Do I need a book coach, an editor, or a proofreader?

Our ‘What Services Do I Need’ section on the home page should be able to answer this question. But in short: 

• If you’re in the early to middle stages of planning or writing and need guidance, you should start with a book coach. 
• If you’ve got a finished draft and aren’t sure it’s working, a developmental edit can help you figure things out.
• If you’ve got your ideas well worked out and are just looking to make sure it reads clearly, makes sense, flows well, has consistent tone, etc., you may be ready for copyediting.
• If you’re ready to publish and just need a final check for any remaining typos or punctuation mistakes, you’re ready for proofreading.

What areas do you serve?

Finally Write is located in Western Massachusetts (USA). We provide online services, so we are happy to work with authors pretty much anywhere. A video call is part of our standard process, so as long as we’re able to find a time that works for us and for you, we can work with people in any part of the United States, the UK, Canada, and the EU. 
 

How long will it take to finish my book?

That depends on you. Every writer’s journey is different, and so is their timeline. Some packages, like the Kickstart/Fresh Start, have an ideal timeline of one month, but some writers may finish more quickly or slowly.
 

I have a beta reader. Isn’t that good enough?

A beta reader is a fine step if you want to use one, but they are not a good replacement for either a book coach or a professional editor. Most people use someone they know as a beta reader. These people are already inclined to tell you your work is great as is (or with a few minor tweaks like typos or grammar), and avoid any truly deep criticism of style, substance, or genre expectations. 

This is fine for hobby writing and fanfiction. (In fact, I started as a beta reader in fanfiction, so I’m not casting shade there!) But if your goal is to get your novel published, you need an objective evaluation. This includes both where your book shines and where it falls short–even if that means reworking large parts of it or potentially starting over. No one likes to hear that they need a page-one rewrite. Your friends know that. So does your beta reader. 

You don’t want to pitch a book that is anything but your best. You can trust a book coach to tell you the hard truths, and also to encourage and guide you so that you can pitch or publish with confidence.

How much will book coaching cost?

Pricing for all services can be found on the relevant page of our website. We offer complete packages (from budget-friendly to deluxe), as well as add-on options, so you can pick what best suits your needs. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can send us a note requesting a custom package/quote. 
 

Do you guarantee I’ll find an agent/get my book published?

I wish that was the case, but we cannot guarantee an agent or publisher will buy your book. No one can. The job of a book coach or an editor is to make sure your book and your pitch materials are the best they can possibly be, so you are in the best position to try for an agent and/or for publication.

Is my intellectual property safe with you?

Absolutely! We will sign an NDA with you to ensure you have no fears about us misusing your work. 

Will anyone know I’ve used a book coach?

Not unless you tell them. We maintain 100% confidentiality about the writers with whom we work, and will never share that you’ve used our services unless you give us express written permission to do so. You are welcome to leave a public review of our services if you feel comfortable doing so, but it is not required nor is it something we push for. We want all of our clients to trust that their involvement with a coach or developmental editor is between us and them, and no one else.

How do I know if your services are right for me? 

If you still aren’t sure, we’d be happy to set up a FREE 30-minute video consultation to discuss your needs. If at that time you decide you’d like to work with us, that’s great–but there is no obligation.