Hi! I'm Nicole.
I’m a Developmental
Editor & Book Coach for Fantasy Writers.
Like you, I'm a writer. I understand the mental and emotional ups and downs of storytelling. Don't let resistance win! Recognize the value of good advice plus hard work.
My approach to novel writing is multifaceted. For a deeper understanding of my process and style, take a look at some of my favorite craft-of-writing books in my Resources section.
What can I say about myself? I read, I write, I read about writing, and I write about reading. It never gets old to me.
Searching for the right book coach for your fantasy novel?
You’re right to be cautious. Books fall flat all the time, even ones with memorable characters, surprising twists, and humorous voices. If you join Fantasy Footsteps, I will help ensure your story has a “beating heart”—a theme or relevance that draws readers in and resonates deep within them. Many stories don’t reach this level.
I will approach your ideas with the utmost care. If you’re a parent, or can imagine yourself as a parent, consider which caregiver you’d choose to babysit your child: the one who scoots out the door the minute five o’clock rolls around, or the one who is crazy about kids and can’t wait to tell you what your son said at lunchtime?
I’m the crazy caregiver. Stories fascinate me. I adore their construction, ability to surprise, and power to enthrall the reader. Your book baby is in capable hands with me. I design my specific, constructive comments to help you dig deep and unearth the story you were meant to tell.
If readers laugh, cry, and gasp while curled up with your book, then together, as writer and coach, we’ve done our job.
I’m a writer, like you. I understand all too well the mental and emotional ups and downs of storytelling. Don’t let resistance win! Recognize the value of good advice plus hard work.
Curious about my background?
In 2006, my English department head recruited me to work in my college’s writing center. In one-on-one sessions, I helped students organize content, transition between ideas, clarify language, and use correct grammar. Better yet, I learned how to communicate clearly with writers. I graduated summa cum laude in 2010 with a B.A. in English Education.
For six years, I taught high school and middle school English and creative writing classes. Since I believed in assigning essays and stories over multiple-choice tests, I spent my time as a teacher analyzing thousands of student writing samples at a variety of skill levels.
In 2017, I joined the Jefferson City Novelist Group, which has supported mid-Missouri writers through critiques for over a decade. This decision changed my life. Writing became a public rather than private pursuit, and I assessed manuscripts on a regular basis while drafting my fourth fantasy novel. I evolved into a co-organizer of the critique group and helped develop and lead its sprinting cohort in 2021. Currently, I lead a critique group for fiction writers at the Fayetteville Public Library.
I am also a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and the Professional Editors Network and recognized as a leading Book Coach by the Coach Foundation.
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My approach to storytelling and editing is multifaceted. You’re welcome to check out some of the craft-of-writing books I use in my editing and coaching, along with other resources for writers.
Want to know about me on a personal level?
I’m an ambivert. Depending on a few factors, I can gain energy either by myself or in company.
I’m a meliorist—meaning I believe humans can work to build a better world. Likewise, I believe our efforts can pay off to build a better book.
I’m a bit of a monomaniac. I read, I write, I read about writing, and I write about reading. It never gets old to me.
I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with my husband and three daughters. Fayetteville is perfect for bike riding, trail hiking, and kayaking—some of my favorite pastimes.
Capture Your Readers from Your First Scene
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