Australian & NZ Book Coaches, Book Doctors and Writing Mentors: Non-Fiction

Just as a personal trainer can help you with your fitness goals and program, a book coach (sometimes also known as a book consultant, book coach, author whisperer, writing mentor or book doula) can help guide you and your non-fiction book to publication.

If you want to know how to write a book, get to the core of your idea for a book, improve your writing or prepare for either a book deal with a traditional publisher or go the self-publishing route – you may need the services of a book coach along the way.

The listing below is for Australian writing mentors specialising in non-fiction – if you need support for your fiction writing, see the list of Australian fiction coaches here.

Some editors can also fill the role of book coach if they are ready, able and willing to bridge the gap between editing and mentoring.

Book coaches can help in all sorts of ways, from getting you through a mental block to helping you find and enhance the core of your story right through to guiding you through publishing choices and marketing.

Just like sport coaches, book coaches have specialties i.e.: You wouldn’t sign up for a surfing coach if you were trying to improve your equestrian skills. And not every coach is good at everything, which is why you may even work with more than one book coach or consultant during the course of your writing career, or even your book.

I find sometimes just paying an expert for 30 minutes of their time, saves me five hours of dithering. While newer authors might benefit from a longer term program, and accountablity, as they write their book.

The list below of Australian and New Zealand book coaches (specialising in non-fiction books) showcases all sorts of mentors ready to help you on your writing and publishing journey. The list will be added to and changed over time.

Disclaimer: Being on the list however, does not mean I recommend them, that’s because I haven’t been able to work with them all individually – and each coach has a specialty and style that may suit a particular type of author/book, but not necessarily you and yours.  Please do your own research, seek recommendations from your writing community and show due diligence when selecting who to work with. Check their terms and conditions too so you know what your options are if things don’t work out.

 

Book Coaches Australia & NZ List – Non-Fiction (including memoir) & Business Books

 

Andrew Griffiths – Author Academy

Non fiction business & non fiction general

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) & face-to-face coaching packages (Hobart, TAS).
• Specialties: book writing and publishing coaching + book leveraging advice, post publishing
• About Andrew’s book coaching: I’ve written 14 bestselling business books sold in over 65 countries and now coached almost 1000 people to write and publish their first book (and some their second, third, fourth and fifth books). I get the best results working with people who want to write and publish a world class book to build their business brand and personal profile.
• Author clients include: Kate Christie, Darren Finkelstein, Geoff Anderson.

 

Anna Featherstone – Bold Authors & Look-It’s Your Book! 

Non fiction general trade, non fiction business, memoir, biography, creative non-fiction, transformational, environment and sustainability   

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) + ask-me-anything Zoom/phone calls + face-to-face coaching packages (NSW) + online courses + self-publishing book & workbook and writing retreats.
• Specialties: Book planning, writing and publishing coaching and advice + book marketing & book PR consulting + current self-publishing tactics, tools and troubleshooting.
• About Anna’s book coaching: I empower writers as you plan, write and move to publication with your book. I can help you with questions little through to large, spotlighting opportunities. No-hype handholding about all things writing, publishing, self-publishing, book marketing and publicity. I get the best results with writers committed to sharing their stories, who want to do well.
• Author clients include: Maggie Walters, Sarah Howard, Todd Ley, and numerous readers of Look-It’s Your Book! including Sarah Martin, Mary Garden, Pauline Wilson and Anne Gately.

 

Bernadette Schwerdt – Author, Ghost-Writer, Book Coach
Non-fiction business, memoir, thought leadership

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) and face-to-face coaching (Melbourne, VIC)
  Specialties: Ghost-writing, book coaching, book mentoring
• About Bernadette’s book coaching: A best-selling author, TEDx speaker and professional ghost-writer, Bernadette helps leaders and experts write impactful, commercially successful books through tailored ghost-writing, coaching and mentoring services.
• Author clients include: Radek Sali (former CEO of Swisse Vitamins), Gabby Leibovich (Founder of Catch.com), Kobi Simmat (author of How to Build a Business Others Want to Buy)

 

Bev Ryan – Certified Non-Fiction Book Coach, Smart Women Publish

Non fiction: business and leadership, professional and/or growth topics, memoir/self-help, 

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) + face-to-face coaching (Brisbane, QLD)
• Specialties: Short-read, long-impact books™ – this includes book planning; writing accountability & review; self-publishing guidance; book production management (includes editing, design & distribution), book marketing preparation
• About Bev’s book coaching: As an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach and production manager, I serve business and professional women (and men) writing and self-publishing quality books that get read and bring change.
• Author clients include: Dr Carol McGowan, Dr Damien Barry, Danielle Wolfe, Jane Langof, Hannah Schuhmann

 

Blake de Vos – Book Coach, Mentor

Non fiction business and thought leadership, general non-fiction

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) + face-to-face coaching + six month program (Perth, WA)
• Specialties: Motivation/accountability, proofreading, manuscript assessment, self-publishing assistance
• About Blake’s book coaching: Blake de Vos is a book coach, host of The Publish To Impact Podcast, and a best-selling author. He is the creator of Idea To Asset, a program designed to help entrepreneurs, coaches, and experts in their respective fields make a meaningful personal and professional impact through the process of becoming an author. coaches, business owners, leaders and anyone who has an expertise they want to share inside a book
• Author clients include: TBA once he’s worked with clients to completion.

 

Carolyn Tate – Author, Educator

Women’s non-fiction

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) + face-to-face Melbourne + Red Hill, VIC
• Specialties: Motivation/accountability, writing community
• About Carolyn’s book coaching: Carolyn Tate has been a professional writer for almost twenty years and has
  published six books, two with publishing houses and four self-published. The last two books are The Purpose Project and Brave Women Write. Her focus is on supporting women to write stories of freedom, purpose and impact through her Brave Women Writers’ Circle. Carolyn works with women who are just beginning their writing journey
  and who are not necessarily writing a book but have a story to tell.
• Clients include: see testimonials on her website

 

Christine Sheehy – Book Coach and Copywriter

Non fiction business, non fiction general, memoir, self-help, anything to do with France and French life

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) + face-to-face Matakana, New Zealand
• Specialties: Motivation/accountability, pitching literary agents/trad publishing, community, ghost writing, manuscript assessment, book concept development, book proposals, writing retreats, manuscript development.
• About Christine’s book coaching: Certified in non-fiction and memoir by Author Accelerator. I help coaches, experts (and writers with something to teach and a story to tell) develop, write and pitch compelling book concepts.
• Author clients include: Kristin Dainis, Emma Wright, Natalie Tolhopf

 

Dr Damon Young

Literary non-fiction, opinion/essays (Fiction: genre short fiction & children’s picture books)

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere)
• Specialties: Motivation/accountability, writing craft, pitching literary agents/traditional publishers, social media, philosophy (big picture stuff)
• About Damon’s author services: I’m the author editor of thirteen books of nonfiction and children’s fiction, hundreds of columns and essays. Some short stories. I can help new and emerging writers in these areas.
• Author clients include: Damon has taught writing for Writers Victoria, Writers SA, Sydney Writers Festival, Brisbane Writers Festival, Ubud Writers Festival (Indonesia), Beijing Bookworm Festival (China), Storytellers (Amsterdam), and more.

 

Jaqui Lane – The Book Adviser

Non fiction business, non fiction general, memoir

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) + face-to-face Syd/Mel/Bris/Adel
• Specialties: Full service from book concept/idea, manuscript structure, writing
  support, design, production and marketing
• About Jaqui’s book coaching: Jaqui has over 30 years’ experience in business book writing, publishing and marketing and has written 35 company histories, published over 530 business books and coached over 150 authors through their own business book project. I team-up with motivated business owners who want to share their knowledge and insight to the world, and who want to utilise their book to increase their visibility, profile and reputation to grow their business and secure industry recognition and speaking opportunities.
• Author clients include: Garry Browne, Hayden Fricke, Danielle Dobson

 

Kath Walters – Book Coach **Updated April 2026: Kath is taking time away from coaching to go cycling & create other things, but may be available here and there!) **

Non fiction business and thought leadership, general non-fiction

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere)
• Specialties: Motivation/accountability, beta reading, ghost writing, editing, self-publishing assistance, community, marketing and PR
• About Kath’s book coaching: I give you honest feedback about your ideas, writing and structure, always in a supportive and constructive way, and always based on my two plus decades as a business journalist and author. I offer three programs that may suit you: Brain to Book in 90 Days; Big Audacious Book Idea Concept Accelerator; Author to Authority membership.
• Author clients include: View alumni from Kath’s programs here

 

Kelly Irving – Expert Author Community

Non fiction business and thought leadership, stealth help, memoir, narrative non-fiction

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) + face-to-face
• Specialties: Community, Coaching, Accountability, Book strategy, Book process, Book Proposals, Publishing advice (Trad/hybrid/self), Pitching traditional publishing, Writing skills, Developmental and structural editing
  Manuscript Assessment, Leveraging Launch and impact
• About Kelly’s book coaching: Kelly Irving is a best-selling book coach, professional editor, and creator of the Expert Author Community. With 10+ years’ experience bringing authors’ biggest, best and commercially viable ideas to market via her unique Write Book Method. (She has never had book pitch rejected). Best suited for non-fiction authors looking to make an impact in the world or with their work.  
  
• Author clients include: view alumni from Kelly’s programs here 

 

Sophia Walker, PhD – Swallowtail Editorial Services

Academic Humanities & Social Sciences, Nonfiction general

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) Book Coaching Packages; Sliding-scale coaching; developmental and copy editing for academic and general nonfiction writing
• Specialties: Academic writing & navigating academia; burnout & executive function; bridging academic & commercial writing; publication assistance; neurodivergent writing & project management
• About Sophia’s book coaching: I am a coach and developmental editor working with academic and commercial nonfiction authors (and everyone in between). I specialize in helping creative, mission-driven writers navigate the treacherous waters of the process – from idea to publication. I earned my own PhD from the University of Chicago in Japanese literary history, media, and fan culture.
• Author clients include: See website testimonials

 

Virginia Lloyd PhD – Lloyd Literary Services

Non-fiction business and thought leadership, memoir, narrative non-fiction, hybrid works

• Offering: Virtual (anywhere) *expat Australian based in New York
• Specialties: Author strategy sessions + Literary agent submissions support + Book proposal edits + Book coaching
• About Virginia’s book coaching: I mentor nonfiction writers aiming for a literary agent or traditional book deal. As an author and former literary agent, I know what’s required for you to reach your goal.
• Author clients include: Guy Hull, Sharon Connolly, Dr Jacqui Winship & Prof Gill Straker