Got Questions About Your Writing Project and the Chenille Books Process?
Here are answers!
Q – What is this creative coaching? Do I have to go to the gym?
Coaching means many things to many people. Our version emphasizes helping a writer make steady progress. When you’re clear about the next steps, and you know someone has your back, it feels more do-able. After we get acquainted, we agree on benchmarks. Then we keep you on task, with scheduled strategy sessions – face-to-face where possible – phone/Skype calls, and regular emails.
Wisdom meets practicality here. So if going to the gym clears your head and gets you ready to work on your writing, then yes, head on over there! Learn more about our coaching approach here.
Q – My work is unusual. Special. Unique. How will you know what to do with it?
We recognize that each author’s work is unique. We listen, and encourage you to dig deep so that your voice is clear. We aim to burnish and streamline, not diminish, distort, or homogenize.
The result is a more accessible, possibly more tightly organized, more energetic version of your unique work. We specialize in nonfiction, which covers everything from cookbooks to memoirs to self-help books.
Q – What if I don’t like what you are doing to my manuscript?
We don’t expect that to happen, because at our initial welcome call and Initial Strategy Session, we clarify what we’ll do in our working relationship, and give you a clear sense of what to expect. Before we get started, we review and sign an author agreement with you that spells out our respective rights and responsibilities.
During our work together, the lines of communication are open. Rest assured you can cancel at any point. If you become dissatisfied with our services, you can stop, and receive all your materials, and a commitment to confidentiality.
Q – I worked a long time on this manuscript. Are you going to mess with it?
If you come to work with us, we probably are going to recommend changes. It’s what we do for our clients. The idea is to get your project finished, and polished, the best it can be. Our creative coaching services cover a lot more than the words in your book, particularly if you’re considering becoming an indie publisher. Think about where in the process you’ve gotten slowed down or stuck, and take a look at the services we offer here. Perhaps we can help you pull it all together.
Q – I haven’t really started organizing my book yet. All I have is ideas, and a lot of notes. Can you help me get going?
Absolutely. Our coaching and manuscript development services can provide just what you need: a safe place to pull it all together and regain the inspiration that started this process. Here’s what we offer. Take a look!
Q – How hard is this to do?
It’s a mix of hard work and great satisfaction. We like to think we make the process easier. Here’s what some of our clients have said about the process (read more here):
- “You make me feel I am better than I believe I am.”
- “You keep me accountable when there are other demands on my time.”
- “You provide Quality Assurance for my content.”
- “I am feeling comforted by your support, rather than being overwhelmed.”
- “I can’t believe how beautifully you have made it all come together.”
- “Many, many thanks for the careful reading, the line edits and all the notes. I appreciate the time and diplomacy this work requires.”
- “You have inspired me to keep working on it until it is right. It will be better having discussed it with you, and I very much thank you for that.”
- “Thanks for being my rock!”
Q – What about my copyright? I’m not giving anything up, am I?
Your copyright in your manuscript remains yours. You’re not giving anything up. We honor your rights in your work, and we keep your work private.
Q – Sounds good. I want to get started. What’s the next step?
Contact us for a free welcome call to get acquainted and discuss your project. If it looks like we can help you, we’ll schedule an Initial Strategy Session. If that feels like a great beginning, we’ll work together to define the next steps. If you’re not receiving it already, we recommend subscribing to our newsletter (see Stay in Touch! – just below), and following us on Facebook and Twitter.