About the book doctor
Hi there. Thank you for visiting Bay Area Book Doctor. I’m Michelle Richmond, author of six novels and two story collections. As a book coach and developmental editor, I will help you complete your novel or memoir and prepare your manuscript for submission to agents and publishers.
Although I have the good fortune to do what I love for a living, the path to success wasn’t easy. I understand how it feels to struggle through a novel. I also know the value of persistence when it comes to revising a manuscript, landing a literary agent, and securing a publishing deal.
I began my career with a story collection published by a university press, then went on to publish my first novel with a small San Francisco publishing house before signing on with a literary agent and landing contracts for four books with Bantam, a division of Random House. My books have been published in 31 languages.
I taught creative writing at the university level for more than a decade, working with dozens of graduate students on their novels and short stories. I have also taught writing classes through Stanford Continuing Studies. After moving to Paris in 2018, I started mentoring writers through my online Fiction Master Class.
My goal with every writer I mentor and every manuscript I read is to help you realize your unique vision and to develop your own voice. To make sure that each writer gets the attention he or she deserves, I work with only one writer at a time. If you would like to work with me, please begin by booking your first appointment using the scheduling calendar on this page, or send me a message through the contact form.
Michelle Richmond
TEACHING
Founder, Ficton Master Class
University of San Francisco MFA program in creative criting
Distinguished Visitig Writer in the MFA program in creative writing, St. Mary’s College of Moraga, CA
Distinguished Visiting Writer in the MFA & BFA programs in creative writing, Bowling Green State University
Sister Catherine Mary Cunningham Chair, Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA
California College of the Arts MFA program in creative writing
Stanford Continuing Studies