Key Takeaways
- Book coaches help you write your manuscript through guidance, accountability, and strategic planning. Editors refine your completed draft with professional polish.
- Timing matters. You need a book coach before and during the writing process, and an editor after you complete the manuscript.
- You can’t edit what doesn’t exist yet. If you’re struggling to start or finish your book, you need a book coach, not an editor.
When you’re ready to write your nonfiction book, you might wonder who you need on your team. The terms book coach and editor get thrown around a lot, and they sound similar, but they’re entirely different roles that serve you at various stages of your writing journey.
What Is a Book Coach?
A book coach works with you before and during the writing process. Think of a book coach as your guide, accountability partner, and strategic advisor all rolled into one. When you work with a book coach, you’re not just getting someone to fix your words. You’re getting someone to help you figure out what words to write in the first place.
Book coaching is about the big picture. We help you:
- Clarify your book’s purpose and message
- Identify your target audience
- Develop a structure that works for your story
- Create a realistic writing schedule
- Stay accountable to your writing goals
- Work through the challenges that come up during the writing process
The question is, then, when do you need a book coach? You need one when you have an idea swirling in your head but are not sure how to get it onto the page. You need one when you keep starting chapters but never finish them. You need one when you’re overwhelmed by the size of the project and need someone to break it down into manageable steps.
What Is an Editor?
An editor works with you after you’ve written your manuscript. Editors come in when you have a complete draft (or at least substantial portions of one) and you need someone to refine what you’ve already created. Editors focus on the words on the page, not the process of getting those words there.
There are different types of editors:
- Developmental editors look at your manuscript’s structure, flow, and content organization
- Line editors focus on sentence-level improvements, clarity, and style
- Copy editors catch grammar, punctuation, and consistency errors
- Proofreaders do the final polish before publication
Editors don’t typically provide ongoing accountability or help you create content from scratch. They work with what you give them and improve it.
The Key Differences
You’re thinking about writing a book about your nonprofit’s impact in the community. You have stories to tell, but you’re unsure where to start.
A book coach would:
- Help you decide which stories matter most
- Create an outline that organizes your content effectively
- Set up a writing schedule that fits your budget and timeline
- Check in with you regularly to keep you moving forward
- Help you work through writer’s block or self-doubt
- Guide you through the messy middle of your manuscript
An editor would:
- Wait until you have a complete draft
- Review your manuscript for structure and flow
- Suggest reorganization or cuts where needed
- Polish your sentences and paragraphs
- Ensure consistency throughout
- Prepare your manuscript for publication
I’ll say this louder: You can’t hire an editor until you have something written. A book coach helps you get to that point.
When You Need a Book Coach
Book coaching makes sense for you if:
- You’ve been talking about writing your book for years, but haven’t started
- You’ve started multiple times but never finished
- You need someone to hold you accountable to your writing goals
- You’re not sure how to organize your ideas into a cohesive book
- You want guidance throughout the writing process, not just at the end
- You need help creating content, not just editing what already exists
After all, the most challenging part of writing a book isn’t the writing itself. It’s getting started and staying consistent. That’s where a book coach comes in.
When You Need an Editor
Editing makes sense for you if:
- You have a complete manuscript (or close to it)
- You’ve done your best work and now need professional polish
- You need someone to catch errors and inconsistencies
- You want to ensure your manuscript is publication-ready
- You’re confident in your structure but need sentence-level improvements
Once a week of writing might be good enough for you. If you’re working with a book coach, it could matter how much you can afford and how quickly you want to finish. Don’t be rigid about the plan and give yourself grace.
Can Someone Be Both?
Some professionals offer both book coaching and editing services. When you work with someone who does both, you get continuity throughout your project. I offer book coaching to help you write your manuscript, and then we can discuss editing services once you have a complete draft.
What is the benefit of working with the same person for both roles? They already understand your vision, your voice, and your goals. They’ve been with you from the beginning, so they know exactly what you’re trying to accomplish.
How to Decide What You Need
Here’s a simple way to figure out which service you need right now:
Ask yourself: Do I have a complete manuscript?
If no → You need a book coach
If yes → You need an editor
Ask yourself: Do I know what I want to write about but struggle to make progress?
If yes → You need a book coach
If no → Maybe you need to clarify your concept first
Ask yourself: Do I have pages written, but they need professional refinement?
If yes → You need an editor
If no → Keep writing, or work with a book coach to get there
The reality is that most people need a book coach first. Your book is already on your website through client testimonials, blog posts, and social media stories. You just need someone to help you expand and organize that content into a cohesive manuscript.
The Budget Question
Let’s talk about what you’re probably wondering: cost.
Book coaching is typically an ongoing investment. You might work with a coach for several months as you write your manuscript. The investment reflects the time and accountability support you receive throughout your writing journey. Once I understand the scope of the project, I can provide an estimate.
Editing is typically a one-time project fee based on your manuscript length and the type of editing you need. You pay once, get your edited manuscript back, and then you’re done with that phase.
If you’re hiring a book coach, it’s a matter of how much you can afford and whether you value ongoing support or just final polish. Both are valuable; they’re just different investments at different stages.
Agency Content Writer Approach to Book Coaching
We discuss your content or book ideas when you work with me as your book coach. Where are you now, and where do you want to be?
We’ll identify your target audience and develop a plan that fits your budget and timeline.
Whether you need blog posts that can become book chapters or are ready to write your complete manuscript from scratch, I’ll help you create a manageable process.
I don’t just tell you what to write and disappear. Book coaching means ongoing support, accountability check-ins, and guidance when you hit roadblocks. We work together until you have a complete manuscript ready for editing.
The Bottom Line
The difference between a book coach and an editor comes down to timing and purpose:
- Book coaches help you write your manuscript (before and during)
- Editors refine your completed manuscript (after)
You need a book coach when you have stories to tell but need help organizing them, staying accountable, and finishing what you start. You need an editor when you’ve done the hard writing work and now need professional polish.
Most people need both, just not at the same time.
If you’re still in the writing phase, start with a book coach. Once you have a complete draft, it’s time to bring in an editor. This progression gives you the support you need at every stage of your book-writing journey.
Ready to tell your story? Let’s talk if you need a book coach to guide you through writing your nonfiction book, or if you’re wondering about the process. Your story deserves more than staying stuck in your head. It deserves to be on the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work with an editor before my manuscript is complete?
Some developmental editors will work with partial manuscripts, but you’ll get better value from your investment if you finish a complete draft first. If you’re struggling to finish, a book coach is a better fit for where you are.
How long does book coaching typically last?
Book coaching timelines vary based on your goals, writing schedule, and availability. Some authors work with a book coach for three to six months, while others need a year or more. The timeline depends on how quickly you want to finish and how much time you can dedicate to writing each week.
Do I need both a book coach and an editor?
Most authors benefit from both, but you need them at different stages. Work with a book coach while writing, then hire an editor once you have a complete manuscript. If budget is a concern, prioritize the book coach first because you can’t edit what doesn’t exist yet.