How Book Coaches Get Better Clients — and More Consistent Work
Webinar replay available here June 16th, 2026
Writers don’t need more information. They need thoughtful, skilled guidance from someone who understands both the creative process and the work of writing books.
And many people who move into book coaching discover that there’s a big difference between giving feedback on a manuscript and knowing how to help a writer move a project all the way forward.
If you watched the webinar, you heard:
Why trying to help “all writers” makes it harder to build consistent client flow
Why small, transactional services often create exhaustion instead of momentum
Why clarity around your Zone of Genius changes the kind of clients you attract
And how one right-fit client can replace dozens of low-paying projects
But understanding these ideas conceptually and knowing how to apply them in a real business are two very different things.
If you want to learn how to do this work at a professional level, enrollment is now open:
Author Accelerator’s Book Coach Certification Program
June 2026 cohort
This is a year-long program designed to help you:
Master the core coaching skills → So you can confidently guide writers through the challenges of planning, drafting, revising, and finishing meaningful work.
Coach real clients while receiving mentorship and feedback → So you can develop your own coaching voice, strengthen your instincts, and learn through direct experience.
Build a intentional coaching business → So you can attract better-fit clients and create more consistent, sustainable work over time.
The investment is $9,000
Orientation Week Starts June 24th.
If you already know you’re ready to enroll, you can sign up right now and get started. Pick your path below. Choose your genre and payment plan.
Fiction
Nonfiction
Memoir
Not Sure If This is the Right Fit?
Book an enrollment call with our team. These are thoughtful conversations designed to help you think through your background, goals, and whether our book coach certification program feels like the right fit.
This Is a Meaningful Moment to Step Into This Work
Writers are actively looking for thoughtful guidance. But much of the support available to them is fragmented, inconsistent, or not designed to help them move all the way through the creative process.
As a result, more writers are looking for someone who can help them think clearly, strengthen their work, and stay connected to the deeper vision behind what they’re trying to create.
That’s the role professional book coaches are stepping into.
Author Accelerator Certified Book Coaches come from a wide range of backgrounds, but they share a common foundation: they’ve learned how to support writers with structure, clarity, skill, and care.
Some come to book coaching through writing, editing, publishing, or academia.
Others arrive from entirely different fields — education, law, healthcare, counseling, leadership, or coaching — bringing with them strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a deep ability to guide people through complex processes.
What matters most is not one specific background, but a genuine interest in helping writers do meaningful work.
Learning how to coach writers is only part of the work
Inside The Program, You Also Begin Building A Real Coaching Business
You define who you most want to help and shape offers around the kinds of support those writers genuinely need.
You develop greater confidence in the value of your work, learn how to talk about it clearly, and begin pricing your services more intentionally.
You identify the visibility and marketing strategies that make sense for your strengths, your goals, and the kind of business you want to build.
Our Coaches Build Businesses That Reflect Their Goals, Strengths, and Lives
Many coaches begin working with paying clients while they are still in the program.
Some have gone on to build six-figure and multi-six-figure coaching businesses.
Others have replaced income from careers in academia, architecture, corporate communications, law, and other professions.
And some intentionally choose a smaller-scale practice that gives them greater flexibility, meaningful supplemental income, or more space to support their own creative work.
There is no single version of success here. But again and again, we see coaches build businesses that are more financially viable, more professionally fulfilling, and more aligned with the lives they actually want to live.
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Dani Abernathy
“I just hit six figures!! I’m effing proud of myself. I’m not running to the quickest $100k: I’m building my business ethically and sustainably. I love the work I’m doing and the way I’m doing it. Here’s to taking small steps toward big goals.”
Note from the Author Accelerator team: Dani is a stay-at-home mom to two little girls. We love that someone can achieve these kinds of results while doing other important work.
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Jen Braaksma
“2024 turned out to be a good business year for me: my gross income was, for the first time, in the six figures! A part of that was from ghostwriting, which is a growing part of my business, but my primary focus is on coaching fiction and memoir. I love collaborating with people of diverse ages, experiences, and imaginations to help them achieve their vision. Given how, five years ago, I thought this book coaching thing might be a nice tiny little side gig, I’m amazed at where I am now!”
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Liz Green
“I’ve wanted to make a career out of book coaching for years but never knew how to make enough money doing it. In 2024, I doubled my book coaching income from the previous year, and have a realistic plan to double it again. I established a new, low-priced offer to attract my ideal client and show them the power of book coaching. I recently sold my first one, and the client came back for my signature $5,000 offer. I was so excited it worked. I had two other clients opt into that $5,000 offer this month, too, so I’m on my way to meeting my goals.”
Can YOU Become An Excellent Book Coach?
You may assume this kind of work is for people with a different background or a different kind of experience.
Maybe you think you need:
an MFA
a publishing career
an agent
a book deal
years of coaching experience
or some kind of official authority before you can seriously pursue this path.
But book coaching is not reserved for a small group of people with perfect credentials.
It’s a professional skill set that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time.
What matters most is a genuine interest in helping writers develop their work, a willingness to learn, and the commitment to approach the work thoughtfully and seriously.
Book Coaching Is a Skill You Can Learn
We’ve Been Training Book Coaches for More Than a Decade
Over the past ten years, we’ve certified more than 400 book coaches who are now working with writers all over the world across fiction, nonfiction, and memoir.
Our certification program is designed to give you the skills, experience, and practical training needed to guide writers through meaningful creative work with clarity and confidence.
Most people complete the program in about 12 months.
And because we believe professional standards matter, certification is earned through demonstrated coaching ability — not simply participation.
As part of the certification process, you’ll work with three practice clients across three critical stages of book development:
Helping a writer develop a book from the earliest stages
Evaluating a completed manuscript (fiction or memoir) or nonfiction proposal
Preparing a writer to position and pitch their work professionally (which is a critical skill even for self-publishing writers, since it’s all about positioning the book in the marketplace.)
Throughout the program, you learn how to structure coaching conversations, deliver thoughtful and effective feedback, and understand what different kinds of writers truly need in order to move forward.
The goal is not simply to help you become more confident. It’s to help you become genuinely skilled.
We hold a high standard so that the writers our coaches serve receive thoughtful, professional guidance they can trust.
And when you know how to create real value for writers, it becomes much easier to build a business people are willing to invest in.
Imagine What It Will Feel Like to Help Writers Bring Their Books to Life
This is what Caroline Malloy wrote on LinkedIn on the day she finished working with an ideal client:
I wrapped up work with a favorite writer this afternoon.
Feeling proud, amazed, and a little sad.
(Can I say favorite? Yeah, why not! But don't worry... you're still my favorite, too 😉)
This writer and I have been working together on her book for almost a year
She's gone from a few chapter drafts and a fabulous idea, to a shockingly, painfully beautiful book about the human condition that will make you feel seen.
I can't wait for you to read it (hopefully not too far into the future 🤞)
Our relationship has been one of collaboration and brainstorming, throwing her ideas at the walls to see what sticks, pushing at the edges to get to the real center. Unpacking and unraveling metaphors and meanings until the clarity of the idea reaches out and grabs you and doesn't let go.
It's been a different sort of project than I usually work on topically, but this scholar, with her general-public audience, was speaking my language from Day One.
I actually had forgotten that today was our last call.
I actually felt sad to hang up and realize the book was moving on.
(I actually told her to do one more edit and get rid of her adverbs, so I'm feeling a tad hypocritical right now 😆)
I'll miss the strategy sessions and breakthroughs.
But I am so excited that she did it!
She hit her goal! Stayed on schedule!
And - wow - this book!
Stay tuned... coming at you in bookstores in no time!
How Exactly Does Author Accelerator’s Book Coach Certification Program Work?
1. You’ll identify the kinds of writers you would most enjoy serving…
…and make a plan for how to get in front of them. Our goal is for you to build a sustainable business that is aligned with your life, your talents, and your passion.
2. With our direct support, you’ll learn the skills to coach writers…
…from a glimmer of an idea to a manuscript (fiction and memoir) or a book proposal (nonfiction) that’s ready for the marketplace. You’ll know exactly how to communicate with your writers, earn their trust, and deliver the outcomes they need.
3. You’ll get personalized feedback on each of your three practicums…
…so you always know where you stand and what you need to do to improve.
4. You’ll have a cohort and a community to help you…
…brainstorm ideas, work through concerns, and celebrate your milestones, which is the key to marking your progress and keeping up the momentum.
5. You’ll have a dedicated team of seasoned coaches to answer all your questions…
…and provide feedback on your work as you go.
6. You’ll learn how to be an effective book coach…
…on an editorial, emotional, and entrepreneurial level. Coaching writers is a different skill than writing and we’ll teach you how it’s done.
7. You’ll learn how to find your Zone of Genius and create a business launch plan…
…so you are ready to start taking clients right away.
8. You’ll celebrate your certification!*
It takes a lot of work and dedication to complete our program and we encourage you to savor the moment!
9. You’ll be invited into our community of certified coaches**…
…where we offer guidance and support as you work towards your first-year business goals and beyond.
Want More Details? Download a Program Roadmap
🎯 DOWNLOAD THE FICTION ROADMAP
🎯 DOWNLOAD THE NONFICTION ROADMAP
🎯 DOWNLOAD THE MEMOIR ROADMAP
* You must meet the requirements of certification. Details in the roadmap.
** There are additional fees to participate in the certified coach community. There are also optional masterclasses you cam take to continue to hone your skills. Details in the roadmap.
Imagine What It Will Feel Like To Do Work You Love
This is what Trisha Jenn Loehr wrote on Instagram on her one-year certification anniversary:
It's officially been one whole year since I received my @AuthorAccelerator Book Coach Certification in Fiction! 🎉
Over this past year, I've had some incredible experiences:
I relaunched my business.
I launched a newsletter and some free downloads.
I created a new website completely focused on helping women romance writers pursue their writing goals without guilt or shame.
I've worked with some amazing writers (some who have accomplished HUGE GOALS).
I've written not one, not two, but THREE articles for @JaneFriedman's blog.
I've been invited to be on podcasts and speak at conferences and online summits.
I've met incredible writers, editors, and book coaches who are determined to make an impact and encourage others.
I'm so grateful for all that I've accomplished, the mistakes I've made, the lessons I've learned, and the wonderful community who has supported me and encouraged me.
We’re Setting the Industry Standard for Excellence
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“Author Accelerator book coaches are the gold standard.”
– Nick Courtright, Publisher of Atmosphere Press
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“Author Accelerator has been on my recommended resource list for years because of how well they prepare their coaches to work with writers, and some coaches have become valued contributors to my website.”
– Jane Friedman, publisher of The Hot Sheet, author of The Business of Being a Writer
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“Author Accelerator is one-of-a-kind. Every coach I’ve referred to my authors over the years has been well-prepared, engaged, and ready. I know this is because of Jennie Nash’s dedication to excellence and rigor. If you’re looking for a program that will propel you directly into meaningful work with authors, look no further. This is it.”
– Brooke Warner, Publisher of She Writes Press and SparkPress
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“You definitely turn out some high-quality alumni.”
– Chris Banks, CEO, ProWriting Aid
Our Coaches Work With and Have Been Featured On:
Hi I’m Jennie Nash
I’m the founder and CEO of Author Accelerator. We’re on a mission to set the standard of excellence in this brand-new book-coaching industry. We’ve certified more than 360 book coaches, who are working all over the globe to help writers do their best work.
My own book coaching clients have landed top New York agents and six-figure book deals with Big 5 houses such as Penguin, Scribner, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette. They’ve won dozens of national indie book awards, landed on the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestseller lists, and become a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.
Teaching and inspiring writers to raise their voice and make their dreams a reality just lights me up. In my best year as a book coach, I made $400,000, and now I’m dedicated to helping others build thriving, fulfilling book coaching businesses of their own.
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“Jennie Nash is the superwoman of book coaches. She is bringing dignity and skills to this wild west profession.”
– Jen Louden, bestselling author and writing retreat leader
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“Jennie Nash is utterly brilliant and scary savvy. Her advice is pure gold! I’ll always be in awe of her – she rocks!”
– Lisa Cron, author of Wired for Story, Story Genius, and Story or Die
Who Is a Good Fit For Author Accelerator’s Book Coach Certification Program?
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Burned-out English teachers and creative writing professors who love what they do but crave more control.
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Overwhelmed freelance editors, copyeditors, and ghostwriters stuck in a per-word, per-page, or per-hour universe.
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Lawyers, nonprofit executives, and librarians who want to continue to do meaningful work in a less stressful environment.
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PR and communications professionals who love telling stories and want to learn how to read books all day and get paid for it.
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Agents and editors who want to stay in publishing but crave more agency and control in their work life.
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Writers in any genre looking for a way to add an extra income stream.
Who Should NOT Enroll:
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If you want someone to hand you clients (who are probably not right for you and probably won’t pay enough), this program is not for you. We are teaching people how to be their own boss, attract their own clients, and run their own businesses.
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If you just want to pay a fee and get a stamp of certification, that is not what we are doing here. Our program is rigorous, comprehensive, and takes time, effort, and energy. We give every student the support they need to succeed, but certification is not guaranteed.
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If you are mean. We are a community of people dedicated to lifting up writers. We make room for all stories and treat each other with kindness and respect.
Enroll Now
Orientation week starts June 24th.
If you already know you’re ready to enroll, you can sign up right now and get started. Pick your path below. Choose your genre and payment plan.
Fiction
Nonfiction
Memoir
Would you like to talk to a team member before you enroll?
Book an enrollment call with our team. These are thoughtful conversations designed to help you think through your background, goals, and whether our book coach certification program feels like the right fit.
We Get RAVE Reviews!
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“This course provided me with a TON of practical information and gave a great boost to my confidence, too. I now feel well-qualified to call myself a book coach.”
– Lynne Heinzmann
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I'm so grateful that I found this program. I would still be floundering around trying to make my business a success. Now I feel like I have direction and purpose. I haven't been this excited about working in a long time!"
– Rebecca Grogan
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"I am so grateful to Jennie and the team for this certification. For the first time in my 31 years, I feel like I have a true career, and I’m ready to dive into this world. Thank you for helping me find my path!”
– Laurynn Fleming
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“I was surprised, and pleased, at how comprehensive it was and by how encouraging this whole community is. I'm so glad I've found this program. It's helped me grow as a future coach, a writer, and a person.”
– Erin Halden
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"I have immersed myself in this course over the past few months, and feel like I am coming out the other side with so many new skills. I feel ready to move into the coaching world with confidence, and I can't wait to get started."
– Jenny Luke
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“I learned a great deal in this course. It taught concepts that aren't easily found in writing craft and self-editing books and provided excellent training to help other writers. For that reason, it was well worth my time and money.”
– Cate Townsend
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“I came into this course with a lot of “what makes you think you could ever be qualified to do this” self-talk.However, after completing all the lessons, videos, and practicums, I feel confident in my knowledge andabilities. I’m even more in love with this work than I ever imagined I would be! I’m ready to launch mybusiness.”
— Heather Shoning
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“I absolutely loved this course (and the support within it). Recently, I have been thinking a lot about how thankful I am for everything Jennie and her team have built and how much I've learned and grown through this program. Really amazing experience that I wouldn't trade for the world.”
– Jess Hunter
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"I worked in book publishing in various editorial capacities for twenty years, and have traditionally published more than 50 titles since I left the corporate world. I found the Blueprint, the Inside Outline, and the Hierarchy of Editorial Concerns invaluable in approaching other writers work and my own."
– Laurie Caulkhoven
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"I loved that this course gave me the language to make a story stronger. Jennie Nash's lessons were easy to follow, and the exercises gave me a lot of time to practice. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in personally growing as a writer and learning to be a successful writing coach."
– Kristen Bird
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“This has been a great experience, it feels rare to find an online course which is so comprehensive and which goes into a subject in so much depth. I particularly appreciate the values of kindness and honesty which are upheld by AA and encouraged in coaches-in-training.”
– Cat Dean
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“What a rigorous professional course full of so much information, practice, and challenges to grow as a Fiction Book Coach. I loved every minute of the program and am delighted to be taking the next step towards accompanying authors on the path of writing their heart down on paper.”
– Lane Arnold
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“The Author Accelerator program exceeded my expectations. I love the supportive online network and the interaction with staff. The practicum prep sessions were invaluable as I prepared for certification. Jennie Nash, her staff, certified book coaches, and coaches-in-training make the Author Accelerator an amazing community.”
– Liisa Kovala
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“I have been a book coach since 2019, but I feel that this experience has given me the confidence to pursue book coaching as my primary service (I used to do copywriting and communication consulting) and has helped me refine my offer. I still have a lot to learn, but my growth since enrolling in July 2023 has been exponential.”
– Jane Hardjono
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“This course truly enhanced my existing knowledge of the publishing process. I have been able to meet so many intelligent and creative people in the coaching community who have already taught me so much about writing, coaching, grace, and patience. I feel more confident not just in helping others but also in developing my own work."
– Hanna Etu
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“I just wanted to say thank you for an amazing course. This was an incredible learning experience and journey. Not only did I learn how to be a better editor and coach, but I learned a lot about myself as well. I learned to value what I have to offer, to be kind to myself, and that it’s always worth it to invest in your goals. Thank you to Jennie, Margaret, Erin, and Stuart for being available and offering so much support in the practicum prep calls and in the community.”
– Alessandra Bumbarger
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“Author Accelerator has been a game-changer for my journey into book coaching. The course is thorough. It covers all the essentials, with lessons that are directly aligned with the latest industry trends and standards. Beyond the top-notch education, I have found a vibrant community eager to support and uplift each other. Thanks to this program, I feel equipped and confident to become the best book coach I can be.”
– Angie Androit
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"Thank you for all the support, the community calls, the quick responses to questions... and especially the feedback provided in this letter as well. It just reinforces my belief that I’m in the right place and with the right people. Two months ago, just before my 50th birthday, I gave my notice to my beloved boss and team so that I could focus completely on this coaching work. Thank you for helping me make this possible.Thanks again, truly, for creating this opportunity"
– Rebecca Davis
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“The Author Accelerator Nonfiction Book Coaching Certification course was EVERYTHING. Coming from an architecture background, I was extremely worried that I just wouldn’t know enough and that it would take forever to learn what I needed to. But since starting (and finishing) the course, and going through the practicums, I truly feel like a book coach! And all of the clients I've already started coaching would agree."
– Sabrina Estudillo Butler
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“I have had such a good time. And I’ve learned so MUCH! I am really appreciative of Author Accelerator, and Jennie, for shifting the course of my career, which had become pretty boring as a freelance writer. I’m also really appreciative of Margaret, Erin and Stuart. They’re always super present in practicum sessions and on Mighty Networks, and they’re consummate professionals even though they answer the same damn questions ten times a week. I’ve learned a great deal from each of them, as well.”
– Alexandra Van Tol
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"Thank you to the incredible team for all your guidance and support, I've enjoyed all practicum calls. And a huge thank you to Jennie for creating this course and fostering such a wonderful community. I can't wait to join the community of certified coaches, continue learning, and most importantly, embark on this exciting new career!... To be honest, I can hardly believe I'm now stepping into the path I've always dreamed of! This journey wouldn't have been possible without you and the entire team, and I'm deeply grateful."
– Ching-Lo Hsu
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“This course is the gold standard! I thoroughly enjoyed every part of the experience and appreciate all the thought and intention that went into creating such a valuable course. I am extremely proud to be part of the Author Accelerator community and am so grateful that the book coach profession exists to help writers bring more stories into the world. I have grown so much as a student, a coach, and a writer as a result of this certification course and I'm looking forward to joining the ranks of this impressive group ofcertified book coaches. I cannot thank the Author Accelerator team enough for their care and support throughout this training process.”
– Tamara Schweitzer
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“The Fiction course was robust and filled with in-depth knowledge, exercises, and examples. I loved all the lessons and each one taught me something new. More importantly, after completing the learning modules they prepared me, with confidence, to undertake the three practicums. The practicums also assisted me in gaining confidence because I was armed with high level knowledge. My all time favourite area in the course were the readings. There was a diverse range and all readings assisted me in further developing my skills and understanding of being a book coach. I also loved the Mighty community and the support from the Author Accelerator team. They were friendly, professional, helpful and supportive. The live sessions—though I had to watch the recordings due to the time difference being in Australia—were helpful, too. Finally, it was an honour to connect with Jennie Nash. Her love and passion for book coaching filters through all the lessons and in her interactions on the community page. One more thing—I have met so many wonderful people in the course. I know I will have a whole supportive community to lean on, gain advise from and and share my experiences with as a book coach. This is gold!”
– Valerie Miller
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“I loved this experience so much and can't wait to get to do this work "for real". I thought this might be a good fit for me given my love for books and my professional background in project management, people development, copyediting/copywriting, and more...but having completed all the training and practicums, I can say with confidence that this is what I am meant to do. I'm still glowing from my P3 writer telling me how much my work on her novel and pitch strategy meant to her and from her joy at having someone "of credibility" tell her that what she has written is really good. I also have been telling everyone I know who I think would be great as a book coach about this program. You've done an incredible job building this training and supporting your students with a loving, supportive community. Thank you!”
– Michelle Dornfield
Invest in A Business That Will Bring You Money, Meaning, and Joy For Years to Come
Rather than being locked into what someone else says you deserve to be paid, you have the flexibility to set your own prices, decide on your own workload, and choose your own hours.
The investment in Author Accelerator’s Book Coach Certification Program is:$9,000
Enroll Now
Orientation week starts June 24th.
If you already know you’re ready to enroll, you can sign up right now and get started. Pick your path below. Choose your genre and payment plan.
Fiction
Nonfiction
Memoir
Still have questions?
FAQs
Author Accelerator CEO Jennie Nash answers the 14 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Author Accelerator’s Book Coach Certification Program
No. 1: What are the expectations of book coaches in training?
Short answer: The course is designed for people who want to be entrepreneurs and take full ownership of their progress. While the program offers substantial content, support, and feedback, participants must make their own plan, show up for what they value, and ask for help when they need it. Having a self-directed, problem-solving mindset is essential both to succeeding in the program and to building a sustainable book coaching business. This mindset ripples out, since writers are also entrepreneurs who must learn to identify needs and solve challenges in their books and careers.
Longer answer on video: 3:29 minutes
No. 2: What are the requirements of certification and what happens if I don’t pass?
Short answer: We offer an in-depth certification program designed to set and uphold the gold standard in book coaching. Students work through three practicums at three different stages of the book development process. They learn how to effectively do the work, then find a real client they can coach through the process.
We have clear rubrics for the skills each practicum is measuring. Practicums are assessed by three reviewers, with a revise-and-resubmit option (if needed) and a 1:1 debrief after each practicum. Students are expected to finish all three practicums within 12 months. There is an option for up to three paid monthly extensions (if needed).
Most participants earn certification well within that timeframe; failures are rare, but they do happen. Certification is not guaranteed.
Longer answer on video: 13:15 minutes
No. 3: How much time does your program take? I’ve got a job/family responsibilities/a big trip planned and want to make sure I can do the work.
Short answer: A student who takes the full 12 months to complete the program would generally spend about 2 to 4 hours a week. If you are moing faster, you will spend more time. No matter your pace, the weeks when you are working with practicum clients may be closer to 8 to 12 hours, but you get to determine when those weeks fall. There is plenty of flexibility in the program for you to determine your own path through it.
Longer answer on video: 1:47 minutes
No. 4: How will I find practicum clients for the program?
Short answer: You will start with people you know, including friends and family, and members of any writers’ groups or professional organizations you are part of. (All those journalists, copywriters and grant writers you are connected to? All those nonprofit directors, lawyers, doctors, and therapists? So many of them want to write books!) We’ll also show you how to use social media to invite people to work with you. We’ll help you identify and connect with practicum clients — and these are the same skills you’ll build on when you launch your business.
Longer answer on video: 3:22 minutes
No. 5: How much money can I expect to make as a book coach?
Short answer:
We are fierce about teaching you how to make money. We believe that people who coach writers are offering a valuable service that is worth more than pennies per word or dollars per page. How much money you can make depends in large part on your goals.
Some people want to supplement their existing income or other responsibilities by becoming a book coach. On average, our coaches who work part-time earn about $30,000 a year.
Other people go all in on book coaching as their full-time career, building businesses that reach six figures and beyond
Longer answer on video: 4:33 minutes
No. 6: I would love to be a book coach, but can I really help writers? Can I really run my own business?
Short answer: We have coaches in our community who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They were lawyers and literary agents, librarians and communications professionals, copywriters and ghostwriters, career counselors and psychologists, journalists and nonprofit directors, architects, and doctors. They’re now betting on themselves instead of someone else.
We have quite a few book coaches who are published writers, because it’s a fantastic compliment to a writing career, but success as a book coach does not depend on success as a writer.
Longer answer on video: 4:22 minutes
No. 7: I’m neurodivergent. Can I succeed in your training and become a book coach?
Short answer: We hope so! A lot of neurodivergent people are attracted to entrepreneurship in general and book coaching in particular because it allows such flexibility in when, where, and how you work. Our program is designed with different learning styles in mind. All our program videos have the option to turn captions on or off, and a complete, searchable transcript is also avaialable.
Longer answer on video: 1:07 minutes
No. 8: I have an MFA or a PhD in English. Will your program be redundant to my previous studies?
Short answer: No it would not be redundant.
More than 35% of our certified coaches have advanced degrees and they report that our program was incredibly value-added to their education. For one thing, our focus is on the writer as well as the writing. For another, we’re teaching people about the marketplace — what it is, how it works, and how to succeed in it. The most common reaction we get is, “This was way more robust than my MFA program.”
Longer answer on video: 1:45 minutes
No. 9: I am already running an editorial freelance/developmental editing/ghostwriting/ copyediting business. How can you help me run a more effective and efficient business?
Short answer: To be honest, most freelancers are winging it. They have not thought strategically about their business. They have not thought deeply about their pricing models and how to run a sustainable business. They have not looked at the systems and processes that could make them more efficient and effective. We’ll help you do all that and more.
Longer answer on video: 1:35 minutes
No. 10: Will the Book Coach Certification Program help me become a better writer?
Short answer: Yes! There is no better way to improve your own work than to focus on teaching others.
Longer answer on video: 1:21 minutes
No. 11: What if I can’t attend the live coaching sessions because of my time zone or work schedule?
Short answer: We will miss you but we also know that you will get the same benefit by listening to the call recordings (or reading the call transcripts.) So much learning happens from hearing other people get coached, whether you attend live or listen later. You can submit questions and we will answer.
We also offer excellent asynchronous support and easy ways to connect with your cohort.
Longer answer on video: 2:17 minutes
No. 12: I love fiction, memoir, and nonfiction. Which course should I choose?
Short answer: There is no short answer to this question, since it’s highly personal and depends on key factors such as your background and how fast you need to make money. If you are on the fence as to which genre you would like to study, go ahead and book an enrollment call. We will discuss your situation on our 1:1 call.
You can also download a roadmap for each genre, below, to see how the programs differ. Please note that the memoir program has 3 additional modules, because coaching memoir demands an understanding of both fiction and nonfiction concepts.
Longer answer on video: 6:57 minutes
No. 13: How will you support me in running my book coaching business after I’m certified?
Short answer: In the certification program itself, students receive a year of ongoing support from their start date. In addition to the coaching on practicums, they receive business coaching on our monthly Zone of Genius calls. They also get a 50-minute 1:1 strategy call to pin down their business fundamentals, including their ideal clients, package design, and pricing. The goal is for students to feel ready to launch their businesses and start taking paying clients as soon as they are certified, and in practice it often happens before that date.
Once certified, coaches opt into a membership tier that licenses them to use the program’s tools and systems. Tiers start at $15/month for a basic membership.
There is a $50/month Tier 2 where most coaches land to take advantage of the community of coaches and educational opportuntities. The community is supportive and collaborative but requires active engagement, fostering partnerships, shared projects, and collective problem-solving.
Tier 3 offers 3-month long intensive masterclasses for $500/month.
Details and pricing on the membership tiers and support options can be found in the program roadmap and HERE.
Longer answer on video: 12:08 minutes
No. 14: Can you explain what your learning spaces look like?
Short answer: Our learning is centered on three spaces: a living, searchable Google workbook (about 200 pages) that acts as the course spine with lesson-by-lesson tools, links, and resources; a Teachable course that houses the videos and imperfect auto-transcripts linked from the workbook; and a Mighty Networks community that functions as the “town square” for events, calendars, call recordings, asynchronous questions, and live coaching requests.
Coaching happens on recorded Zoom calls listed in Mighty Networks, with four calls a month: two practicum coaching calls, a monthly coaches exchange with certified coaches, and a monthly Zone of Genius call focused on business fundamentals and ideal clients. There’s abundant bonus content and reading, but students should prioritize the practicum path rather than trying to consume everything at once.
Longer answer on video: 8:34 minutes
Other Questions People Ask
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The 12-month supported program is $9,000.
Upon certification, a membership/licensing fee is due in order to retain certification. The fee is $15/month. This fee covers the benefits of certification (including access to Author Accelerator’s Knowledge Base of tools and resources, access to our Mighty Networks community platform, and more).
You may elect to opt into Tier 2 of the membership community for $50/month if you would like more support. (This fee replaces the $15/month fee; it is not in addition to it.)
Masterclasses are available to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 members for an additional fee.
For more information, review our course terms.
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Please see our Program Terms of Use HERE for information on our Program Fee (and especially the Refund Policy), Participant Conduct, and Earnings Disclaimer. Students are required to accept these Terms of Use upon entrance into the course.
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Certification is determined based on a student's practicum work. Our certification team uses a standardized rubric to evaluate each practicum.
Certification is determined on a pass/fail basis. We expect to see in a student's practicums evidence of their skill as a coach, including editorial skills, emotional skills, and project-management skilsl.
You must complete the course requirements and apply for certification within 12 months. Extension months (up to 3) are available for purchase should you need them.
As part of your program fee, you will receive one certification application review and, if necessary, one Revise & Resubmit review. If a second Revise & Resubmit is necessary to meet the requirements of certification, there is an additional $500 fee.
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The certification program is not accredited by an external institution, association, or organizing body. We do not have plans to seek accreditation from such a body, including a college, university, or other academic institution.
Book coaching is a brand new industry and Author Accelerator is pioneering how to train people in it. We do not believe the traditions of academia — teaching writing in a workshop setting, teaching the tenants of journalism, or teaching the craft of copyediting — are aligned with what book coaches need to learn to serve writers.
We believe that book coaching is best learned in an apprentice model (similar to how agents and book editors are trained: you have to do it to learn it). Our training program helps students understand how to do the work of book coaching and then gives them the chance to practice coaching writers in a set of practicums.
Our certification requires the submission of written work and recorded sessions of the student coaching the practicums, and we judge the results by a carefully constructed set of objective criteria.
As one of the first companies to train and certify book coaches, we are committed to setting the standard for excellence in the industry.
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No. We don't offer a path to certification other than the process outlined in the previous answer. This is because we need to determine each coach's certification in the same way in order to be fair and adhere to a standard. Every coach applying for certification must enroll in either the fiction or nonfiction course and complete the practicums, which are based on the specific methods and tools we teach in the courses.
A coach with extensive editorial and/or coaching experience may "accelerate" their certification only by how quickly they move through the program. The program is entirely self-paced, so someone with experience may be able to move through the course material and practicums more quickly.
You must apply for certification within twelve months of starting the program.
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Yes. If you would like to earn certification in a second or third genre, you will need to complete all the practicums in that genre and apply for each certification separately.
There is a discount for your second and third certification.
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You will be considered an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach upon successfully completing the requirements of certification. You may enjoy additional resource, community access, and benefits as long as you keep your membership active by being in one of our membership Tiers and uphold the code of conduct of our Community.
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You can reach out to us at contact@authoraccelerator.com . We’d be happy to try to answer any questions we did not answer here.
We’d love to have you join our community of certified coaches.
