Coach, editor or ghostwriter? Find the help that fits.
Eight questions about where your book is, who you want writing the words, your time, what is stuck, and your budget. You get one recommendation, the reasons behind it drawn from your own answers, and the next three things to do. It takes about two minutes and needs no email.
The questions
Choose one answer for each question. If your browser is still loading the tool, you can read the five possible answers further down this page.
What each recommendation means
The tool can land on any of these. None of them is a better person or a better book. They are different ways of splitting the work between you and someone you pay.
You write, with a guide beside you
A book coach helps you decide what the book is, plan it, and keep writing until a draft exists. Every sentence stays yours. Best when you want to write, have a few hours a week, and are stuck on structure or momentum rather than on time.
An expert read of pages that exist
A developmental editor works on a manuscript: structure, argument, what to cut, what is missing. Best when you have a complete draft (or close to it) and want one thorough, professional diagnosis rather than ongoing company.
Your ideas, someone else's sentences
A ghostwriter interviews you and writes the book in your voice. Best when you do not want to write the words, or cannot find the hours, and the budget allows it. You still give time: interviews and reviews.
No hired help yet
If you want to write, have the hours, have finished long work before, and would rather not spend much, the honest answer is to start alone with a written plan and a schedule, and pay for an editor later if the draft needs it.
Different help at different stages
Many books are best served by more than one kind of help, in order. The common pairings: a coach now and a developmental editor once the draft is done; a short coaching engagement to settle the outline, then writing on your own; or a coach to define the book before you decide whether a ghostwriter should write it. The tool tells you which pairing and in what order.
Want to talk your answer through with a person?
Scribe Media offers coaching, editing and ghostwriting, so we can walk through your result with you and say honestly whether any of it fits. If you send the form, your tool answers come with it so you do not have to repeat yourself.
Rather pick a time yourself? Book a free 15-minute consult or call 512-325-0249.
Thank you. Your details are with the Scribe team.
Someone from Scribe will reach out by email. If you would rather not wait, pick a time for a free consult.
About the tool
Does this tool always recommend a paid service?
No. One of the five answers is to write on your own with a plan, and the tool gives it whenever your answers point there: you want to write, you have the hours, you do not need much feedback, and the budget is tight.
Why does my answer say a mix?
Because many books need different help at different stages. A common pattern is a coach while the book is being shaped and drafted, then a developmental editor once a full draft exists. The tool says "a mix" when two kinds of help scored close together and they fit in a sensible order.
Are my answers saved?
Your answers stay in your browser while the page is open. Nothing is sent unless you choose to fill in the optional form below the tool. See the privacy page.
How does the tool decide?
Each answer adds or takes away points for four kinds of help: a book coach, a developmental editor, a ghostwriter, and writing on your own. The highest score wins. If the top two are close and fit together in order, you get a mix. The full rules are on the about page, and your result shows which answers pushed it.