What is stopping you from writing your children's book?
Do you never seem to find the time to write? Do you have a great idea but no clue what to do next? Or maybe a lack of confidence – perhaps from past disappointments – is getting in your way?
The fact that you are here, on this page, tells me that you really care about being a children's author. That you want to create exciting, inspiring books for kids to love, learn from, and read over and over again. But it also tells me that you're feeling a bit stuck, right? Dreaming of holding your own beautiful book in your hands but not quite knowing how to make it a reality?
Writing for children can be the most wonderful thing in the world. But when you're trying to do it all alone, it can be really tough. Trust me, I've been there too. And it really doesn't help that publishing is still such a mysterious, closed-doors sort of industry. How does it all work? What do they want from you?!
Whatever obstacles are standing between you and your writing dreams, I want to help you overcome them – and write a book that makes you truly proud.
“I felt like I was working in a vacuum with no idea whether what I was doing made sense or was ‘good’. I knew I needed help desperately. Alice was so helpful! I feel like she really cared about my growth and success, and went above and beyond to help me succeed”
1:1 coaching client
Get an expert in your corner
I've been on both sides of the publishing process, as an author and an editor specialising in children's creative non-fiction, and I can help you create the very best version of your book. Just as importantly, I can help you build the knowledge, confidence, resilience and good habits to keep you steady and strong when you might otherwise have abandoned your writing dreams.
So what makes me the right person to help you? Well, only you can be the judge of that, but here are some highlights of my experience – after all, you want to know that your coach knows what they're talking about!
I have 10+ years experience as an in-house and freelance children's book editor.
My books have been translated into 15 languages and are sold all over the world.
I've edited numerous award-winning and critically acclaimed children's books, and written more than 50 books published by Bloomsbury, Thames & Hudson, Quarto, Hachette and others.
My own books have been longlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards and shortlisted for the UKLA Awards.
I've developed books for the Met, the Science Museum, the Centre Pompidou and the Louvre.
My books have been featured in publications including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
I have been an elected member of the Society of Authors' Children's Writers and Illustrators. Group Committee, which advises and advocates for authors, illustrators and young readers throughout the UK.
So, what do you think it would it feel like to have me in your corner? A fellow writer on your side, listening to you and supporting you and giving you friendly, expert advice?
I know that, as an author, I couldn't do what I do without encouragement and experienced, constructive feedback. I could be there to offer that to you, to help you with whatever you need to give you and your book the best chance possible.
Alice is everything you could want in an author coach. She is warm, friendly and supportive, while offering honest and constructive advice and feedback. Working with Alice has really helped me to better understand the (sometimes bewildering) world of publishing and to take my writing to the next level.
After every session, I feel enlivened, motivated and tooled up with new, practical strategies to move my writing forward.
1:1 coaching client
Get the individual support YOU need
Together, we can find a writing practice that works for your unique mind, life and writing style. There are four key areas in an author's development, which I use to guide my own work and my coaching practice, but the exact balance and detail of what each author needs to work on is entirely individual.
So instead of cookie-cutter writing tips and tricks – which can be great for a few fun ideas, but won't scratch the surface of what's really making you feel stuck – our 1-to-1 time will give you and your writing the personal, focused attention it deserves. Whatever point you're at with your writing, we'll start there and move things forwards in a way that feels right for you. And it's completely up to you what we focus our time on.
Packages
I offer three 1-to-1 author coaching packages, at varying price points, using a dedicated coaching platform called Paperbell. Payment plans are available for all packages, at no extra cost to you. If you have any questions or would like to chat on a discovery call, please email me at info@aliceharman.com.
Creative Kickstart
1 hour of 1-to-1 coaching, remotely via Zoom
Session notes and a personalised next-steps action plan for you to follow
A recording of our coaching call so you can revisit the session whenever you want
Email support for up to a month after our call
£270 one-off payment, or payment plan available from £90/month
Set Up for Success
3 hours of 1-to-1 coaching over 3 months, remotely via Zoom
Session notes and a personalised next-steps action plan after each call
A recording of our coaching call so you can revisit the session whenever you want
Email support and weekly accountability check-ins between coaching sessions
Free (optional) review of up to 1000 words of your work-in-progress
Digital workbook and toolkit, with proposal templates + more
Email support for up to 3 months after our final call
£690 one-off payment, or payment plan available from £138/month
In It Together
6 hours of 1-to-1 coaching over 6 months, remotely via Zoom
Session notes and a personalised next-steps action plan after each call
A recording of our coaching call so you can revisit the session whenever you want
Email support and weekly accountability check-ins between coaching sessions
Free (optional) first review of up to 3000 words of your work-in-progress, or across multiple writing projects
Free (optional) second review, so you can get feedback on any changes you've made and know you're on the right track
Digital workbook and toolkit, with proposal templates + more
Free (optional) review of your book proposal
Email support for up to 6 months after our final call
£1240 one-off payment, or payment plan available from £155/month
I offer a 25% discount on all packages to writers from groups traditionally marginalised and excluded by the publishing industry (including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, working class, disabled and neurodivergent) and to writers with limited financial means due to caring responsibilities (single parents, for example) who otherwise couldn't afford to work with me. Please email me at info@aliceharman.com for a discount code to enter at checkout.
Got any questions for me?
The basic details of my author coaching packages are above, but of course you may have some other questions for me – or want to make sure that we feel like a good fit. That sounds like a great idea to me too! If you’re interested in coaching and would like to talk things through on a 15-minute discovery call, please just email me on info@aliceharman.com or fill in the contact form below. I look forward to hearing from you!