Email and Phone COACHING

Could you use on-going professional encouragement to help you stay on track and reach your writing goals? Maybe you need someone to help you create a plan and set weekly targets, or to give you a gentle nudge — or a little kick in the pants — when you fall behind. Or maybe you like the action-oriented focus of our Book Boot Camp but live too far away to attend our workshops.

If this sounds like you, try Fat Plum's email or phone coaching services. You'll receive the individual feedback and encouragement you need to make real progress.

What it is

Personal writing coaching tailored to your writing aspirations. You have the opportunity to talk things through and brainstorm options with your personal Fat Plum coach. Our coaches provide support, guidance, suggested next steps and very often a much-needed deadline for you to meet!

Each week you'll talk about past progress and upcoming hurdles, brainstorm new possibilities, tackle problems and agree on goals for the following week. Your coach will help you stay on track, gently but firmly — like "tough love" for writers! It's up to you to decide how to use this individual attention on your work.

You choose which coaching method fits your style and schedule:

  • In email coaching, you and your writing coach exchange emails about your writing work. You can send up to two emails per week, and you'll receive two personal responses per week within two business days. Judy Schneider is our professional email coach.
  • In phone coaching, you will phone your writing coach once a week at a scheduled time for a 15-minute chat. You can also send emails to her through the week with thoughts, concerns and questions to be discussed during your scheduled discussion. Cynthia Closkey is our designated phone coach.

Whichever method you choose, you will sign up for one or more months at a time. All subscriptions must be paid in advance; automatic renewal is available.

What it isn't

Coaching is not editing or critiqueing. If you're looking for specific feedback on a particular manuscript, consider our In-Person Coaching, Manuscript Critiquing, Manuscript Editing and Manuscript Copyediting services.

BONUS: No minimum manuscript critiquing or editing fees for coaching subscribers!

While you are subscribed for email or phone coaching, you can arrange manuscript critiqueing or editing with your writing coach at normal per-page rates with no minimum fee. So if you want high-level feedback on an eight-page chapter, your personal coach can critique it for $8. If you want in-depth editing of the first 30 pages of your novel, your coach can schedule that with you and charge just $60. See Manuscript Critiquing and Manuscript Editing for more details on these services, and contact us with questions.

What's the procedure?

Simply contact us via e-mail or phone and tell us a little about what you're working on and what your concerns are. If we think we can help we'll set up your subscription.

  • For email coaching: call 412.559.1438 or
  • For phone coaching: call 724.816.5699

Who will coach me?

Judy Schneider is our professional email coach. Cynthia Closkey is our designated phone coach.

How much does it cost?

Email and phone coaching are each $52/month. Email coaching includes up to two email exchanges per week between you and your coach; phone coaching includes one scheduled phone call up to 15-minutes.

While you are subscribed for email or phone coaching, you can arrange manuscript critiqueing or editing with your writing coach at normal per-page rates with no minimum fee.

How do I pay?

When you set up your coaching subscription, we will send you information on payment. Payment options include paying via credit card or by check or money order. All payment is required before the month for which you're subscribing. If you pay by credit card, you may set up automatic renewals. Let us know if you have questions.

How can I learn more?

Contact us. We'll be happy to discuss your writing, answer any questions and help you determine if email or phone coaching is the right service for you.