Find the Right Help for Your Book

Berkeley, CA

Rate: From $2,500

Legendary developmental editor with 50+ years experience, former executive editor at major publishers including Bantam and Jossey-Bass. Edited works by Toni Morrison and Hunter S. Thompson. Now offers manuscript evaluations and coaching for select projects.

Remote

Rate: $50–150/hr

Social media manager for Brevity Magazine and author of 'Seven Drafts' who coaches memoirists and creative nonfiction writers. Offers both chapter-by-chapter coaching and full manuscript evaluations. Known for helping writers find the emotional core of their true stories.

Seattle, WA

Rate: $50–150/hr

Former literary agent turned book coach who worked at prestigious agencies representing bestsellers. Offers manuscript evaluations with agent-eye insights on marketability and positioning. Specializes in helping authors prepare submissions for traditional publishing.

Calgary, Canada

Rate: Paid — varies

Book coach and co-author of the bestselling 'Writers Helping Writers' series including 'The Emotion Thesaurus.' Offers manuscript evaluations and coaching focused on emotional resonance and character development. Co-founder of One Stop for Writers resource platform.

New York, NY

Rate: From $500

Former literary agent and co-founder of The Book Doctors, Arielle works with her partner David Henry Sterry to offer manuscript consultations and coaching. She brings insider industry knowledge to help authors prepare query-ready manuscripts.

Remote

Rate: $0.02–0.03/word

Romance-focused book coach and former Harlequin editor with deep knowledge of the romance publishing landscape. Offers manuscript evaluations and chapter-by-chapter coaching for romance writers across all heat levels. Expert in romance tropes and reader expectations.

Berkeley, CA

Rate: From $2000

Publisher of She Writes Press and author of 'Green-Light Your Book.' Former executive editor at Seal Press with traditional publishing expertise. Offers book coaching for women writers focusing on memoir and narrative nonfiction through her Write Your Way coaching program.

Dallas, TX

Rate: $50–150/hr

Bestselling romance and paranormal author who coaches writers through the complete novel process from outline to finished manuscript. Known for her fast-drafting methodology taught at writing conferences nationwide. Also offers manuscript evaluations for romance writers seeking publication.

Toronto, Canada

Rate: From $750

Former VP and Senior Literary Agent at P.S. Literary Agency, now offering editorial services and book coaching. Brings extensive knowledge of the traditional publishing market to her manuscript evaluations. Specializes in commercial fiction with strong hooks.

Hoboken, NJ

Rate: From $500

New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels who offers book coaching and manuscript evaluation services. Teaches at UCLA and Stanford online writing programs. Known for nurturing literary voices and helping writers navigate the emotional journey of completing a book.

Salt Lake City, UT

Rate: $0.02–0.05/word

EFA member and horror fiction specialist, Chersti offers manuscript evaluations and developmental coaching for dark fiction writers. Her background includes publishing her own horror and speculative fiction.

San Francisco, CA

Rate: From $1500

Literary agent at Levine Greenberg Rostan who selectively offers manuscript evaluations. Author of 'The Doll' and co-author of parenting books, she brings an agent's market perspective to her feedback. Focuses on commercial potential alongside craft.

New York, NY

Rate: From $500

New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Novel Generator course offering manuscript evaluation and coaching services. Her novels include 'Angelology' and recent works have appeared in the New York Times Modern Love column. Specializes in helping writers develop high-concept literary narratives.

Washington, DC

Rate: From $500

Book coach and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction including 'The Magician's Lie.' Former marketing executive who offers coaching and evaluations with insight into both craft and marketability. Specializes in historical settings and dual timelines.

New York, NY

Rate: From $350

Former children's book editor at major publishers and founder of The Purple Crayon website. Offers manuscript evaluations and coaching specifically for children's book writers from picture books to YA. Known for his expertise in traditional children's publishing.

Phoenix, AZ

Rate: From $300

Award-winning paranormal romance author who offers manuscript evaluations and beat sheet consultations. Known for her extensive free resources on story structure and her romance beat sheet templates. Specializes in helping romance and genre fiction writers strengthen pacing.

Seattle, WA

Rate: $0.02–0.03/word

Book coach and manuscript evaluator focusing on genre fiction craft. Runs Plot to Punctuation editorial services with expertise in story structure and character development. Known for thorough evaluation reports that balance encouragement with actionable critique.

Charlotte, NC

Rate: $0.02–0.05/word

Book coach and freelance editor specializing in children's and young adult literature. Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association with expertise in both fiction and nonfiction for young readers. Offers manuscript evaluations and developmental coaching.

Los Angeles, CA

Rate: From $500

Founder of Author Accelerator and a book coach with 30+ years in publishing. Author of 10 books including 'Blueprint for a Book.' Specializes in helping writers develop their creative vision and complete manuscripts through her certified coaching methodology.

Doylestown, PA

Rate: $100–150/hr

Developmental editor and book coach, author of two novels from Sourcebooks. Former dance critic turned fiction specialist who offers manuscript evaluations and coaching through her 'Your Novel Year' program. Known for her work on voice and emotional resonance.

San Francisco, CA

Rate: From $500

Former literary agent and co-founder of BookStop Literary Agency now offering coaching and manuscript evaluations for children's book creators. Decades of experience in the children's publishing industry. Specializes in picture books through middle grade with market-savvy feedback.

Remote

Rate: $100–200/hr

Founder of Well-Storied and creator of popular writing courses and resources. Book coach who specializes in helping writers overcome perfectionism and complete their novels. Known for her systematic approach to story structure and character development.

Santa Monica, CA

Rate: Paid — varies

Story coach and author of 'Wired for Story' and 'Story Genius.' Former literary agent and television producer who teaches writers to harness the cognitive power of story. Works with authors chapter-by-chapter to build narratives that hook readers from page one.

Remote

Rate: From $500

Founder of Free Expressions and book coach with clients on major bestseller lists. Former writing instructor who pioneered intensive manuscript consultation. Known for her work with thriller, mystery, and suspense writers seeking commercial publication.

Minneapolis, MN

Rate: $75–100/hr

Published author of 50+ books for children and young adults who coaches writers in the MG and YA space. Former professor who specializes in voice development and pacing for young readers. Offers both coaching and detailed manuscript evaluations.

Chicago, IL

Rate: $50–100/hr

Upwork-based manuscript evaluator and book coach with expertise in thriller and mystery plotting. Former crime journalist who helps authors nail procedural details and pacing. Known for quick turnaround on evaluation reports.

Austin, TX

Rate: $0.02–0.05/word

Reedsy professional specializing in speculative fiction manuscript evaluations and coaching for indie and traditional publishing paths. Background in game narrative design brings fresh perspective to worldbuilding and plot structure. Delivers comprehensive reports with market positioning analysis.

New York, NY

Rate: From $500

Director of the Algonkian Writer Conferences and a former literary agent, Michael offers intensive manuscript evaluation and coaching focused on commercial viability. His approach emphasizes market positioning and narrative structure for authors seeking traditional publication.

Vancouver, Canada

Rate: $0.02–0.05/word

Published novelist and senior editor at Darling Axe Editing offering manuscript evaluations focused on story structure and character development. Author of multiple literary novels including 'The House of One Thousand Eyes.' Brings both craft expertise and publishing industry knowledge.

Remote

Rate: $0.01–0.03/word

Published fantasy author and freelance editor who runs query critique events on Twitter. Offers manuscript evaluations specializing in fantasy and science fiction with attention to worldbuilding and magic systems. Known for her accessible approach to genre fiction coaching.

Remote

Rate: $50–150/hr

Book coach and Author Accelerator certified coach specializing in speculative fiction and diverse voices. Offers chapter-by-chapter coaching and manuscript evaluations with focus on worldbuilding and character development. Active in the SFF writing community.

Remote

Rate: $0.01–0.02/word

Book coach and manuscript evaluator specializing in romance, including diverse and LGBTQ+ love stories. Former Pitch Wars mentor who helps authors prepare for querying. Offers comprehensive feedback with focus on genre expectations and emotional beats.

Boston, MA

Rate: From $500

Senior literary agent at Talcott Notch and bestselling mystery author who offers select manuscript consultations and coaching. Author of craft books 'Plot Perfect' and 'The Writer's Guide to Beginnings.' Brings agent perspective to help writers create submission-ready manuscripts.

Remote

Rate: From $750

Former literary agent with over 15 years representing authors at Books & Such Literary Agency. Now offers book coaching and manuscript evaluations drawing on her insider knowledge of what agents and publishers want. Specializes in inspirational and commercial fiction.

San Francisco, CA

Rate: $50–150/hr

Published memoirist and book coach certified through Author Accelerator. Author of 'Single Mom Seeking' with features in the New York Times and Salon. Specializes in helping writers craft compelling personal narratives and find their authentic voice.

Staten Island, NY

Rate: From $500

Book coach and thriller author whose novel 'The Warehouse' was a bestseller translated into 20+ languages. Former publisher's editor who offers coaching for crime, thriller, and commercial fiction. Known for plot-focused evaluations and high-concept development.

London, UK

Rate: From £400

Bestselling ghostwriter and book coach who has written books with sales exceeding 4 million copies. Author of 'Nail Your Novel' guides for writers. Offers comprehensive manuscript evaluations and coaching for fiction and memoir.

Cambridgeshire, UK

Rate: $75–150/hr

Bestselling author of craft books including 'The Anatomy of Prose' and '10 Steps to Hero.' Writes fantasy and coaches authors on villain creation, prose style, and story structure. Hosts a popular podcast for writers and offers group coaching programs.

Salt Lake City, UT

Rate: Paid — varies

National Book Award finalist and author of acclaimed YA novels including 'Story of a Girl.' Offers selective book coaching for literary YA and crossover fiction. Focuses on emotional authenticity and voice in teen narratives.

Dallas, TX

Rate: From $500

Published middle grade author with Simon & Schuster offering book coaching and manuscript evaluations for children's and YA writers. Author of 'The Hotel Between' series. Focuses on plot structure, voice, and the unique demands of writing for younger audiences.

Austin, TX

Rate: Paid — varies

Co-founder of Sterling & Stone and bestselling author of over 100 books across multiple genres. Offers coaching for authors on productivity, story structure, and building a sustainable writing career. Known for his work on the 'Self-Publishing Podcast.'

Remote

Rate: $60–90/hr

Reedsy-listed book coach specializing in fantasy and science fiction worldbuilding. Offers chapter-by-chapter coaching for debut novelists working in speculative genres. Known for detailed feedback on magic systems and plot structure.

New York, NY

Rate: $50–150/hr

Reedsy-vetted book coach and manuscript evaluator specializing in genre fiction with a focus on pacing and plot structure. Former acquisitions reader who understands commercial market expectations. Delivers detailed developmental reports with actionable revision roadmaps.

New York, NY

Rate: $50–150/hr

Upwork Top Rated book coach and manuscript evaluator specializing in literary fiction and memoir. MFA holder with publications in literary journals. Offers affordable evaluations and ongoing coaching relationships for emerging writers.

Remote

Rate: From $500

Published author of over 50 books and a professional copyeditor and writing coach, Susanne runs Live Write Thrive and offers comprehensive manuscript critiques. She specializes in helping genre fiction writers strengthen their craft and prepare for submission.

Remote

Rate: $0.03–0.05/word

Editor and book coach with 30 years in publishing, author of 'Intuitive Editing.' Former executive editor for major publishers. Offers comprehensive manuscript evaluations and developmental coaching for fiction and memoir writers.

Remote

Rate: $0.02–0.05/word

An independent editor with over 30 years of experience and author of craft books including 'The Art & Craft of Fiction,' Victoria offers developmental editing and manuscript evaluation. She takes on a limited number of clients for intensive book coaching.