💸 How Much Does Book Coaching Cost? (And Is It Cheaper Than Therapy + Wine + Google Combined?)
You’ve got a book idea that’s been haunting your Notes app for months.
You’ve started (and restarted) the intro more times than you care to admit.
You’ve Googled “How much does book coaching cost?” at 1 a.m. while eating leftover pad thai and contemplating the meaning of life.
Friend… you’re in exactly the right place.
Let’s break down what book coaching actually costs, what you get, whether it’s worth it—and why your future bestselling self will thank you.
📚 Wait—What Is a Book Coach?
Let’s start at the top. You might be wondering:
“What is a book coach, and do I really need one?”
A book coach is part strategy expert, part writing mentor, part professional butt-kicker (in the loving, cheer-you-on kind of way).
They help you:
- Turn your idea into a clear, structured book
- Keep your voice strong and your message on-point
- Actually finish the thing
- Know what comes next—editing, publishing, marketing, oh my!
- Avoid spiraling into the “maybe I should just make this a blog post” abyss
Book coaching is especially powerful for:
- First-time published authors
- Entrepreneurs turning expertise into a book
- Self-help writers who want to help people and sell books
- Anyone whose draft currently lives in 47 versions of a Google Doc titled “FINAL_final_THIS_ONE_REALLY_FINAL.docx”
✍️ Explore Book Coaching Services
💵 So… How Much Does Book Coaching Cost?
Ah yes, the big question.
“How much does book coaching cost?”
Closely followed by, “Is it worth hiring a writing coach?” and “Can I expense this as therapy?”
The answer is: it depends—but let’s break it down.
📊 General Book Coaching Cost Ranges
| Type of Support | Average Cost |
| Self-paced online course | $299–$999 |
| Group book mentoring programs | $499–$2,000 |
| 1:1 Book Coaching (per hour) | $100–$500+ |
| Full Coaching Package (project-based) | $1,000–$15,000+ |
| Ghostwriting (for comparison) | $25,000–$100,000+ |
If you’re Googling “how much does book coaching cost per hour” or “book coaching cost near me,” know this:
✨ It’s not about the price—it’s about the outcome.
Will this person help you get your book written, done well, and aligned with your goals?
Will it take you 6 months instead of 3 years?
Will you stop rewriting the same chapter until it dissolves into existential dread?
Then YES. It’s worth it.
💼 Book Coach Rates: What You’re Really Paying For
Book coaching rates can vary wildly—and for good reason. You're not just paying for time on Zoom; you're paying for experience, insight, publishing know-how, and someone who can help you actually finish the book you’ve been dreaming about.
Here’s a general breakdown of industry averages:
- $50–$100/hr → Entry-level writing coaches or new-to-publishing mentors
- $100–$200/hr → Mid-level book coaches with a few titles and clients under their belt
- $200–$500+/hr → High-level book coaches with bestselling credentials and real publishing experience
As for me? I’m a bestselling, award-winning author and professional book coach with 20+ years in both traditional and self-publishing. I’ve coached first-time authors all the way up to USA Today bestselling authors earning 7 figures a year. My specialty is turning big, transformational ideas into powerful, sellable books that reflect your voice and goals.
I specialize in:
- Self-help & nonfiction book coaching (business, travel, how-to, mindset)
- Romance & romantic comedy book coaching
- Fiction & memoir coaching
- Book coaching for first-time authors
- Course-to-book coaching (Kajabi, Teachable, etc.)
- And my deeply fabulous, very special niche: helping high-earning romance authors write mindset, business, and craft books.
My clients include incredible authors like Skye Warren, Vanessa Vale, Maggie Marr, Theodora Taylor, Renee Rose, Lee Savino, Heather Hildenbrand, Ines Johnson, Kel Carpenter, and Lisa Lang-Blakeney, just to name a few.
💳 My current rates:
$225 per 50-minute session
✅ 10% off packages of 5+ sessions
✅ 15% off 10-session packages
If you're looking for a book writing coach who combines strategy, structure, and cheerleader energy—I'm your person. Let's build the book that changes your life (and your readers’).
🎯 Book a free 15-minute call to see if we’re a match →
🧠 Book Mentoring vs. Book Coaching (And Why It Matters)
Welcome to the hot SEO term you didn’t know you needed: book mentoring.
If you’re searching for book mentoring programs, what you’re really looking for is:
- A proven framework
- An experienced guide
- A supportive structure that helps you go from “sorta started” to “fully done”
Whether you’re writing a business book, a self-help powerhouse, or just want to finally birth the book you’ve been carrying around for years—book mentoring can help you:
- Avoid common mistakes
- Get personalized feedback (not generic advice)
- Actually understand the publishing process
If you’ve never published a book before, book mentoring programs give you the one thing Google can’t: confidence and clarity.
📚 Learn How to Write a Self-Help Book
🤔 Should I Hire a Book Coach?
Let’s play a game of “Do You Need a Coach?”
- Are you a first-time published author with no idea where to start?
- Are you tired of being stuck in “permanent draft” mode?
- Are you an entrepreneur or expert who wants to write a smart book, not just a vanity project?
- Are you already wondering if your book should have 8 chapters or 12, but you’re too afraid to Google again?
If you said yes to any of the above…
You don’t just need a coach. You need the right coach.
🧠 Explore Book Coaching Services
🧭 How to Find a Self-Help Book Coach (Without Getting Stuck With a “Writers Coach” Who Doesn’t Get Your Genre)
You don’t need a “general” writing coach who spends half their time editing fantasy novels and the other half giving vague advice like “just write what’s in your heart.” 🙄
You want a book writing coach who:
- Specializes in your genre, especially if you're writing nonfiction, especially self-help and business books
- Understands brand-building and publishing strategy
- Offers book publishing coaching alongside writing support
- Helps with book marketing coaching too, because writing it is only half the battle and it starts inside the book, not on pub day.
📦 Explore Book Publishing Services
Bonus points if they’re someone authors call their “secret weapon.”💥
“If you’re wanting to write a non fiction book but don’t know where to start—look no further.
Lisa is THE self help coach that I call my secret weapon. Her book is no different.”
— Kel Carpenter, USA Today Bestselling Author of Rule Your Author Empire
🎯 What Kind of Book Coach Do You Need?
Spoiler alert: “Book coach” isn’t a one-size-fits-all job title. There are many kinds of writing coaches out there—and finding the right one for your book is kind of like dating. There are structure nerds, vibe whisperers, accountability queens, and strategy geniuses. (If you’re lucky, you find one who’s all four. Hi. 👋)
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Book writing coach: Helps you go from blank page to finished manuscript—structure, pacing, clarity, the whole shebang.
- Book marketing coach: Helps you build your platform, grow your audience, and position your book to actually sell.
- Book publishing coach: Guides you through the maze of traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing options so you don’t waste money or time.
- Mindset coach: Helps you shut down that little voice in your head that says you’re not ready. (Spoiler: You are.)
- Business book coach: Helps you craft a book that builds authority, generates leads, and supports your overall biz goals.
- Book coach for first-time authors: Holds your hand through the entire process, explains everything clearly, and helps you avoid beginner mistakes.
A great nonfiction book coach will wear multiple hats—mentor, strategist, cheerleader, ghostbuster (for all your self-doubt demons), and editor.
Not sure what kind of support you need? That’s exactly what my free 15-minute intro call is for. We’ll talk about your project, your goals, and what kind of guidance will get you to the finish line faster—and with less crying into your coffee.
📞 Try It Before You Buy It: Book a Free Coaching Call
Because let’s be real—you don’t just need someone who knows publishing.
You need someone who gets you.
That’s why I offer a free 15-minute “Get-to-Know-You” coaching call. No pressure. No pitch. Just:
- A real conversation about your book idea and goals
- A peek at my Bestseller Blueprint framework
- Clarity on what coaching might look like—and if we’re a fit
🪄 Can’t Afford a Book Coach? Here’s What to Do Instead
Look, I get it. Not everyone’s got the budget for 1-on-1 coaching right now—especially if you’re juggling rent, your kids’ extracurriculars, and that random Etsy habit you’re totally in control of (sure, Jan 👀).
But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.
If you’re not ready to hire a book coach yet, here’s what you can do instead:
🛠 Try a Self-Paced Course
My bestselling course, Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days, gives you the exact step-by-step framework I use with my private clients—minus the Zoom calls. Perfect if you’re more of a “let me do it in my pajamas with snacks” kind of writer.
📚 Grab the Book + Workbook Bundle
The Write a Self-Help Book Book + Workbook combo is your DIY author toolkit. You’ll learn how to structure your message, reach your audience, and finally stop rewriting the same intro 17 times.
✍️ Download the Free Nonfiction Book Template
Not ready to invest? Start with my Free Nonfiction Book Template—it’ll help you organize your thoughts, map out your chapters, and avoid that “uhhh what comes next?” page-one paralysis. Zero dollars. Immediate clarity.
🧠 Still Not Sure Where to Start?
Read this: How to Write a Self-Help Book.
It’s free. It’s juicy. And it’ll help you figure out your next best move.
You don’t have to go it alone—no matter your budget.
There’s always a next step, and I’ll be cheering you on (with extra sparkle and Post-Its) every step of the way.
✨ Final Thoughts: Book Coaching Isn’t a Luxury. It’s a Shortcut.
Let’s not pretend you can’t write a book without a coach. You can.
You can also tile your own bathroom or represent yourself in court.
But why would you?
A great coach helps you:
- Finish faster
- Write better
- Avoid rookie mistakes
- Publish with confidence
- And actually enjoy the process
So, how much does book coaching cost?
Less than years of confusion, editing burnout, and “I’ll finish it someday” regret.
Let’s get your book out of your head and into the hands of your readers.
http://author.coach