Wife. Jesus Follower. Poet. Coffee Lover. Student of Life.
I am grateful for each day as a book coach, where I get to partner with writers, down in the trenches, making a difference with their written truths.
I serve emerging writers who are aiming to step into the publishing marketplace for the first real time. They may feel fearful about writing, publishing, marketing, and being seen and heard as they truly are. I’ve been nicknamed “The Book Coach for the Underdogs.” I help writers of all different personalities, mental wiring, and abilities, from all walks of life, to have a fighting chance at approaching publishing, first and foremost, because I believe writers can find deep, spiritual meaning by contributing their unique gifts to the common good.
Because I believe this work of offering something of hard-won value to the world brings out the best in us and accomplishes greater healing and connection in our world, I am compelled to do this work. I feel it is my calling to contribute in this way that I can and love. I once was not able to work for a time, and now I can, and I do so with gusto. I sincerely want to nurture, encourage, and empower those God brings my way to overcome their own obstacles to approaching publishing. They are found family.
I help my clients by providing narrative design and pitching material development packages to not only prepare their documents, but also develop a certain attitude to approaching the marketplace — one of humility, hard work, and sacrificial, joyful offering of their best. I help writers by clarifying publishing paths and the pitching process; by breaking down tasks to manageable, actionable steps; and by helping them persevere with a growth mindset.
I have been certified through Author Accelerator’s Book Coach Certification program in all three streams: nonfiction, memoir, and fiction. I can help most writers in most genres because of this triple-certification. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in English (Creative Writing Concentration) from Crandall University, where I had to write a book before I graduated.
I worked for over a decade in a busy public library, connecting readers to books and my workshop writers to words that fit just right.
I love new places and people. Exploring writing projects and encouraging writers is my joy. I feel it is my calling to invest in writers making a positive difference with their lives and words.
Giving actionable feedback, creative prompts, practical tools, and detailed next steps are my superpowers. I love meetings, because that’s when things happen.
You can find me with a coffee, a book, and a smile in the beautiful small town of Truro in Nova Scotia, Canada, where I live with my husband James, my golden retriever Percy, and my tabby cat Smoakie.
I can’t believe how lucky I was to connect with coach Laura Aliese, who worked with me on my young adult historical novel. Laura is kind, organized, and highly perceptive. I felt completely heard and appreciated during our time together and highly recommend her to any writers who would like a professional opinion on how to make their books shine.
Abby Merriam Lederman In Pennsylvania, USA, Winner Of The Romance Writers Of America Golden Heart Award
Please note: As an Author Accelerator certified book coach, I am qualified to coach writers using Author Accelerator’s strategy, methods, and materials, but I operate independently of Author Accelerator and am not affiliated with them.