Writing your second book is not about doing what worked last time.

 

It's about asking, What edge can I push now?

Welcome to kupala, home of book two coaching

I'm Natalya Savka, the Book Two Coach. I help experienced authors push their creative limits, because artistic growth is the antidote to the Sophomore Slump. 

You know the Slump. 

In the tone of your harshest editor, agent, or reviewer, the Slump critiques every line of Book Two before it even hits the page. The Slump whispers, Play it safe. Stick to what worked in the last book. 

 

The Slump couldn't be more wrong.  

Because when you hold back, your writing loses urgency, voice, and surprise—the very things that made your first book resonate. Readers can feel that. You can feel that. When the Slump says go smaller, that's your cue to go bigger.

 

I'm here to keep watch for the Slump. 

I'll notice when you slip into old or limiting patterns with Book Two, and guide you back toward creative risk and expansion every time. 

I coach

 nonfiction
memoir
literary fiction

What you can expect from me:

  • I will help you do your most ambitious work yet.

  • That means I will challenge you to grow as a writer. I will really challenge you. 

  • I will always be kind, but I won’t let you stay comfortable for long.

  • Together, we'll break old patterns and surprise ourselves and each other. 

what authors are saying

"I came to Natalya with a germ of an idea for my second book and a desire to not simply write a continuation of my debut memoir. As a result of Natalya's deep listening and gentle, but probing, questions, I left with a clear vision for my book and a plan to write it. Natalya is everything you'd want in a book coach: compassionate, insightful, reflective, with an uncanny ability to hold you accountable so you can write the book you feel called to write."

 

Suzette Mullen, author of The Only Way Through Is Out

"After writing what I thought was a complete draft of my second book, I realized I needed help to expand my bare-bones content into a long-form memoir. Luckily, I found Natalya. After helping me figure out what the book was really about, she asked, “How did you feel about that?” so often during my rewrite that I sometimes felt like I was in a therapy session. But that is exactly what I needed, that drawing out of my emotions, because – as weird as it sounds – I’m a memoirist who doesn’t like to reveal her feelings. Now this book is coming together thanks to Natalya's persistence with me. Her coaching went above and beyond anything I could have expected."

 

Janet L. Boyd, author of Don't Get Me Started

"You would think that spending over a decade in higher education studying science, earning a doctorate, and publishing over twenty peer-reviewed papers would give you the skills to write a book. Nope. I was very wrong. Natalya helped me transform my ideas into words that spoke directly to my ideal reader and aligned perfectly with my book's goals. She created a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere that pushed me to write the best book possible. And the best part? The whole process was fun!"


Anthony J. Basile, PhD, RDN

Wait, what is book coaching?

Book coaching delivers everything you’d expect from a skilled developmental editor, including thoughtful feedback on structure, pacing, voice, and impact. 

 

But book coaching with me is also much more than editing: 

Book coaching is an ongoing relationship that can begin at any point in your writing process. You don’t need a full draft. A spark of an idea for Book Two is enough. 

We work iteratively, exchanging pages regularly. I offer both written feedback and one-on-one video calls. These calls are not just a recap of my notes. They’re true coaching conversations. I listen closely to the book you want to write (never the one I assume you should), and together we discover your next steps.

We create a space of creative exchange and deep thinking. Imagine mid-century Café de Flore, with, say, James Baldwin and Simone de Beauvoir puttering next to us. A place to push boundaries and feel less alone in the process. 

I also bring structure and accountability, with clear deadlines and consistent check-ins. I make sure you do the work. 

And when things get hard (emotionally, creatively), I stay with you. I believe those difficult moments are often the most fruitful. Struggle can be a sign you’re pushing your creative edge and growing as a writer, especially in the leap from Book One to Book Two.

I always hold the bigger picture, considering your full author career. I read your first book before we even begin, and I stay attentive to where your work might go next. I view our coaching relationship as part of your lifelong practice of cultivating strength and meaning within the creative process.

When I Can Help

  • You're feeling the weight of your first book's success (or its silence).

  • You have too many ideas for Book Two and can't pick one. 

  • Or not enough ideas. You're convinced you've already said everything worth saying. 

  • Your editor is asking for your next pitch or sample chapters, and you've got nothing. 

  • Or you already have a Book Two draft (partial or full) and something's not right. 

  • You sense there's something deeper you haven't put on the page yet. 

  • You just want to enter the nighttime forest with me. 

 

Book coaching is for all stages of the writing process.

Yes, even if you haven't written a word of Book Two yet. Or are you on draft FinalFINAL23.docx? Then you'll begin with a manuscript review.  

No-Slump Coaching - starting at $375

Whether you're stuck on page 1 or 100 of Book Two, I'll help you move out of Sophomore-Slump territory. With personalized feedback, strategy-packed calls, and a deep dive into your evolving writer identity, you'll make real progress on your Book Two. We meet on your schedule.

And our first 30-minute call is on me! Tell me about your project, and I'll be in touch to schedule our call.

The 720° Manuscript Review - $2,450

It's 720° because I do a full-circle review of both your Book Two draft and your first book. Then I help shape your draft to better reflect your voice, vision, and growth since Book One. And I don’t just suggest changes. With my second round of feedback, I stay with you as you begin putting those revisions into motion.

Or try the mini Manuscript Review for $375!

Ready? Let's start with a free 30-minute discovery call.

This call is more than a meet-and-greet. You'll walk away with a clearer sense of where you and Book Two are headed.