’re there to help you get stronger and fitter by holding you accountable and not letting you skip out on leg day!

If you’re facing writer’s block

Have you felt creatively stuck with some parts of your book? That’s normal! Most authors, both amateur and experienced, will struggle with writer’s block on occasion. For example, it can be challenging to make your characters feel like real people with realistic backstories, believable conflicts, and satisfying resolutions.

A book coach can help with these challenges by working with you to brainstorm ideas for everything from character development to worldbuilding and plot points. Sometimes just discussing creative thoughts with someone can be incredibly useful and can help you find the strengths and weaknesses in new and existing ideas.

If you want objective feedback

Writing a book is usually a long process, and an author will spend months reworking the same characters and plot points. A book coach can give you much-needed perspective and provide in-depth feedback on your manuscript. They can also help improve your overall plot, character development, and pacing.

A fresh perspective is valuable for suggesting areas for improvement and highlighting strengths. Rather than spending hours sifting through general advice online, a book coach provides tailored guidance to effectively achieve your goals. This objective and experienced feedback will help you throughout your writing journey and ensure that your writing is polished to a professional standard before working with further collaborators such as editors or literary agents.

If you want help navigating the publishing process

If you’re new to the world of publishing and feeling unsure about how to navigate the process of finding a literary agent, securing a book deal, or self-publishing your book, then a book coach can offer valuable insights and advice. They can demystify the publishing industry, provide guidance on crafting a compelling book proposal or query letter, and support you through every step of the publishing journey that can otherwise be difficult to grapple with alone.

Right from the start, a book coach can take you through your publishing options such as choosing between a traditional or self-published route. They’d go through the pros and cons of each route and discuss what might be right for you. Although that’s just one example, book coaches would help you become ‘publisher-ready,’ step by step.

If you want to invest in your writing career

If you’re serious about becoming a successful author and view writing as more than just a hobby, investing in a book coach can be a smart decision. A book coach can help you develop the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to succeed in the competitive world of publishing.

Working with a book coach demonstrates a commitment to your craft and a willingness to invest in your own success. By seeking out expert guidance and support, you signal to yourself that writing is not just a hobby but a serious pursuit worthy of investment. From organization to improved writing skills, with the support of a book coach, you’ll learn techniques that contribute to personal growth and professional advancement that last a lifetime.

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Ultimately, hiring a book coach can provide the guidance, support, and expertise you need to bring your book to life and achieve your publishing dreams. If any of these signs resonate with you, it may be time to consider hiring a book coach to help you on your writing journey.

Rose Atkinson-Carter is a writer with Reedsy, a marketplace that connects authors with the world’s best self-publishing resources and professionals like editors, designers, and ghostwriters. She lives in London.