FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT GENRES DO YOU WORK WITH?
My favorite genres are speculative fiction with a sci-fi, dystopian, or horror slant, and I’m nuts about anything ghost or time-travel-related! I also love historical fiction. I believe in the power of media to change cultural conversation and I'm obsessed with stories that shine a light on the injustice, inequity, and dangers lurking in human nature. My mission is to empower, guide, and raise the voices of writers who believe that real change can happen through the stories we tell. The only genres I don’t work with are traditional romance, non-fiction, memoir, and religious fiction, but contact me if you think your idea might sway me!
WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENTAL EDITOR AND WRITING COACH?
In contrast to a standard editor, who gives editorial feedback and expects an author to make the changes on their own, a developmental editor works with the writer to make certain the story has structure, a clear point, a narrative drive, and holds together throughout. Besides developmental editing, a writing coach provides additional help, such as accountability, mindset, consistent feedback, support, a publishing game plan, and more. I’m a certified Author Accelerator Fiction Book Coach, a rigorous coach training program created by Jennie Nash. I have over 25+ years of diverse experience in the entertainment industry as an actor, screenwriter, VO artist, children's theatre instructor, as well as a content writer for an online magazine. I love sharing my insights into navigating the unpredictable freelance life and building a successful career in the arts, as well as my experience in storytelling through various mediums, to help writers write their best novels, and screenwriters transition to novel writing.
WHAT LEVEL OF WRITER DO YOU WORK WITH?
I work with all levels, from new writers to seasoned professionals.
Besides novelists, I work with screenwriters and playwrights, as well.
I also work with young writers, ages 10–18, and have been teaching theatre and playwriting to kids for 13 years in the children’s theatre program I helped to create at Sacred Fools Theater Company in Los Angeles. Currently, my online coaching is only available for adults, but I am at work on a program for kids, so please check back soon!
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO HIRE A WRITING COACH?
Right now! As a writer myself, I know the value of having someone in your corner during the writing process. Writing is a lonely journey. It’s so easy to get lost and overwhelmed. A writing coach ensures you aren’t wasting time, energy, and sanity on words and ideas that don’t hold up. And a writing coach can be tremendously helpful at the end of the story too, guiding you to fine-tune a finished manuscript, develop a pitching strategy and materials, and cheer you on the entire way!
I HAVE A FINISHED MANUSCRIPT, CAN I HIRE YOU TO HELP ME FIND AN AGENT/PITCH IT FOR A CONFERENCE OR CONTEST, OR FIND A PUBLISHER?
Congratulations on finishing your manuscript! I offer Pitch Strategy Services, but only for those who have already completed a Developmental Evaluation, or One On One Story Guidance. This is not a requirement meant to force you to commit to more of my services, but to ensure that your manuscript is in a suitable place to pitch.
CAN YOU GET ME A PUBLISHING DEAL, MAKE MY BOOK A BESTSELLER, OR GET MY SCRIPT INTO [INSERT FAMOUS ACTOR/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER]’S HANDS?
I sure wish I could! Unfortunately, those things are subject to so many variables, like timing, trends, and events that are just not under our control. What I can do is help you write a story to the very best of your abilities, come up with a game plan of what to do next, and make sure you feel empowered and supported every step of the way!
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS THAT AREN'T ANSWERED HERE?
I'd love to hear them! You can reach out on my contact page, or if you are interested in finding out more about how I can help you write your story, you can check out the services I offer, or Apply For A Discovery Call!
Libby’s a marvel at nit-picking at the details of your project. She has no problem getting down to that nitty gritty, but also offering insights into the grand picture of your project.
Her own history as a writer and an actor–provide her with an uncanny ability to understand how an artist’s mind works (self-doubt, resisting feedback) and to speak to you in a way that you’ll listen and understand, not cross your arms and silently say, “no”.
My time with Libby as my book coach left me feeling supported, respected, seen, and most of all, inspired. Hiring The Story Guide’s Libby Baker is simply a no-brainer.
Aside from getting myself to sit down and write, I wasn't struggling with anything in particular when Libby and I started working together, but I definitely didn't know what I didn't know! Libby asked such thought-provoking questions I was truly excited to dive into them because I could tell immediately the degree of clarity the answers would lend to my character arc.
She pushed back on a critical component of my story, which I was determined not to change, but she helped me massage it so that I got to keep my plot point while not compromising the story's integrity, as I had in the previous iteration. It takes a special talent to get an author who is stubbornly clinging to "her way," to do what you advise and still feel like she has won!
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