Introducing our Summer Blueprint Sprint Book Coach Hosts
We're hosting 10 AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions to help you get the most out of the Summer Blueprint Sprint. Meet our hosts!
The Blueprint Method started with me, but it is carried into the world by Author Accelerator Certified Book Coaches, who learn it, use it, and bring their own experience and expertise to it as they work with writers in all genres, at all stages of the creative process.
In addition to the 10 coaches who recorded the podcast episodes with me and KJ, we have invited four coaches to join us for the 10-week Summer Blueprint Sprint. They will be hosting AMAs (ask me anything sessions) and write-alongs, as they bring this summer sprint to life.
These four coaches know the Blueprint inside and out—but they are also incredibly patient and gifted teachers and community builders. We are thrilled that they have agreed to present these offerings to the #amwriting podcast community this summer. Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing posts from each of these coaches to give you an idea how they think about the book coaching and the Blueprint.
If you have 60 to 120 minutes a week to dedicate to Blueprint work this summer (or maybe you want to do your work in sprints or bursts), I urge you to join the Summer Blueprint Sprint.
Listen to the podcasts (which launch July 2.)
Do the exercises in the workbooks (which we’ll send along with digital downloads of the Blueprint book next week to all who sign up.)
Ask questions in the AMAs (post questions on Wednesday, come back for Coach Host answers on Thursday.)
Participate in the Coach Host write-alongs (which will happen at various times each week — we’ll let you know as we go!)
Here are our four Summer Blueprint Sprint Coach Hosts:
1. Amy Bernstein
Amy L. Bernstein runs Wordfirst Book Coaching Services, which supports aspiring and experienced nonfiction authors as they develop long-form projects from the raw-idea stage to polished, market-ready book proposals, and points in between. Amy’s client base includes an eclectic group of authors, including a microbiologist, a middle-school educator, and a TV journalist. She also works selectively on memoir projects that blend the personal and professional.
Amy’s affinity (and affection) for nonfiction stems from a combined three decades of experience as a print and public radio journalist as well as senior communications roles with detail-oriented nonprofit organizations and state and federal government agencies, where Amy handled everything from drafting Congressional testimony to writing speeches for top government officials.
Amy is also the author of several novels and plays, as well as a forthcoming nonfiction book, Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration, which is designed to inspire and encourage writers and all creative people struggling with self-doubt.
Book Coaching: wordfirstbookcoach.com
Author Website: amywrites.live
On Substack: Doubt Monster
2. Candace Coakley
Candace is a book coach, developmental editor, and mindfulness mentor who is passionate about helping others embrace the creative process and share their wisdom through writing. After more than twenty-five years of writing and teaching experience, she founded Candace Coakley Editorial Solutions to help writers clarify their ideas and bring their stories to life. As an Author Accelerator-certified book coach in fiction, nonfiction, and memoir, Candace uses Blueprint for a Book to help writers get to the heart of their stories. She loves helping writers craft authentic, empowered manuscripts and achieve their writing and publishing goals. Her range of services includes all steps of the process, from idea generation to publication and beyond. Her clients have published through a range of traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing routes.
Her lifelong meditation practice is the secret to her sanity and a skill she loves to share with others. She is a graduate of the Mindfulness Mentor Training and has studied with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She is certified in Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She is not afraid of helping writers go to dark places and is currently getting certified in trauma-sensitive mindfulness. She is also a Reiki practitioner and uses the power of energy healing in all areas of her life. In her spare time, she creates art in her makeshift basement art studio. Her latest creative project is a mixed-media interpretation of her favorite book covers.
Candace taught nonprofit communications and event management at Boston University and Emerson College and holds an undergraduate degree in Communications from Boston College and an M.A. in Business Organization from Emerson College. She specializes in memoir and teaches workshops on integrating mindfulness into memoir writing. A graduate of Grub Street’s Memoir Incubator, she has written a memoir about prosecuting and convicting a serial rapist through DNA evidence, and her work-in-progress concerns the power of hope in healing from trauma. She lives north of Boston with her family and rescue dog, Hope.
Website: candacecoakley.com
3. Sara Gentry
Sara Gentry is a math Ph.D. turned Author Accelerator certified book coach. As a lifelong problem solver, she knows the power of finding the right solution. Now she uses her analytical brain to provide writers with strategic next steps and straightforward feedback so they can finish writing books they love. Sara works with fiction, nonfiction, and memoir writers in one-to-one coaching and novel writers in her yearlong group coaching program, Novel Resolution.
She gives back to the writing community by hosting the free annual events KidLit Summer Camp and Novel Kickoff.
Sara is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, and WFWA.
You can connect with her through her website solutionsforwriters.com
Instagram: writewithsara
Threads: writewithsara
4. Stuart Wakefield
With 26 years of experience in theatre, broadcast media, and coaching, Stuart has cultivated a deep understanding of storytelling and its powerful narrative structures. His journey began with a childhood fascination for comic books, TV, and movies, which blossomed into a lifelong dedication to the art of storytelling.
His academic and professional pursuits, including an MA in Professional Writing, underscore his commitment to mastering the craft. His own writing achievements, such as his debut novel Body of Water being long-listed for the Polari First Book Prize and Behind the Seams reaching the semifinals of the 2021 BookLife Fiction Prize Contest, reflect his understanding of what it takes to create compelling narratives. The upcoming airing of Stuart’s first TV show on the UK's Channel 4 marks another milestone in his diverse storytelling career.
This eclectic background sparked Stuart’s interest in coaching. Known for feedback that resonates and enlightens, he’s been the go-to person for manuscript reviews throughout his education and career. As an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, he brings a unique blend of personal experience, professional expertise, and genuine passion for storytelling. His goal is to guide aspiring writers in crafting narratives that are not only vibrant and compelling but also deeply meaningful. One of Stuart’s clients, Margaret McNellis, just published a work of historical fiction — Daughter of the Seven Hills.
Stuart lives in the UK so be sure to look for his write-alongs if his time zone works better for you than the other sessions.
Website: thebookcoach.co
Join the Blueprint for a Book Summer Sprint
I’m a sticker! And I’m ready for my Blueprint close-up.
The Blueprint for a Book Summer Sprint starts July 2. At the end of the ten weeks, anyone who completes and submits a Blueprint will have the chance to win a Blueprint review from me or KJ. We will also share a list of Author Accelerator coaches who have special offers for #amwriting listeners to purchase Blueprint reviews.
To play along, you must be a paid subscriber. Then, opt-in and set up your podcast feed. Don’t worry, it’s simple! Click here to go to your #AmWriting account, and when you see this screen, do two things:
Toggle “Blueprint for a Book” from “off” (grey) to “on” (green).
Click “set up podcast” next to Blueprint for a Book and follow the easy instructions.
Once you set those things up, you’ll get all the future Blueprint emails and podcasts (and if you’re joining the party a bit late, just head to our website and click on Blueprint for a Book in the top menu).
Looking forward to this!