Author
Writing Coach
Ghostwriter
Helen Croydon
Personal Brand Consultant
Writing Coaching
&
Book Development
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Most people have a book idea, few can visualise or execute the structure.
I coach aspiring authors to develop their idea into a definitive genre and consult on any aspect of the process - from planning, finding publishers, writing a synopsis to book PR.
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What is writing coaching or book development consultancy?
Writing coaching is one-on-one guidance on all aspects of your writing process – from brainstorming through to publication. Book development consultancy is similar but involves less hands-on reviewing of your words, and more advising on things like publishing options, copyright, or how to market a book. My sessions are always bespoke to a client’s needs and usually involve both coaching and consultancy.
Writing coaching or book development consultancy provide a head start for people who want to write themselves - because they enjoy it, have the time to dedicate to it, and want to retain their voice - but who don’t have access to professional feedback on their writing.
This depends on what you are trying to write and what stage you are at. If you are a professional developing a business book or a white paper to showcase your authority in your field, then your priorities should be accuracy, succinctness, originality and reaching your target audience to maximise the credibility of your book.
If you are an individual writing a memoir because you want to pass something on to your family, or you are developing a guidebook on your passion-hobby (I recently coached someone developing a book on foraging!), your pain points will be entirely different.
It may be that you have nascent idea, which you want to flesh out with a professional. Perhaps you have a draft already but you want input on the structure... Or, if could be that you want impartial advice on the pros and cons of self-publishing, traditional publishing and hybrid publishing.
What does writing coaching achieve?
How does a writing coaching session work?
My writing coaching is done online in one-hour sessions, structured according to the issues that you want help with. My fee for each session includes my time to review up to 3,000 words of any work ahead of sessions.
The minimum sessions you can book for coaching or consultancy is five. This is because it takes me a lot of time and energy to fully understand your work and what you want to achieve. Any less than five sessions, would not be efficient for either of us.
Want more input than coaching? Consider my book ghostwriting services. Or, if it's content for a business, my thought leadership and corporate writing.
Case Studies and Testimonials
Writing coaching for business books
The brief:
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Nick Ross, a leadership retreat facilitator, sought my help to develop his book idea, Sound of the Genuine, a work of narrative non-fiction for ethical business leaders. He wanted to use the essence of his deep personal development work from his retreats and transpose it to the written form.
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Through one year of coaching - and later, a structural editing service - the book is now complete and due for publication in autumn 2025.
"Working with Helen on my first book manuscript has been an extremely rewarding, and helpful experience. Our regular conversations, alongside her very detailed and precise editing support, have helped me achieve a depth of clarity and precision with the core message of the book I could not have found on my own.
Alongside that, I have found her guidance in teasing out the core thread that holds the work together invaluable. She has patiently helped me better identify my audience and encouraged me to consider their expectations more deeply in ways that have not compromised what I want to say. I now have a much greater sense of the craft of writing and the benefits for me both personally and professionally have been enormous. My sincere gratitude Helen!" April 2025
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Writing coaching for memoir
The Brief:
As well as privately coaching numerous clients in developing a memoir, I have delivered autobiographical writing courses at City Lit College.
Below are some testimonials from my students.
"Brilliant. I felt overwhelmed by the task before, so the advice about writing notes to start with has really helped me."
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"I loved the session on how close to real life memoir really has to be. The balance with storytelling and the examples in current books were particularly useful."
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"Thank you for taking an interest in all of our stories and your patience in answering everyone's questions. I enjoyed learning from a real author."​
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Book synopsis development
The Brief:
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Anita was writing her second book when she sought my advice in creating a professional synopsis to approach traditional publishers, and explore options for self or hybrid publishing.
I created a professional synopsis comprising chapter summaries, blurb and market research to attract interest from three publishers and an introduction to a documentary producer.
"I have enjoyed door-openings with various organisations in publishing, podcasting and TV, ultimately helping me to form new relationships. A professional service which has been thoroughly engaging, and more importantly, encouraging me to enhance and enrich my brand. Thank you Helen." November 2021