Holistic Writing Coaching

This is how you do it; you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy, and that hard.

                -Neil Gaiman

All writers need support

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or new to the page, having support as you’re working helps you be the best writer you can be.

 

Holistic Writing Coaching

Unlock Your Writing Potential

As a writer, I know how challenging it can be not only to put words on the page, but to complete a project, no matter its length, purpose, or deadline.

For some, how we think about ourselves as writers can interfere with our ability to put our ideas, experience, and expertise into words. For others, a bad writing experience may have sown seeds of doubt, or perhaps life circumstances make it difficult to focus and concentrate or drain the energy needed to write.

Like a fingerprint, each person’s writing process is unique. As a holistic writing coach, I combine writing and editorial support with contemplative yogic practices such as movement, breathing, and meditation.

My intention is to help you understand and work with your process—where you flow, where you get stuck, and everything in between—so you can complete your writing projects in whatever timeframe you have to work with.

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If I waited for perfection, I'd never write a word.

-Margaret Atwood

How Holistic Writing Coaching Works

I approach coaching collaboratively. When we get started, we’ll discuss your writing process and your project, including its origins, purpose, scope, status, and timeline.

From there, we’ll make a plan of support. Each time we meet, we’ll check in on that plan and refine as necessary to keep you motivated and moving forward.

Coaching includes:

Holistic practices address:

Weekly or biweekly sessions

Project management

Goal setting

Editorial guidance

Holistic practices

Energy management

Time management

Focus and concentration

Mood management

Lifestyle management

You may find you need other editorial support.
I offer the following services as add-ons:

Manuscript evaluation, full manuscript, or selected chapters

Developmental editing

Line editing

Copyediting

Proofreading

Write with Confidence

Read more about my editorial services:

Testimonials

Working with Aggie was a game changer for me. I’d been stuck in overwhelm, procrastination, and self-doubt for several months, and the first time we worked together I wrote more in the next two days than in the previous two weeks. Every step along the way, she offered me embodied practices that helped me meet obstacles impeding my writing progress with kindness and self-compassion. As an author, editor, writing teacher, and holistic coach, she has an abundance of skills to masterfully shepherd writers of any genre. Her insight and compassion gently guided me to confidently finish my book with clarity and ease, while her knowledge of editing and publishing prepared me for what was to come. I highly recommend Aggie.

Leila S, author of Experiential Anatomy

I’ve been doing co-meditation with Aggie for several months. These practices have enabled me to connect with and remain more present in my body as I practice on my own, profoundly impacting my personal meditation practice. The deepening of this connection allows my creativity to flow much more freely. I’ve found it easier to write descriptions of new programs, not to mention the educational materials for them. Aggie is a skilled co-meditator; she knows just the right amount of space and pause as well as the right number and type of prompts to allow insight and understanding to emerge. I highly recommend co-meditation with Aggie along with her other holistic writing services. She is a skilled, compassionate practitioner.

Andrea C

There’s a difference between doing things better (improving) and doing better things (transforming). Aggie is the epitome of transformative writing. I requested her expertise in editing my PhD thesis which captured a complexity of six publications woven into a coherent narrative that focused on impact, value, and reach of the depth and breadth of a decade of scholarship and research activity. As a researcher, my focus was on detailing content, not necessarily the writing. Aggie systematically ensured that the quality of the overall thesis was enhanced through her meticulous attention to detail, her compassionate approach in supporting the writer not only the writing, and her ability to reframe complex ideas and concepts in accessible ways for a diverse readership.

Aggie was always willing to ensure the work not only met the required standards but surpassed them. She worked tirelessly to encourage better writing and framing of content within the broader context of the writing. I wholeheartedly recommend Aggie for any writing assignment safe in my confidence that she goes the extra mile to ensure the quality of the work. Her service and support is exemplary, ensuring all deadlines are successfully met.

Thanks to Aggie's careful and systematic approach to writing refinement and enhancement, my final thesis passed the examination, requiring very minor amendments. The examiners made positive comments about the overall quality of the writing.  Thank you, Aggie, for clarifying my writing voice and bringing to life the focus of my work.

Professor Earle A.,  scholar, author, and university educator

I have ADHD, which shows itself in difficulty managing my time and structuring my writing, especially non-fiction. As a development editor, Aggie has been a real lifesaver in helping me organize my manuscript and in holding me accountable.

Maxine Francis R, author of the forthcoming No Heels, No Problem: Surviving Your Twenties with Dyspraxia and ADHD

Aggie’s astute observations, warm care, specialist industry knowledge, and utter commitment to her writers makes her a blessing. I love her ability to hone in on a question with clarity and consideration. When I’m not sure of something I’ve written, I ask myself ‘would Aggie let this pass?’ It has helped shape my writing enormously. You want this woman to champion you too!

Lisa P, author, somatics innovator, and yoga teacher

Aggie is one of the most wise, beautiful, thoughtful, and generous teachers I have ever had. 

She creates a calm, grounded space that immediately puts you at ease and always goes above and beyond to ensure you are digesting and assimilating experiences and teachings. Her support is intuitive, warm, considered, and generous. Working with Aggie has been a privilege and I am forever grateful for her support, role modeling, and insights. Her impact extends way beyond the one-on-one mentoring sessions.

The most challenging part of working with Aggie is finishing up, you won’t want to let her go! 

Nerissa Broben, breathing coach, We Breathe, Melbourne, Australia

I don’t believe I would have ever finished my manuscript without the services provided by Aggie and I wish I had found her sooner!

Aggie facilitated such a supportive, encouraging and motivating way of working with me. She helped hold me to account by working to set achievable targets each week and where there were blocks and barriers she very skilfully helped me work through them. Her expertise and experience was very apparent and I felt comfortable trying new techniques which were outside of my normal set of tools and strategies and which I will take into future projects. Aggie’s experience in both coaching as well as writing shone through. It was so helpful to have someone who could answer questions on the process and she understood the dilemmas I was facing, sometimes before I knew myself! Everybody writing a book needs an Aggie!

Liz Bosanquet, Founder & Director of Collective Space, Author of Systemic Social Work

Aggie's review of my novel was instrumental in getting the work into final form for submission. One of the strongest portions of her review was a description of what needed work from a reader standpoint. Very respectful with an eye toward giving readers a satisfying experience. She reads with heart and mind and her comments have beautiful clarity. If you have a writing project that would benefit from expert review, I'd recommend contacting Aggie.

Tim Gray, Senior Manuscript Operations Specialist at JAMA Network

If you're a writer, Aggie Stewart is a brilliant thinker, editor, & coach who can help you get your project into the world!

Pat Dobie, Book Editor, Writer, Coach, Teacher

Aggie is wonderful! I highly recommend her services!

Claire Wilson, Editorial Director (Singing Dragon and Handspring) at Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Ltd

I am truly and deeply grateful to Aggie for her outstanding editorial support in writing my first book. As a psychiatrist with nearly 20 years of experience, not much tends to rattle me—but I must admit, the task of editing felt daunting and well outside my comfort zone. While writing the book was a joy, navigating the editorial process was overwhelming at times.

Aggie’s meticulous attention to detail and clear passion for her craft genuinely blew me away. She took a deep and thoughtful interest in the project, skillfully cutting through some of the heavier scientific and medical language while always preserving my voice and storytelling style. Her ability to immerse herself in the subject matter and offer valuable insights and reflections was remarkable.

Working with Aggie made the editing process not only manageable but thoroughly enjoyable. She met tight deadlines with grace, and I was consistently impressed by the clarity, structure, and constructive feedback she provided.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Aggie to anyone in need of editorial support and would love the opportunity to collaborate with her again in the future.

Dr Chrishanthy Grace Jayarajah MBBS MRCPSYCH DFSRH, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist & Clinical Lead CNWL Perinatal Mental Health Services, Author of Understanding Perinatal OCD: A Guide for Professionals

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I’m a professional writer and editor with more than 25 years’ of experience as an editorial professional. I hold a BA and MA in English Literature and an MFA in creative writing with a concentration in creative nonfiction. In addition to my editorial and writing work, I’m a yoga therapist, meditation teacher, and Buteyko breathing educator. I find it especially gratifying to teach writers how to use contemplative practices to support their health and work. In 2019, I published Yoga as Self-Care for Healthcare Practitioners, with Singing Dragon, an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers. I’ve published various articles on yoga for health and creativity and essays on the craft of creative nonfiction.