Memoir Coaching

Writing your first book can feel like an impossible feat. I know because I’ve been there. But it’s not all that hard if you get rid of the mental blocks, develop an action plan and take it in bite-size chunks, which is what I’ll help you do. Then I’ll guide and support you – every step of the way.

Here’s an overview of the coaching services I offer, which are customized to meet your needs:

• Tackling fear and mental roadblocks
• Developing an action plan
• Story identification and story structure
• Developing a detailed book roadmap
• Teaching key narrative writing techniques to bring story to life
• Chapter-by-chapter structure, developmental editing, and guidance 
• Accountability coaching/mentoring and support

2026 Coaching Packages

3-Month (13-Week) Coaching Package……….$2,000

• Weekly sessions of up to 4,000-word chapter draft(s) for review and up to 50-minute coaching session to talk through to-do’s for sent materials, next chapter structure, etc.
• In first week, review of requested brain dump for manuscript structure or excerpt of existing writing (both up to 5,000-words) and up to 3 hours of coaching to drill down on broad-stroke book structure / roadmap or next steps in ongoing manuscript
• See below for policies regarding session rescheduling and pausing / cancelling package

15-Hour Coaching Package……….$2,000

• For those who need more space and time between coaching sessions, this coaching package can be a great option, as it can be used at any time, based on writer’s needs. Writer will be charged for time used to review material as well as time spent on coaching call. In general, it takes me about 15 to 20 minutes to review a 2,000-word chapter and think through feedback ahead of call
• See below for policies regarding session rescheduling and cancelling package

Drop-In Sessions……….$150 / hour

• Writer is charged for the time used to review material and coaching call at a rate of $150 / hour. In general, it takes me about 15 to 20 minutes to review a 2,000-word chapter and think through feedback ahead of call
• See below for policies regarding session rescheduling 

Special Offer: Roadmap Your Memoir & Write Your First Draft……….$750

• Includes identifying story / story structure and roadmapping manuscript with chapter-by-chapter bullet-pointed broad-stroke outline and coaching through the structure, development, and completion of Writer’s first chapter draft
• Due to the nature of this offer, this package is non-refundable and must be completed within four months of the package start date 

To learn about my intensive boot camps offered on a quarterly basis, click here.

What Clients Are Saying: 

With great trepidation, I’d started writing a memoir and wanted a coach to hold my hand and offer me “tough love” as I wrote and revised. A writer colleague recommended Ingrid Ricks. Working with her was one of the best decisions of my writing life. Ingrid strikes the perfect balance between being supportive and being productively critical. When my critical voice threatened to stop me, she did the handsprings and cartwheels that kept me writing. When I had a draft that needed work, she knew exactly where to use the scalpel, and how to choose the perfect words so that the next drafts just got better and better. 

If you want the best for your writing, choose Ingrid. She’s the best!

– Jan Eliasberg, Director and Novelist of Hannah’s War

What a journey we’ve taken together! You coaxed out my story and made me realize I had one to tell. You are part writing coach, part healer–a shaman disguised as a writer. What a blessing you are.

– Steven Knipp, Author of Fearfully, Wonderfully Made

Ingrid Ricks has changed my writing life. For more than ten years, I’d been trying to pull together my memoir. I had early drafts, research notes on scraps of paper, outlines, but it just wasn’t coming together. Then I attended one of Ingrid’s workshops. In it, she presented a step by step toolkit, and by the end of the workshop I believed, for the first time, that I really could transform my story into a compelling narrative. Now, with Ingrid as my writing coach, I’m close to completing my manuscript, and it couldn’t have happened without her unfailing belief in me and my story.

– Susan Frederick, award-winning writer

Ingrid Ricks is helping me organize my thoughts and words into a powerful communication that is bringing my book to life. No matter how good you are, we all need the coach that can teach us successful methods that are proven. She keeps me on schedule and is teaching me the finer points of writing a great book.

– Golden Pat Ruel, Author of Making of a Coach & Former Seahawks Coach

I’m not exaggerating when I say my book is thanks to Ingrid Ricks. Ingrid is always there, awake to your story, when you yourself aren’t. She has the heart capacity to feel into your story so deeply that you can find the strength to go there, even when you couldn’t before. I see her as my heart companion in the telling of a human story.

– Ruth N. 

I feel honored to have the privilege of working with Ingrid Ricks. First of all, she is an incredibly kind, approachable, bestselling author who knows how to guide amateurs like me. Second, she has given me the confidence and energy I need to be excited about writing. Third, Ingrid goes above and beyond to help me develop, organize and focus my story. Without her by my side, I’m sure I would have spent hundreds of hours struggling to write something that no one would want to read.

– Eileen Kolmeyer

The best word I could use to describe our time together is “magical.” You are an amazing, gifted and patient teacher. I never thought I’d actually write my Memoir.  But this weekend gave me hope, and having the chance to work with you 1:1 gave me confidence. You really are an inspiration.

– Sarah Haggard, Founder and CEO, Tribute

My knees are still shaking from our call. I’ve been writing since we got off the phone, and it’s so hard but it’s really good for me. I feel so fortunate to have landed in your workshop, and to have this opportunity to go even further with you.

– Kathleen J. 

You’re an unbelievable writing coach/mentor to me and I’m thankful to have met you! You definitely inspire me and motivate me to finally get serious and finish writing this story!!

–Shayla Fortin

You have helped me a great deal. I had not felt really seen or really heard or really encouraged in a very long time. I saw the change in myself once I was receiving your support. 

– Amy Rubin