
Mary Carroll Moore: Writing Coach
Update: I will be retiring in winter 2022 and my schedule is full until then. It's been wonderful to work with so many amazing writers and see so many great books come to be. I am referring writers to one of my trusted colleagues. If interested, please email me at mary[at]marycarrollmoore[dot]com and describe your book project. Thank you!
Mary taught me what a successful narrative structure is and how to craft my story within one, both the overall arc and each chapter. Her feedback was always encouraging yet honest, so I could trust her notes. I recommend Mary's support to improve your projects and get things finished.
—Jennifer Louden, bestselling author
and writing teacher
Mary gave me what I needed--encouragement, honesty, accountability, and clear direction--to move through major revisions. She pinpointed what worked and (gently) shared what didn't. Her explicit assignments helped me build structure and address my writing weaknesses. I viewed our work together as my 1:1 MFA.
—Kathleen West, author of
Small Catastrophes & Other Dramas
Do you have a dream book you want to write? A writing project you're longing to finish? A book proposal or a sample chapter that's due?
A natural part of the writing process is partnership with an experienced editor and coach. As a writing teacher at the Loft Literary Center, Grub Street, and other schools, I've worked with hundreds of writers on both nonfiction and fiction projects. My clients have gone on to secure publication with major publishing houses and small presses, as well as successfully self-publishing their books.
My goal as a coach is to allow the unique voice in your writing to emerge, and help you become more conscious of both the strengths and weaknesses in your writing. My expertise is in structure—the "make or break" of great books. Without good structure, even the best wordsmith cannot create a publishable book.
Mary’s edit of Turn Here Sweet Corn taught me how to make the written word vulnerable and life changing on the page. She showed me how to create containers of emotions and to structure a story line that pulls the reader in. She has acuity for what to keep, to cut, or to shape, and how. Mary is a gem of a teacher, editor, and human being. I would not have published an award-winning book without her.
—Atina Diffley, author of Turn Here Sweet Corn,
Minnesota Book Award winner
Mary’s insights and guidance helped me tame the first draft of my memoir into a story that had the shape and purpose I'd been after. Without her, I'd still be meandering through the labyrinth I'd created. Best of all, the next time I'm in a literary loop, writing away but getting nowhere, I'll have the tools to guide my story--and myself--home.
—Ana Hebra Flaster, NPR commentator and author of Radio Bemba (forthcomng)
Hiring Me as Your Writing Coach or Editor
Having worked as a professional editor for twenty years, I know how to evaluate a work-in-progress and give suggestions for fine-tuning. I enjoy watching the process of a piece of writing unfold, and I value the help a kind and thoughtful editor can bring to a work. I've helped dozens of writers in all genres develop and finish their book proposals and manuscripts. And I believe in encouragement as well as critique, so you always come away from our conversations with enthusiasm and motivation for moving forward.
I only work with twelve writers at a time, so I book about 3-4 months ahead. My retainer program includes:
- Evaluation of up to 250 d/s pages of your writing, at any stage, from rough draft to revised manuscript
- Structural analysis of your manuscript, including content, structure, and language; event, image, and narrative arcs; pacing; characters; and dialogue, where applicable
- A list of next steps to generate stronger material, to finish your manuscript, to revise, to submit for publication
- Three weeks of follow-up checkins (personal coaching) by email, including customized assignments and feedback
- Can include feedback on your query letter, chapter synopsis, bio, and sample chapters for submission to agents or publishers
Mary's retainer program took my novel to the next level. To have her one-one-one help with everything from overarching structure to fine-tuning has been invaluable. Mary has always known when to encourage and when to push, all the while keeping me in line with my truth as a writer.
—Amy Widmoyer Hanson, 2016 winner,
The Iowa Review fiction award
Mary Carroll Moore's Curriculum Vitae
Contact Mary: mary(at)marycarrollmoore(dot)com