Sophie Pomme: consulting, research and writing by Sophie Vériter

Writing Coaching

Meet Dr. Sophie L. Vériter,
published scholar and writing coach.

Sophie L. Vériter on a bustling street holding an academic book on democracy.

Writing can be one of the most solitary, frustrating, and deeply personal endeavour. It requires discipline and confidence, especially since artificial intelligence has raised the stakes on what it means to write with a genuinely human voice.

Whether you’re working on a book, building a brand, or trying to find your voice as an academic, the blank page has a way of making even talented people feel stuck.

A writing coach changes that.

What is a writing coach?

A writing coach is a professional who helps you improve your writing and reach your writing goals. Unlike an editor, who works on a finished or near-finished text, a writing coach works with you throughout the process, from the initial idea to the final draft, and sometimes beyond.

Think of the relationship as sitting somewhere between a therapist, a personal trainer, and a trusted editor. A good writing coach understands what holds writers back (fear, perfectionism, unclear structure, lack of time), knows what strong writing looks like, and has the tools to help you close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Writing coaches work with an unusually wide range of clients: novelists writing their first or fifth book, academics trying to publish in peer-reviewed journals, professionals who need to communicate with authority and clarity, entrepreneurs writing pitches or thought leadership, and students working on theses, dissertations, or graduate applications.

What does a writing coach do?

The scope of a writing coach’s work depends on your needs, but typically includes:

  • Diagnosing your blocks. Before improving your writing, you need to understand what’s stopping you. Is it structure? Voice? Confidence? Time? A writing coach helps you identify the real obstacle.
  • Setting goals and accountability. Many writers know what they want to write but struggle to make consistent progress. A coach helps you set achievable milestones and holds you to them — not in a punitive way, but as a thinking partner who keeps you moving.
  • Giving honest, targeted feedback. This goes beyond line editing. A writing coach looks at the logic of your argument, the rhythm of your prose, whether your ideas land the way you intend them to, and whether your voice is coming through clearly.
  • Developing your craft over time. The goal is not just to finish one piece of writing — it’s to make you a stronger writer. Sessions often include discussion of technique, structure, and style, calibrated to your level and ambitions.
  • Manuscript and document review. Depending on the format, a coach may read and annotate your drafts, prepare detailed memos, or provide in-session line-by-line feedback.
  • Publishing and submission strategy. For those working toward publication or public output, a coach can advise on how to position your work, where to submit, and how to frame what you’ve written.

Writing Coach vs. Editor: What's the Difference?

A good writing coach often does some editing, and a good editor may offer some coaching. The core distinction is this: an editor improves a text; a writing coach improves a writer. 

An editor takes a manuscript and makes it better, for example by fixing structure, clarifying prose, or cutting what doesn’t fit in. A writing coach sits alongside you as the writing happens, helping you develop the instincts and skills to produce stronger work yourself. In practice, many practitioners combine both. A coach may offer light editorial feedback within sessions, and an editor may include short notes on recurring patterns. The important thing is to know what you’re looking for: do you need a finished document polished, or do you need to grow as a writer?

My Approach: Tailored Writing Coaching

I offer 1-1 writing coaching and editing services designed around your specific goals, context, and working style. There is no fixed programme. Every engagement is built around what you actually need.

Who I work with

My clients include academics preparing publications, policy professionals and consultants who need to write with authority and clarity, doctoral researchers working through theses and journal articles, and writers developing essays, autofiction, or long-form work for publication. I also work with professionals and entrepreneurs who want to build a distinctive written voice for communications, thought leadership, or personal writing projects.

What I offer

  • 1-1 coaching sessions are structured around your project and your blockers. Sessions typically run one hour and may involve discussing a piece of work in progress, working through structural problems, developing arguments, or building the habits and routines that make writing happen consistently. Sessions can be one-off or ongoing, depending on what you need.
  • Editing and manuscript review is available as a standalone service or in combination with coaching. This includes close reading of your text, detailed written feedback, and, where appropriate, line-level editing. I work across academic writing, long-form journalism and essays, creative non-fiction, fiction, and professional communications.
  • What makes this different is that I bring an unusual combination of backgrounds to this work. My own writing spans peer-reviewed academic publications, policy analysis, public-facing essays, and personal writing, which means I can move between registers and understand the pressures specific to each. I’ve also spent years thinking rigorously about communication, argument, and how ideas move between contexts. I’m not interested in imposing a house style. I’m interested in helping you write more like yourself, but better.

All engagements begin with a free discovery conversation to understand what you’re working on and whether I’m the right person to help.

Sophie Vériter, an Oxford graduate and academic consultant, reading through a book

Let's dive in together!

I would love to accompany you on your writing journey. Together, we’ll define your goals and find the words to express them with clarity and confidence.

My approach builds on a decade of writing, researching, and publishing across academia, policy, and the media, working alongside ambitious individuals who have something important to say and want to say it well.

book a free consultation
Sophie Pomme

Demi De Jong

Entrepreneur based in Tulum, Mexico

It was absolutely life-changing working with Sophie. She is an amazing person and she gave me the strength to know that I am deserving of my dreams and goals. Sophie really took the time to listen to my doubts and helped transforming them into confidence.

She helped me focus on my strengths and gain clarity on my goals. Together we worked on establishing my goals and step by step she taught me how to achieve them. I am happy to say that with her help I was able to check off many of my goals within only a few sessions. Really grateful for this whole experience!

Prices and Packages

  • first 15-min consultation is free (book here)
  • initial intake session (90 min): 200€
  • any additional consultation (60 min): 100€
Packages
  • mindset shift package:
    •  1 intake session + 2 follow-up consultations
    • 360€
  • deep growth package:
    • 1 intake session + 4 follow-up consultations + weekly check-in (over 2 months) + digital workspace
    • 550€ 
  • transformation package:
    • 1 intake session + 6 follow-up consultations + weekly check-in (over 3+ months) + digital workspace + mindfulness training 
    •  790€

I prioritise writers from developing countries, marginalised communities, and low-income backgrounds in my work. If you identify or you think you may identify with this, please do ask about discounted prices and special offers. 

All prices are exclusive of tax, which is determined by location upon check-out.

How to book my coaching services?

Every journey is unique. I tailor my method and approach based on the individual needs and wishes of my clients, based on an assessment of fit. Given my limited availability, I only work with a few selected clients each week.

  1. Book a free consultation: If you want to work together, please first book a free consultation so that we can discuss your objectives.
  2. Book your service: After on our conversation, I will provide payment links to book any of the services listed above that fit your needs. Depending on your goals, I will recommend different packages. You can always book session by session, if you prefer. I use Stripe as a payment processing platform.
  3. Choose a date: Once the booking is made and paid for, I will propose dates and times to meet. I need at least two working days of preparation time between the booking and the coaching session. Most of the time, we speak via videocalls. I use Google Meet and provide the link for our calls once the first booking is made. Whenever possible, I meet my clients in person.

Cancellation Policy:

  • Full refund for cancellations made at least 48 hours before a scheduled session. No refund for cancellations less than 48 hours in advance.
  • No refunds for completed sessions or unused pre-paid packages.
  • We reserve the right to refuse refunds in cases of policy abuse or fraud.
  • To request a refund, email hello@sophiepomme.com with your order details.

Ask me any questions at hello@sophiepomme.com!

With Sophie’s guidance, I was able to unlock new opportunities in my career that I never thought were possible.

I am particularly grateful for Sophie’s help in improving my LinkedIn profile and CV. I found my new job through LinkedIn, and I believe that without Sophie’s expertise, I would not have been offered such a competitive salary. It felt like they had already chosen me before the interviews, and I believe that’s largely due to how I presented myself on LinkedIn and my CV.

Sophie’s belief in me and her unwavering support have given me the confidence to pursue my dreams and professional goals!

Wendy Silvera

International Trade Expert, Uruguay

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a writing coach and a book coach?

The terms are often used interchangeably. “Book coach” tends to refer specifically to coaching for long-form projects such as novels, memoirs, and non-fiction books. “Writing coach” is broader and applies to any kind of writing, from academic papers to professional communications to essays.

Can a writing coach help with academic writing?

Yes. Many writing coaches specialise in academic contexts, or work across both academic and other registers. Academic writing has specific conventions (argument structure, citation practices, the expectations of peer review) that a good coach understands. I have direct experience in this area. See my academic consulting services. 

Do I need to have a project to start coaching?

Not necessarily. Some clients come with a manuscript in progress; others come with an idea, or simply a desire to write more and better. The first conversation usually clarifies what kind of support would be most useful.

How long does a coaching engagement typically last?

That depends entirely on your goals and situation. Some clients want a one-off session for a specific challenge; others work with a coach over several months on a major project. I offer both.

Can a writing coach also edit my work?

In my case, yes. I offer both coaching and editing, and many clients find it useful to combine the two: working through a project in sessions while also receiving written feedback on drafts.

Will a writing coach write for me?

No. A coach helps you write better; they don’t write on your behalf. If you’re looking for a ghostwriter, that’s a different kind of service entirely.

How do I know if coaching is right for me?

If you’re stuck, frustrated, or simply not writing as well or as much as you want to and you’ve tried to address it on your own without success, then coaching is probably worth exploring. The discovery conversation is the best place to start: it costs nothing, and it will quickly become clear whether there’s a useful fit.

Sophie Veriter being interviewed for Euronews

Free Tools for Growth

Discover free apps, books, websites, and YouTube channels  to help you on your journey to success in my Growth Toolkit. It is a collection of resources to start or enhance your personal and professional growth journey whilst keeping your wellness in check, boosting confidence and critical thinking, as well as continuously expanding your skills and knowledge.

My growth toolkit

How do I get in touch?

You can reach me through the free consultation booking page on this site, or send a direct message via hello@sophiepomme.com. I respond to all enquiries personally and aim to reply within 48 hours.

I'm not a native English speaker. Can you still help me?

Yes. Many of my clients write in English as a second or third language, and working across linguistic and cultural registers is something I find genuinely interesting. We can work on clarity, idiomatic fluency, and academic or professional conventions — without flattening the particular voice you bring to your writing.

What kinds of writing projects can you help with?

The range is deliberately wide. I work with academic manuscripts and journal articles, policy papers and reports, personal essays and fiction, professional communications and thought leadership, and long-form journalism. If you’re unsure whether your project fits, the discovery conversation is the right place to find out.

How is working with you different from using an AI writing tool?

AI tools can help with drafts, structure, and surface-level edits and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using them strategically. What they can’t do is understand your specific goals, hold you accountable, read the subtext of what you’re trying to say, or help you develop as a writer over time. Coaching is a relationship, and the value compounds across sessions in ways a tool can’t replicate.

What should I bring to a first session?

Whatever is most useful to you: a draft, an outline, a vague idea, or simply a list of what’s not working. There’s no required preparation. If you do have a piece of writing you’d like me to look at before we meet, sending it in advance allows me to come with specific observations rather than general impressions, which most clients find more valuable.

Do you offer feedback on a single document?

Yes. A one-off manuscript review or single session is a perfectly valid engagement. Some clients use it to get unstuck at a specific point in a project; others use it to decide whether ongoing coaching would be useful. There’s no pressure to commit to more than you need.

Sophie Pomme academic coaching: Oxford and Leiden PhD graduate

Your journey starts here

Wanna reach new milestones?
Book a free 15-min consultation with me!

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Sophie L. Vériter, political scientist and consultant specialising in misinformation and European governance, offering academic consulting, admissions consulting, personal coaching, and communications consulting services

Hi! I’m Sophie

Hi! I’m Sophie, but my friends call me Pomme. I was born in Belgium, educated in Europe, and now exploring the world to better understand how we can make it a better place.

I currently work as a doctoral researcher (PhD) at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs in The Hague. In my research, I analyse government responses to misinformation. I also teach to undergraduate students and regularly participate in global events as speaker and moderator.

I hold a Masters degree (MPhil) in European Politics and Society from the University of Oxford and have a decade of experience as a consultant in public diplomacy, strategic communication, and global peace and security. Former clients include the European Commission and NATO.

Get to know me

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