COACHING
Allen Arnold is an author (The Story of With, Chaos Can’t, & Waves of Creativity), speaker, podcaster, and Executive Producer of Content for Wild at Heart. His passion is awakening people’s hearts to pursue their dreams and creativity with God. As a former big 6 Fiction Publisher, Allen oversaw the launch of more than 500 novels. Now he helps people live a better story. He loves blue oceans, black coffee, hot salsa, and big ideas. To connect, join him on Twitter @TheStoryOfWith.
“Allen is highly respected among writers and publishers as one of the great creative thinkers in the industry and he specializes in inspiring authors to become co-creators with God.”
— Jerry Jenkins, Multiple New York Times Bestselling Author
As a creativity coach, my goal is to help people in any industry move from dream to reality in their God-given gifting. I help bring definition to their unique calling and ways to pursue it actively and intimately with God. Often it involves seeing themselves, their ideas, and their hurdles from a different perspective. This is done through the lens of seeing their lives as a story and understanding the current chapter they're in, and the way they'd like this story to go from here. My role is to be a sage along the way in their holy journey of discovery.
As a former Fiction publisher of more than 500 novels, I specialize in helping writers (of both fiction and non-fiction) master the art of writing content with an eternal spark. I do that from my 25+ years of experience as publisher and content expert, working with both first-time and New York Times bestselling writers. Topics span everything from how to get unstuck, the arc of a manuscript, how to thrive and grow as a long-term author, how to more closely identify and write to the target reader, and how to discover and maximize one's true voice. I also help writers determine whether to pursue an indie or traditional publishing track—and the pros and cons of each path.
Really, these are just a handful of the topics I cover because every author faces unique goals, hurdles, and questions.
Most find it best to begin with a two-hour first call to set the right foundation. But a one-hour call is fine. There's no minimum number of calls. The cost is $250 an hour (paid in advance via PayPal). Once payment is received, I send an 11 Questions email to help customize each conversation so we can focus on desired outcomes.
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PHONE / ZOOM CONSULTATIONS
Phone / Zoom Consultations:
Hourly rate - $250 -
Concept / Proposal Evaluation
(up to 10 pages)
(Includes review and one hour call)
$500 -
One-Day In-Person Intensive
(author covers all travel costs to Colorado Springs) $2,600
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Back Cover Copy
Allen has crafted stellar back cover copy for hundreds of books. Yours could be next.
$550
Manuscript Overview
Where a standard red-line editorial service flags grammar or punctuation issues—and is largely focused on polishing the existing manuscript. I offer a more big picture, blue sky overview of what could be...re-imagining and re-thinking a story based on the theme and concept. I'll shine light on what's working and what isn't—along with ways to bring your plot, characters, and themes more fully to life.
I don't hold anything sacred in the manuscript. I often suggest seismic changes to characters or story. My value is in offering new insights into what's working, what isn't, and what could be. For many authors, this helps them get unstuck and move forward with greater intentionality. For writer not interested in new ways to see their strengths and story, this service is not a good option.
Of course, this type of input is subjective by nature. The only guarantee is you'll receive the insight, experience, and creativity from a 25+ publishing / industry / content veteran who has worked with bestselling and first-time authors on more than a thousand manuscripts and ideas. From there, It's up to the writer whether to pursue some, none, or all the ideas. Any re-writing would be the author's responsibility.
Before I commit, I review a one to two page synopsis and chapter of your story. to see if I sense I'm a good fit for the project.
I charge $2,600 for this process—which is due at the start of the project via PayPal. This fee covers:
* reading of a manuscript (up to 80,000 words) sent by email,,
* creating a 15 page or so Overview—sent to you 30 days after project initiates, and
* a one-hour coaching call after the Overview arrives.
Bottom Line..
I coach a wide variety of creatives in how to actively pursue their stories and dreams more actively with God.
Whether in coaching calls or Manuscript Overviews, I only take on projects where I believe I can add value and that are of interest. My passion isn't creativity in general, but the process of co-creating with God. Therefore, I only take on projects that are God-honoring, hope-oriented, and from a biblical worldview. If I sense a request isn't a match, I'll decline quickly. This helps me stay focused on projects where I add the most value—while freeing you to find the right match for your needs.
“Allen Arnold can untangle any story, finding its hidden potential and drawing it to the surface with such encouragement and wisdom. Coming alongside me in the story journey, he helps me figure out what I meant to say, and takes the plot to an entirely new level. His brilliant story advice carries over to every novel I write!”
JOANNA POLITANO, Author, A Midnight Dance
"My book would not exist had it not been for Allen's tough love as my writing coach. He challenged me to go beyond my abilities tapping into God's abilities. His experience, intuition and wisdom made all the difference in my writing."
— TROY MANGUM, Author, Fatherhood Faceplants