Real Results from Coaches-in-Training
Before they ever earned the title Certified Book Coach, these aspiring coaches were already making a meaningful difference in writers’ lives. As part of their final practicums in the Author Accelerator Certification Program, they partnered with real writers working on real projects… and the results speak for themselves. From landing book deals to signing with publishers, these writers made major strides with the support of coaches-in-training who brought care, skill, and structure to the process. Here are just a few of their success stories.
Erin Halden & Bethany Alcott
I first connected with Bethany Alcott in the summer of 2023. I was in need of a practicum client ready to build a pitch package, and she had a WW1- inspired YA fantasy novel that was close to query-ready. Before diving into the pitch package, we worked through a developmental edit to get the manuscript, and especially those critical first 50 pages, in the best possible shape. Then we tackled her query letter and synopsis, making sure each captured the heart of her unique story of reluctant allies, swoony romance, and mysterious magic. Once those were ready to go, we talked about agents and publishers, and her goals for her book. I compiled a list of agents and we talked strategy and mindset. Querying isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires patience and resilience and a steadfast belief in the value of your book and your voice. Bethany had that steadfast belief, and in late 2024, it paid off. After receiving contract offers from two traditional independent publishers, she signed with Whimsical Publishing. Her debut book is set to release in May 2026. You can follow Bethany on her path to a published book on Instagram and Substack. And you can learn more about me and how I can help you make meaningful progress on your writing goals at ErinHalden.com.
Stuart Wakefield & Eira Morgan-Jones
When I began working with Eira Morgan-Jones, she already had a strong draft of her YA dystopian fantasy, The Sentinel of the Sun. My role was to help her bring the emotional heart of the story into sharper focus and prepare her for the next steps on her path to publication. After a high-level manuscript review, we turned our attention to the pitch package - refining her synopsis, honing her query letter, researching agents and publishers, and discussing her pitching strategy in depth.
Following our coaching call, Eira sent her materials into the world and she was invited to pitch her book in person to a panel at a publisher. It’s an opportunity most writers never get, and Eira seized it with grace and confidence. That meeting led to her debut book deal. The Sentinel of the Sun will be published in September 2025.
It’s been an absolute joy to support Eira in bringing her story to life. You can learn more about her work at eiramorganjones.com.
Stuart Wakefield & Jaz Ampaw-Farr
When I worked with Jaz Ampaw-Farr, she already had an extraordinary story and a global speaking career that had reached over a million people. What she needed was a clear, compelling book proposal - one that would help publishers see the transformational impact of her message and the unique power of her voice.
Through our work together, we refined the structure and focus of her book, pinpointed the key themes, and built a compelling case for why this story needed to be told now. We made sure the proposal highlighted not just her remarkable journey from a neglected child in foster care to Speaker of the Year but also the urgent, actionable lessons for her ideal reader: exhausted educators and overwhelmed professionals seeking purpose, connection, and lasting impact.
That clarity paid off. Jaz’s book, Because of You, This Is Me, is now available for preorder from Crown House Publishing. It’s a galvanising call to action for anyone who wants to be a force for change and a celebration of the quiet power of everyday heroes. You can learn more about Jaz’s work at jazampawfarr.com.
