Apart from being a novelist, Lidija is also an Author Accelerator certified book coach & developmental editor specializing in Literary, Upmarket,
and Women’s Fiction.

Her passion lies in helping writers craft emotionally impactful
and lyrically written stories with impeccable internal logic.

Services:

  • Included in this service:

    ✓ In-line comments on two (2) bi-weekly submissions of up to twenty (20) pages (standard manuscript formatting) a month

    ✓ Editorial letter for each submission, including highlights of your strengths and weaknesses, and a clear way forward for your writing

    ✓ A 30-minute Zoom call after each editorial session to discuss the feedback

    ✓ Additional exercises where needed, to clarify backstory, character arcs, hone the point of your novel…

    ✓ A partner to keep her eye out on the books that might be your comparable titles, agents who might like your work, novels where the author has pulled off something you’re struggling with, and more.

    Your investment: $700/month

  • Included in this service:

    ✓ A comprehensive and thorough analysis of your story’s overall arc, style, and structure, but also a deep-level examination of each element separately (narrative drive, cause-and-effect trajectory, character arc and agency, telling vs. showing, info-dumps, and much more), as well as actionable steps on approaching revision.

    ✓ An 8+ pages long editorial letter highlighting your manuscript’s strengths and offering a thorough overview of the issues that might be holding your manuscript back, along with actionable advice on how to solve them. The letter is usually divided into four main sections: Story Level, Craft Level, Writing Mechanics, and The Next Steps.

    ✓ In-line comments throughout your manuscript, showcasing where exactly in your text issues arise

    ✓ A 90-minute coaching call to discuss my feedback and your next steps

    ✓ Additional materials (where applicable and needed)

    ✓ Workbooks, exercises, reading recommendations, cheat sheets, and other resources curated specifically for your story.

    Your investment: $0,03 per word

  • Included in this service:

    ✓ A comprehensive and thorough analysis of your story’s overall arc, style, and structure, but also a deep-level examination of each element separately (narrative drive, cause-and-effect trajectory, character arc and agency, telling vs. showing, info-dumps, and much more), as well as actionable steps on approaching revision.

    ✓ An 8+ pages long editorial letter highlighting your manuscript’s strengths and offering a thorough overview of the issues that might be holding your manuscript back, along with actionable advice on how to solve them. The letter is usually divided into four main sections: Story Level, Craft Level, Writing Mechanics, and The Next Steps.

    ✓ A 90-minute coaching call to discuss my feedback and your next steps

    ✓ Additional materials (where applicable and needed)

    ✓ Workbooks, exercises, reading recommendations, cheat sheets, and other resources curated specifically for your story.

    Your investment: $0,0175 per word

  • Included in this service:

    — VIRTUAL INTENSIVES are created to provide a personalized coaching experience designed to assess, diagnose and remedy the issue that’s keeping you back—in record time.

    ✓ Introductory call to see where you are in your writing process and to ‘diagnose’ the issues we’ll need to work on

    ✓ Access to my signature Novel With Meaning Framework, including the worksheets and workbook (prior to the Intensive)

    ✓ Written feedback on Worksheets

    ✓A full day of one-on-one coaching (or two days, depending on the time zone overlap; 3x2hour coaching sessions per day, assigning and feedback on written tasks as needed)

    ✓A personalized gift box with books, craft materials and writing tools to boost your writing as you move forward

    Your investment: $999/day

    — IN-PERSON INTENSIVES

    Tick visiting Croatia off your bucket list WHILE igniting your writing through a personalized coaching experience designed to assess, diagnose and remedy the issues keeping your writing back.

    Apart from being your book coach, I’ll also serve as a tour-guide-par-excellence, allowing you to experience Croatia’s beautiful Adriatic Coast from a local’s perspective.

    Included in this service:

    ✓ Introductory call to see where you are in your writing process and to ‘diagnose’ the issues we’ll need to work on

    ✓ Access to my signature Novel With Meaning Framework, including the worksheets and workbook (prior to the Intensive)

    ✓ Written feedback on Worksheets

    ✓A full day of one-on-one coaching

    ✓ A breakfast and dinner carefully chosen for you to experience local cuisine

    ✓ Coaching sessions in some of the beautiful historical settings in Zadar, Croatia 🇭🇷

    ✓ A private tour around the town

    ✓A personalized gift box with books, craft materials and writing tools to boost your writing as you move forward

    Your investment: $1200 for the first day (plane fare and hotel not included); $600 for every subsequent day

  • NOVEL WITH MEANING Group Coaching Intensive is a six-week ONLINE GROUP COACHING PROGRAM for women writers of Literary, Upmarket, and Women’s Fiction that will help you plan and outline a novel with a strong emotional impact and impeccable internal logic.

    Your investment: $950

    Learn more about the program here.

About me:

In addition to being a Literary Fiction writer, I’m also an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, a passionate reader, an attorney at law gone rogue, a psychology enthusiast, an extroverted introvert (or is it the other way around?), and the human condition explorer.

What clients are saying…

  • “Lidija is extremely thoughtful and thorough. It is rare to meet someone who reads as closely as she does, and who retains so much detail. At times it felt she understood my book and characters as well, or better than I did! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her, her insights were spot on and she helped me see things I couldn't, and she helped me find a way forward without feeling overwhelmed. She has a true gift for editing and bringing out the best in a writer, and equally important, she is wonderful and kind (while also being direct about what needs improving) and an absolute pleasure to work with! I can't recommend her enough.” — Amy Neff, author

    AMY NEFF, author of The Days I Loved You Most

  • “I connected with Lidija in the middle of querying my manuscript after a handful of full requests ended in rejections. I knew I needed something to take my story to the next level—Lidija was that something! Her detailed and thoughtful insights forced me to go deeper in all sorts of ways. Her enthusiasm and compassion reminded me I was on the right track even in the face of so many query rejections. After implementing Lidija’s feedback and specific suggestions, I began querying my manuscript again and soon had double the number of full requests! In a few months, I received my first offer of representation. My book will be published by Lake Union Publishing in spring 2023, and I couldn’t have reached this huge milestone without Lidija’s wisdom and keen editorial eye. Thank you, Lidija!”

    LAUREN PARVIZI, author of La Vie, According to Rose

  • “Lidija has been absolutely incredible guiding me through my novel writing and editing. She’s been able to let me see things that I couldn’t see on my own. Things just clicked so easily with her feedback and mentoring. She has really pushed my story to the next level, and it makes me feel much more confident that, when I get to the querying stage, agents will actually love this book. I’m in awe of her knowledge, creative and detailed eye, and am confident we’ll see her name pop up in many more published books, whether it’s her own, or Lidija being acknowledged in books by authors showing their gratitude towards her coaching and feedback."

    Tanja Goossens, writer and publishing industry professional, UK

  • “Even after publishing several award-winning books, I knew I needed fresh, smart, sensitive eyes on my new manuscript. It’s easy to become myopic, but not easy to find the right person who can help you see what’s missing, hidden, assumed, or overwrought in a story that you’re simply too close to. I’m so grateful that I found Lidija! I needed a partner whose insight, intelligence, and willingness to listen could provide just the right kind of synergism to help me lift my story to the next level. Lidija was all of that for me, and more! Together, we found solutions that I couldn’t have seen on my own. Her thoroughness, responsiveness, and generosity far exceeded my expectations. I recommend Lidija without reservation for both the experienced and the beginning writer, and look forward to calling on her again.”

    BARBARA LINN PROBST, published author, winner of the Sarton Award for Contemporary Women’s Fiction and Silver Medalist for the Nautilus Award, and many other awards and accolades

  • “Lidija was professional, prompt and enthusiastic in her critique of my chapters. She helped with larger developmental ideas such as structure and theme, as well as detailed line edits addressing POV consistencies and tightness of prose. Mostly, I appreciated her genuine eagerness to help and her kindness in execution.”

    JENNIFER JABALEY, traditionally published author, USA

  • Lidija Hilje is awesome!!! She did a full manuscript evaluation for me and it was so helpful. Her ability to see the macro and micro is astonishing. She was able to capture the big picture of my entire story premise and character arcs, while also homing in on the smallest details. She also did line-by-line comments on my manuscript, which are going to help me immensely. Our feedback conversation was comprehensive and insightful. Her belief in my story, my manuscript, and me as a writer came through even as she offered advice on what needed to be changed and improved to strengthen the manuscript. She gave me tips, strategies, and insight on how to make the changes and get the manuscript ready for publication. I am looking forward to diving into revisions and know that my manuscript is going to be so much stronger because of her feedback.

    — Lisa Montanaro, published author, California, USA

  • Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach

    Learn more about Author Accelerator at: https://www.bookcoaches.com

  • Member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association

    Learn more about WFWA at: https://www.womensfictionwriters.org/

  • Affiliate Editor coaching writers in the coaching track for She Writes Press

    Learn more at: shewritespress.com

  • Affiliate Editor coaching writers in the coaching track for Spark Press

    Learn more at: gosparkpress.com