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Memoir Writing Coaching

Brad Wetzler

FREE Consultation

One-on-One Memoir Writing Coaching

Brad has been featured in

Do you want to write a memoir?

Maybe you've tried to write a memoir...

But your progress stalled and you don’t know how to get the mojo working again?

Or did you succeed in getting the basic story down on paper–and you’re happy about that–but it doesn’t feel right. Your story is missing something. You know you can do better if you just had some coaching from an expert?

Brad Wetzler author

Hi, I’m Brad Wetzler, “the heart-centered memoir writing coach.” I coach people to write memoirs and nonfiction “big ideas” books.

I’ve spent my life and three-decade-long career writing (and helping people to write) books and articles about adventure, wellness, healing, and personal and spiritual transformation. 

As a book writing coach, I pursue a quiet revolution to help people transform their lives by reframing and telling their life stories. I’ve helped more than a thousand people become published authors of books and articles.

When my clients write and publish a book, they get more income and more opportunities to impact the world. 

My clients include NYT best-selling authors, renowned journalists, CEOs and entrepreneurs, Ivy League academics, psychotherapists and life coaches, professional athletes, mountaineers, and adventurers, spiritual teachers, and thought-leaders from various paths and traditions. Bottom-line: I help people play a bigger game in career and life.

Write a Book and Transform Your Career and Life!

As your book writing coach, Brad Wetzler will guide you to write and publish your book. He's the one book writing coach you can trust.

Our world needs writers like YOU to show up strong with your stories and ideas. When you write a memoir or nonfiction “big ideas” book, you heal your past, embolden your NOW, and serve the greater good.

There’s no better time than RIGHT NOW to write and publish your memoir or nonfiction book.

Not convinced that anyone would want to hear your story? In the first half of 2018, more than $26 million was spent on memoir and general non-fiction in the U.S. alone.

More than one thousand people have used my Fearless Writing Method to discover their writing voice and tell their story. Bring your story and ideas to life–and write and publish your book today! When my clients write and publish their books, they transform their lives and get more opportunities to impact the world.

Writing is like life. It isn’t always easy. 

A memoir or nonfiction book is not a diary. Posting your personal journal on the Internet will not lead to gobs of money and instant big-time speaking opportunities. 

Diving deep into your past takes grit and hard work. Sharing your wisdom with the world can feel scary.  Writing with emotion and heart while creating a coherent, suspenseful storyline can be overwhelming even to expert writers. We’ve all heard the jokes about the aspiring author who can’t finish her book. Avoid becoming the cliché.

Let me help!

In addition to writing coaching for memoir and nonfiction, I offer developmental editing, manuscript evaluations, line editing, publication consulting, and self-publishing solutions. When you work with me, you benefit from my 20+ years of experience at the highest levels of publishing. You get hard-earned wisdom about how to: hone your book idea, make progress and finish your book, and find a publisher or self-publish your book. 

I work with all types of aspiring authors working in memoir and nonfiction. I specialize in working with positive-change-makers, such as progressive businesspeople, life coaches, spiritual teachers, psychotherapists, as well as everyday people who know they have a story to tell. 

The Stories You've Lived to Tell

In this video, author, journalist, editor, and writing coach Brad Wetzler shares the secrets to writing memoir and nonfiction books with power and grace. When Brad’s clients write their stories, they gain more opportunities to impact the world!

–J.S.

Trust Brad Wetzler and his two-plus decades of hard-won professional writing and editing experience with your next book project.

–G.M.

Brad is the only book writing coach who has lived
the life of a real working professional writer and
editor.

–P.J.

Brad Wetzler is the most experienced, knowledgeable book writing coach in the business.

–M.J.

Brad Wetzler has done it all. Book and magazine editor, award-winning journalist, world-traveling adventure writer, magazine columnist, university professor, entrepreneur.

–S.F.

Hire Brad Wetzler, and you will write and publish your book. His real-world experience in writing, editing, and publishing is unrivaled among book writing
coaches.

About Brad's Personal Writing Coaching

I mentor writers to write books and become published authors. I help both experienced and up-and-coming writers through all stages of the writing and publishing process. Whether you have a vague idea for a book or a finished manuscript, I meet you where you are, and guide you to the finish line, whether your goal is to land a traditional publisher or to self-publish.

I work with writers of nonfiction and memoir, and I've worked with more than one thousand professional and new writers. My coaching process is tested and proven to work by the tangible successes of my clients' published articles, essays, and books.

My Coaching Process:

All nonfiction books are answers to specific problems. I help you get clear about your book's main problem and how you propose to solve the problem. 

I guide you through the process of creating a reliable book structure that you can lean on throughout the writing process.

Once you are clear about your book idea and structure, the next step is to write! I show you my time-tested secrets to making consistent progress. I hold you accountable to the timetable you set for yourself. I hold your hand through the inevitable dark nights of the soul when the going gets tough and doubt creeps in.

I offer useful, honest feedback on your writing. I share the positive--the ways you are "killing it." And I show you the areas where your writing needs improvement. I always offer specific solutions that help you take your writing to a new level, from good to great.  

I help you stay true to your goals and purpose. I guide you to FINISH your book. 

Finally, I offer advice about publishing options--both traditional and self-publishing. 

My Clients

My clients include NYT best-selling authors, renowned journalists, CEOs and entrepreneurs, Ivy League academics, psychotherapists and life coaches, professional athletes, mountaineers, and adventurers, spiritual teachers, and thought-leaders from various paths and traditions. Bottom-line: I help people play a bigger game in career and life.

author and memoir coach Brad Wetzler in Austin texas

My Values

I bring to this work the same passion I’ve brought to my own writing for more than two decades. My approach is detail- and results-based as well as compassionate. Writing is difficult, and success requires equal amounts of  self-compassion and grit. 

I bring a mindful approach to my work with clients. A devoted practitioner and teacher of yoga, I bring the same dedicated, patient approach to my work with my writing clients that I bring to my daily yoga practice. I adhere to the yogic ideals of honesty, respect, kindness.

In short, I pursue a quiet, guerrilla revolution to help people transform by guiding them to rewrite their life stories.

What My Clients Say About
My Coaching:

Scott Carney Best-selling author of "The Wedge" and "What Doesn't Kill Us"

I was in a tough spot before I found Brad Wetzler. I'd been working on a manuscript for Penguin-Random House for two years and rewritten the entire text two times over. It was the sequel to a New York Times bestseller I had put out a couple years prior. With deadlines looming, I needed to get the book done. So I called up Brad and over the course of a month he helped me work the kinks out. He could see the forest for the trees, and gave me actionable advice that turned the book around. I'd highly recommend professional editor and writing coach Brad Wetzler to anyone looking for a structural or developmental edit. I'll definitely be using him again in the future.

–L.L.

A s my writing coach, Brad helped me find the heart of the story, connect it to the larger world, and improve my skills.

-M.J.

I urge you to hire Mr. Wetzler to be your writing coach. You will not regret it.

-M.J.

Brad's life experience gives him humility, wisdom, and a humanity that sets him apart from his competitors

Watch More of Brad's Nonfiction and Memoir Writing Instructional Videos

Learn from Brad's Three Decades as a Professional Writer and Editor

Intrigued?

When you hire me to be your memoir or nonfiction book writing coach, we will work together to mine your memory for the crucial experiences and life lessons to share with the world. We will find the gold. Your story will inspire your readers — and in the process you will transform your own life.

First

Free Coaching Session

Next

Identify Your Goals Date and the Path Forward

Together

We Will Start the Transformation

FAQ

A big yes! I know what it was like to be starting out as a new nonfiction writer. I remember pitching and writing our first magazine articles and journal articles. I remember pitching and writing our first books. I remember editing our first books, and seeing our clients become first-time published authors. We know the steps that must be taken, and the order they must be accomplished. I know the hurdles beginning writers must cross over, and we know the advice that will help writers cross over them. I help new writers pitch articles and books. We help writers develop solid reporting and writing skills and habits.  We help beginning writers create nonfiction book proposals that get noticed by agents, editors, and publishing houses. With my guidance, you will realize your dream of becoming a published nonfiction writer. 

Book writing coaching happens via phone or video conferencing. The focus is on helping the writer create the first draft of their book. In the early stages of coaching, the coach helps the author get clarity about the topic they are writing about and how to structure their book. Next the coach teaches the writer effective strategies and tactics for completing the book. These teachings include key information about the craft of book writing as well as strategies that will help the author build habits and make consistent progress on--and ultimately finish--their book. The third thing book writing coaches do is provide accountability for the author. They create writing goals and provide frequent check-ins so that the author has the support they need to write, finish, and publish her book. 

An editor's feedback is given on the page in the form of written comments and corrections

What My Editing and Book Coaching Clients Say:

Affirmative! I served as  senior editor at major national magazines, and, later, I served as contributing writer for various national magazines. I understands the challenges that journalists face in telling important stories in limited space. I help journalists find the most compelling story and then show them how to increase conflict, suspense, and narrative momentum. My journalist clients get more assignments and make more income. 

Yes! I help writers who have a manuscript in two ways: manuscript reviews and developmental edits. In a manuscript review, an editor reads the full manuscript and writes a three- to five-page letter of critique. This letter addresses the manuscript's overall strengths and weaknesses, as well as helpful advice that might help the author find a publisher and/or reach her intended audience. The manuscript review does not include written comments in the margins of the manuscript. The critique letter addresses big-picture issues such as structure, character development, plot, narrative momentum, and story coherence. The letter also includes helpful advice for revising the manuscript.  A developmental edit is similar to a manuscript review in that it also addresses big-picture issues. However, the difference is in how the feedback is given. In a developmental edit, the editor writes comments in the margins rather than in a letter. 

Mimi Hayes Author of "I'll Be OK, It's Just a Hole In My Head"

A few years ago I was referred to Brad when I started editing my memoir and I had no idea what I was doing. Brad took the mystery out of book writing and broke things down for me step by step and tailored his mentorship to my writing needs. He challenged me to get to the root of my emotions so that I could engage my readers authentically. He made me do the emotional work! He consistently asked me the right questions at the right time so that I could unclutter my narrative. It was like book therapy! I'm happy to tell you that Brad's work with me paid off! Just a few months into moving to New York City to option my book I picked up a book deal! If it weren't for Brad I would've been stuck on my storyline, unable to break my story free! Pick it up this fall and check for Brad's name in the acknowledgments! He's the real deal!

Scott Carney Author of "The Wedge" and "What Doesn't Kill Us"

I was in a tough spot before I found Brad Wetzler. I'd been working on a manuscript for a Big Five publisher for two years and rewritten the entire text two times over. It was the sequel to a New York Times bestseller I had put out a couple years prior. However, the editor assigned to me by my publisher couldn't offer me any useful advice for how to fix it. With deadlines looming, I needed to get the book done. So I called up Brad and over the course of a month he helped me work the kinks out. He could see the forest for the trees, and gave me actionable advice that turned the book around. I'd highly recommend Brad to anyone looking for a structural or developmental edit. I'll definitely be using him again
in the future.
⠀⠀
⠀⠀

Alicia Patterson Author of "The Secret to Female Vitality: Demystify Your Body, Boost Energy, and Gain Mental Clarity Through Pelvic Health"

Working with Brad has been a transformative experience as he has been the catalyst for turning a solid and potent idea (but lacking structure and cohesiveness) into a real live book proposal. His ability to bring focus to something expansive without losing the heart of the content is one of my biggest appreciations. Brad helped me add sophistication and availability to my writing without changing the intention and message of my ideas. He has helped me put a vision into grounded reality and for that gift I am eternally grateful.

Join hundreds of memoirists and nonfiction authors who have reframed their life stories, become published authors, and found freedom!

As your professional book writing coach and editor, I will help you write and publish your book and realize your dream of being a real author!

Brad Wetzler is an author and memoir writing coach. Make this the year you complete your memoir. Download the free "How to Tell a Great Story" e-book and schedule a free 30-minute consultation today.

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