Introducing...
what goes on in the world of a Book Coach, Developmental Editor, and Historian
Welcome to the new “The Write Malloy” newsletter, your resource for insights and reflections on writing, nonfiction, memoir, travel, and history.
Think of this newsletter as your friendly, motivational reminder that you should write that book.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, I get asked a lot about how a Historian became a Book Coach and Developmental Editor. I thought a good way to introduce myself would be the story of how I got here.
First of all, it wasn’t my idea.
Several years ago, when I was living the high life as a Resident Historian on a Viking Ocean ship (which I still do!), a guest approached me after a lecture and handed me his book manuscript. He asked if I would read it and give him feedback.
I was confused, but intrigued.
He had been looking for someone to be honest with him and to help him set up his next draft. He decided I was the person he could trust with his story.
I said that he was asking the wrong person, that I was “just” a Historian.
He insisted.
I was honored, but I passed, feeling unready.
Even more unexpected, this started happening again and again.
Guests would appear with their manuscripts in hand, or would tell me about the books they dreamed of writing and pull out their computers. Eventually, I settled into the idea, and we’d start to map out a plan for their book over a glass of wine in the Mediterranean or a cup of coffee on the Baltic.
And I started believing that maybe there was something to all this.
Fast forward to early 2021, that first pandemic winter, so dark and so long that I adopted a puppy! #desperatetimes
I got a call from an old friend who - unbeknownst to me - was working on her memoir. She announced that I was the person she could trust to help her get it written. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“OK, Universe, I get the hint.” was all I could think.
So here we are.
While I still spend a few fabulous months a year with Viking, my full-time passion - and the greatest job in the world - is working everyday with writers who are ready to move their story forward. You are just going to LOVE their books when you, too, get lucky enough to read them.
Together, we talk story, and passion, and history, and memory, and craft. And they turn their dreams and goals into words on a page that will change your life.
With this newsletter, I’m excited to share the insights and strategies we work on, to answer questions, offer reviews, and bring a lot of what my writers and I talk about 1:1 to writers and readers of all kinds. Once or twice a month, keep an eye on your inbox.
And if you ever feel like sharing your secret manuscript or fabulous book idea with me, I’m always just a click away.
Sign up now so you don’t miss the next issue.