BOOK COACHING

Proximity blindness is real. When you’ve been living inside your story for months (or years), you lose perspective on whether readers will track your plot, connect with your characters, or stay engaged from page one to “The End.”

I see this constantly in my work with writers. They’ll send me a manuscript saying, “I think it’s ready, but something feels off.” And they’re right—something usually does feel off. Maybe the opening chapter buries the conflict too deep. Maybe the protagonist’s motivation remains mysteriously unclear. Maybe the pacing drags in the third act.

These aren’t failures. They’re normal parts of the writing process. But recognizing them? That’s where an outside perspective becomes invaluable.

Does this sound familiar?

  • “I worry what readers will think of my work.”

  • “I’ve pieced together some good writing knowledge from free resources, but now I think I need consistent support.”

  • “I have amazing ideas, but they’re not coming together as a coherent story.”

  • “My characters feel flat or disconnected from each other.”

  • “I’ve gotten such different writing advice and feedback that I don’t know what to follow.”

  • “Past experience makes me hesitate to get feedback on my work.”

If you recognize yourself in any of these statements, coaching could be your path forward.

Story Accelerator Coaching

Discover the quiet magic of dedicated, one-on-one story coaching. Story Accelerator coaching reveals the techniques and structures that make your natural storytelling instincts even more effective.

Skip the frustration of years spent in trial-and-error writing, and condense your learning curve from months to moments. Story Accelerator coaching builds your craft knowledge while simultaneously enhancing your work in progress. You’ll gain powerful tools and insights that won’t just improve your present manuscript—they’ll serve you for the rest of your writing career.

One-on-one feedback makes all the difference.

The Story Accelerator isn’t like those cookie-cutter classes and workshops that promise to illuminate your writing path. We’ll work together every step of the way, exploring new storytelling techniques, brainstorming possibilities you haven’t yet considered, and uncovering your story’s untapped potential.
 

Through multiple weekly emails and regular calls, we’ll develop your story methodically and thoughtfully. Whether you’re working on an initial outline, diving into your first draft, or refining a completed manuscript, you’ll gain practical techniques to strengthen your storytelling skills. 

Story Accelerator coaching hones the building blocks of your story: character arcs, point of view, the conflict-motivation-goal drivetrain, story structure and plot, scene development, and genre and commercial potential. Each week focuses on your story’s challenges and goals.

You’ll develop the critical eye of an author, learning to assess what’s on the page with confidence. By the end, you’ll have a clearer vision for your book and the skills to shape it.

  • Find out how to stop writing for yourself and start writing for the readers you want to buy your book.
  • Choose the point of view that supports the story, not the one that “feels right” or that you just like best.
  • Find out why narrative tense works precisely opposite of the way you probably assumed.
  • Pull your protagonist out of the pit of passivity by discovering how stories are about characters happening to the plot, not a plot happening to the characters.
  • Develop a character arc that reveals the story behind the plot. (Or find out why your story doesn’t need a character arc of change and what to do instead.)

Story Accelerator coaching is for you if ...

  • You want to understand what makes a story work and how to apply those principles to your manuscript.
  • You’d like to launch your next draft from a developed, informed foundation.
  • You’re uncertain that your story or characters are on the right track.
  • You’ve received conflicting feedback from readers or editorial professionals.

The top priority for every novel in development is an immersive, compelling story. While story and writing often develop together, a focus on tone, style, and mechanics is most effective once the story’s foundation is strong enough for commercial publication.

Begin Today

The difference between aspiring writers and published authors is decisive action. Your story deserves this opportunity to grow. Don’t let the weeks and months slip by—schedule your Accelerator with me today.

Story Accelerator coaching

An intense eight-week program of one-on-one coaching

When: Limited availability with start dates on the first of the month

Suitable for: All phases of story development and writing

Cost: $1,998 for eight weeks

Take the next step—get in touch now to learn how Accelerator coaching will transform your current book and future writing potential.

LET'S DO THIS
Lisa Poisso, Book Editor and Writing Coach

Coaching for Your Very First Steps

Your manuscript represents years of work. An early assessment can save you from committing your energy and resources to an edit too soon, before your story is ready.

A proper story assessment isn’t about someone telling you whether your book is “good” or “bad.” It’s about identifying specific areas where your story shines and pinpointing exactly where it needs work.

When I evaluate a manuscript, I’m looking at:

  • Foundation elements: Are your characters compelling and well-motivated? Does your plot hold together? Is your conflict driving the story forward?

  • Technical craft: How’s your scene construction? Your dialogue? Your point of view handling?

  • Reader experience: Where might readers get confused or lose interest? What questions aren’t being answered?

  • Commercial potential: Does the story deliver on its genre promises? Will it resonate with your target audience?

The goal isn’t to tear apart your work—it’s to give you a clear-eyed view of what you’ve built and a roadmap for making it even stronger.

 Manuscript Strategy Session

A focused coaching call addressing up to three specific questions about your manuscript or creative direction. Before we meet, you’ll share up to two pages of material (synopsis, scene excerpt, outline, or similar content) to help me understand your project. All feedback happens live during our conversation, giving you immediate answers and actionable guidance.
 

Suitable for: All phases of story development and writing
Cost: $99
Schedule and pay now: Manuscript Strategy session

DIY Blueprint Consultation

A transformative solution for manuscript roadblocks. I’ll scan your current draft to detect the top three issues holding back your manuscript’s potential, then during our 30-minute session, we’ll identify these problems and I’ll provide hand-picked craft books and resources specifically chosen to help you work through these challenges independently and complete your draft on your own.
 

Suitable for: First-draft writing or early revisions in progress
Cost: $199
Schedule and pay now: DIY Blueprint consultation

First Look Consultation

Determines if your completed manuscript is ready for editing or querying. You’ll complete an in-depth questionnaire examining your book’s plot, characters, point of view, themes, genre, and commercial potential. I’ll review your one-page synopsis and scan your manuscript for overall impressions, then we’ll unpack these insights during a comprehensive 45-minute coaching call to explore your story’s potential and outline concrete next steps.
 

Suitable for: Complete, author-revised manuscripts with additional revisions planned
Cost: $299
Schedule and pay now: First Look consultation

WRITERS ARE SAYING

5/5
I love using the Accelerator prior to drafting a book. Based on my experience, it results in faster, cleaner drafting and reduced need for major revisions and edits. Reader reviews of my first Accelerator-planned book are a full star level higher than its predecessor, making it a valuable part of my process.
K.A. Wiggins
5/5
After working with Lisa over two years, I feel confident that I am now a skilled author. I love how she challenges me to be bold … She coaxes you until you tease a raw plot into a great story. When I look back at the first muddle I handed Lisa and see the awesome story it became under her guidance, it still humbles me.

Lisa’s Accelerator is an essential tool that saves an author months by ensuring he or she begins with a solid outline, character arc, motive, stakes, etc. It would be hard to work without her.
M.J. Twomey
5/5
Lisa is an incredible coach and editor. Thanks to her Accelerator, I was able to understand the workings of my story structure, its strength and weaknesses, and could make changes with confidence. Her developmental edit took things a step further, diving deep into and providing specific recommendations and ideas on how to improve the story flow. In short, Lisa’s instruction and guidance have shaved months, maybe years, off of my effort to improve my writing.
B.R. Keid

Take the next step.

I work only with writers I believe I can help reach specific writing goals. If you’re ready to take action, get in touch. We’ll email a little about what you’re working on and what sort of help you’d like, and I’ll send you an assessment that helps us both determine whether the Story Accelerator would be right for you.

I coach a limited number of clients per quarter. This is your chance to take a giant step forward.

LET'S DO THIS
Scroll to Top