Frequently Asked Questions
(about our services)
Will a Wordsmith coach meet with me somewhere else besides the Wordsmith office?
Yes. Each coach has a different policy about this, but we all want to be flexible. Contact us and we'll work something out. (Generally, we will suggest meeting at a coffee shop or cafe or library near you, but we are open to other ideas.)
What should I bring with me?
Your laptop or tablet, your favorite pen, and all your questions!
If this is academic, don't just bring the draft with you— have the assignment description and any key sources on hand with you too, or in tabs in your browser, whatever.
If this is for publication or production (screenwriting/script-writing), bring any character sheets, beat sheets, etc. with you.
We'll scan or take a photo of any written notes or whiteboard diagrams that we create with you during the meeting, and send those to you afterward; you're welcome to shoot those photos yourself, of course.
How long have you been in business?
Nic Nelson started Wordsmith Writing Coaches back in September of 2004, helping a single doctoral student tackle a daunting dissertation. Since then, other editors, tutors, writing coaches, and script doctors have joined us as "Associate Wordsmiths" so that we can offer an unparalleled breadth and depth of editorial and coaching expertise. We moved into our current office location in November 2011.
Do you offer any writing or editing help for free?
Actually, yes! If you are asking for ongoing coaching, or help with a significant project (book, dissertation, wedding proposal), our initial consultation is always free. Once you've paid your first bill, you become an Official Wordsmith Client, and any question I can answer, or any little thing I can do for you, if it takes fifteen minutes or less, it's free.
Also, we offer a free monthly writers' critique and support group called SLAKE, which meets here at our office... if you're interested, call, text, or email us and ask about it!
Do you have air conditioning?
Yes!
Will you just write the dang paper for me?
No. For all the usual ethical reasons, plus a couple you might not have thought of:
- It is a waste of our time. If I want to research and publish in your field, I'll do it legitimately, either on my own or with the help of an academic or professional program. But if I want to help others to write better, to study & publish wisely, any time I spend helping you cheat is time wasted, for me.
- It is a hostile and predatory act toward you. We flex our writing muscles and get stronger, and take your money, and maybe learn something interesting in the process. You skip an opportunity to strengthen your writing muscles, so your brain grows a bit more flaccid. You lose money, and learn nothing. Plus, since you're working toward a degree, you're setting yourself up for future failure in that field: every writing assignment wedges a bit more comprehension into your brain, strengthens specific analytical processes in your mind, deepens your expertise in that field. Each one that you skip deprives you of that bit of comprehension, mental agility, and expertise... and when your falsely-acquired degree wins you a job in that field, your lack will get you sacked. With luck, you will be the only person harmed when that happens.
Instead, let us help you write that paper, strengthen your writing muscles, develop your mental agility, deepen your expertise and comprehension—and in the end, excel in your field and live the good life. Isn't that the point of higher education?
Frequently Asked Questions
(about our seminars)
Where will the seminars be held?
Usually at the Wordsmith Office, 2716 S. Vermont Avenue, Suite #6. We are on the second floor at the north end of the balcony. We can run a seminar or workshop in your own favorite location too: call us, let's talk.
Where do I park?
We have plenty of parking behind our building. Enter through the gate from Vermont Avenue and drive around to the back. For overflow parking, park behind La Valentina Mexican Grill, across the street.
What if I'm on a bike?
Lock your bike next to the railing in the open area at the bottom of the stairs. Please bring lights and bike computers up with you, though. We are not responsible for any valuables you leave in the stairwell with your bike!
Do you have air conditioning?
Yes!
What about lunch?
We will have an assortment of sweet, savory, and healthy munchies and drinks available for free, to keep you going during our time together. After a morning seminar or workshop we might go next door to Delicias Chapinas, or across the street to Manas Indian Buffet or Olympian Burgers for lunch: please join us! Each person pays for their own lunch, but the additional discussion is free.
What should I bring with me?
Your laptop or tablet, your favorite pen, and all your questions!
For the Academic Reading Seminar, bring two or three academic books that you must read or have always wanted to read, but still haven't. During the course of the seminar you will read all three books.
For the Academic Writing Seminar, bring two writing assignments that you have not yet begun. You will leave with a surprising amount of insight into your assignments and a detailed action plan to ace both of them.
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