STORYlab
one-on-one story coaching
Looking for help with a work-in-progress? Feeling stuck? Seeking inspiration?
STORYlab is our one-on-one story coaching service for writers. From partial drafts to full manuscripts, scene sketches to hefty chapters, we can help you with:
narrative writing: feedback, editing, revision, and proofreading
dramatic writing: script analysis, customized craft advice, dramaturgy
organizing time: building writing routines, finding accountability
finding the spark: discovering new ways into your work
We believe in meeting writers where they are, not where we think they should go. We’ll work with you on your specific project to help you accomplish your specific goals. Our process is writer-focused and collaborative.
Our coaches are experienced writers in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting. We will match you with someone who will work closely with you to help you reach your specific needs. Our pricing is competitive and fair, and we have scholarships available for those requesting a little extra assistance.
How we work
OUR PROCESS
STORYlab coaching is customized to your specific needs. After you contact us, we’ll set up a time to meet online to discuss what you’re looking for, including your writing goals and timeline. Then we go away, read your work, and take notes. We then meet again for a coaching session to provide feedback, give comments, and answer questions. Depending on what type of service you need, we may also send you our written notes before we meet.
We’ll work with you to set your goals and make sure you have the tools to continue on your own. We can also set up follow-up sessions as needed, if you’d like to continue working with us on a longer-term basis.
OUR RATES
See below for our rates for both literary and dramatic writing. Working on a specific budget and need a little assistance? We have partial scholarships available! Please contact us to request more information.
How did we set our rates? Read more here.
LiTERARY WRiTiNG
fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry
The below rates include two one-hour sessions (an initial consultation & a follow-up coaching session), a comprehensive reading of your work, and notes.
Proofreading: $0.014/word
grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting
Copy Editing: $0.018/word
word choice, sentence structure, transitions, meaning, flow
Developmental Editing: $0.022/word
big picture, plot, characters, structure, themes, comprehension, style
Comprehensive Package: $2,000
includes proofreading, copy editing, and developmental editing of your full manuscript with an extra coaching session and ongoing assistance via email during the revision process (up to 100,000 words)
Additional coaching sessions (one hour): $50
DRAMATiC WRiTiNG:
full-length plays & other dramatic literature
The below rates include two sessions (an initial one-hour consultation & a 90-min coaching session), a comprehensive reading of your work, and notes.
Dramaturgy: $300
plot/action, characters, structure & form, pace, meaning, flow, themes, style, in-depth script development, historical context, dialect and language, research assistance, production/performance perspective
Draft Review: $450
includes two additional sessions to review any revisions or new drafts, and ongoing assistance via email during the revision process
Additional coaching sessions (one hour): $50
Proofreading & Formatting Help: $50/hour
includes a careful read of your script for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and script formatting (working with you on which of the many “standard” formats you prefer) - this service is very helpful if you’re reformatting a piece for a specific submission!
STORYlab Coaches
CLAiRE E. JONES
genres: fiction, genre fiction, historical fiction, self-help/personal development, business, psychology
editing speciality: developmental editing
about me: (she/her) I’m a queer fantasy romance author as well as an experienced guide that supports other writers in getting their works into the world. I have been writing in some shape or form since I was seven years old, earning an award for my poetry at age 16 and getting published in academic journals at age 21 and am publishing my third novel in 2024.
what makes me awesome: My queer high fantasy romance novels have sold in six countries and have been picked up by three independent bookstores as well as a local Barnes & Noble. My support is goal-oriented to make sure that each manuscript is precisely developed for whatever you ultimately hope to accomplish with it.
JAZ
genres: poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction
editing speciality: copy editing, developmental editing
about me: I’m an Award-winning Published Poet, Author, Performance Poet, Playwright, Actress, Songwriter (ASCAP), Singer, Composer, and Educator from Philadelphia, PA. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing/Poetry from Goddard College and a BA in Theater from Temple University. My poetry publications span over two decades in multiple literary mags, journals, and anthologies.
what makes me awesome: In poetry, I teach and tutor on the elements of craft, including word choice, lineation (line breaks, enjambment), lines, stanzas, compression, syntax, alliteration, rhythm & rhyme, juxtaposition, figurative language (metaphor/simile/personification), white space, repetition, punctuation (and lack thereof), imagery, poetic voice, submission process/publication sources, performance poetry, ekphrastic and acrostic form poetry.
Developing and honoring your poetic voice is essential. Honoring your vision is paramount to me!
MiRiAM BC TOBiN
genres: playwriting, short and long fiction, proofreading for any genre
editing speciality: proofreading, developmental editing, dramaturgy & script development
about me: (she|her) I’m a Seattle-based playwright, theatre artist, and educator. I’ve performed on stages and taught drama across the US and Europe. Honors & awards include a Hedgebrook residency, PEN Writing Scholarship, and London Dramatic Academy Fellowship. I’m currently a resident writer with the Seattle Public Library and an associate artist with Parley Productions and The Shattered Glass Project.
what makes me awesome: I’ve worked with many different writers to help bring their projects together. I believe in meeting writers where they are, so I’ll customize my feedback to your unique needs and goals. I’m all about structure, guidance, listening, and reflecting. My speciality is looking at a story’s big picture and figuring out how all the smaller parts fit into it. Plus, I love playing with grammar and punctuation so I’m your go-to cleaner-upper for words & meaning.
CATHERiNE BLAKE SMiTH
genres: playwriting, audio drama, short stories, nonfiction (modern/contemporary history, productivity, and technology)
editing speciality: dramaturgy & script development, copy editing, proofreading (any genre)
about me: (she/her) I’m a neurodivergent theatre producer, dramaturg, and director based in Seattle. I’ve developed new work as a dramaturg, director, and playwright with Annex, Latitude Theatre, Infinity Box Theatre, Macha Monkey Theatre, and others. In addition to producing theatre, I’m also an editorial and research assistant for a history book on The Black Scholar.
what makes me awesome: I provide script formatting services and proofread work of any genre for productions, submissions, and archives. I value asking questions to help guide creators to their truth, and I tailor my consultations to suit the developmental and producing goals for the work. At Annex Theatre, I’ve produced more than 40 new productions with both emerging and seasoned playwrights and creators.
FAQs
Can I choose which STORYlab Coach I work with?
Yup! Let us know when you contact us if you prefer a specific coach. Otherwise we’ll match you with someone in your genre and area of need (i.e. proofreading).
How much experience do your coaches have?
Lots! We come from different writing backgrounds with a mix of degrees, publications, productions, and other experiences. Feel free to check out our bios to learn more about us.
How did you decide on the rates you charge?
It wasn’t easy! We wanted to keep our rates low for you, competitive to what’s out there, and a healthy compensation to our coaches for their time, skills, and expertise. We’ve done a ton of market research on practices in both industries (literary and dramatic writing) to come up with what we believe are fair, considerate rates.
Why do we have different rates for literary and dramatic writing?
Such a good question! We know it looks strange to charge one type of writing by word count and the other by project, but literary and dramatic writing have two different industry standards. Literary writers count in words and pages (i.e. 50,000 words), dramatic writers in pages and time (i.e. 90 minutes). And they both charge wildly different rates for editing, feedback, and one-on-one coaching.
In determining our fee structure, we wanted to make things a little more equitable. We brought our literary editing rates down a bit and our dramaturgy rates up a bit. We feel this better serves you, the writer, and puts a fair value to your work. And it also values the time and attention our coaches give to each and every piece of work. We hope our prices help reflect that.
Here, here, and here are some great articles on how much editors charge and why. Here’s information on what a dramaturg does (and what other services charge).
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we do! Eligibility for a partial scholarship is considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on your specific project and budget. Please contact us and let us know your needs.