Writing Coaching

The role of an editor is not to point out everything that is wrong with a piece of writing, but to see what the writer intended to do and help them achieve that.

This is my editing philosophy.

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What He Does

As a writing coach, Joseph Sale knows that everyone has a story burning inside them. It’s his job to nurture that flame, and when the time is right, let it shine. He has coached numerous writers from nobody/nothing humble beginnings who have gone on to receive professional publication credits after working with him through one-to-one sessions. These names include Jamie Parry Bruce, Kimberly Redway, Matt Blackwell, Guy Bishop and Tice Cin. His story-writing technique derives from the classical 5 Act model, but adapted for the modern age with influences from Henry James and other American writers.

How He Does It

Coaching sessions with him include: proofing, ideas generation, style, formatting preparation, market research (where to submit and how), story-arc analysis, plotting, characterisation evolving from dramatic technique, and much, much more. He has worked  with all kinds of writers, including neurodiverse and disabled authors. He will work to realise the vision of the author with the utmost respect, sensitivity, and dedication.

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Packages

There are 4 main packages available, reflecting the range of services on offer: from proofreading to structural analysis.

Cover Design or Small Proof

£35 - £70

Receive a limited edition, custom cover created specifically for your book by Joseph Sale and grandfailure.

or

Get proofreading on a cover letter, proposal, synopsis, blurb or even a short story (5,000 word or less). This will correct type-os, grammatical errors, and include checks for plot-holes and sense.

Writing Coaching Level 1

£125 per 20,000 words

Proofreading & line by line editing on a novel or short story collection up to 80,000 words. This will include analysis of the novel (normally an A4 page detailing structural improvements, character plotting, and points for improvement) as well as feedback on specific scenes.  This includes a one-hour Skype call.

Writing Coaching Level 2

£600

You will also receive full writing coaching on a novel or short story collection of 100,000+ words, including 3 one-hour Skype call sessions, detailed line-by-line editing, ideas generation techniques, analysis according to the Joseph Sale’s adapted 5 Act model of story writing, proofing and more.

Ghost Writing

£2,000 / £35 per hour

Price and price structure is negotiable depending on the nature of the project. Everyone works differently, but essentially I will write whatever content is required, edit it, and proof to the highest possible standard.

Several leading businesses have used my services for their high-end corporate email copy, for their marketing materials and brochures, and even for senior managers' business or non-fiction books. I also ghost-write (or assisted-write) fiction.

Kimberly Redway

"Joseph Sale assisted me with the development of my writing and offered a critique that has provided a foundation for future works. He is professional and as a reader of his writing can honestly say he writes with passion and extraordinary vision. His stories pull you into their well-constructed world and invite you to watch the beautifully composed tale unfold. I just know that his next endeavour will be successful."
5.0
2017-04-26T20:22:05+00:00
"Joseph Sale assisted me with the development of my writing and offered a critique that has provided a foundation for future works. He is professional and as a reader of his writing can honestly say he writes with passion and extraordinary vision. His stories pull you into their well-constructed world and invite you to watch the beautifully composed tale unfold. I just know that his next endeavour will be successful."

Jamie Parry-Bruce

"Joseph was instrumental in making me realise what it was I'd spent my life wanting to do. With his help and incredible support I managed to complete several short stories and a novella and am now in the process of setting them loose into the world. It's not only Joseph's unstinting work that's inspiring: his ethics and his approach are second to none and I've never met another author who is willing to give so much of their time and effort to help other people live their dreams. Thank you, Joseph, for this opportunity and for my dreams."
5.0
2017-04-26T20:33:06+00:00
"Joseph was instrumental in making me realise what it was I'd spent my life wanting to do. With his help and incredible support I managed to complete several short stories and a novella and am now in the process of setting them loose into the world. It's not only Joseph's unstinting work that's inspiring: his ethics and his approach are second to none and I've never met another author who is willing to give so much of their time and effort to help other people live their dreams. Thank you, Joseph, for this opportunity and for my dreams."

Matthew Blackwell

"When I first met Joe it was immediately apparent to me not only how knowledgeable he was, but also how unreservedly open and enthusiastic. His passion and work ethic are infectious, and his remarkable productivity and thirst for knowledge have been hugely inspirational to me as an aspiring writer. If I have an idea I need to talk over, or a problem I can’t solve, Joe is the first guy on my list to go to for help. I can honestly say I would not be the writer I am today without Joe’s invaluable guidance and support."
5.0
2017-04-26T20:34:53+00:00
"When I first met Joe it was immediately apparent to me not only how knowledgeable he was, but also how unreservedly open and enthusiastic. His passion and work ethic are infectious, and his remarkable productivity and thirst for knowledge have been hugely inspirational to me as an aspiring writer. If I have an idea I need to talk over, or a problem I can’t solve, Joe is the first guy on my list to go to for help. I can honestly say I would not be the writer I am today without Joe’s invaluable guidance and support."

Tice Cin

"Joseph is the sort of person who knows how to take your work to the next level. He has helped me to explore who I am as a writer by encouraging me to enhance the parts of my work that are ME and filter out the background noise that befuddles so many writers who are trying to make their work stand out. He gives pointers and direct examples of how I can improve a piece and even when I wasn't the winning entry for his Blackness Absolute competition, he still gave me his time by suggesting small changes that brought my work up to the right standard. I've always felt comfortable sharing work with him and respect his insight as an utter professional who oozes a command, not only over dark fiction but over the craft of writing in general. If I directly compare my short stories that I've written without his edits to the newer ones, there's a clear theme of me trying to say something and not knowing how- which he quickly helped me unravel. I know myself better as a writer since first receiving writing support from Joe and feel like a very fortunate lady indeed!"
5.0
2017-04-26T20:35:23+00:00
"Joseph is the sort of person who knows how to take your work to the next level. He has helped me to explore who I am as a writer by encouraging me to enhance the parts of my work that are ME and filter out the background noise that befuddles so many writers who are trying to make their work stand out. He gives pointers and direct examples of how I can improve a piece and even when I wasn't the winning entry for his Blackness Absolute competition, he still gave me his time by suggesting small changes that brought my work up to the right standard. I've always felt comfortable sharing work with him and respect his insight as an utter professional who oozes a command, not only over dark fiction but over the craft of writing in general. If I directly compare my short stories that I've written without his edits to the newer ones, there's a clear theme of me trying to say something and not knowing how- which he quickly helped me unravel. I know myself better as a writer since first receiving writing support from Joe and feel like a very fortunate lady indeed!"

E. Hartnett

"@josephwordsmith is concise, quick with feedback, encouraging and very much cares about the craft. A pleasure to work with. 5 stars."
5.0
2018-11-01T11:10:53+00:00
"@josephwordsmith is concise, quick with feedback, encouraging and very much cares about the craft. A pleasure to work with. 5 stars."
5.0
5

Next Steps…

Whether you’re looking to improve your abilities as a writer or to put on an incredible literary event, I can help.


Get in touch