I’M ERIN

Writer, developmental editor, and book coach.

I love thinking about stories, tinkering with stories, fixing stories, especially stories for young people of all genres, characters on “who am I?” journeys, and stories that end on a note of hope. I love writing, and I love writers. 

And I know what it’s like to get stuck. To wander around in the messy middle, unsure what to do next. Or what that character should say now. Or whether the story starts in the right place.  

I’ve been there. 

The way out of the story wilds is perspective and a plan. 

That’s what I do. I help writers get perspective on their story. See what they have on the page, and what they need to work on, with fresh clarity. And then build a plan to move forward.

Whole Story Coaching

Writing classes and workshops and conferences and craft books are great, but they can only get you so far. You’re left trying to implement all this knowledge on your own and wondering… did I do it right?

Whole story coaching is an individualized, hands-on approach that helps you take your manuscript to the next level.

When you work with me, we’ll dive deep into your story, focusing on the elements of craft: characters, plot, setting, and theme. You’ll get a big-picture perspective on your story that will help you see what’s working, what’s not working, and why. 

But more importantly, you’ll have someone who’s read your whole story with fresh eyes and is giving you detailed, specific feedback on your work that will help you move forward with clarity and confidence. You’ll have someone to brainstorm with. Someone who wants to see you get to The End as much as you do.

“Working with Erin is the single best investment I made for my novel. Erin made the effort to really grasp the larger story I was telling, and guided me through the necessary steps to ‘re-envision’ my novel. Her insightful questions and outside perspective were keys that unlocked all the places I’d been stuck and have allowed me to move into my revision with game-changing clarity and the fresh energy I needed to move forward effectively. I feel so lucky to have Erin in my writing corner!”
— Cindy

My Background

I’m an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, which means I’ve received in-depth training in developmental editing and book coaching from some of the best in the business.

As an Author Accelerator certified book coach, I am dedicated to integrity, kindness, and professionalism in the practice of book coaching.

I earned my MFA in writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University in 2021, where I received the Herman W. Block Award, judged by Kate DiCamillo, for excellence in writing for young people; the T.A. Barron Award for excellence in fantasy writing; and the Francis and Kermit Rudolf Award for excellence in nonfiction writing.

I got my first writing gig at age 8, as the sole reporter and editor of Spot News, the daily newspaper on Jupiter. Other projects followed, including writing a book of myths and rewriting key scenes from “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” so Lucy had a sword instead of a horn.

I turned my childhood passion for stories into a career as a documentary series producer and scriptwriter. And I’ve published more than a dozen short stories.

Ready to work with me?

The first step is to reach out.