Do-It-Together

As your first step with Hewes House, you will have the opportunity to speak with our Founder, Josh Boardman, on a 15-minute phone call, during which you’ll dive into your goals, writing history, and work preferences. We’ll cover questions such as:

• Have you ever written a book-length work before?
• What is your relationship to writing?
• What does success look like to you, with regards to your book?
• What kind of person do you work best with?

We will use our Founder consultation call to determine which of our expert writing coaches will be the best fit for your project, as well as if we think our services can be a good fit for your process. Our system isn’t for everyone, and if we think that you would be better served elsewhere, we will happily refer you to a service or company who will better suit your needs.

Based on your consultation call responses, you’ll have consultations with two potential writing coaches to find your ideal match. You’ll want to share your creative preferences and communication style with each coach, as well as understand their background and approach to book development.

The right coach-author relationship is essential to your success—we help guide the interview process to ensure you find your ideal creative partner.

This is where your collaboration begins in earnest.

In this foundational 60-minute session, your writing coach becomes your creative partner. Your coach will dredge your book idea, helping you see everything more clearly: big picture themes, critical details, and connections you hadn’t yet seen. Whether you’re starting with a rough idea, have already mapped out content, or find yourself stuck in the middle of your manuscript, we’ll identify core elements and address any structural concerns that will guide our ongoing work together.

By the end, what felt overwhelming becomes the foundation for our collaborative first draft.

Now that your coach understands your book concept and creative style, it’s time to map out your path forward. This collaborative session focuses on translating what we’ve learned about you and your project into a concrete plan for the months ahead.

Your coach will help you establish realistic writing goals, identify potential obstacles before they derail you, and create accountability structures that fit your schedule and personality. We’ll also determine how to best use your coaching time going forward: whether you’ll benefit more from regular check-ins, intensive manuscript feedback, or a combination approach.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear roadmap for your writing journey and feel confident about taking those crucial first steps toward your completed manuscript.

—between (or even during!) meetings with your coach. These sessions help you figure out what’s actually working in your writing process versus what you thought would work. Your coach will help you adjust your schedule, tackle specific challenges you’re facing, and learn techniques that apply to whatever you’re currently writing.

You’ll discover your authentic writing rhythm through trial and refinement. Some sessions focus on craft issues, others on time management or motivation. Your coach responds to wherever you are in your process—whether you’re hitting your stride or need to overcome specific obstacles.

Over time, these regular check-ins become the backbone of steady progress on your manuscript.

Your pages are going to pile up and it’s going to feel great. Meanwhile, your coach is quietly tracking the threads that make your book unique—your voice, your themes, your structural choices—and you’ll begin to trust that you’re building something coherent and compelling.

You don’t have to read the feedback as you go (many writers prefer to wait), but knowing someone is witnessing your creative process removes the anxiety of “Is this even working?” You’ll write with confidence that our experience and guidance are shaping your book behind the scenes.

After months of collaborative work, biweekly check-ins, and ongoing feedback, you’ll reach the moment every writer dreams of: completing your full manuscript. Your writing coach has guided you through every chapter, every challenge, and every breakthrough that brought you to this accomplishment.

Your writing coach celebrates this milestone with you and helps you transition from writer to reviser. You’ll receive your complete set of developmental notes covering the entire manuscript, a clear revision strategy based on what you’ve learned about your book during the writing process, and concrete next steps for turning your draft into a polished, publishable manuscript.

Most importantly, you’ll have proven to yourself that you can complete a book-length project—a confidence that transforms how you approach writing for the rest of your life.

After celebrating your completed first draft, your writing coach will compile all their notes from your journey into a comprehensive, personalized revision guide. 

Your coach knows your book intimately after months of collaboration, so this roadmap becomes your most valuable revision tool. Whether you dive into revisions immediately (while the story is fresh in your mind) or set your manuscript aside for a well-deserved break, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan waiting for you. This document ensures that when you’re ready to tackle your second draft, you’re not staring at a blank page wondering where to start—you have professional guidance pointing you exactly where to go.

Old school writing instructors used to say “the best time to begin your book is as soon as you finish it”—your story is alive in your mind, and momentum is a powerful force in revision. But whether you start immediately or take time to breathe, you’ll have everything you need to transform your first draft into the book you envisioned.

(optional)

Different writers work at different paces, and that’s completely normal. Some manuscripts need more time to fully develop, and some life circumstances require a slower writing schedule. If you need additional months to complete your first draft, you can extend your coaching program for a monthly fee.

Extended months include the same support structure: biweekly coaching sessions, ongoing manuscript feedback, and your coach’s continued guidance as you work toward completion. The goal remains the same—finishing your manuscript—with the timeline adjusted to fit your reality.

Many of our most successful authors have used program extensions, and they often tell us that the extra time allowed them to create stronger, more thoughtful work. Your writing coach will work with you to determine the best path forward, whether that’s maintaining your current pace or adjusting expectations to better serve your book and your life.