Book Coaching Services for Fiction Writers

At Cypress & Ink, I offer personalized book coaching services for writers who want to strengthen structure, deepen character arcs, and finish their books. Together, we can customize all services to fit your project and your timeline.

From Idea to Ink Blueprint

Shape your story. Strengthen your plot. Write with purpose.

I’ll help you find the structural problem in a story before it’s even fully on the page. If you’ve got a novel idea, or a partial draft that’s gone sideways, this package builds the solid foundation your novel needs, using the framework in Jennie Nash’s Blueprint for a Book, which I’m certified to teach. 

Over four focused sessions, we’ll transform your scattered notes or fuzzy concept into a clear, actionable roadmap by sharpening your plot, clarifying your character arcs, and creating a development timeline that fits your real life.

This is for you if: 

• You have a novel idea but need help shaping it into a compelling plot
• You’re stuck mid-draft and can’t figure out what’s not working
• You’ve completed the first draft and need to step back and reassess before diving into revision

You’ll receive: 

• A digital copy of Blueprint for a Book: Build Your Novel from the Inside Out by Jennie Nash
• In-line comments and feedback on four iterative drafts of your blueprint and outline
• A detailed editorial letter for each submission with prioritized next steps
• Four 45-minute recorded coaching calls
• A coach who stays with you and your story across all four sessions

By the end of our work together, you‘ll have:

• A comprehensive story blueprint, grounded in your unique vision
• A high-level outline to guide focused, purposeful drafting
• Opening chapters that reflect the tone, voice, and structure of your novel
• A realistic project plan to keep you moving forward, even with a full schedule
• Confidence that your story is making steady progress, not tucked away waiting for “someday”

This package often kicks off a longer working relationship. Once you have a solid foundation, many writers continue on into deeper revision work because by then I already know your story and I’ll partner with you well past the outline.

Price: $825
Need more time or an extra deadline check-in? Add a feedback round with call for $150.

Monthly Book Coaching

Structure, accountability, and support to keep your novel moving forward.

If you’ve got a mystery or suspense novel in progress, along with a calendar packed with everything but writing time, this package is for you.

It’s easy to start strong with a fresh idea. But maintaining that momentum when you’re 20K or 30K words in? That’s where things get tricky, especially for research-minded writers juggling demanding careers and perfectionist tendencies. I’ve been there. I’ll bring the same pattern-finding instinct that got me through a 25-year career of high-stakes deadlines, and use it to help you find your way back into your draft.

This one-on-one coaching service helps you stay on track. I’ll be your accountability partner and creative sounding board — your strategic guide as you draft or revise. We’ll keep your story aligned with your vision, adapt your outline as needed, and create a project plan that fits your schedule. 

Book coaching is customized to each writer’s needs. We’ll begin with four deadlines, with the option to add additional deadlines as needed.

You’ll receive: 

• Four submission deadlines (up to 5,000 words each) 
• In-line comments and a detailed editorial letter for each submission
• A 60-minute recorded coaching call for each deadline to discuss feedback, troubleshoot issues, and plan next steps

By the end of our initial time together, you’ll have:

• At least 20,000 new or revised words that you are confident about
• Actionable feedback to keep your story moving
• A flexible outline that evolves as your story takes shape
• A writing routine that works with your real life, not against it

Price: $1,050 for an initial four-deadline commitment (complete within four months)
Add-on months: $525 (includes two deadlines with feedback + coaching calls) 

Most writers opt for two deadlines per month, but we’ll tailor the pace to fit your goals, your writing flow, and your busy schedule. 

Manuscript Evaluation

Return to the roots. Refine the structure. Revise with confidence.

You’ve just typed “The End” — an incredible accomplishment. Now what?

Whether this is your first draft or your fourth (been there, done that), a full manuscript assessment can give you the clarity and structure you need to move forward with purpose. High-achieving writers used to tackling complex projects are often daunted by doing this alone. This is where I step in with an eye for structural issues — a skill I spent 25 years bringing to complex projects.  

This service is designed for mystery and suspense writers with a complete draft ready for professional, comprehensive feedback. I’ll evaluate what’s working, what’s not, and which revisions will have the most impact. Whether we’ve worked together before or this is our first collaboration, I bring a fresh, thoughtful perspective for the story you’re telling.

This is for you if: 

• You’ve finished a draft but you’re unsure how to tackle revisions
• You’ve been submitting to agents or editors but not getting any bites
• You know something’s “off” but you can’t quite put your finger on what

You’ll submit: 

• A one-page “mini-blueprint” summary of your novel
• Your full manuscript

You’ll receive: 

• A full manuscript review
• In-line comments on the first 20 pages (5,000 words) focused on voice, tone, pacing, and character grounding
• A detailed editorial letter outlining strengths, challenges, and revision priorities
• A 60-minute recorded coaching call to review feedback, ask questions, and map out your next steps
• A custom revision plan that fits your goals, writing style, and schedule

This package often kicks off a longer working relationship — many writers return afterward for the accountability and support of monthly book coaching as they put the revision plan into practice.

Price: $1,350
Up to 80,000 words; +$125 per additional 5,000 words

Charting the Opening Pages

Mini-MS evaluation: Feedback on your first 50 pages to ensure your story is heading in the right direction.

Not ready for a full manuscript review? This mini assessment is a great starting point, especially for deadline-driven writers juggling packed schedules and still figuring out if coaching is the right fit.  

Whether you’re just a few chapters in on your mystery or suspense novel, or sitting on a complete draft you’re not yet ready to commit a full evaluation to, I’ll analyze the opening chapters with an eye for structural issues honed over a 25-year career crafting complex documents. This package offers insight into how your story’s opening is landing, and what needs attention to keep readers turning pages.

You’ll submit:

• A one-page “mini-blueprint” summary of your novel
• The first 50 pages (up to 12,500 words)

You’ll receive: 

• In-line comments on the first 20 pages focused on craft, clarity, and reader engagement
• An editorial letter highlighting what’s working, what could be stronger, and whether your opening lays a firm foundation for the story ahead 

If you’re still shaping your story, From Idea to Ink builds out the fuller foundation. If you’ve got a complete draft, a full Manuscript Evaluation offers the deeper dive.

Price: $375