The MaryAnn Diorio Coaching Program for Christian Writers
Welcome to Dr. MaryAnn Diorio’s Coaching Program for Writers. We are delighted to have you with us.
What is a Writing Coach?
A writing coach is one who walks alongside the writer to guide him in reaching his writing goals and to encourage him along the way. A writing coach is not an editor. He does not edit your manuscript, although he can refer you to a professional editor.
A writing coach assesses your manuscript in terms of structure, development, logical consistency, and clarity of execution. A writing coach points out areas needing improvement and offers practical strategies for improvement. Whether you are writing a novel, a nonfiction book, a children’s story, or a poem, a writing coach can help you.
A writing coach is an encourager, a motivator, and one who helps you to stay on course. He holds you accountable to your goals. He helps you to establish a writing plan and stick to it. He helps you to set deadlines that will catapult you to the finish line of your writing project.
Coaching Options
We offer several different coaching packages to accommodate you. Non-refundable monthly fees are due in advance on the first of each month. You may pay by credit card or PayPal. If by credit card, you will need to send us your credit card number and information.
Individual Coaching Plans are summarized at the end of this document. Each month, you will receive a written assessment of your progress on your manuscript with suggestions for improvement.
It is strongly recommended that you commit to a minimum three-month writing coaching relationship for best results. Together we will set month-by-month phone or Zoom sessions and deadlines. If you must reschedule, a 24-hour notice is required. Otherwise, you will be charged for your missed session. Missed sessions must be made up during that same calendar month or be forfeited.
What You Need to Know about Writing Coaches
___What is a Writing Coach?
__A writing coach helps writers reach their writing goals.
These goals vary according to the writer and his needs and according to the writing coach and his background and experience.
__A writing coach helps you get out of your own way so that you can write your story and get it published.
___How can a writing coach help you?
__A writing coach can help you develop success habits that will boost your confidence and assist you in finishing your book.
__Depending on the writing coach, she can teach you the craft of writing fiction and the business of writing and publishing.
__A writing coach can help you design a unique, individual plan for finishing your book or story.
__A writing coach can encourage you to stick to your plan by avoiding distractions. A writing coach can also help you modify your plan if necessary.
__A writing coach will provide accountability by holding you to your commitment to finish your book.
__A writing coach will help you create a schedule in line with your lifestyle and responsibilities.
__A writing coach will guide you through challenges affecting your creativity and productivity.
__A writing coach help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as a writer.
__A writing coach will offer you an outside perspective when you cannot see the forest for the trees. Writers are notoriously too close to their work to evaluate it objectively.
__A writing coach will give you consistent feedback by being your sounding board, strategist, and fellow brainstormer.
__A writing coach will help keep you and your book in focus and on target.
__A writing coach will help you develop a success mindset.
__A writing coach will teach you how to navigate the publishing industry, both traditional and indie (independent) publishing.
__A writing coach will help you foresee challenges in the publishing process and overcome them.
What You Need to Know about Me
—I am a fiction writing coach. This means that I work only with writers who write fiction.
—I hold the MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. I also hold the PhD in French with a concentration in Comparative Literature.
—I have taught fiction-writing at the university level.
—I have won many awards for my fiction.
—Writing fiction is my writing passion.
—I have published five novels, two novels, and several short stories.
—I am not an editor, but I can refer you to excellent professional fiction editors.
How the Coaching for Writers Process Works
The coaching process is an individual process, differing from coach to coach, and dependent on the individual client.
Some writing coaches work only by telephone and email. Others combine phone calls with Zoom or Skype calls and email correspondence.
Some coach only via email, sending you periodic encouragement and checking up on you to make sure you’ve met your writing goals.
Some read your work and assess it before talking with you. Others read your work and assess it and then set up a phone call or Zoom call to discuss it.
How My Coaching Process Works
I combine email with phone calls or Zoom calls, depending on the client’s preference. I offer feedback on your writing pages as well as coaching calls to support you.
While this plays out differently for each client, I do follow a basic structure”
—I begin with a 60-minute evaluation call (either by phone or Zoom). The purpose of this initial call is to discover what is working and not working in your manuscript. We then develop a writing plan in line with your strengths and weaknesses and your current lifestyle.
—I will then give you customized weekly assignments to keep you focused while you pursue your ultimate writing goals for this particular project.
—I will also provide you with email feedback as needed to answer quick questions between sessions.
—I will also provide you with principles for achieving success in your writing.
How Coaching Differs from Editing
The distinction between coaching and editing is often confusing. Although I do provide you with written feedback on your manuscript, I do not edit it.
An editor is someone with whom you usually work on a one-time basis. You send the editor your finished manuscript. Your editor edits it and then returns it to you with comments. You may never speak to your editor. Your only communication with your editor may be via email.
A writing coaching, however, is someone with whom you stay in regular contact–usually weekly– over the period of time you choose to be coached. A writing coach may offer you a minimum amount of editorial feedback, but a writing coach does not deal with a finished manuscript. Instead, a writing coach usually starts with a client at the beginning of a project and guides the client through the writing and completion of the writing process. The goal of the writing coach is to get you from start to finish in writing your book.
How Much Do I Charge?
N.B. All coaching is charged at $120 per hour.
Coaching Plans
The One-Month Plan: $960
–Includes two hours of phone or Zoom calls. One of these calls is the Initial Evaluation ($240).
–Includes six hours of manuscript reading and assessment ($720).
The Three-Month Plan: $2880
–Includes two hours per month for three months of phone or Zoom calls. One of these calls is the Initial Evaluation ($720).
–Includes six hours per month for three months of manuscript reading and assessment ($2160).
The Six-Month Plan: $5760
–Includes two hours per month for six months of phone or Zoom calls. One of these calls is the Initial Evaluation ($1440).
–Includes six hours per month for six months of manuscript reading and assessment ($4320).
The One-Year Plan: $11,520
–Includes two hours per month for 12 months of phone or Zoom calls. One of these calls is the Initial Evaluation ($2880).
–Includes six hours per month for 12 months of reading and assessment ($8640).
NOTE: You may choose a lower plan and then move up to a higher plan. If you commit to a higher plan upfront and pay in full, you will qualify for a 10% discount.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. We look forward to an enjoyable, productive, and successful coaching relationship.
Contact Info:
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio
Email: drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com
Voice Mail: 856-492-1175
Coaching for Writers
Coach: Dr. MaryAnn Diorio
PO Box 1185
Merchantville, NJ 08109