I offer coaching and consultation on all sorts of writing, with a focus on essay and memoir. I’ll read and reread your pages, smatter them with notes, and sit down with you to discuss everything from prose to plot, commas to characters. My goal is to help you recognize the larger patterns in your writing while also sharing tools and techniques that will help you bring your voice to life on the page. We can meet bi-weekly, monthly, or just once—whatever suits your goals and budget.
Writing Consultations
When you hire me for a full consultation, I’ll read your pages closely, mark them up with all sorts of line notes, compose an editorial letter—including macro-level feedback, recommended readings, and writing prompts—and then sit down with you for an hour to discuss.
I offer my consultations on a sliding scale. My hope is that those with more wealth and financial security will consider paying a bit more, in order to help cover the costs of those with less access to wealth and other resources. I trust you to decide what feels right.
For one-on-one consultations, I charge by the word, at a scale of $.03 per word to $.04 per word. More specifically, here’s how the fee structure looks:
4,000 words: $120 to $160
5,000 words: $150 to $200
6,000 words: $180 to $240
10,000 words: $300 to $400
For longer projects, including full manuscript consultations, please get in touch. Once we’ve discussed the project, and the depth and type of feedback you’re looking for, I’ll provide you with a quote.
And if you’re interested in scheduling a consultation but find the fee to be a barrier, please let me know. I bet we can work something out.
Creative Coaching
Maybe you’re less interested in critique, and instead looking for someone to help you generate writing, or revamp your writing process, or kvetch about the emotional toll of writing, or dig into questions around submitting, publishing, and more?
For creative coaching, I charge by the hour. For a one-hour session, the fee scale is $65 to $100. This fee may vary slightly depending on the amount of prep (if any) required for our meeting.
If you have any questions, or to set up a meeting, please get in touch!
Testimonials
“I was always a person who wanted to be a writer but didn’t actually write (or finish) anything. Then I started working with Brian. In less than a year, I nearly completed a memoir and my writing improved enormously. Brian has an uncanny ability to give feedback on the sentence-by-sentence granular level while also helping you shape the larger vision of the piece. I’ve gotten so much guidance, confidence, and motivation from working with Brian. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent on my writing.” — Emma Pattee, author of Animal Sounds (forthcoming, Simon & Schuster, 2025)
“Brian’s the most insightful and encouraging reader a writer could hope to have. He’ll help you find your way into getting the words just right.” — Leslie Wells
“Brian doesn’t just give great feedback, he invests in his students and their stories. Brian’s encouragement and dedication inspire me to keep writing and developing the craft. His caring nature, great sense of humor, and humble approach make him a great teacher. I’m amazed at how quickly my writing has improved with Brian’s direction and can’t wait to see where it goes.” — Betsy Bertram