Nonfiction Book Coach

Want to start writing a nonfiction book or you’re in the middle of writing one and have questions? For example…

 

Have a great idea, but aren’t sure how to turn it into a full-fledged book?

Stuck in the research phase and need help creating your book’s message and structure?

Find yourself staring a blank screen and unable to write the words you want? 

Not sure how to organize your chapters? 

Wondering which publishing route would be best for you, such as traditional, self, hybrid or other?

Having problems staying motivated and focused long enough to finish your manuscript?

Don’t know how to market your book or reach out to members of the media?

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As a nonfiction book coach, I can help.

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I’m an award-winning and bestselling nonfiction author as well as a longtime health and personal finance journalist who’s been published in dozens of major publications around the globe. I’ve also had more than 15 years of experience in the book publishing world, including traditional, self and independent publishing.

I’ll use my expertise and experience to answer your questions and brainstorm ideas with you. I’ll also give you guidance on all aspects of writing your manuscript, explain different options for publishing and share tips for reaching out to members of the media about your book. In addition, I’ll give you simple tools that get you motivated to write and that keep you focused on your writing goals so you can finally finish your manuscript.

Want to get started by scheduling a Book Coaching session? Or want to a complimentary 15-minute pre-consultation chat to find out more? Email me at Gabrielle@GabrielleLichterman.com or call me at 917-370-2761.

Which topics are included in my nonfiction book coaching?

Turn a germ of an idea into a full-fledged book

If you’re in the planning stages of your nonfiction book, but you’re not sure where to go with your great idea, I can help. I’m an expert at taking the kernel of an idea and turning it into a full outline you can use as a roadmap to move forward. I can also help you with organizing your book, finding the right tone, picking a book title, subtitle, chapter titles and subheads within your chapters, and other facets of your manuscript.

 

Boost motivation and focus to write

If you find yourself staring endlessly at a blank screen because you’re not sure what to write, it’s difficult for you to carve out time to write, you procrastinate working on your book, you lose focus quickly or have other challenges that are slowing your progress, I can help. I’ll share tried-and-true tricks that seasoned writers rely on that will boost your motivation, increase concentration and get words to easily flow out of you.

 

Decide where to go with your book

Have the idea for your book fleshed out, but are stalled because you’re not sure which options to choose? For example, you can’t decide whether to include all the information you want to share in a single book or separate your books into a series or collection of volumes? Or not sure how to reach a certain target audience with your topic? I’ll give you feedback, ideas and industry information that helps you make the decision that’s best for your book.

 

Revise an existing manuscript

Have the first, second or third draft of your nonfiction book done, but there’s something that’s just not working? Sometimes, all it takes is talking out the issue with a professional to figure out the problem and its solution. I’ll ask you questions designed to help you pinpoint what’s been stalling your progress. Then, we’ll work toward the fix that gets you to that much-anticipated final draft so you can publish.

 

Figure out the best publishing route for you

When it comes to publishing, you have several options: You can pitch a literary agent, then send your book proposal to a traditional publishing company, opt to submit to a small independent press or university press, select “hybrid” publishing or self-publish. All of these choices have pros and cons, and I’ll help you determine which option works best for you based on your book’s content as well as your personal and professional goals.

 

Turn your book into a media magnet

As a health and personal finance journalist for more than 25 years, I know exactly what reporters and producers look for when they’re picking books to cover or authors to interview. I’ve personally interviewed thousands of book authors for articles in popular magazines. These include self-published and indie authors. If your book has the right combination of factors, it doesn’t matter if you’re published by a traditional publishing house or are going the indie or self-published route—your book can get the media coverage it deserves. I’ll share which mistakes can stop your book from being covered. I’ll also share the easy practices that turn your book into a media magnet.

 

Learn how to contact the media

Members of the media really do want to hear from you about your book—but how you make contact can significantly decrease or increase your chances of success. I share the dos and don’ts for how to reach out to the media and how to find email addresses for reporters without paying a penny for mailing lists. I’ll also give you a simple email format to follow that makes it easy for you to send out pitches while also creating real, lasting relationships with reporters and producers so they continually turn to you for interviews.

 

Establish your own indie press

I’m an award-winning indie author with two independent publishing companies—Hormonology Press and Happiness Upgrade Press. I’ll explain the benefits of establishing an indie press and guide you through the easy steps to setting it up.

Ready to get started? Contact me at Gabrielle@GabrielleLichterman.com or 917-370-2761

How does a nonfiction book coaching session work?

  • Reach out to me. Let me know that you’re interested in a nonfiction book consultation by emailing me at Gabrielle@GabrielleLichterman.com or calling me at 917-370-2761. Include a short description of your book project and the issues you want to cover.
  • Schedule one or more 60-minute nonfiction book coaching sessions. I’m in the United States on Eastern time. You can opt for a single session or multiple sessions. Each 60-minute coaching session is $100 payable via PayPal or Venmo prior to the session.
  • Be prepared to talk. I’ll be asking you lots of questions to fully understand your book’s background, goals and issues. If you need backup material to refer to during our session, please have it ready beforehand so we can maximize our time together.
  • Be prepared to take notes. Grab a pen or be ready to type as we talk. I want to give you as much information as possible and I don’t want you to forget any important information. You can record the session if you find that helpful, but please do not disseminate the recording. I may be emailing you some materials after our session, for example, a draft of a book pitch to the media. But, it’s up to you to take notes about other details we discuss.
  • Expect a follow-up. After our session, I’ll follow up to find out if you have further questions about an issue we discussed or need clarification about instructions I shared.

Consulting with a book coach can make your manuscript go from good to great. Plus, it helps you avoid mistakes that slow you down.

Why select me as your Nonfiction Book Coach?

I have more than 15 years of experience in book publishing

This encompasses traditional, self and independent publishing. I’ve been published all three ways myself. So, whether your manuscript is represented by a major traditional publishing house, you’re working with an independent press or you’re publishing on your own, I have the background and know-how to guide you.

I’ve spent more than 25 years as a journalist

I’ve conceived, researched and written more than 10,000 articles for major consumer publications, including First for Women, Marie Claire, New York Daily News, Self and Woman’s World. For more than a decade, I’ve been a reporter for Woman’s World’s Health News department and have written a weekly personal finance column in the same publication. You can find some of my work at WomansWorld.com.

Throughout my career, thousands of nonfiction books have landed on my desk. And I’ve interviewed many authors based on their books. Some of these authors were represented by traditional publishers, but others were from independent presses or were self-published. This is why I know with certainty that reporters and producers pay more attention to a book’s content and how it’s packaged (such as a professional cover design, correct formatting and no proofing errors) than its publisher.

My long experience also means I’ve read countless pitches and press releases. I know exactly what piques the interest of the media and the most successful ways to reach out to them.

Another benefit of my long experience as a journalist: I know how to take a nonfiction manuscript and turn into a consumer-friendly book that your audience can easily understand, appreciate and apply to their lives.

I stay current on the latest trends in book publishing

I’m a member of several editor and publishing trade organizations. These include The Author’s Guild, Editorial Freelancers Association, Independent Book Publishers Association and Nonfiction Authors Association. These memberships give me the ability to keep up with shifts in traditional, independent, hybrid and self publishing as well as updates in editing, marketing, technology and reader interests.

I’m a successful nonfiction author myself

Like you, I’m an author of nonfiction books. My first book, 28 Days:  What Your Cycle Reveals About Your Moods, Health and Potential, was published in 2005 by a traditional publisher, Adams Media, which is now an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Also like you, my book has its own important message. 28 Days is a women’s health book where I introduced the world to “cycle-syncing”—living your life in sync with the ups and downs of fluctuating hormones in your menstrual cycle. At the time my book was published, this concept was groundbreaking. Now my cycle-syncing method is followed by millions worldwide and I’m considered a leading hormone health and behavior expert.

In 2019, when I wanted to release a fully revised and updated version of 28 Days, I switched to self-publishing. That’s because I wanted to keep all the rights to my work and have more control over my book, including its title, cover image and content. Fortunately, by this time advancements in self-publishing made it possible to create eBooks and print books without a traditional publisher. As I was writing the new 28 Days, traditional publishers and literary agents who’d discovered I was about to release a revised edition of the book reached out to me unsolicited to represent it. But, I turned them down. It was a gamble, but my switch to self-publishing paid off. My new book was even more popular than the original version and I was much happier with the outcome. The new edition of 28 Days went on to win the 2019 National Indie Excellence Award gold medal in the women’s health category.

The next year, I set up my own independent publishing company, Hormonology Press, to publish more menstrual cycle-related books, including three period tracking journals.

I set up a second independent publishing company, Happiness Upgrade Press, to publish other health and personal finance books.

In 2020, when the pandemic caused widespread job losses and career shifts, I released my first personal finance book, DIY Résumé and Cover Letter Kit, through my Happiness Upgrade Press imprint. This book reached the number one spot in the résumé category on Amazon on its release day and has continually been an Amazon best seller since its publication.

In 2022, I released a second book through this press, the eponymous book, The Happiness Upgrade: One Small Step Up to a Happier Life. This self-help/health book was recently named a winning finalist in the 2022 International Book Awards in the psychology/mental health category.

Let me help you make your book a success, too!

As you can see, thanks to my strong background as a health and personal finance journalist and my ability to develop nonfiction, my books have been successful sellers and award winners. They’ve expanded my platform and cemented me as an expert in my field. Even better, from the feedback I get via emails, calls and direct messages on social media, I know that my books are helping countless readers improve their lives.

I can share my writing and publishing expertise with you to help you make your own book a success that transforms readers lives, too.

To get started, email me at Gabrielle@GabrielleLichterman.com or call me at 917-370-2761.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your soon-to-be-successful book!

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