You don’t just want to write a book. You want to write a great book.
Here’s the secret you need to know:
Great books are never written alone.
The key to actually finishing your book (without losing your mind) and producing one you’re proud of (without wasting thousands of dollars or years of your life) is to set yourself up for success from the beginning by getting the support you need.
Momentum Book Coaching is for you if . . .
You have a nonfiction book inside you but no clear roadmap to get it written.
You want to make sure your book idea will stand out in the market.
You’re stuck, spinning, or second-guessing your next steps.
You want personalized guidance to develop your unique voice and improve your craft.
You want to finish your book faster and with far less stress thanks to expert feedback, insider tips, and accountability.
During our time together, you’ll
Lock in your book’s central theme or message so every word works toward your big idea.
Shape a clear, compelling structure that grabs your reader and flows naturally from first page to last.
Create a detailed, chapter-by-chapter book map so you always know exactly what to write next.
Build steady momentum with regular deadlines, expert feedback, and accountability.
See exactly what’s working—and what’s not—thanks to sharp, professional eyes on your chapters.
Get unstuck fast with deep-dive 1:1 coaching calls and unlimited support whenever questions arise.
By the end, you’ll have
→ a compelling answer to the infamous question “What’s your book about?”
→ a rock-solid structure and detailed outline for your entire book
→ several polished, submission-ready chapters you’re proud to send to agents, beta readers, or even publishers
Set up a free consultation now to see if Momentum Book Coaching is right for you.
You’ve dreamed it. Maybe you’ve even written some of it. You can almost see it in your hands, feel its weight, smell those freshly printed pages with your name on the cover.
But the gap between where you are now and that finished book feels immense. Intimidating to say the least. At times, impossible.
That’s because you don’t just want to write “a book.” You want to write a great book. A book you’re proud of. A book that makes an impact.
And you’ve listened to enough book-writing podcasts to understand the essential fact every author learns sooner or later:
Writing a great book is SO much more than typing words onto a page.
I'm here for all of it.
I’m Mara Eller, a professional editor and writing teacher with over 16 years of experience.
I specialize in nonfiction, both prescriptive and personal (memoir). After earning a graduate certificate in Publishing and Editing, I’ve worked on academic nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction (self-help, thought leadership, personal development), devotionals, news/journalism, and memoir, including hybrid memoir.
As a book coach, I bring my dual areas of expertise—teaching writing and editing books—to our work together. You benefit from the gentle, encouraging support and crystal clear explanations of a seasoned teacher + the sharp eye and professional insights of an experienced editor.
Sharing your work with a stranger can be scary.
But let me assure you, I am the opposite of scary. I’ve been practicing with teenagers for years, so I’ve learned a few things about helping writers to feel safe, understood, and encouraged—even as I edit without mercy. It’s kind of my superpower. Plus, I’m a writer myself, so I know what it’s like to be in your shoes. (You can check out some of my writing on Substack.)
If you’re looking for a coach who knows good books backwards and forwards, who knows how to help writers of all experience levels make tangible progress, and who understands the emotional and mental challenges that writers face, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get your book out of your head and into your reader’s hands.
Here’s what some of my book coaching clients have said:
Write smarter, not harder.
No matter how you slice it, writing a book is hard business. In the 16+ years I’ve been working as a freelance editor, I’ve yet to come across an author who said otherwise. It’s a huge undertaking, requiring hours and hours of your time, a ton of industry know-how, and a will of steel to persist when inner (and outer) critics get loud.
That’s why only about 3% of those who start a book ever finish. Sobering statistic, I know. But having a coach dramatically increases your chances of finishing—by up to 90% according to some studies. Having the right kind of support can be the difference between a half-written draft collecting digital dust and a finished book you’re proud to share with the world.
Here’s the critical mistake many first-time authors make: they get a general concept for their book and dive straight into writing. And then 5k or 10k or 30k words into the rough draft, they realize they don’t actually know what they’re trying to say.
Without a clear book map, you risk writing in circles. You’ll waste valuable time and end up with a mess of a first draft—if you get that far.
That’s why the best time to hire professional help is actually before you write your book—not after. Every bit of clarity you gain at the beginning pays off exponentially when you start writing and revising.
By investing in a coach, you’ll ensure you dive in to drafting your book with an expert-approved structure and appropriately detailed outline so you know exactly what to write for each chapter.
Plus, you’ll have a mentor by your side to offer professional guidance, insider insight, and evidence-based encouragement.
→ Someone to help you clarify and sharpen your ideas.
→ To define your book’s genre and purpose.
→ To map your ideas onto a powerful framework, giving your book shape and structure.
→ To demystify the path to publication and tell you what’s next when you’re unsure.
→ To encourage and guide you when you feel like everything you’ve written is terrible.
→ To amplify your excitement when you’re making progress and commiserate when the struggle is real.
→ To hold you accountable to actually write—not just think about writing.
Together we'll make a rock-solid plan for finishing your book, so you’ll walk away with absolute clarity on what you’re saying and how you’re saying it + the kind of confidence that only comes from working with a pro who knows how to bring out your best writing (not just a nice friend telling you it's "good").
“Mara is such a talented and thoughtful writing teacher! I've learned so many excellent techniques for improving my writing craft. I trust her implicitly as an editor, coach, and thought partner.”
Ariel Curry, Acquisitions Editor, Sourcebooks
“Even with this being my third traditionally published book, I wanted Mara’s expertise first. I knew that a structural and copy edit were still ahead, but I also knew that turning in my best possible draft would lead to better editing and a better final book. Working with Mara to shape and structure my book was 100% the right decision. I’d highly recommend her to anyone seeking high-level, expert editing or coaching!”
Ericka Andersen, journalist and author of Freely Sober (forthcoming 2026, InterVarsity Press)
“I stumbled upon Mara Eller after working on my memoir for ten years. Mara’s input helped crystalize my theme, refine my voice, and strengthen my message. My memoir is finally published, and I couldn’t have done it without the skill and confidence I gained from working with Mara.”
Ann Averill, author of Unmoored: How an Adoptee Found Her True Identity
“Mara has a rare gift for listening deeply and then showing you the clearer, stronger structure your book really needs.”
Nick Dancer, President of Dancer Concrete and author of forthcoming Built Different (publishing deal in process)
12 biweekly, 1-hour zoom calls: we’ll work through your questions 1-1 and brainstorm solutions together
Unlimited email support: get coaching straight to your inbox whenever inspiration (or confusion) strikes (even if you choose to accelerate the timeline, you retain 6 months of access)
Weekly editorial feedback on your materials, customized to what you need. This could look like:
Detailed edits on 3-5 book chapters
A done-for-you book proposal + big-picture feedback on your sample chapters
A customized memoir outline mapped onto the hero’s journey that identifies all the major scenes your story must include
A high-level review of your entire manuscript providing recommendations for improvement based on whatever your book needs
Extra zoom calls to work through chapters together, brainstorm, or pretty much whatever best supports your progress!
As a MOMENTUM BOOK COACHING client, you’ll benefit from 6 months of personalized support:
We’ll talk through exactly what kind of feedback would best support YOUR goals on our consultation call and adjust as needed during our 6 months together.
Writing a book doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Yes, the process is complex. Yes, the publishing world can be confusing.
But you’re not meant to figure it all out alone.
The more clarity and support you have from the beginning, the more likely you are to finish—and to be proud of what you’ve created.
With thoughtful planning, persistent effort, and expert guidance, you really can write a great book.
Here’s how we make your book the best it can be.
Book coaching is a highly customized process because I always tailor my guidance to provide exactly what will best support each author.
Where we start and what we'll focus on will depend on your goals and existing progress, but I typically move authors through the following three steps:
1. We start by nailing down your main idea and creating (or refining) a detailed outline—a book map—to walk you (and the reader) through the central transformation chapter by chapter.
2. Then I coach you through writing the first few chapters so that you know how to execute that outline, overcoming blocks and answering questions.
3. Finally, I’ll provide multiple rounds of editorial feedback on those chapters to hone your style, voice, and content until you have something powerful to show agents, editors, or beta readers.
Our exact work together will be adapted to match your unique needs.
Already have a killer book map and just need help turning it into pages? Let’s do it.
Already have a rough draft written but know it needs serious revision? I’ve got you.
Unsure what kind of book it might be but know there’s a book in there somewhere? We’ll figure it out together.
Want to refine your book idea, write a proposal for traditional publishing, and hone your sample chapters? We can do that too.
On our initial consultation call, we’ll discuss your book, where you are in the process, and what kind of support you need. Then we’ll craft a customized plan with clear milestones to mark your progress toward that finished book.
No matter where you start, you’ll grow in confidence as you clarify your voice, overcome resistance, and build the momentum you need to finish a strong first draft.
Let’s start mapping your book this month.
If you’re starting with a blank page, you’re doing it wrong.
The key to making consistent progress—especially with limited time to write—is to know exactly what you’re writing before you sit down at your desk. That’s why I always make sure you have a comprehensive outline for your entire book.
By starting with a detailed book map, you’ll never have to stare at a blank page again.
Here’s the secret most first-time authors miss:
Great books are built around a powerful framework.
You might think that incredible NYT bestseller you love so much is the result of an amazingly talented author pouring her thoughts onto the page with breathtaking brilliance—that the book you read was downloaded straight from her perfectly organized mind.
Well, I’m here to tell you, it’s not. The author may be brilliant, but she also followed a framework—a pattern, a formula.
I know, I know. Formula is one of those words that makes us creative types gag.
But trust me: you can follow a formula without being formulaic. You can use a pattern without being predictable.
And this is just as true for memoir as for prescriptive nonfiction.
Paradoxically, working from a clear framework can actually result in more creative freedom. Think less “fence” and more “guardrails.” When you know you’re not in danger of veering off a cliff, you feel free to experiment.
It’s about balance. Successful authors find a balance between control and creativity. They allow “the rules” to provide helpful structure and aren’t afraid to bend them when their intuition demands it.
Successful authors know great writing is always a combination of soul and science:
Soul: inspiration, intuition, creativity, expression, innovation
Science: structure, standards, guidelines, strategies, frameworks
Consider your book like a person: To build a human being, you’d need to start with the body, all the bones and muscles and organs that compose the anatomy of a human body. And they need to be in the right places, the right order—following an established pattern. But you also need a soul, that spark of life, that indescribable something that makes it come alive and reflects the image of the creator.
Your book is the same. Without the “anatomy,” it will be a hot mess of ideas that no one can make sense of, including you. Without the “spark,” it might make sense, but it will fall flat.
Some book professionals are all about the soul. Others are all about the science. I’m about integrating both.
That’s why my process always starts with a hard look at the structure of your book. We talk through the animating idea of the project—that single core message you want to communicate to your reader. Then, we make sure that idea has a logical, structurally sound skeleton to give it shape: that all-important book map. Then and only then are you ready to dive into drafting your chapters.
In MOMENTUM BOOK COACHING, I leverage my 17 years of experience as a writing teacher + 16 as a freelance editor to help you map and write a nonfiction book you’re proud of—finding that perfect balance of soul and science.
"I love how you can figure out what I'm trying to say but am not yet good at articulating myself. Thank you so much for your priceless guidance. I couldn't do this as enthusiastically without your direction."
Jessica H.
“Getting feedback from Mara felt different than from anyone else because she has a way of asking clarifying questions that helps shape each piece in a transformative way. Mara is skilled at holding space both for the big-picture ideas and the specific details that make each sentence work. She coaches you by drawing out what it is you want to say and guides you to saying it in the most readable way.”
Carrie B.
“I have used other editing services that did not have this kind of range or sense of partnership: they were more wooden and mechanical, less thorough, and did not ‘think”’their way into the substance of what I was saying in order to come alongside the project. However, Mara grasps what the writing is about and works on its best prose presentation. I highly recommend her to all authors.”
Michael Peterson, PhD., author of C. S. Lewis and the Christian Worldview and numerous others
“Mara wasn't just an instructor; she was a mentor who genuinely cared about my success. Her commitment went beyond sharing knowledge; she provided tools, skills, and, above all, her heart for aspiring writers.”
Carolyn Deck, author of Above the Turbulence