When you have too much to say
—and don't know where to start.
You might be here because:
- You have a lifetime of stories and aren’t sure what belongs in this book
- You’ve started writing—but you’re not confident you’re aiming at the right thing
- Everything feels important, and that’s exactly the problem
- You don’t want to waste time, energy, or heart on the wrong version of your book
Most writers aren’t stuck because they lack discipline or talent.
They’re stuck because they’re trying to solve the whole book at once
—theme, structure, audience, what to include, what to cut—without a clear organizing focus.
That’s where strategic guidance makes the difference.
Memoir and Nonfiction Book Coaching for Women Over 50
I work with women over 50 writing memoir or nonfiction who are thoughtful, capable, and motivated—and who want to make smart decisions about their book.
They’ve earned the right to tell their story. They bring lived experience that can genuinely help others. They’re not interested in writing something—they want to shape the right story, with clarity and care, so it reaches the people it’s meant to reach.
If you’re looking for hype, pressure, or someone to tell you to “just write,” I’m probably not the right fit.
If you want a calm, experienced partner to help you think clearly about your book—and move forward with confidence—you’re in the right place.
Meet Your Book Coach
& Strategy Partner
I’m Valerie Cantella—book coach, writer, and longtime communications strategist.
Before I worked with writers, I spent decades helping organizations navigate complexity and make high-stakes decisions under pressure. The work was always the same: clarify what mattered most, align people around it, and move forward with confidence.
Now, I bring that same strategic lens to memoir and nonfiction writers—especially women in midlife who have something meaningful to say and want to say it well.
Not Sure What You Need? Let’s Get Oriented.
You don’t need to know exactly what you need yet.
The Discovery Call is a short conversation to help you get oriented, whether you’re just beginning, rethinking direction mid-draft, or deciding how to move forward.
It’s a fit check, not a sales call. We’ll identify what you need most right now and decide which next step will be most useful.
Working with the right people matters to me. This call helps ensure that if we work together, it’s thoughtful, productive, and worth your time.
Testimonials
“I just wanted to say thank you for your coaching. Your feedback was meaningful and your words were beautiful and encouraging. I was both humbled and overwhelmed by the support.”
Chelsea
"I really enjoyed and found tremendously helpful discussing with Valerie the strengths and weaknesses of my book through the memoir Blueprint process. She is very knowledgeable and able to provide objective feedback."
Julie
Find the Right Direction
and Move Forward with Confidence
You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you want clarity on what matters most, what belongs in the book, and what the next right step is, start with a free Discovery Call.
FAQs
If you’re considering working together, you may have a few questions. Here are some of the things writers often wonder as they’re deciding what support might be helpful.