We recently connected with Nicole Pope and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I first heard of book coaching around the time of the pandemic and I was intrigued. Jennie Nash, the founder and CEO of Author Accelerator was on a podcast and talked with great passion about the role of book coaches and how they were helping writers.

This new profession developed in part because mainstream publishers no longer offer the kind of nurturing support that talented writers could sometimes enjoy in the past. Now authors have to submit proposals or manuscripts that are already very polished. Barriers to entry are high in legacy publishing, but authors also have opportunities to get their books into the world through hybrid publishers or self-publishing.

Once I understood what book coaching entailed, training to get certified felt like a perfect fit. It involved shifting to a new field, but it built on my career as a foreign correspondent, writer, and editor.

For me, the most challenging aspect of running a book coaching business has been marketing as I’m a reluctant social media user. It took me a while to discover other avenues to promote my services such as referrals, blog posts, podcasts and especially through cooperation with others. I’m learning that it is possible to become more visible without relying on social media.

Nicole, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m not always sure how to introduce myself because I’ve pivoted several times in my life. When asked what I do, I say I’m a nonfiction and memoir book coach with a background in international journalism.

I don’t work as a reporter these days but journalism is not just an activity in my past. I’m still hooked on the international news agenda, for a start. And the tools and skillset I developed as a journalist are important to my coaching practice. I draw on my training as an coach to support my clients, but also on over three decades I spent writing for newspapers and editing for nonprofit groups, international organizations, and academic institutions. I’ve also published a couple of nonfiction books.

To the writers I work with, I provide encouragement and guidance. Writers who work 1:1 with me send me their written work – it can be chapters but also notes or exercises if they’re in the early stages of their book project – and we meet twice a month for a one-hour call to discuss their next steps. When pointing to aspects of their submissions that need further work, I always make sure that my comments are constructive and include concrete suggestions for improvement. I get invested in my clients’ progress while maintaining enough distance to provide useful feedback.

I like that my work is “portable” and I can coach even when I travel. Before I became a journalist and correspondent in Turkey for the French daily Le Monde, I was involved in humanitarian work in the Middle East. I’m now based in Berlin but work with clients around the world, mostly in the US. I spent over 25 years in Istanbul, Turkey – a vibrant metropolis that still feels like home.

Altogether, I’ve lived in nine countries so far. Experiencing daily reality in different cultural settings has shaped both my work and my personal life.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

In an age of disinformation and AI summaries, I believe that the world needs good books more than ever, both fiction and nonfiction – books written by thoughful authors who understand that writing is about more than aligning words on a page. I work with committed writers who are not afraid of the hard work that goes into crafting a compelling narrative. Writing involves a process of reflection and self-questioning. I view it as a quintessential human activity. Author and reader forge an invisible connection through the narrative.

With social media and endless streaming competing for our attention, books may not be a priority for everyone. Some people read less these days. Because of the time it takes to write and publish them, books are the polar opposite of the immediate reactions to events that we’ve come to expect. This contributes to their appeal in my eyes. I’ve always believed in the transformative power of words. The beauty of a well-crafted text is a reminder of the power and resilience of human creativity.

People sometimes think that nonfiction is only about factual information. But storytelling is a crucial dimension to convey a message or argument effectively. People respond to stories and the most memorable nonfiction books also elicit empathy and foster understanding by offering different perspectives.

No book coach can guarantee that a writer will get a deal from an agent or publisher. Too many factors are at play in a rapidly shifting marketplace. We use our expertise to provide an outside perspective and help authors produce their best work possible. Accountability is also a key aspect of our role: knowing that they have to submit written pages regularly contributes to keeping writers on track.

I believe the writing process brings personal growth, irrespective of the outcome. In every day life, our minds are constantly under assault. Writing can provide a quiet space to make sense of the world and repair shattered souls.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Doing any kind of creative work involves moments of vulnerability and self-doubt. I’ve experienced this myself.

As a book coach, I find it very rewarding to support aspiring authors, help them overcome hurdles, and achieve their goals. I know that writing can feel isolating. Also, when you’re writing a nonfiction book, there are moments when you’re so focused on fitting its multiple components together than you cannot see the big picture.

I work with writers who are socially conscious and share my progressive views. I especially enjoy helping aspiring authors at the beginning of the book writing process. They have an idea for a book, which has often been on their mind for a long time, but it hasn’t yet developed into a detailed concept with an organized outline. When it’s a memoir, they are sometimes pulled between wanting to share personal stories and holding back because it leaves them vulnerable. I enjoy the brainstorming involved in finding the right balance and creating a structure for their book. It’s also wonderful to accompany authors while they write their book or work on a book proposal.

It’s such a thrill to watch my clients gain confidence as their narrative takes shape. I view it as a real privilege to be invited to be part of their project and step into their world. It’s a responsibility I take seriously. The publishing industry is very competitive and navigating through it can be daunting, especially for first-time authors. When clients sign up with an agent or they embark on publishing their book, I share their joy and pride. Writing a book is a long-haul project and it takes courage and discipline to get to the finish line.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nicolepope.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolepopebookcoach
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolepope/
• Other: Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/nicolepopebookcoach

  Readers could download my free guide “What to Know before you Start Writing Nonfiction” here: https://subscribepage.io/teDxUw