Coaching

How Writing Coaching Works

Do you have a stack of poems but aren’t sure how to order them as a collection?  Perhaps you’ve always wanted to write a memoir? Would you like some feedback on your writing with the goal of publishing in journals or a magazine?  Or maybe you just need assistance establishing a regular writing practice?  

All this is possible—with a writing coach! We’ll begin with a free 30-minute consultation, by phone or Zoom, where we’ll discuss your writing project, your writing goals and how we might best work together. If you decide to continue, we’ll keep the dialogue going via phone, email, or Zoom, whatever works best for you, however long you wish.  

As part of the consult, I’ll send a questionnaire asking you to describe your writing goals, current writing project, writing process and how you feel it’s working. Depending on where you are with your project, I’ll offer a few choices of ways to proceed, and we’ll set up a plan to work together based on your budget and schedule. Sometimes, having deadlines and an ally can be just what’s needed to get your project underway.    

Throughout our work together, I’ll encourage you to reflect on your creative process, including suggesting resources on mindfulness practice. For most of us, just carving out time for creative work can be a challenge—and I’m happy to share tips from my book, The Pen & The Bell:  Mindful Writing in a Busy World.  

During the past several years, I’ve worked with a variety of clients on all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to proofreading for publication. I’ve worked with clients to establish a writing practice and organize notes for a memoir, assisted in polishing poetry manuscripts, put together a book proposal, copyedited a 120,000-word biography and more.  

I enjoy it all—and am happy to meet you wherever you are in your writing journey,  

Holly

RATES

I offer an hourly sliding scale, depending on your financial circumstances and the type of coaching/editing needed. Please contact me to discuss my rates.

Packages

Need a Jump Start? Consider a three-month consult:  $1000  

• Includes 2x/month Zoom sessions

• correspondence by email

• feedback on 25 - 30 pages/month

Assembling a poetry manuscript? $500 - $1500 depending on the length. I’m happy to work with whatever you need:

• assistance with ordering and overall arc of the collection

• assistance with line editing/proofreading

“I have worked with many award winning American poets, worked one on one with some of them, attended seminars with several others. And, while I learned from all of them, I have learned a few things from Holly that the others did not approach.  Of course, Holly is keenly attuned to the craft and structure of what makes a good poem.  In my case, she also seems to understand my intent and voice in a way others had not.  I also feel that she thinks of me as a sister poet, not just a student in need of a critique.  She has the rare combination that good instructors have in that she congratulates me for what I do well, and softly nudges me toward enhancing my work.  When I work with Holly, I feel we are riding tandem, that we are moving toward the inner joy that a good poem elicits as she also moves me toward publication.”

—Gloria Nixon-John, Ph.D

“Holly has an exceptional gift of working as an editor and writing coach.She gave me suggestions and ideas to enhance my work for possible publication always with the understanding that her suggestions were guides to improve the work of writing. She is attentive to details and brings out the best in a poet’s skills. Holly is patient and engaging with a sense of humor that makes the work enjoyable. I highly recommend Holly’s expertise in all stages of the writing process.”

—Kay Mullen

“I have participated in a poetry workshop, a Sit/Walk/Write course, and hours of private mentoring with Holly. She has a graceful yet direct manor that chaperones students towards a deeper connection with their own personal style. Her breadth of knowledge and life experience informs how she professionally navigates your personal world of poetry and creative writing.”

—Mimi Gorman

“Holly is one of the most insightful and encouraging mentors I have encountered during my years of writing poetry. The beauty and compassion of her spirit shines through everything she says and does, whether in her workshops or in one-on-one sessions. I  am so grateful for the gentle, respectful, incisive way in which she has guided me into shaping my poetry so that it sings, and I admire the skill with which, in a single-day session, she is able to create a safe environment, so that a group that has never met before becomes an encouraging team, learning to critique each other’s poems in positive ways.”

—Eva Maria Sher

“I’m a first-time author. After working on my book project with a writing group for some years, they suggested fresh eyes and helped lead me to a professional content editor. Holly was outstanding, especially working with an artist more used to other media. She took the time to understand the big picture behind the story, not just elements of the manuscript. She gave me practical options and estimates for what I could do with my work. She understood what I was trying to achieve and helped me craft my manuscript into a professional piece. I enjoyed my time working with her so much that I was sorry when we finished, although she is still cheering me on.”

—Laura Cooper