Gay and MM Fiction Author Coaching Services
Working Together towards Your Ideal Queer Story
“You helped me better understand primary and secondary characters and the need to create three dimensional characters of both types.”
Jim Nichols, Gay Fiction Author
Story Coaching Support for Authors of Gay Fiction
What is stopping you from writing your ideal story?
Structural barriers?
Weโd meet to discuss big-picture concerns, outlining, and planning. Itโs not about changing your writing process but reflecting on whatโs keeping you stuck.
e.g., openings, endings, cliffhangers, pacing, ensuring high stakes, romance and crime beatsย
Craft-based writing limitations?
Iโd work with you on sections, providing examples of how to revise, and then letting you have a go.
e.g., creating compelling characters through GMC, ensuring action beats heighten rather than intrude on tension and conflict, writing sex scenes, or improving craft and sentences
Practical challenges?
Weโd set accountability goals and deadlines. Perhaps youโve picked up habits or practices that hinder your progressโcoaching can help!
e.g., struggling to focus on revisions, getting stuck revising, or meeting deadlines
Letโs close the gap and move you closer to your ideal gay story.
Am I the right gay story coach for you?
I combine coaching skills and my decade+ in education to create a space where you can grow and narrow the gap between your current manuscript and ideal story. Iโve done the hard work and learned from the best; Masters in Education, CELTA, UCLA Extension, Club Ed, and the EFA.
I use my coaching, writing, and education background to help authors get unstuck and elevate their words and writing skills. During our discovery call and sessions, weโll identify specific craft-based areas for improvement.
“His manuscript evaluation was detailed and beautifully laid out, which made it easy to follow and understand.
Not only did he help with the novel I was currently writing, but he ensured I walked away with a foundation for outlining every book I write in the future.”ย ย
Nicky James
MM Romance Authorย
“I’ll definitely be working with Sam again in the future, and I highly recommend his services for authors who are looking to make their books the best they can be.“ย
Kit Erikson
Gay Fiction Authorย
“After the first read through, Sam sent overall feedback, in-line notes, and a chapter-by-chapter breakdown.
Sam did a lot of work, while making sure to stick to the vision I had for my plot and characters and really took his time to comb through the story.”
K.C. Adams
MM Thriller Authorย
Levels of coaching I offer.
Services are not set in stone, and my ultimate goal is to find a process that works towards getting you unstuck and closer to publishing your ideal gay story.
Let me know how I can help you!ย
During the drafting stages:
Writing Process Coaching
After you have a finished draft:
Revision Coaching
Outlining or brainstorming coaching is best for those needing some support to get started.
Romance beats, character arcs, or getting those mystery clues stacked up so they unfold to a satisfying finish. This would occur early on when you have ideas or a rough outline. Iโd review your notes and through questions weโd ensure that you are ready to finish that first draft.
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Once you have a completed manuscript, I offer a manuscript evaluation and then we meet to review as you work through revisions.
By setting goals and working on barriers and writing skills, Iโll help you reach your ideal story goal. Supporting you to develop as a writer is important because seeking help is not a weaknessโitโs a sign you are invested in producing the best manuscript possible.
Crime Novel Coaching
Quiet Coaching (Email-Based Support)
Mystery, thrillers, hardboiled, and noir, to name a few, mean complex plots, clues to keep track of, and outlining can be a great idea.
My 30+ years of reading crime novels help to set you up for success.
Coaching via email and manuscript-based feedback only.
No Zoom calls or need to meet at specific times.
This works fabulously for those who prefer to DIY or dislike calls but would also like some support.
Author Coaching Pricing
All coaching begins with an Ideal Story Session and includes Four Zoom Calls
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Example project and prices below:
60,000-word draft completed.
Goals: You gain the tools and confidence to fully revise your first draft.
Manuscript is ready to move to the final line and copy-edit stage.
Two-Step
Revision Success
Package
Three-Step
Revision Success
Package
Step 1:
Manuscript Evaluation or Full Developmental Edit
Feedback in an editorial letter or added to the manuscript.
Step 2:
Coaching Calls to Guide Revisions
Weekly or biweekly discussions focused on goals, reality, options, and next steps before and during the revision process.
From $1,200
Step 1:
Manuscript Evaluation
Feedback in an editorial letter.
Step 2:
Coaching Calls to Guide Revisions
Weekly or biweekly discussions focused on goals, reality, options, and next steps before and during the revision process.
The author revises based on the feedback and returns the manuscript to the editor.
Step 3:
Full Developmental Edit
All suggestions are incorporated into the manuscript.
From $3,000
Ideal Story Sessions
Do you want fast feedback on your first chapter or a rapid report on your outline?
An Ideal Story Session might be just the solution.
This is a no-cost way to speak with me on Zoom and ask all your questions.ย
Check the link below for more information.
“Honestly, Sam exceeded my expectations. I’ve had a couple sessions which I paid in the past with another writing coach and compared to that experience, Sam was thorough, honest, and constructive. You could tell he actually studied the manuscript to provide suggestions or questions to challenge the author.”
Ferni Escoto, Gay Fiction Authorย
Author VT, Gay Fiction Author
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“Samย gave really clear, constructive, feedback that worked perfectly with my writing style and has made a huge difference in getting my novel ready for publication. I canโt recommend working with Sam enough!”
Sophie Snow, Queer Fiction Author
