Write Forward Coaching
Personalized guidance for busy fiction writers
Your story, refined. Your skills strengthened.
Finding time to write can be very challenging especially when you are a parent or work full time. As a busy parent myself, I understand how important it is to spend your time wisely. As someone with ADHD I understand how difficult prioritization, motivation, and focus can be. There are two main ways I help writers use their time effectively:
I help writers that are in the middle of their draft and spinning their wheels. Through brainstorming together and targeted exercises I help get writers unstuck and writing again. I also help writers create flexible outlines to guide them forward.
It can be hard to identify the most pressing issues when editing your full draft. I read through drafts and identify developmental issues. I provide actionable steps for fixing them and a suggested order to work on the issues. This helps prevent writers from spending lots of time editing the wrong things or tiny issues before addressing larger issues.
“Samantha was instrumental in helping me figure out the messy middle of my book. I am incredibly grateful for her feedback and encouragement. She is the best at finding plot holes and character inconsistencies. My book is infinitely better than it would have been without her help, and she is so much fun to work with.”
~ Laura Sandonato
Sam Henke
Writing is personal. So is my approach.
Writing a novel can often feel incredibly overwhelming, especially when you’re navigating every single plot point, character development, and revision all on your own. It’s easy to get stuck, second-guess yourself, or feel isolated during the process. That’s where I come in—I’m here to offer meaningful collaboration and expert guidance to help bring your story to life.
What Sets Write Forward Coaching Apart
Storytelling Expertise
I’m professionally trained in coaching, developmental editing, and querying through Author Accelerator, giving me a deep, well-rounded understanding of what makes stories truly work. My approach is grounded in proven frameworks like The Story Grid methodology, which helps shape your narrative with precision and clarity.
Specific, Actionable Feedback
If you’re tired of vague, unhelpful critiques like “I couldn’t get into it” or “something feels off,” my coaching style is different. You’ll receive specific, targeted guidance on exactly what isn’t working in your manuscript, why it’s not resonating, and practical advice on how to fix those issues. You’ll always have clear, actionable next steps so you know exactly how to move forward confidently.
Plus, I create opportunities for you to ask questions and engage in meaningful discussions about your feedback. That way, you’re never left wondering what to do next or feeling unsure about the direction of your story.
“Samantha is amazing and a joy to work with! I am very happy with the feedback she provided on my manuscript. She is very detail-oriented and caught many important things I had missed. She gave me a clear way forward with revisions and even took the time to message me her thoughts and instant reactions to the book while she was reading. It was very heartening to hear she was enjoying it and her passion for her work really came through. Her enthusiasm and skill really motivated me to continue with revisions and, ultimately, with publication!”
~ Robin Nemesszeghy
How I Can Help You
My Methodology: Collaborative, Skill-Building, Supportive
Judgment-free support
Actionable storytelling insights
Preservation of your unique voice and message
Focus on skill development, not just manuscript correction
Need quick help? Get quick answers with Ask The Coach email support
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Get help deciding on a story idea that has promise and is in-line with your writing and publishing goals.
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Stuck in the middle? Lost in your plot? Get actionable guidance and brainstorm with me to solve your story problems so that you can write forward confidently.
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Specific feedback on what is and isn’t working in your story and a clear plan to guide you forward with revisions.
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“Samantha was an exceptional book coach. She got a great sense of me and my style and therefore found fantastic matches for my agent search. She went above and beyond in every way, from polishing my synopsis to helping write query letters. I would recommend her highly to any writer wanting to send their writing career into professional overdrive.”
~ Janet Lefley
Author Accelerator is setting high standards for the emerging field of book coaching through rigorous training programs. The Author Accelerator book coaching certification course is in-depth and intensive. It includes a combination of video lessons, written lessons, and hands-on practicum work with real-life clients. As an Author Accelerator certified book coach, I am qualified to coach writers using Author Accelerator's strategy, methods, and materials, but I operate independently of Author Accelerator and am not affiliated with them.