Individual Writing Coaching

I love to work with individual clients on non-fiction books, articles, and essays. My focus as a writing coach is not to edit your work but to teach you how to write (though I can do both). I work with writers on shaping ideas for articles, structuring the pieces, removing clutter, and making the thoughts and language clearer and more compelling. I specialize in narrative nonfiction, and have helped shape several memoirs. We can work on creating scenes, writing dialogue, or any other skills that you need. I  also help people write magazine queries and book proposals, but my focus as a writing coach is on writing, not selling.

Usually, a client will send me a piece to read and then we will make a phone or in-person appointment to discuss the work; I will also send back an edited copy, if appropriate, in track changes or Google Docs.

My approach to writing is practical and direct, and I find that humor goes a long way in easing the process. I am compassionate and interested in helping you be the best writer you can be–as long as you realize that writing involves work. I’m encouraging but also realistic. If your book or article needs work before you send it off to an agent or editor, I’m going to let you know and hope that you will be game for another round.

In general, I like to work with published writers or people with some  experience. If you’re a beginner, it’s probably best to start with a class. Please send me an email if you’re interested in coaching.

I usually work by the hour and ask for a three-hour minimum. Email me for my rates and policies.

A few testimonials from coaching clients and colleagues:

“Genius. You broke the structure-code.”
–Joshua Mohr, novelist

“I felt confident that Laura would be a good instructor, given the bio I read in the course catalogue, but she was better than good. She was marvelous. She obviously put great thought into organizing the course, choosing reading assignments, and creating instructional videos for us. The were all very helpful. Her responses to the writing assignments were detailed and thoughtful. She was kind and encouraging, but she also gave concrete ways to improve my work. I felt very lucky to have her as an instructor.”
–Stanford  Continuing Education student

“Laura is fantastic. She has an excellent sense for language. Her feedback and course material were insightful and helpful.”
–Stanford  Continuing Education student

“Laura is one of the most conscientious and talented journalists I know. It is always a joy to come across her well-researched and engagingly written articles in magazines. Her writing has a definite trademark sparkle any writer would envy. I’m also always impressed with how many fields she is skillful in writing about. I’ve enjoyed her personal memoir essays as well as pieces in the fields of health, medicine, travel, food, and social justice. I know she’d be an excellent teacher or consultant for anyone in need of guidance in crafting their writing of any length in these and just about any field.”
–Camille Cusumano, Writer/Editor, Writing and Editing Professional

“Laura is a real craftsperson of journalism. I’m always impressed by her artful structure, lively details, and deep connection to the subject. She’s smart, versatile, funny, and indefatigable. What’s more, because she has studied her craft so well, she has become a marvelous teacher who can deconstruct and demystify the story-writing process and help others learn how to do what she does so well.”
–Susan West, WestGold Editorial, former Editor-in-Chief, Afar magazine, senior editor at Smithsonian and Health

Storytelling, events, panels, etc.

I have taught magazine writing at the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, as well as at the Grotto, Esalen, San Francisco State University, Aspen Summer Words, UC Extension, A Room of Her Own (AROHO), Harvard’s Nieman Conference on Narrative Non-Fiction, and other venues. I frequently do panels, classes, and workshops on memoir and magazine writing, as well as readings and bookstore events. I have also created writing workshops for groups and companies, including Roche and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

In connection with my book Losing It, I made numerous media appearances, conference keynote speeches, and have talked to young women on eating disorders wards. I’ve spoken about weight and the diet industry to groups at Wesleyan University, Amherst, Williams, Mt. Holyoke, the University of Connecticut, Smith College, Hampshire College, Cal Berkeley, and other universities. I have appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Entertainment Tonight, MTV, CNN, the Food Network, Maury Povitch, Leeza Gibbons, and numerous local news shows.

I occasionally moderate panels and conduct interviews at San Francisco’s Commonwealth Club.

I have done panels and workshops at:

• The Aspen Summer Words Literary Festival
• The Kansas City Writers’ and Readers’ Conference
• The A Room of Her Own Writing Conference
• Esalen
• The San Miguel de Allende Writers’ Conference
• UC Extension Freelance Writing workshop
• Harvard University’s Nieman Workshop on Narrative Journalism

And storytelling at:

• The Marsh, San Francisco
• Porchlight, San Francisco
• Fray Day, San Francisco
• Grotto Nights, San Francisco
• The Monkeyhouse

And I did an NPR commentary on why I hate dieters at dinner parties.

To arrange a conference appearance or reading, or to inquire about private writing classes or coaching, please send me an e-mail.