My mission is to help veterans write their stories.
Phil Halton, Veteran and Book Coach
I want to help veterans tell their stories to a wide audience, whether through an autobiography, memoir or fiction based on their experiences. Society as a whole benefits when it learns from veterans’ perspectives.
I’m a Canadian Army veteran and published writer with experience across the breadth of the publishing process. I’ve worked in Afghanistan and Iraq, among other places around the world. I’ve taught, coached and mentored military students and veterans from countries across the globe. I’m committed to helping veterans tell their stories.
Writing and publishing can be a baffling process. Maybe you have an idea, but don’t know how to start. Or you have a draft that isn’t working. Or you’re anywhere in the process and feeling overwhelmed and stuck.
That’s where I come in. A book coach is like a battle buddy for writing. I won’t do the work for you, but I’ll be by your side every step of the way. I understand the whole writing and publishing process and can help you see the forest for the trees (and vice versa). I’ll coach you through the entire process, meeting you wherever you’re at, and giving you the guidance and assistance you need from moment to moment so you can keep moving forward.
(I’ve been in your shoes – you can see some of the books I’ve written here.)
From a cold start, you could have a first draft done in just six months. All it takes is discipline, dedication—and guidance.
Let me help.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but writing a book involves a lot of work before you actually start writing. Remember: fail to plan, plan to fail? Turns out it’s true. But this is where a book coach can make all the difference. Hiring a book coach is a strategic decision that can transform (and turbocharge) your writing journey. With their expertise, guidance, and support, you can overcome obstacles, improve your writing skills, and increase your chances of success in the publishing world.
How exactly does book coaching work?
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Guidance and Accountability
We have bi-weekly Zoom calls to discuss your work and home in on the skills and knowledge you need to learn and practice. I also give you bi-weekly deadlines so that you stay focused and on track.
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Specific, actionable feedback
I give you continual feedback on your work so that you continue to improve as you move forward. Getting guidance as you write your book will ensure that you don’t waste your time going down dead ends.
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Support from a fellow veteran
I understand your experiences, but also how writing and publishing works. I will provide just the right balance of support and accountability to help you bring the project to a conclusion.
The result?
You’ll complete a publishable manuscript, on time and on target, without wasting years making mistakes and feeling frustrated.
Your Investment
Exploratory Discussion
Free
30 minute Zoom Call
Determine if coaching is right for you.
Book Coaching
$4800 CAD
Billed in six monthly installments of $800
Bi-weekly 1 hr Zoom Call
Feedback on 20 pages of material per call
Unlimited email support between calls
Manuscript Evaluation
$TBD
Written evaluation of your manuscript
Structural Analysis
Zoom Call to provide actionable feedback
Veterans might be eligible for funding to cover the cost of coaching.
Canadian veterans can access the “Education and Training Benefit,” which includes funding for “Short Courses” such as this. You can read more about the ETB here, and I can assist with your application. Veterans of other nationalities may also be eligible for funding through their own systems.
Let me break trail for you on your journey to getting published.
Apply for the Waitlist
By signing up below, you will receive a link to the application form and an email scheduling an initial discussion. If you want to get in touch for either an exploratory discussion or a manuscript evaluation, please use this form instead.
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Real Veterans. Real Results.
Danny M., former US Marine
I had a collection of written memories from my time in the United States Marine Corps. When I decided to turn those stories into a book, I had no idea where to start. Phil really got me going in the right direction, helping me think in ways that I hadn’t before—making the stories make sense. Instead of just writing these memories down, I began reflecting on them deeply. Phil is solely responsible for some personal internal healing that I wasn’t aware I needed. He is supporting me every step of the way and we are creating something special together.
John H., former Canadian Army sapper
I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know when I started. Phil broke down what could have been an overwhelming process into clear, manageable steps while providing honest and constructive feedback. His proven roadmap and writing techniques made the process more achievable. They saved me years of trial and error, especially since I considered myself a non-writer. Phil’s guidance is invaluable for anyone serious about writing their book.
Paul W., former United States Navy
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, in that this was my first writing experience. As I went along with Phil’s suggestions and advice, it became evident that I needed a lot of coaching. I certainly learned a great deal from this endeavor. Anybody can be a writer, but having someone who gives you that nudge to push you to the next level, to help you develop your skills, and encourages you to bring your emotions to the surface is in the end, refreshing.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not sure what help I need. Can we talk about it?
Of course! Fill out the application form and I’ll automatically schedule a 30-minute discussion with you where I’ll endeavour to answer all your questions. We can determine whether we’re a good fit together, and what our roadmap would look like.
Do you work with non-veteran writers?
Sometimes. I believe so strongly in the need for veterans to tell their stories that I’ve decided to focus my efforts on helping them to do so. But, for the right person or right book, I still enjoy working with other writers and helping them to tell their best story. If you think we might be a good fit, get in touch and I’ll see what we can do together.
Do you just work with Canadian veterans?
Absolutely not! I think that the experience of being a veteran transcends national boundaries. I’ve worked on books with Canadian, British and American veterans, and have professional experience working with Australian and Kiwi veterans as well. No matter where you served, we can work together.
Why is there an application process?
This process will work for both experienced and beginner writers. It will work equally well for people who have nothing more than an idea as well as those who’ve already written a manuscript. These things are not what I’m looking for in the application process. The best predictor of our success is our fit as a team, and your dedication to the process. The application, along with our initial call, helps me to assess that fit and determine if it makes sense for us to move forward.
Do you work with fiction or non-fiction writers?
Both, but my focus is on working with veterans who are writing autobiography, memoir or fictionalized biography. I’ll sometimes work with other forms of story if it feels like a good fit. If you’re not sure whether your work aligns with these categories, get in touch and we can determine together if it’s worthwhile to move forward.
Is “book coach” just another term for an editor?
Not at all. Although there are different forms of editing, each focuses entirely on shaping an existing manuscript in some way. A book coach provides 1:1 focused support to a writer, wherever they are in the writing process. Having professional, sustained support while writing, editing, pitching and even publishing is the single best way for a writer to meet their goals. We may bring in editors to help us with these goals, but a book coach is more like a combined project manager and mentor.
Can you help me if I already have a finished draft?
Absolutely. While it’s great that you have a finished draft, there is still a long road ahead of you. We can work together to make sure that your manuscript is in the best shape possible, think through how best to get the book into the world, and then take concrete steps towards publication. My knowledge and experiences, as well as my rolodex, are at your disposal.
Can you guarantee that I’ll get published?
I cannot, and anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t being truthful. There are too many factors outside of my control to be able to make that promise. But we will work to create a manuscript that is of publishable quality, and then determine how best to get your book out into the world. I can coach you through the process of pitching to agents and publishers, or self-publishing.
What if I have no experience as a writer at all?
That isn’t a problem. I’ll teach you how to write a book, starting with honing your initial idea, and then through all the steps to publication. All you need to bring is dedication and a willingness to learn.
I’d like to use a different process. Can we do that?
The short answer is no. My professional opinion is that the system I have created is the most efficient and effective means to help a writer move forward with a project while learning about writing and publishing. Trust me on this, and if it doesn’t work for you, then I’ll give you your money back.
What happens if I miss a deadline or can’t make a meeting?
If you miss a deadline for the submission of material, without making prior arrangements, then you forfeit the opportunity to get feedback on it from me at our next meeting. That’s the only way to be fair to me and my other clients. If you can’t make one of our meetings, and give me 24 hours’ notice, we’ll endeavour to reschedule at a more convenient time. If you are consistently missing deadlines and meetings, then we’ll need to have a conversation about your suitability to continue in the program.
Can I pause my participation in the program?
Yes, sometimes life gets in the way. We can pause the process until you’re ready to fully commit again.
What if the program is a financial stretch?
Then my advice is not to do it. There is not going to be an immediate return on your investment, and so if joining the program is going to put you in financial difficulty, then I suggest that you postpone your involvement, look for other ways to educate and support yourself as a writer, and perhaps look for funding for veteran’s education that could be used.
What if this whole thing doesn’t work for me?
I strive to avoid this outcome, in part through the application process and in part by meeting each writer where they are in the process, but should you feel like you’re not getting good value out of our work, then you can cancel at any time. If this was after just our first session, I’ll give you a full refund. If we’re mid-subscription, then no further payment will be due.
What if I have a question not listed here?
Contact me here with your question and I’ll get back to you with an answer.
Phil Halton | Book Coach for Veterans 