Book Coaching

for Fiction Writers

old fashioned typewriters with white and green plants in the carriage

Big Ideas?

Let’s make them

unforgettable.

You don’t have to figure this out alone

You’ve got a draftβ€”or maybe just the beginnings of oneβ€”and a hundred questions circling in your head.

  • Is this working?

  • Am I on the right track?

  • Why does this feel so much harder than it should?

If vague advice from a well-meaning blog or a writing group that says, β€œjust keep going,” hasn’t been helpful, book coaching can get you on track. You need real guidance. A personalized plan. Someone who can look at your work and tell you what’s clicking, what’s not, and how to move forward with confidence.

Here’s where a professional Book Coach can help.

We’ll bring structure to your process, accountability to your goals, and clear, professional insight to every stage of your manuscript.

No more spinning your wheels or second-guessing every choice. Just steady progressβ€”from draft to doneβ€”with someone experienced in your corner. Most writers I work with are wrestling with one (or more) of these concerns:

β€œI don’t know if this idea is actually working.”

You’ve been playing with your story idea, it’s hard to see it clearly. You’re second-guessing plot choices, character arcs, even the core idea. With coaching, you get honest, professional feedback that cuts through the noise, so you know what’s strong, what needs work, and exactly how to fix it.

β€œI keep starting, but I can’t seem to finish.”

Life gets busy. The draft stalls. Weeks (or months) slip by, and your momentum disappears. (As a writer, I’ve been there too!) Coaching offers structure, deadlines, and built-in accountability to keep you moving forwardβ€”consistently, and without burnout.

β€œI need real guidance, not just general advice.”

You’ve tried critique groups or online tips, but nothing feels tailored to your story or your goals. Coaching gives you personalized, big-picture support from someone who understands storytelling and the publishing landscape, so every step you take is intentional.

We’ll take your specific challenges and turn them into a clear, actionable path forward with someone in your corner every step of the way.

Photo of a desk with notebook and pencil and cup of coffee.

Book Coaching

Book coaching is a 1:1, collaborative partnership designed to support you at every stage of your writing processβ€”whether you’re just getting started, deep in a draft, or revising an existing manuscript.

When you work with me as your book coach, we’ll meet for regular check-in calls and pair those conversations with thoughtful, written feedback on your workβ€”so you’re supported both in the moment and on the page.

To build momentum, we start with a group of six sessions. We can add more sessions as needed.

Book coaching is:

β€”> having an experienced partner in your cornerβ€”someone who can see your story clearly, offer honest, professional feedback, and help you make steady, confident progress from idea to finished draft.

Book coaching isn’t:

β€”> about being judged or told you’re β€œdoing it wrong.” It’s not about changing your voice or following a rigid formula. This is your story. I’m here to help you shape it, not override it.

water color image of leaves and branches

Here’s how it works

Watercolor painting of a blue and beige bird, likely a chickadee, perched on a surface.

Check-in sessions

We’ll meet for regular 30-minute Zoom calls to check on your progress, talk through challenges, and map out next steps. You’ll leave each session with focused goals and the momentum to keep moving forward.

1)


Review

You’ll share your work-in-progress pages ahead of our sessions, so I can see exactly where you are in the draft. This means our time together is always grounded in your storyβ€”making every conversation relevant, specific, and immediately useful.

2)


Feedback

I read your pages with both a big-picture and detail-oriented lensβ€”looking at structure, pacing, character development, and what’s already working beautifully. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of your strengths as a writer, not just what needs fixing.

3)


ongoing support

You’re not on your own between sessions. If you hit a sticking point, have a question, or just want to share a win, you can reach out. I’m here to support you through the in-between moments, too. Writing can feel isolating, but this process gives you a steady, encouraging presence every step of the way.

4)

A desk with an open book and fairy lights draped across it.

Progress over perfection…

With the right support, the writing process starts to feel different.

More focused. More intentional. Less overwhelming.

You’re no longer guessing your way through each chapter, you’re understanding why something works, and how to keep building on it. You’re making decisions with clarity and purpose. When challenges come up (and they will), you’ll know how to move through them.

And when you reach the end, you don’t just have a finished draft. You have a novel that feels aligned with your original sparkβ€”the book you couldn’t quite access on your own, but always knew was there.

Watercolor illustration of a small blue and white bird, possibly a blue tit, perched on a branch.

Jackie was fantastic to work with. She provided excellent, concise, and clear notes that all made sense. When I was considering quotes from editors, she was happy to answer any questions I had and was always prompt with her responses - despite the five-hour time difference! I really enjoyed talking to her on Zoom, where she allowed me to ask any question about her notes - no question was too small or silly!

-Molly H.

Just a few of the authors

at the heart of this work…

Pick Jackie! She is an excellent editor and knows the publishing business well. Her comments were very thoughtful and she provided me exactly what I needed in a development edit of my first draft. She provided me with so much to digest, including many questions I need to answer about my story and my characters. Thank you, Jackie! If one day I am lucky enough to get published, I know she will have played a major role in putting me in the best possible position to achieve that goal.

-Scott J.

Watercolor Kingfisher Fiction Editor
A headshot of Jacquelin Cangro

Hey there, I’m Jackie…

the book coach who can help you move from draft to done.

When we work together, I’ll be in your corner to clarify your vision and strengthen your instincts.

I’m here for accountability, momentum, and guidance.

I treat your manuscript as if it were my ownβ€”because I’m a writer, too. I’m not here to change your vision or your voice. I want our partnership to spark those β€œaha” moments, one after another, so revision feels less overwhelming and more energizing.

You’ll come away with a clear, thoughtful roadmapβ€”and the confidence to stay in the driver’s seat, without that knot-in-your-stomach feeling.

I’m honored to be entrusted with your words, and I don’t take that trust lightly. I’m looking forward to working with you!

Book coaching isn’t for everyone…and that’s okay!

Book Coaching might be for you if:

  • You have an idea, draft, or messy middleβ€”and you want clear, professional guidance to help you shape it into something that truly works.

  • You’re tired of vague advice and want thoughtful, personalized feedback that’s specific to your story and your goals.

  • You’re ready to stay engaged in the process, do the work, and have a collaborative partner to help you move forward with confidence.

  • You want support that helps you strengthen your voice, trust your instincts, and finish a draft you believe in.


If you’re looking for someone to β€œfix” your manuscript for you or tell you exactly what to write at every step, coaching will likely feel frustrating. This process is not a quick fix or a passive experienceβ€”it’s a collaborative one, built on trust, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to the work.

Check out a more comprehensive developmental edit here.

I’m here for your questions!

No question is too

big or too small!

Let’s do this!

Watercolor painting of a small bird with a reddish-orange face, brown body, blue chest, and pinkish legs on a black background.

Start your project!