Advice for writers
for writers
Editorial Coaching: What It Is and Who It’s For
How Editorial Coaching Can Transform Your Manuscript
Most writers eventually reach a point where feedback alone isn’t enough. You might have pages of notes from beta readers, editors, or critique partners that feel overwhelming or even contradictory. You may know something isn’t working in your manuscript, but not in a way that feels actionable for the core of your approach to the story. The problem isn’t a lack of effort or talent. It’s a lack of direction—that’s where editorial coaching comes in.
Editorial coaching is designed for writers who do want a cleaner draft, but also want to become stronger, more confident writers over time. Instead of focusing solely on fixing a single manuscript, editorial coaching focuses on the writer’s craft. This ranges from your process, decision-making, and long-term creative growth.
For first-time authors, it can provide clarity in a confusing publishing landscape. For experienced writers, it can help break through plateaus or persistent craft issues. Anyone serious about improving their writing can find something traditional editing doesn’t, which is an ongoing, collaborative relationship built around guidance, learning, and momentum.
What Is Editorial Coaching?
Editorial coaching is a collaborative, process-driven form of writing support that helps writers improve their craft, clarify their vision, and move their work forward with confidence.
Rather than delivering a one-time markup of your manuscript, an editorial coach works alongside you to develop big-picture feedback and helps you understand why certain choices work or not.
Editorial coaching often combines elements of:
✱ Developmental feedback
✱ Writing mentorship
✱ Accountability and goal-setting (like building better writing habits)
✱ Craft education tailored to your specific project
Unlike traditional editing, which focuses on diagnosing and correcting problems in the text, editorial coaching emphasizes guidance over correction. You remain the decision-maker and the creative driver, and your coach’s job is to help you see your work more clearly and build the tools to revise effectively on your own.
What Editorial Coaching Is Not
To avoid confusion, it’s just as important to clarify what sets editorial coaching apart from other types of editorial or writing services. An editorial coach won’t always line-edit every page you write, nor will they suggest entire pre-written passages for you to include. Additionally, their services are for long-term guidance as opposed to a one-time consultation.
Remember, editorial coaching is not:
Not copyediting or proofreading
➜ Editorial coaching does not focus on grammar, punctuation, or sentence-level polish.
Not ghostwriting
➜ The coach does not write the book for you or impose their voice on your work.
Not a one-time service
➜ Coaching is typically ongoing, allowing feedback and growth to build over time.
In short, editorial coaching sits at the intersection of craft, process, and mentorship, and it can be valuable for writers who want to understand their work more deeply.
Editorial Coaching vs. Editing: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common questions writers ask is whether they need an editorial coach for their project, or an editor who can review the manuscript and offer feedback. While the two roles overlap in their concern for quality, they serve fundamentally different purposes.
Short Answer: Editing focuses on improving the manuscript itself. Editorial coaching focuses on improving the writer’s craft and processes.
An editorial coach helps you understand why it isn’t working and how to make better decisions going forward. Coaching is dialog-based and iterative, while developmental editing is usually a one-time intervention.
At a high level, editorial coaching is process-oriented and educational, whereas editing is outcome-oriented and corrective. Many writers benefit from both, but not always at the same time or for the same reasons.
What Does an Editorial Coach Actually Do?
Editorial coaching is often described as “editing plus guidance,” but that phrase oversimplifies the scope of the work. An editorial coach supports you across multiple areas of your writing, helping you grow as a writer—not just improve a single manuscript.
At the manuscript level
Editorial coaches help evaluate structure, voice, pacing, and genre expectations. Instead of focusing on line-by-line fixes, they help you identify patterns in your writing and understand how those patterns affect the reader.
For example, a romance novelist might consistently undercut emotional scenes with humor to avoid sustained tension. A coach can help identify that habit and suggest alternatives that avoid repetition or cliché.
At the process level
Editorial coaches support goal-setting, planning, and follow-through. Many writers struggle not because they lack ideas, but because they lack a sustainable process. Coaching provides structure without rigidity and can offer practical strategies for scheduling writing time and preparation.
At the craft level
Editorial coaching is also educational. A strong coach explains why certain techniques work, helping you apply those lessons to future projects.
Over time, this reduces reliance on external feedback and builds confidence in your own editorial judgment.
Who Editorial is Coaching For—and When it Makes the Most Sense
Editorial coaching isn’t limited to one type of writer or genre. However, it tends to be most helpful at specific points in a writer’s journey.
For first-time authors
Editorial coaching provides a strong foundation in creative and editorial decision-making. Writing a book involves dozens of choices most writers have never been formally taught to make. A coach helps prioritize what matters most and helps prevent common early missteps.
For experienced writers
Coaching is often about refining craft, style, and approach. When progress stalls or feedback starts to feel repetitive, an editorial coach can help identify blind spots in how you’re evaluating your own work. This outside perspective can help you recalibrate what actually needs to change.
For writers preparing for publication
Editorial coaching can help clarify market positioning and ensure the manuscript aligns with its intended audience before formal editing begins. This applies whether you’re pursuing traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing paths.
When Editorial Coaching Helps Most
Editorial coaching is most effective when used at the right stage of the writing process.
➜ Early drafting: Helps shape structure, clarify goals, and prevent large-scale problems that are harder to fix later.
➜ Mid-draft: Helps diagnose loss of momentum, plot drift, or uncertainty about direction.
➜ Revision: Helps prioritize changes and avoid endless rewriting cycles.
When Editorial Coaching May Not Be the Best Fit
Editorial coaching is not typically designed for late-stage polish. If a manuscript is already structurally sound and only needs sentence-level refinement, substantive editing is usually the better choice.
In many cases, editorial coaching works best before developmental editing, helping lay the groundwork for a more efficient and effective edit later.
What to Expect from an Editorial Coaching Relationship
An editorial coaching relationship is structured around ongoing collaboration, not one-time feedback. Unlike traditional editing, coaching unfolds over time and adapts as your project and skills evolve.
Most editorial coaching engagements combine written feedback and live interaction. Writers typically receive high-level commentary on excerpts or sections of their manuscript, followed by conversations (via video call, phone, or detailed written exchanges) to clarify priorities, explore alternatives, and discuss revision strategies. This dialog is what transforms feedback into learning.
The timeline may be measured in weeks or months rather than individual sessions. Growth takes time, and editorial coaching is designed to support progress rather than rush outcomes. Costs can vary widely depending on experience, scope, and duration. With editorial coaching being mentorship in-part, writers are investing in sustained guidance, expertise, and skill development.
Is Editorial Coaching Worth It?
Whether editorial coaching is worth it depends on a writer’s goals. For writers seeking long-term improvement, stronger self-editing skills, and greater confidence in their creative decisions, editorial coaching often delivers value beyond a single manuscript. The lessons learned tend to carry forward into future projects.
However, editorial coaching may not be the right choice for writers who only want a polished draft or who are not open to feedback and reflection. Coaching requires engagement, curiosity, and a willingness to revise thoughtfully.
Short Answer: Editorial coaching is most valuable when the goal is growth, not just correction.
How to Choose the Right Editorial Coach
Choosing an editorial coach is less about finding the most impressive résumé and more about finding the right alignment between experience, approach, and your specific goals as a writer. Because editorial coaching is collaborative and ongoing, the right fit matters just as much as credentials.
Evaluate editorial coaches for their alignment with the following characteristics:
➤ Editorial background
➤ Editing method and feedback style
➤ Expectations and boundaries
➤ Rapport and communication
Start by looking at the coach’s editorial background:
Many strong editorial coaches have experience as editors, publishing professionals, or writing instructors. What matters most is whether their experience equips them to identify structural issues, explain craft clearly, and work within your genre or form. A coach who regularly works with memoir, for example, may not be the best fit for a fantasy novel and vice versa.
Next, evaluate the coach’s method and feedback style:
Editorial coaching should be dialog-based, not prescriptive. Look for clarity around how feedback is delivered, how often you’ll interact, and how much guidance versus autonomy the coach emphasizes. The goal is not to hand over creative control, but to gain insight into your own decision-making process.
It’s also important to assess expectations and boundaries:
A reputable editorial coach will be clear about what they do and do not offer. They should avoid guarantees about publication, sales, or agent representation, and focus on craft development, revision strategy, and readiness. Transparency at this stage is a strong indicator of professionalism.
Finally, consider rapport and communication:
Editorial coaching often involves vulnerability and sustained engagement, so writers should feel comfortable asking questions and pushing back when needed. A strong coaching relationship supports confidence, curiosity, and independent thinking, not reliance on the ability to defer to someone else.
Ready to Take Your Writing Further?
If you’ve read this far, you likely know that strong feedback and strategic guidance can make all the difference between frustration and forward progress. That’s exactly what Atmosphere Press’s Editorial Coaching offers: a series of one-on-one sessions with an experienced developmental editor designed to help you think through your work, clarify direction, and revise with confidence—whether you’re early in a draft or deep in revision.
Editor Spotlight – Asata Radcliffe
Asata is a writer and multimedia artist. A California native, Asata received her MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from Antioch University in Los Angeles. She writes speculative fiction and essays.
Asata’s specialty is inviting readers into the interstitial spaces of speculative landscapes and surrealist futures. Concerned about the planet, her research includes topics of land ethics, futurism, and the nonlinear narratives of human existence. Her creative work culminates as multimedia collections of speculative art installation, merging writing, film, and form.
Editor Spotlight – Dr. Trista Edwards
Trista Edwards holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from the University of North Texas as well as an M.A. and B.A. from the University of West Georgia. She is the author of Spectral Evidence (April Gloaming Press, 2020) and the editor of Till The Tide: An Anthology of Mermaid Poetry (Sundress Publications, 2015).
Her poems have appeared in Ligeia Magazine, Flapperhouse, Dream Pop Press, Southeast Review, The Adroit Journal, White Stag, Lover’s Eye Press, and more.
Editor Spotlight – Megan Sells
As an Acquisitions Manager and Developmental Editor at Atmosphere Press, Megan Sells helps authors navigate hybrid publishing and shape manuscripts into polished, publication-ready books. She has edited titles across genres, with a particular passion for speculative fiction, as well as YA/MG and memoir. Focused on character-driven storytelling, she works closely with writers to deepen emotional impact and strengthen narrative structure.
Megan holds an MFA in Acting and Directing from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and previously developed new plays with companies like the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She also speaks regularly on narrative craft at writing workshops nationwide.
Editor Spotlight – Jack Kaulfus
Jack works closely with authors in the final drafting stages, and offers guidance on structure, point of view, characterization, voice, pacing, and style to help bring each writer’s vision fully to life.
They are the author of the short story collection Tomorrow or Forever (Transgress Press, 2018), with work published in American Short Fiction, A cappella Zoo, Heavy Feather Review, and Barrelhouse. They hold an MFA from Texas State University and served as fiction editor at Gertrude Press from 2018–2022. A 2021 Lambda Literary Fellow, they have judged the Lambda Literary Awards and lead a queer writing group in Albuquerque.
Editor Spotlight – Colleen Alles
Colleen has worked as a Developmental Editor with Atmosphere Press since 2021, supporting writers across genres and helping elevate manuscripts during the revision stage. She enjoys collaborating with authors to uncover new possibilities and strengthen drafted work.
A graduate of Michigan State University, she has worked as a teacher, librarian, and literacy advocate in Michigan. She is pursuing an MFA at Spalding University and has published multiple books, including Close to a Flame, The Hound of Thornfield High, Bonfires & Other Vigils, After the 8-Ball, So What to Say to a Bird, Three Stars, and Skinny Vanilla Crisis. An award-winning, multi-genre writer, Colleen also serves as a fiction editor with Barren Magazine.
Editorial Coaching FAQs
What is editorial coaching in writing?
Editorial coaching is a collaborative form of writing support that helps writers improve their craft, process, and decision-making over time. Instead of focusing on line-by-line corrections, an editorial coach provides big-picture guidance, explains why issues exist, and helps writers revise with greater clarity and confidence.
How is editorial coaching different from editing?
Editorial coaching focuses on guiding the writer, while editing focuses on correcting the manuscript. Coaches explain craft principles, and support the writing process. Editors diagnose problems and mark up the text, but coaching is ongoing and educational. Editing is typically a one-time, manuscript-focused service.
Is editorial coaching the same as developmental editing?
No. While both address big-picture issues, developmental editing evaluates the manuscript itself, while editorial coaching supports the writer’s understanding and growth. Editorial coaching is interactive and dialog-based, and avoids relying on prescriptive notes.
Who should hire an editorial coach?
Editorial coaching is ideal for first-time authors, writers feeling stuck mid-draft, and authors preparing a manuscript for publication. It is especially helpful for writers who want to improve their skills, gain clarity about structure or voice, and develop a sustainable writing process.
Do first-time authors need editorial coaching?
First-time authors often benefit from editorial coaching because it provides guidance through unfamiliar writing and publishing decisions. A coach helps prioritize craft issues, avoid common mistakes, and build confidence early in the process. This way, editing and submission are more effective and less overwhelming.
When should a writer use editorial coaching?
Editorial coaching is most effective during early drafting, mid-draft problem-solving, or major revisions. It is especially useful before developmental editing, when structural decisions are still flexible. Editorial coaching is less suited for final polish, where copyediting or proofreading is typically more appropriate.
What does an editorial coach actually do?
An editorial coach provides big-picture feedback, helps clarify goals and audience, explains craft techniques, and supports revision through conversation and guidance. Many coaches also offer accountability, helping writers maintain momentum and make confident decisions throughout the writing process.
How long does editorial coaching last?
Editorial coaching usually lasts several weeks to several months, depending on the project scope and the writer’s goals. Unlike editing, which is often a single engagement, coaching is ongoing and designed to support progress and learning over time rather than deliver a one-time outcome.
How much does editorial coaching cost?
The cost of editorial coaching varies based on the coach’s experience, the level of support, and the duration of the engagement. Pricing is typically higher than a single edit but reflects sustained guidance, personalized feedback, and long-term skill development rather than a single manuscript review.
Is editorial coaching worth it?
Editorial coaching is worth it for writers who want to improve their craft, build confidence, and become stronger self-editors. Because the skills learned apply to future projects, many writers see editorial coaching as an investment in long-term growth rather than just one improved manuscript.
Can editorial coaching help with publishing?
Editorial coaching can help writers prepare for publishing by clarifying structure, audience, and positioning. While coaches do not guarantee publication, they often help writers understand readiness, revision priorities, and next steps for traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing paths.
What should I look for in an editorial coach?
Writers should look for editorial coaches with relevant publishing or editorial experience, familiarity with their genre, and a clear coaching philosophy. A good coach explains feedback thoughtfully, encourages independent decision-making, and avoids guarantees about publication or commercial success.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.