AUTHOR DEVELOPMENT

Develop the writer. Develop the story.

Sometimes the next thing your book needs isn’t an edit.

Oakleaf House Author Development provides one-on-one guidance for writers and authors who need clarity, direction, and a path forward—whether you’re working through the story itself or figuring out what comes next in your author journey.

What kind of support do you need?

🌿 STORY DEVELOPMENT

Develop the Book.

You have the idea. Maybe you even have the pages. But somewhere between the beginning and “The End,” you got stuck.

Story Development gives you a collaborative space to work through plot, structure, character development, conflict, stakes, story direction, and those inevitable “Okay...but what happens next?” moments.

For writers who need clarity on the story.

Develop the Author.

🌳 AUTHOR COACHING

Sometimes the manuscript isn’t the problem.

Author Coaching helps you work through the strategy behind your author journey—from prioritizing projects and building consistency to publishing direction, author positioning, release planning, and deciding what comes next.

For authors who need clarity on the journey.

STORY DEVELOPMENT

You don’t need someone to write your story. You need help finding your way through it.

Story Development is collaborative creative guidance for writers who need help shaping an idea, solving a story problem, or getting an unfinished manuscript moving again.

STORY DEVELOPMENT SESSION

$125 | 60 Minutes

Focused support for a specific story challenge.

Includes:

  • Pre-session intake

  • Advance review of up to 10 relevant manuscript pages, if applicable

  • 60-minute one-on-one development session

  • Collaborative brainstorming and story guidance

  • Brief Story Direction Recap with key decisions and next steps

BOOK A SESSION →

STORY DEVELOPMENT INTENSIVE

$275 | 90 Minutes

For stories that need deeper exploration and a more developed path forward.

Includes:

  • Pre-session story intake

  • Advance review of a synopsis and/or outline plus up to 25 relevant manuscript pages

  • 90-minute one-on-one development session

  • Deeper plot, character, conflict, and story-direction work

  • Personalized Story Development Roadmap

  • One 30-minute follow-up session within 30 days

BOOK AN INTENSIVE →

Story Development is collaborative creative guidance, not developmental editing or ghostwriting. You remain the creator and author of your story.

Author Coaching

The book may not be stuck. You might just need clarity on what comes next.

Being an author means making decisions far beyond the manuscript. Author Coaching gives you space to step out of the noise, identify what matters most, and build a strategy that fits your goals, capacity, and author journey.

AUTHOR STRATEGY SESSION

$125 | 60 Minutes

Focused one-on-one strategy for a specific author goal, challenge, or decision.

Includes:

  • Pre-session Author Development Intake

  • 60-minute one-on-one strategy session

  • Focused guidance around your current challenge or goal

  • Practical recommendations and next steps

  • Brief written Action Recap

BOOK A STRATEGY SESSION →

AUTHOR DEVELOPMENT INTENSIVE

$250 | 90 Minutes

For authors who need more than an answer—they need a plan.

Includes:

  • In-depth Author Development Assessment

  • 90-minute one-on-one strategy session

  • Personalized 3–5 page Author Action Plan

  • Customized 30/60/90-Day Roadmap

  • Clear priorities and actionable next steps

  • One 30-minute accountability follow-up within 30 days

BOOK AN INTENSIVE →

Author Coaching provides strategy, education, accountability, and personalized guidance. It does not include manuscript editing, done-for-you publishing services, marketing management, legal advice, or guaranteed publishing or sales outcomes.

Not Sure Which One You Need?

Ask yourself one question:

Am I stuck with the BOOK—or am I stuck with being the AUTHOR?

I’M STUCK WITH THE BOOK

Choose Story Development if you need help with:

  • Plot or story direction

  • Character development or motivation

  • Conflict and stakes

  • Structure or pacing

  • Plot holes

  • Figuring out what happens next

  • Getting an unfinished story moving again

I’M STUCK WITH BEING THE AUTHOR

Choose Author Coaching if you need help with:

  • Prioritizing projects

  • Writing consistency

  • Publishing direction

  • Author strategy or positioning

  • Release planning

  • Building your readership

  • Balancing your author career with real life

  • Figuring out what you should do next

Still unsure? That’s okay. Oakleaf House can help you determine the best starting point.