About Katey Coffing, Ph.D.

 

"Katey offers a wonderful blend of professionalism, wisdom, and care as we work together. She provides constructive suggestions and praise with equal sensitivity, and has offered support on everything from crafting a book proposal to corresponding with literary agents. Her enthusiasm demonstrates her commitment to helping me reach my highest potential. Working with Katey has been one of the best things I’ve done for my writing and for myself! Katey, you are the best, what more can I say?!"

— Leigh Singh (LeighBrillSingh.com), now contracted for A Dog Named Slugger: The Story of the Labrador Retriever Who Changed My Life (Sourcebooks, 2010)

From the time that I learned to read, the one thing I wanted to do more than anything was to write—to write and touch other people's lives, as the books I loved touched mine.

It's funny how wanting something can actually make it harder to achieve.

I completed a Ph.D.—but I couldn't start a novel. Why? Because of everything I'd ever wanted to do, writing was the most important.

I was afraid to admit I might fail at my most treasured goal.

Finally, after looking at my creative block and what was really going on inside me, I knew I wanted to write enough to risk failure.

So I wrote.

And I'm more proud of that first, 400-page novel than of anything else I've done in my entire life.

Some advice for you: fear the fear, and do it anyway. Dream great dreams, then make them happen.

As Julia Cameron says, "Leap, and the net will appear."

I did that. And I created my own net. So can you.

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"After reading Katey's website and talking with her, I knew she was someone with whom I could relate. She is down-to-earth, punctual and polite, with a positive energy that's contagious. I have learned many good writing tips from her, which has boosted my confidence. Katey's honest feedback yet gentle guidance through the sometimes arduous writing process has been the impetus for me to keep writing."
— A.G.

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(I care deeply about privacy and will
never share, rent or sell your contact info. Period.)

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More about Katey:

Writing is my passion. I've published short stories, a dissertation, nonfiction articles, and scientific papers, I've been a finalist or winner in more than thirty national writing contests. I've jumped the hurdles other writers face, and it's my pleasure to coach my clients and guide them to success.

I'm the only life coach who specializes in working with women writers. When you're deep into your book and slamming into unforeseen walls, don't you want someone who understands and supports you and your creative process?

My clients are smart and motivated. They've reached a point in their lives where they're ready to take on a big challenge, and they know that having the right support makes all the difference. They want to hone their creativity and they're determined to make it happen.

At the 2005 Romance Writers of America national conference with client Eileen Cassidy Rivera

Because my coaching sessions are held by telephone, my clients and I can be anywhere and still work together. I've had clients around the world—from the U.S. and Canada to Australia.

The life I've chosen:

I live in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains—one of the world's most beautiful areas, in my biased opinion!

I'd never visited this area and didn't know a soul within 150 miles before I chose to move here. Does that sound crazy? Maybe. But it turned out perfectly.

Within weeks of my decision, I'd found new friends, a home I love with a gorgeous mountain view, and I'd renewed a life of skiing. Eventually, I found a husband who's just as delighted as I am to be here.

Was this just luck? I doubt it. I've never been an especially lucky person. Instead, the universe rewarded my decision to go on an adventure. Take courageous actions, then watch the universe align itself with your goals.

That's a photograph of me with—you guessed it—a lion cub. [grin]

We have four delightful, purry cats. I love animals and I donate each month to several caring organizations that shelter and adopt homeless pets. Three of my favorites are Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Safe Haven for Cats, and It's Meow or Never Animal Sanctuary. Please visit their web sites—and if you like, you can make donations directly from their home pages.

I'm a previous National Merit Scholar, and earned a B.A. in anthropology from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. in human evolution from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Along the way I was lucky enough to do research in Kenya, South Africa, Switzerland, Belgium, and Costa Rica. I taught and researched at the University of California (UCLA and UC Davis) for six years before becoming a professional life coach.

My coaching style combines warmth, encouragement, and humor, and people value my intuition and deep listening. Clients have called me a "bright spirit" and "a midwife of change". My favorite moment in coaching is the "a-ha!"—the shift in perspective that helps a client leap past an obstacle and zoom toward her goal. I want you to experience it!

"Katey has that uncanny knack for finding the spark that motivates me, the ability to help me acknowledge and overcome the obstacles I have created for myself, and the true gift of really listening to my needs. In just a few weeks of working together, she has already sharpened my focus to an extraordinary degree. I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to realize their true potential."
— L.F.

I'm nationally certified as a life coach and as a teleclass leader (see the images below for more information), and abide by the client-centered "Ethical Principles and Code of Ethics" of the International Association of Coaches.

In the end, who would you rather hire—a coach who takes on anybody with any kind of problem, or an experienced and specialized coach who helps women write books from the heart?

Why not make an investment in yourself? Contact me for a free "get acquainted" phone meeting. You have nothing to lose...and a fantastic book to gain!

You can also learn what my clients say about me, read articles about successful writing, and view additional resources for writers.

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