Manuscript Coaching Services
In addition to my Crime Writing Workshops, I'm stoked to now offer a coaching service for aspiring crime fiction writers whose stories are set in Australia. As a former police officer with over 33 years experience, I will give you the inside drum on Australian police procedures to really bring your manuscript to life. The advice I give you is not just about police procedures. My point of difference is that I'm also a writer, so I know your struggles when it comes to writing authentic dialogue, describing crime scenes, creating tension and suspense, creating a killer twist, devising a satisfying conclusion and getting procedural information correct, to keep your readers engrossed in the story. You don't want to bump your readers out of your story because of basic errors or poor research.
Let's face it, crime readers are VERY astute people. They'll know if the author has come up short, so there is a lot of pressure to get things right. So this is where I can help you. Now, you can't just google a lot of this stuff, and unless you know someone in law enforcement who is willing to share information with you, then it is almost impossible to find someone with this level of insider knowledge. Trust me, if you think the local police will have time to sit down with you to work through your crime manuscript then, sadly, you'll be disappointed. They will politely decline, as the police are very busy and are not able to dedicate time for fiction authors. But I can, and I will. |
So, how does it work?
- Use the below contact form to send me a brief overview of your manuscript and questions you have. I'll take a look at your questions and will ask for clarification if needed.
- Once I've reviewed your questions I will make an assessment as to whether I am able to help you. I will not pretend to offer expert advice in an area outside of my experience, but I may refer you onto another source that might be more useful. If I'm comfortable that I can provide advice, I will see if I can answer your questions via email. If so, there is no fee. Zilch, Nada, Zip, Nothing, Free...No catch.
- If your questions are more complex and best answered during a one-on-one brainstorming session, then we can link via Zoom at a mutually convenient time ($90 per 1hr session).
What happens during a coaching session?
Great question!
Before the session starts, I will have already considered my responses as well as any additional research I might need to do beforehand. I don't want to waste your time, so we'll hit the ground running. I will probably have some questions about your manuscript, your characters and the intended direction of your plot. I'll answer your police procedural questions, but I won't stop there. I will drill down into your manuscript to brainstorm ideas about how you can make adjustments without losing the essence of your story. I won't simply say, 'Sorry, that won't work because...' What I will do, is offer suggestions around how we can fix potential plot holes or clunky parts of your story so that we can blend procedural accuracy with making sure you still have a killer story. I get that artistic license is okay and sometimes we have to compromise between being black-and-white by the book, and telling a bloody good yarn. |
Everything is in your head and you may not have someone to bounce ideas off. Writers I have worked with have said that by thrashing out these issues with someone else allowed them to come up with their own solutions. I will ask questions, give advice, challenge you to be creative and suggest alternatives and various options. At the end of the day it is YOUR manuscript, it's up to you what changes you make or suggestions you take on board.
But here's the kicker... you don't pay me a cent until AFTER the session. I want you to be 100% happy with the advice I have given you. So there is no risk to you. If you are happy with the session, you'll be happy to pay for my time and experience. It may well be the best 90 bucks you've ever spent, and means I can feed my family for another few days... kidding.
But here's the kicker... you don't pay me a cent until AFTER the session. I want you to be 100% happy with the advice I have given you. So there is no risk to you. If you are happy with the session, you'll be happy to pay for my time and experience. It may well be the best 90 bucks you've ever spent, and means I can feed my family for another few days... kidding.
Don't just take my word for it - TESTIMONIALS
'Jack was incredibly helpful and patient in helping me understand police procedure and how I could make my story more authentic. He also helped me simplify those areas where I had over-complicated my story trying to guess what might happen in real life. For this reason, I wish I had contacted him earlier, instead of waiting until I was writing those chapters. He was also insightful on what a reader might want from the story.'
Lexi Airey
‘I recently consulted Jack Roney in regards to some technical questions, including criminal/legal procedural matters, relevant to my latest novel. Jack is very approachable and communicates well. The best part however, is that Jack does not simply respond with possible solutions to a technical question. Being a writer himself, he understands that the ‘most right’ answer, in the context given, may not be the best answer in terms of telling a good story and that dramatically other possibilities may need to be devised. Jack was able to brainstorm a few possibilities with me and that was very helpful indeed.’
Alicia Thompson
Lexi Airey
‘I recently consulted Jack Roney in regards to some technical questions, including criminal/legal procedural matters, relevant to my latest novel. Jack is very approachable and communicates well. The best part however, is that Jack does not simply respond with possible solutions to a technical question. Being a writer himself, he understands that the ‘most right’ answer, in the context given, may not be the best answer in terms of telling a good story and that dramatically other possibilities may need to be devised. Jack was able to brainstorm a few possibilities with me and that was very helpful indeed.’
Alicia Thompson