Writing Should Be Affordable.
Writing is a free activity. Anyone can pick up a pen and a piece of paper to sketch out a story. You can open a Google Doc while you sit on your couch, enjoying a fresh cup of coffee. So many people continue to write because money is never a factor.
At least at first.
Eventually, those words you wrote in isolation have to go somewhere. Someone has to read, edit, and strengthen them before you share them with the world.
Editing has priced many would-be writers out of the game. And understandably so. A good editor is worth their weight in gold. Editors often make significant financial investments in their craft. In this industry, there is always something more to learn about story. At the end of the day, editors have to earn a living too.
But what does that mean for the writer who isn’t yet making money from their writing?
New writers who aren’t independently wealthy have two choices: They can take on more work to cover the cost of editing or they can put their work into the world without valuable feedback. The latter approach is common for writers determined to make this a career. The problem is that this type of entrepreneurial bootstrapping may not create strong stories that require an objective eye and a soft touch.
I believe in making this work more affordable for new writers.
In the United States, almost half of all families do not earn enough to cover the necessities. When you have to decide between putting dinner on the table and editing work, the answer is obvious. You have to provide for your family. Put a roof over your head. Fuel up the car to get to the nine-to-five.
Writing is a dream that may one day turn into a lucrative income, but it hasn’t earned you a dime yet. How can you possibly afford to invest in a writing coach to help you get there?
Experienced coaches often charge a premium rate, encouraging writers to “invest in themselves.”
There’s nothing wrong with this, but it limits accessibility for would-be writers struggling to make ends meet. It disproportionately excludes writers in marginalized groups—the voices we need to hear right now.
A New model for affordable pricing
A New Model
I’m offering a new model: a sliding-scale fee for writers who want to invest in coaching but don’t have thousands in their bank account for a rainy day.
I base my sliding-scale fees on the federal poverty line (FPL). Because this figure is adjusted for household size, the line is ever-changing. I offer subsidies to offset the cost of coaching for writers who fall below the FPL, but I also offer discounts for those who make up to 250% of the FPL.
Coaching is still an investment that reflects my fifteen years of experience and certifications. You will have to decide to invest in a creative life that stretches you and pushes your boundaries. But the cost shouldn’t be prohibitive for low-income writers who want to pursue this path.
You don’t have to prove your income.
No paystubs required. I want to operate on a shared value of honesty with the writers in my coaching programs. All you have to do is check the box on my contact for a sliding-fee scale, and we can talk numbers and affordability.