I know how isolating it can be to write your first book and try to get it published. Who do you turn to with questions? Who reads your drafts and gives you feedback? How do you know if you’re on the right track?
I’m here to help, from the other side of publication. Through 1-1 coaching, I can answer your burning questions, point you in the right direction and boost your confidence.
✅ Get personalized solutions to your book problems
🤓 Make a game plan for getting published
📝 Get access to real-world tools and templates
🤗 Work with someone who gets what you’re going through
My signature one-hour coaching sessions are designed to get you over your biggest book-related obstacle.
You’ll come in with a problem, question or roadblock you can’t quite figure out by yourself. I’ll ask you some clarifying questions (to help you and me understand better), and then help you design a solution or path forward.
✨ Customized advice for your specific book and its unique journey to publication
🗺️ A roadmap for your next steps and action items
💪 The clarity to move forward with purpose and confidence
📝 The resources and templates you need to make it all happen
Hi, I’m Mike De Socio. Trust me when I say I used to be where you are now. When I first decided I wanted to write a book, I had no idea where to start. I thought I could just call up Simon & Schuster, and bingo-bango, get myself a book deal. (Reader: This is not how it works). It took me a while, and a lot of stumbling around in the dark, before I figured out the steps I needed to take.
Five years later, I have a literary agent, a publisher and a nonfiction book to my name. (And wouldn’t you know: It’s being distributed by Simon & Schuster).
But getting here wasn’t easy, and even as a seasoned journalist, I had to learn a lot of new skills. I want to pass that knowledge on to you—and save you a lot of heartache along the way.
“Talking to a stranger about a potential book idea can be pretty scary, especially when it’s still in the early stages. But Mike immediately made me feel at ease and helped me talk it out and think through some potential options.
He gave honest feedback without making me feel judged and was upfront about the realities of publishing. He also helped me break things down into manageable pieces and pointed me to tons of resources to help me move forward.
I had been putting the idea of this creative project on the back burner due to other work. However, I’m now excited to revisit it and take the next steps when I have more time. It feels so much more manageable now!” — Meredith Bethune, freelance writer and editor
Totally. I can help you flesh out your book idea. You don’t need to have anything written yet. If you’d don’t even have a book idea, but just know you want to write one, that’s fine too—I’ll help you brainstorm.
Maybe. My expertise is in nonfiction books specifically. That said, some parts of the process overlap with fiction. Send me a note with your specific needs, and I’ll let you know if I can help.
You can always book a second one! But if you know upfront you’ll want more time with me, I also offer a three-pack of sessions for a discounted rate of $250. Email me for details.
Nope. I’ll help you understand if your book idea is really a book, or would be better as a magazine article (or something else entirely). No need to have it all figured out.
I believe in helping writers tell inclusive, empathetic and accessible stories. I approach this work in a supportive, collaborative style that centers your needs. I’m especially keen on helping LGBTQ+ storytellers, and supporting work that illuminates injustices or solutions to social problems.
I offer some free and lower-cost resources, too, which you can check out here.
There’s no reason to stay stuck. With the right help and support, you can get your book project across the finish line.
Let me help you get there.
Maybe personalized coaching isn’t quite what you’re looking for. Not to worry: There are other ways I can help. I also offer mix-and-match resources for specific parts of the book-writing journey.
This is your start-to-finish guide to writing and publishing your first nonfiction book—all delivered with clarity and a dash of humor.
Your template for translating your idea into a book proposal that can get you a book deal.
Think of this guide as a menu of strategies you can use to keep yourself accountable with book progress.
Or: Reality checks on the good, the bad and the magic of book publication.
A step-by-step process, a query letter template and my best tips on navigating the entire thing.