Welcome
I'm Hayley, a passionate book coach dedicated to helping fiction writers develop their storytelling skills and achieve their writing dreams. Let’s work together to find your voice, navigate the writing journey, and bring your story to life. Your story matters!
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”
Hi, I’m Hayley
I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I am passionate about books, and I am also passionate about learning, teaching, and coaching.
I have a degree in Creative Writing, and I’ve studied with US based Author Accelerator under Jenny Nash. As a Book Coach, I am able to combine my love of the written word, with my heartfelt desire to help fiction writers to develop their story telling skills and achieve their writing dreams.
I want to help you to write the best book you can write, to help you find your voice and to help you navigate the path to completing your manuscript.
People write for many reasons, to raise their voice, to feel alive, to share knowledge, to prove a point, to have an impact, to leave a legacy, and sometimes because they just can’t stop writing.
However, writing can sometimes be lonely and uncomfortable and can ask you to confront some difficult lessons in self-belief.
Whatever it is that motivates you to write, using the services of a Book Coach can give you clarity and confidence on your journey.
What is a Book Coach?
A book coach will help you refine your idea from the first word to the last word. We can bring clarity and focus to the creative process. We can assist you during the early stages with clear and actionable steps to help you develop a strong outline, and to avoid plot holes or thinly drawn characters. We can guide you to uncover the point of your story, write toward specific readers, understand what is motivating or driving your characters. We can also help you avoid missing any genre specific conventions, ensure your scene structure is sound, and that the story has forward momentum which will keep your reader engaged.
Book coaches can work with writers at any stage of a project, from concept and ideation, through to the pitch process. We can hold you accountable, be your biggest cheerleader, celebrate the successes and help you challenge any limiting beliefs you may have about your writing ability or progress.
As your book coach, I will encourage you to keep moving toward your end goal – because every story matters.
Work with me
My passion is to help writers to sculpt their stories before they get too far into the process. There is nothing more demoralising than realising 45,000 words into your novel that you’ve lost focus and that the story isn’t holding together anymore.
Writing a book can be scary – you worry about what people will think, or that you’re not good enough, or that the market is already too crowded, or that no-one buys books anymore. And, the tricky thing is that most of these fears are subconscious. Don’t let fear hold you back – give yourself permission to write.
Let’s work together from the beginning to build a solid foundation so you can write forward with clarity and purpose.
My Services
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Starting to write your manuscript can be overwhelming.
Join me in this one-day face to face workshop where we will work together on a process of enquiry. You’ll be able to flesh out your thoughts and ideas and develop a compelling framework so you can gain clarity and clear the confusion. In this step-by-step process filled with simple actionable strategies, you’ll know exactly how to write forward and complete your first draft and avoid the common mistakes that many knew writers make.
This workshop is held twice a year, in January and July, on the Sunshine Coast and numbers are strictly limited.
Develop your Draft Workshop - $499 (AUD)
This workshop can also be held online – contact me for details.
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So, you’ve got an idea (or maybe a few ideas) but you don’t know where or how to start?
Or, perhaps you’ve started writing now you’re stuck – you can’t figure out how to move forward?
Perhaps you’ve taken some courses, done some on-line learning, subscribed to podcasts or email lists and now you feel overwhelmed.
And, just maybe, it is only your self-belief that is holding you back?
Join me for my signature program – Fiction Framework.
In this 8-week one-on-one course we will work together to lay the foundations to set you on the path to completing your manuscript. From thinking about characters, plots and titles, through to identifying the structure, motivation and arc of change.
This intensive course will help you build the foundations and set you on the right path to completing your manuscript.
What is included:
8 Weekly one on one coaching sessions with tailored questions to help you delve into the framework of your novel and build a solid foundation
Regular deadlines to keep you on track, and timely feedback on your pages via email.
Unlimited email access to me during the program
Access to the Fiction Framework is $999 (AUD)
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If you are well into the writing process but feeling stuck, or if you have a finished draft and you want to polish it before submitting to agents, or if you’ve received some rejection letters and you can’t understand why, this service may be a solution for you.
A manuscript evaluation includes a comprehensive analysis of your manuscript, assessing the foundations of your story, checking for common editorial concerns (plot, narrative drive, protagonist’s motivation, desire and conflict, pace, sentence structure and point of view, for example). I will also provide a detailed analysis of your first 2 chapters and your final chapter to help you see what is working well and what needs further focus.
I will send you written feedback where I outline any concerns, and give you recommended steps on how to fix any issues so you can move forward with confidence.
Finally, we catch up for an online meeting which will last between 45-60 minutes and will leave you with a plan to move forward. You can ask me any questions about the feedback, and we can focus on problem areas, brainstorming new ideas and plotlines, and discuss style, tone, dialogue or character development.
Pricing for a full manuscript evaluation starts from $1,199 (AUD) for up to 90,000 words.
Please contact me for a quote if your manuscript is longer than that.
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I also offer individually tailored solutions where we can work together to overcome any barriers that are preventing you from completing your novel. Whether this is due to creativity blockages, self-doubt or fear, or whether this may be more practical assistance, like time management or prioritising your projects, I can support you in your journey. I will also provide accountability deadlines to help you push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Packages start at $299 (AUD) per month, for a 3 month minimum commitment and can continue for as long as you need.
Case Study - Manuscript Evaluation
This case study will provide valuable insights into how a 'Manuscript Evaluation' can enhance your book writing process, focusing on structure, storyline, and content.
Every story is worth telling; the key often lies in figuring out the 'how.' A manuscript evaluation is the perfect starting point to set you on the path to a successful book writing journey.
My client Janice came to me with a big goal. She wanted to write her memoir.
In fact, she had been writing her memoir, for over 20 years.
Janice had experienced an actioned packed life. She grew up as the child of immigrant parents in New York…
About YOU, the Writer
You are driven and motivated. Chances are you’re already a high achiever in life. You want to succeed, and you know you can’t do it alone. You are looking for honest, practical feedback to set you on the right path.
I really believe that all writers can use the services of a book coach.
I will act as your coach, your support crew, your motivator, your critic, and your cheerleader. I will help you figure out how to make writing a priority in your life, how to get the words out of your head and onto the page. Together we can strengthen your ideas and formulate a framework for you to complete your novel.
Sometimes the hardest part about writing is being brave enough to share your work. This is such an important step, and one you don’t want to get wrong. Family members may be too supportive, or too critical. Writing groups can sometimes be a little forceful with their suggestions until it feels like writing by committee.
I understand that this is your dream and your story. Let me help you to create the best book you can write.
Get in touch if you can relate to the following…
You’ve got a fantastic idea but you just don’t know where to start
You’ve started writing your first draft but something isn’t working
You’ve spent years writing (and re-writing) your book but you are feeling lost
You’ve completed your novel but you’ve been rejected by too many publishers to count (or maybe you don’t feel confident enough to send it to a publisher)
You’re feeling frustrated, overwhelmed and alone in your writing journey
Unlock the Art of Character Craft: Get Your Free Guide Today!
Unlock the secrets to crafting unforgettable characters with our free guide, 'Creating Compelling Characters.'
Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just starting out, this guide dives deep into the art of character development, helping you understand how internal drives shape their journey through external challenges. Learn proven techniques to make your characters relatable and their choices meaningful.
Sign up for our newsletter today and receive your complimentary guide to start crafting characters that resonate with your readers.
Work with me
Words of Appreciation
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"You have a genuine talent and I’m sure many aspiring authors will benefit from your guidance. "
Tasha
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"I really appreciated her extensive advice on exactly what methods of plotting might work to take my work forward, as well as on what age audience might work might be better suited to. "
Tamara
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I am so grateful for this as I’ve now completed a major edit - the story is better, the plot is more compelling and I believe it’s a more engaging and satisfying read.
Tasha
FAQs
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I work across all fiction genres except horror, fantasy and science fiction.
My favourite genre is contemporary women’s fiction, particularly focused on family dynamics.
If you need a non-fiction coach, I am happy to provide some recommendations.
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The short answer is anytime. I have a very specific course which is helpful at the beginning of the process, to help the writer develop a clear process for writing forward. This program is also helpful if you’ve started writing but you have a suspicion that something is missing, and you can quite pinpoint what it might be.
In addition, I offer manuscript evaluation once you’ve completed your first (or seventh) draft.
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In general, these are the characteristics I have found that help to ensure engaging with a book coach is going to be helpful for my clients.
You are passionate about writing and you are ready to make it a priority in your life
You are able to commit to our program deadlines
You are open to trying new methods in your writing journey
You are willing to receive honest, constructive feedback
You understand that engaging with a coach will help you to become a better writer
You are not looking for a proof-reader – this is editing, not book coaching