Coaching and Consulting
Coaching and Consulting
A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions and receive constructive feedback. A professional specializing in coaching and consulting acts as a guide as you build your career as a professional writer.
A coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, regain momentum or make a start on a new project.
I’ve served as the Writer-in-Residence with the Canadian Authors Association and am a writing instructor at the University of Calgary.
References and Recommendations
“I met Simon at the annual When Words Collide writers convention and asked if he would work with me on my series as soon as I realized who he was. I’d heard great things from several other writers and wasn’t disappointed. Not only is he great at catching all the little mistakes that elude me, he was also able to refine and expand on several of my themes to make my novels the best they could possibly be. I’m looking forward to working with him in the near future on other projects!”
H.M. Gooden
“I first met Simon at one of his classes at the University of Calgary entitled Writing for Children and Young Adults. I had come to the class with a novel project I’d started, but didn’t know how to finish. Simon was very open and helpful and encouraged me to see it through.
Over the next several months, I engaged Simon’s services to help me get my novel off the ground. His coaching, encouragement and editing support provided invaluable. The Fountain was published by Alter Ego Press in December 2015, and its sequel, The West Woods, launched in September 2017. The Fountain was an Aurora Award Finalist in 2016. I highly recommend his coaching and editing services to writers in all genres.”
Suzy Vadori
“Can you imagine my frustration at incubating a really good idea for a historical novel for twelve years? Research is my comfort zone so that’s where I had stayed. My inner editor criticized any glow and banished it from all my creative writing attempts. I simply could not write this novel. Then I met Simon at a literary event. He introduced himself as an author, editor, teacher, and writing coach. We agreed to weekly sessions to coach me in writing this historical novel. The effects were immediate and continue to yield results, giving me practical tools to organize my thoughts and research, as well as fueling my creativity to write. We set achievable weekly goals and then meet to discuss the progress that I have made. Knowing that he will also check in with me via email throughout the week keeps this project on the tip of my brain and prevents procrastination. I left the first session actually believing that I can write this novel…and I am!”
Annette Meeuwse – Editor, writer, philosopher
www.wordslivehere.ca
“I highly recommend Simon Rose as an editor and as a coach. Not only did Simon fix the grammatical errors and awkward sentences in my manuscript, but he also pointed out when more details were required, when my timeline needed correcting, and when something didn’t seem plausible. Simon also provided regular encouragement throughout this creative process – checking in regularly, and providing guidance and support even after the manuscript was completed and I began submitting to publishers.”
Lara Malmqvist
“Simon worked with me on two projects as both an editor and mentor. I was impressed with the timely, constructive and insightful feedback he provided. He answered all of my questions fully and provided lots of encouragement. I would highly recommend Simon to anyone in need of a professional editor, and to anyone wanting to work with a positive, knowledgeable writing coach.”
Amy Dennis
“I used Simon’s monthly editing service to help prepare my MFA application package for UBC. His insight, revisions, and guidance helped me polish my submissions and secure admission to the program. A big thank you to Simon for helping me realize my writing goals.”
Cara Violini
“Simon Rose continues to provide for me excellent editing, as well as superb mentoring/coaching services. He provides professionalism and a team atmosphere that easily lends to the creation of quality books, aimed aptly at target audiences.”
Stella Constance, Writer
“Struggle no longer! Everyone needs a coach and mentor – and writers are no exception. Simon’s style, equal parts professional and personable, will help you reach your writing goals. When I wanted to write a series of children’s books, Simon worked with me to refine my voice, create compelling characters and be continuously responsive to my audience. His support was invaluable to me. I highly, highly recommend his services.”
Jennifer Sanford
Program
My coaching and consulting program helps you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. I can be your coach and mentor for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and expectations. Contact me directly for rates and fees for the coaching and consulting program.
Here are a few examples of topics we can cover, but I’m very flexible regarding your own unique requirements in areas where you feel that you need the most help.
| Character Development | Dialogue and Format |
| Editing and Revision | Story Structure and Plot |
| Pacing Your Story | Realistic Settings |
| Dramatic Beginnings | Cliffhanger Endings |
| Submitting Work | The Publishing World |
| Marketing and Promotion | Websites and Blogs |
You can also learn more about the writing and publishing process, including where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories, choosing names for characters, the importance of historical research if your novel is set in a different era, the role of editing and revision, marketing and promotion, and more, in The Children’s Writer’s Guide, The Working Writer’s Guide, and School & Library Visits for Authors & Illustrators. The writing of time travel stories and historical fiction is covered in The Time Traveler’s Guide, and fantasy and magic in Exploring the Fantasy Realm. The study guides for my novels are featured in Where Do Ideas Come From?
