In truth, I not only coach children's book writers, helping them to discover and tell their good stories well. I also cheer them on 'til they cross the finish line.

What qualifies me to coach children's book writers?

Simply put, I am well acquainted with both writing children's books and today's world of children's book publishing. My award-winning children's titles include pictures books and middle grade fiction.

I also teach “Writing for Children” classes at the University of Chicago's Writer's Studio, the Newberry Library and Ragdale, an artist's residency program in Lake Forest, Illinois. I began my career teaching fifth grade. As the saying goes, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.”

I also work with members of the children's book community to advocate children's books and their creators. I proudly serve on the Board of Advisors of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, an international organization that numbers 22,0000 members. My seventeen year service as the 900-member Illinois Chapter's Regional Advisor earned me the title Regional Advisor Emeritus.

What exactly do I do when I coach children's book writers?

I work with writers — wherever they are in the writing and publishing process — to help them discover, craft and market their stories. My careful manuscript readings and thoughtfully-worded comments reflect my teaching experience, my publishing experience and my talents and skills. The writer learns not only which story parts work and which parts could work better, but which parts should always work to tell any story well. In a successful picture book, the writer offers up concrete details from which the reader draws Life's Universal Truths. I work hard so my comments do the same, so that from my specific criticisms of a specific manuscript, the writer learns the tenets of writing for children in today's markets. I also work with writers who are eager to respond to editorial requests for revision as well as with writers eager to self-publish their stories and projects.

What are the fees for my Writing Coach services?

My manuscript rates reflect the hours necessary to thoughtfully read and consider a manuscript, then prepare and present in person, at a convenient Chicago location, or via a phone consultation, a thoughtful, instructive analysis that enables the writer to successfully move forward. These one-on-one meetings offer invaluable insights as to a writer’s story spark, motivation and years on task in his writer’s journey, allowing me the necessary information to best accommodate the writer’s story and the story he’s telling.

For a description of fees, email me at: esthersh@aol.com

I also now offer Office Hours, personal consultations in person or via the telephone, to discuss specific manuscript problems, writing issues, marketing possibilities and career issues.

I often work with Writer's Groups, too, facilitating sessions and/or teaching from the members' manuscripts. Fees for such services are negotiated separately.

How should you submit your work?

All manuscripts are to be submitted as hard copy, typed double-spaced and in a 12 pt. font.

Please include the manuscript, payment, a SASE, a 25-word-or-so summary of the plot and a list of manuscript concerns. Turn-around time is usually 3 to 4 weeks.

For the mailing address, query me at: esthersh@aol.com.

Wondering if you should hire me?

“Other ‘coaches’ may have followed her lead, but on the writing field, Esther Hershenhorn is the Phil Jackson of Writing Coaches. Time spent with her is truly transformative, both for the author and for the work.”
— Esme Raji Codell
Chicago, IL
www.planetesme.com

“When I gave up my own editorial service, I searched for someone who could take it over for me who had the same dedication to the care and nurturing of writers that I had put into the job. I found that person in Esther Hershenhorn.”
—Barbara Seuling, author
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S BOOK AND GET IT PUBLISHED
John Wiley, '04

“I first experienced Esther’s magic at a writers’ retreat. I can’t imagine a better ambassador for the world of children’s literature. She is an expert teacher who has a genuine passion for helping writers develop their craft. As a writing coach, Esther has been an invaluable guide, editor, and advocate whose advice and encouragement set me on the right path to getting my first book published. Esther’s contagious enthusiasm and professional wisdom inspires a writing journey as rewarding as the destination.”
—Claudia Friddell
Baltimore, MD
GOLIATH: HERO OF THE GREAT BALTIMORE FIRE, Sleeping Bear Press, '10

“Esther served as my mentor in the 2009 SCBWI Nevada Mentorship Program and worked with me over a period of six months as I revised a YA novel-in-verse. Esther deftly helped me navigate my own novel. Her keen ability to zero in on the heart of a story is a true gift. Her guidance enabled me to tackle revision in a systematic and effective way. She helped me track the emotional development of my main character, heighten themes, and strengthen my verse writing to better speak to my YA audience. Esther helped me polish my work so that it was agent ready, and I shall always be grateful”.
—Holly Thompson, Kanagawa, Japan
Orchards, Delacorte, '11
The Wakame Gatherers, Shen’s Books
Ash, Stone Bridge Press
http://www.hatbooks.com  

“Esther is one of a kind! She is a professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive writing coach, as well as an enthusiastic and ever-encouraging mentor. She provided me with such a thorough critique, it was obvious that she had spent a good deal of time with my story, detailing what was working, and making spot-on suggestions for those parts that still needed work. Esther’s critique was pivotal in helping my manuscript become a publishable picture book! When she says that she is in the Hope business, I would definitely agree. But I would also like to add, that my first picture book from Penguin/Putnam is proof that she is in the Success business as well.”.
—Laura Murray
The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011
http://www.lauramurraybooks.com  

"Esther Hershenhorn came strongly recommended to me by children's author, Bonnie Becker. I found Bonnie's high praise borne out IN SPADES. I came to children's book writing from years of making my living as a writer for film and television. I knew nothing about the contemporary children's market. Esther opened a whole new world for me. She is the rarest of gems: someone who can see into the story you are attempting to bring forth, and intuit what you need to do to enhance its telling. She has the gift to lift your spirits and focus on your accomplishments, while also zeroing in on exactly where you need to hone or re-conceptualize your work. I always come away from our consultation sessions feeling inspired, supported, understood, seen, appreciated, and most importantly, with a clear direction for my next draft. Esther does this with consummate confidence, and a great sense of humor. I am filled with gratitude, and continue to rely on Esther's judgment, inspiration, and support as I go forward with new projects and navigate the process of marketing my first two books. She is a true writer's angel!”
—Elizabeth Clark-Stern, M.A., L.M.H.C
"Out of the Shadows: A Story of Toni Wolff and Emma Jung", Genoa House, '10
Soul Stories Safari to Mara
Aria of the Horned Toad
http://www.soulstories.net
Seattle, WA

"Esther has become my Fairy Wordmother. She has sprinkled my words and me with her wonderful ‘manuscript magic’ by sharing her knowledge, support and encouragement. And though I have always been a writer, I am now a confident writer. Since working with Esther I have applied for and have been accepted into a writing mentorship and had a very favorable critique at the recent LA SCBWI conference."
—Lisa Hallett
Boulder City, NV

"When I first contacted Esther, I wrote, ‘Teach me and I will be grateful.’ How far she took me in such a short time, teaching me craft and turning my heart toward a deep love for writing picture books. She cares. She inspires. She teaches with beauty. If I get no further than having one editor want to read my manuscript, I feel privileged and hopeful. Thank goodness I took a leap of Faith!"
—Deanie Yasner
New Hope, PA
Sammy’s Choice

"I have a tendency to write in a vacuum because I travel a lot, and no  writing group wants a member who rarely shows up.  I'm up to twenty books now, and the only other writer I have ever gone to for feedback is Esther. . . and I've gone to her more than once.  Why?  She's smart, she's honest, and she's sincere.  I honestly believe it is not possible for me to want to make my stories better than Esther wants them to be.  She cares that much.  I give her name to people several times a month.  Those who are serious, call her."
—Steve Layne, St. Charles, IL
Love The Baby, Pelican Press, '07
http://www.stevelayne.com/

“Esther Hershenhorn is a master teacher – that rare individual who inspires students to work harder than they believe they can, and still leaves them begging for more. She gave me the confidence to believe in my potential as both writer and illustrator. She encouraged me to slow down and revel in learning my new craft, rather than rushing to premature publication attempts; to take the time to be the best that I could be, not just adequate. And she still provides me with reading material and additional resources so I can continue learning on my own.”

“Without Esther Hershenhorn’s coaching, my journey to this point would have taken years rather than months. Her coaching – always professional, competent, thorough, and exceptionally caring – has been worth every penny I’ve spent investing in my beloved second career! I will continue to use her excellent services because Esther’s knowledge, like good wine, should be sipped, not guzzled.”
—Nancy Ellen Walker, PhD, MLS
Traverse City, MI

“From our very first meeting in a Starbucks in Chicago, Esther began to fuel me. She pushed me and worked with me giving me guidance, homework and space all at the same time for me to think it all through and soak it all in. She taught me tactics and strategies building layer upon layer of revision.  I could feel the story improving each step under her direction.  Esther believes that children deserve the very best story and that is exactly what she made me work for in Nico and Lola.  Esther believed in me all while bringing my writing to a whole new level.”
—Meggan Hill-McQueeney
Barrington, IL
Nico and Lola,
HarperCollins, Spring, '10
http://www.nicoandlola.com/

“Esther Hershenhorn has a gift. After reading only forty pages of the middle grade manuscript I'd been writing and rewriting for years, she not only mined its flaws but also offered impeccable advice for correcting them. Her ability to find the heart of a story is astonishing. On top of all that, Esther is kind, generous, and thoughtful in every sense of the word. So let me rephrase myself. Esther Hershenhorn not only has a gift, she is a gift to any writer who has the good future to work with her and know her.”
—Helen Zax
Washington, DC

“Although I am an enthusiastic participant in Esther Hershenhorn's well-planned, rigorous classes in writing for children, at this point in my writing career, it is her one-on-one coaching that is helping me develop my grains of talent. With her professional experience and personal warmth, she is guiding me to new levels of writing proficiency. Through her spot-on critiques of specific work, she offers me the tools to use in all my writing for children. She uses her familiarity with the children's publishing industry to direct my exploration of what's "out there." ”

“Esther is 100% in the moment with me and demands the same from me. I have found her to be generous with her time, suggestions about time management and the writing life, and the nuts and bolts of the process of getting a book published. Her coaching encourages excellence, and her support shows me ways to be flexible and to deal with the inevitable obstacles a writer encounters.”
—Susan Youdovin
Chicago, IL

“As a writer new to the mid-grade genre, my greatest challenge (besides the writing process) was locating objective guidance on my work. My graphic novel had hatched so many plot lines and characters I couldn’t keep track of who was where or doing what to whom. I vowed to locate the absolutely best Writing Coach in North American and, voila! met Esther at an SCBWI conference. She patiently helped me find my way through the maze of confusion that had tied my story (and stomach) into knots.

“Esther knows her stuff, has a sparkling sense of humor and a complete understanding of structure, characterization, plot and dialogue—the works. She’ll (kindly) help you discover your story’s strengths and weaknesses and fire you up in such a way that you’ll enthusiastically rip into re-writing. Best of all, once you’ve worked with Esther, she holds you in her heart and consciousness ad infinitum. The Ever Ready Bunny Writing Coach, Esther continues to work on your behalf, frequently passing along snippets of writing/marketing tips relating to your work.”
—Molli Nickell, Publishing Consultant
Tampa, FL
www.getpublishednow.biz/

 

“Esther believed in my efforts and connected me to the two people who would change the course of my pursuit to write a children’s book. Her coaching led me to tell the story of my family’s 107-year history with food and the great city of Chicago. Esther played a pivotal role in coaching me to write THE BERGHOFF FAMILY COOKBOOK and for that I am grateful. What a gift she has been in my life!”
— Carlyn Berghoff
Chicago, IL
THE BERGOFF FAMILY COOKBOOK: FROM OUR TABLE TO YOURS,
CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF ENTERTAINMENT (Andrews McMeel,’07)

"Esther Hershenhorn is a marvelously inspired and experienced published author, Her keen sense of story and knowledge of young readers have luminously guided my ownwriting and instilled theconfidence that I will find a publisher formy series of Brother Linus books. She is encouraging and genuinely positive throughout the writing process. A wise choice!!"
—Reverand Dr. James W. Kelly, OFM

 

"Esther has the ability to see the gem in every story and every writer. She is a treasure trove of ideas. With each critique, she lovingly devotes herself to providing the writer with a healthy dose of examples, brainstorming ideas, technical information, and research topics - whatever is needed to guide the author to the best possible telling of their story. Her greatest gift is the ability to do all this in such a way that it celebrates the author’s individual writing style. Her professional expertise and nurturing personality have been invaluable to me. I look forward to reading her insightful comments on each review. Receiving an envelope in the mail from Esther marks the beginning of a delightful and exciting rewrite - journey within itself. She sparks my imagination and draws out ideas, words, and stories I can be proud to submit."
— Teresa Davis
Germantown, TN

 

“Esther Hershenhorn is what you would want in any editor - the perfect mix between Fairy Godmother and Drill Sergeant. She is nurturing and kind, and was quick to praise the strong points of my manuscript. However, she's also tough and honest with her comments. She pushed me not to be a lazy writer, and demanded that I dig deeper to fully develop every character and scene of my manuscript. She knows what she's doing; anyone looking for editorial assistance would be hard-pressed to find a better writing coach.”
— Varian Johnson
Austin, TX
RED POLKA DOT IN A WORLD FULL OF PLAID (Genesis Press, ’05)
LIFE AS A RHOMBUS
www.varianjohnson.com

 

“Working with Esther Hershenhorn is one of the best ways a writer can improve his or her craft. Esther has the unique gift of respecting your voice without imposing her own point of view. Her insightful questions jump start your creative process and her sensitive comments are the catalyst for change. Drawing on her background as teacher, writer, editor, she thoughtfully compiles an adjunct reading list with your specific writing needs in mind. Engaging in a dialogue of ideas with Esther is a truly empowering experience. With unflagging enthusiasm, she encourages one to forge ahead with confidence and focused intention. I strongly believe that hiring Esther Hershenhorn as your Writing Coach could make the difference between getting another ‘good rejection letter’ or your finally nailing it with a contract!”
— Mimi Chapra
Philadelphia, PA
AMELIA’S SHOW-AND-TELL FIESTA (HarperCollins ’03)
SPARKY’S BARK (HarperCollin’s, June ’06)

"Esther Hershenhorn knows writing and she knows children's literature. Her great skill is to help you see that you are not alone and adrift on the sea of children's books. For any port you want to reach, there are others who have sailed that route. Esther introduces you to their writing so that you can focus on the story YOU want to tell, so that you can safely reach port in your own boat, flying your own colors."
—Barbara Gregorich
WALTUR BUYS A PIG IN A POKE
WALTUR COUNTS HIS CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED
WALTUR LEADS A HORSE TO WATER
Houghton Mifflin, '05

 

“Esther is a great editor (or critiquer) Her comments and valuable insight led me to re-write my story, Whistler's Stump. Without her advice I'm sure I wouldn't have been one of only two U.S. authors on Bloomsbury's first U.S. list.”
- Debbie Dadey
WHISTLER'S HOLLOW, Bloomsbury, '04

 

“Esther does what a fine editor does -- respects the work and helps you write better, and deeper, than you thought you could. Certainly she attends to editorial comments, but she goes beyond advice to help you sell a stronger story to helping you understand stories and your own writing process better. Esther's consultation for my middle grade novel was truly “a writing course in a box!” The revision process was exciting, and I am starting my next project energized.”
- Nina Kidd

“Esther is a writer, a teacher, and a friend. She embodies the spirit of the consummate writer for children: she is creative, generous, caring, entertaining, talented, and sincere. Esther makes herself available until those who seek her counsel learn how to walk on through. She is a rare commodity; a writer who can teach and a teacher who can write. Anyone who reads her books or attends her presentations will consider her a friend.”
— Liz Hockinson
MARCELLO THE MOVIE MOUSE
KO KIDS BOOKS, '06

 

“Upon reading your critique, you will immediately realize that Esther digs deep into your story - each word. With this understanding in hand, she then offers a clear list of options for the writer to begin the editing process. Her suggestions/ideas for telling the story always lead back to the original purpose/meaning of the story itself. With Esther Hershenhorn's help, I am more able to shape my final “art“ to the best form it can be. The value-added coaching service comes in the form of her deeply, sincere encouragement - for the story and the writer. This quality is evident throughout her critiquing process and one reason I continue to seek out/rely on her help. She is a professional - timely and reliable. Her service has proved to provide a significant return on my overall writing investment.”
—Christopher Perry
THE VOICE OF THE CLIMBING ROSE
(A Tribute to Caregivers)

 

“Esther recognized my vulnerability as a new writer. She was terrifically gentle as she taught me two fundamental -now laughable---points. She said, 'You need to have a story to tell (i.e. a plot) and you need to have active (i.e. speaking) characters.' Of course! To this day, I appreciate that Esther was able to clearly and kindly point me in the right direction.”
—Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
THE LITTLE ELEPHANT WITH THE BIG EARACHE
Hippocratic Press

 

Return to the Top