I offer writing coaching to writers working on memoirs, nonfiction book proposals, MFA program applications, and personal essays.
My students and writing coaching clients publish books with small and large publishing houses and essays in national outlets, such as the New York Times and the Washington Post. (See examples)
Coaching meetings are held online via GoToMeeting. My philosophy is to meet the writer at the level they’re at and help them reach their goals by teaching discrete skills and giving them honest and usable feedback. My strengths are structural and developmental editing; intuiting a narrative’s emotional preoccupation; and reading at the speed of light. My rate is 120 dollars an hour. If you’d like to set up a session, email me at theonestorprods@gmail.com.
Content of coaching sessions is held in confidence. Testimonials and names below shared with permission of writers.
Selected nonfiction titles from former students and clients:
Forthcoming nonfiction from former students & clients:
Reckless Steps Toward Sanity by Judith Sara Gelt forthcoming from UNM Press (2019)
Untitled memoir from Noe Alvarez forthcoming from Catapult (2020)
Setting the Wire by Sarah Townsend forthcoming from Lettered Streets Press (2019)
Flying Free by Cecilia Aragon forthcoming from Blackstone Publishing(2020).
Washington Post essays by former students:
My son’s father killed him for insurance money. Full justice hasn’t been served by Hera McLeod.
We’re failing the immigrant kids who show up alone on our border by Noe Alvarez
Marijuana’s addictive risk shouldn’t be ignored by Roger Roffman
My husband was laid off. Here’s what happened to our parenting by Natalie Singer
Theo’s bio:
Theo Pauline Nestor is the author of Writing Is My Drink: A Writer’s Story of Finding Her Voice (And a Guide to How You Can Too) (Simon & Schuster, 2013) and How to Sleep Alone in a King-Size Bed: A Memoir of Starting Over (Crown, 2008), which was selected by Kirkus Reviews as a 2008 Top Pick for Reading Groups and as a Target “Breakout Book.” An award-winning instructor, Nestor has taught the memoir certificate course for the University of Washington’s Professional & Continuing Education program since 2006. She also teaches at Hugo House in Seattle and has taught two master classes at Hedgebrook. She holds an MA in English Literature from San Francisco State University and an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from the University of Washington. Nestor also produces events for writers such as the Wild Mountain Memoir Retreat, Bird by Bird & Beyond, and the Black Mesa Writers’ Intensive, featuring talks by writers such as Anne Lamott, Cheryl Strayed, Julia Cameron, and Natalie Goldberg. You can follow her on Facebook here, Instagram, and on Twitter @theopnestor.
Testimonials

















Dear Theo-Thank you for everything you have taught me this past year. It has really contributed to my recovery and has helped me find my current passion (I hope it continues). I spoke to you a while ago about meeting with you privately. In particular I’d like to get some suggestions for my “Stratus” entry as well as some tips on the writer’s conference in July. I’ve never attended anything like this, and I want to get as much out of it as I can. If you could give me an idea of good times for you, I’ll let you know that I’m flexible and can drive during the day, but can also meet at night if that’s better. I look forward to hearing from you. Fondly, Margaret Coombs Farris
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Theo is a highly-skilled teacher and coach. I owe much of my publishing success to her instruction.
A year later: I just saw this. Thanks, Wendy. Your success springs from your talent and tenacity. I’m glad I’ve gotten to witness them both.
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I’m a nonfiction writer wanting to write a memoir…
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