Alyssa Eisner Henkin
your new coach
Dive into a writing journey with Alyssa Eisner Henkin, a seasoned literary expert with nearly two decades of experience. From her early days at Simon & Schuster to her role as Executive Vice President at Trident Media Group, Alyssa has shaped the careers of award-winning authors like R.J. Palacio and romance sensation Sarah MacLean. In 2021, she launched Birch Path Literary, LLC, offering personalized coaching services for aspiring authors. Alyssa's expertise spans children's literature to adult fiction, with a keen eye for tight plotting, diverse themes, and complex family legacies. Elevate your writing under the mentorship of a literary luminary who understands the intricacies of the industry.
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Best fit: middle grade, picture book, young adult, commercial and upmarket fiction (including romance and mystery)
Not a good fit: high fantasy, hard sci-fi or crime/suspense
Official Biography
Alyssa Eisner Henkin began her career in children’s editorial at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers back in 1999. She loved the craft of editing, but after seven years traded the corporate side for entrepreneurship. She spent the next fourteen years engaged in hundreds of deals at Trident Media Group where she was Executive Vice President. In early 2021, Alyssa took the ultimate leap and launched Birch Path Literary, LLC. She has worked with many award-winning and bestselling kidlit authors including R.J. Palacio, Julie Berry, Ruth Behar, and Lisa Greenwald. On the romance side, she launched the career of Sarah MacLean.
While her focus is on children’s, she’s eager to see more fiction for adults including mystery and romance. In all genres, she enjoys whimsy, tight plotting, ethnic flavors, foodie themes, small towns, books about book lovers, international adventures, feminism, body positivity, and complex family legacies.
Elevate Your Writing with Literary Agent-Led Group writing Coaching Sessions
A strong manuscript is essential in capturing the hearts of agents and editors. Obvious, right? You'd be surprised how many writers submit their manuscripts to agents and publishers without having it professionally reviewed. And more often than not, their manuscript--the one they poured their heart, time and energy into--ends up in the bin.
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Here's an insider tip: In the publishing world, first impressions are everything. Literary agents and acquisition editors are inundated with submissions. They don't have the time to review multiple drafts of the same manuscript, nor will they offer feedback on its shortcomings. If your first submission doesn't hit the mark, it's likely the end of the road for that opportunity.
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No re-submitting! No second chances! No representation or book deal!
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Our group coaching sessions are your pathway to literary acclaim. Under the mentorship of our coaches—who are all current or former literary agents—you will refine your manuscript to its highest potential. Don't let your opportunity for success slip through your fingers. Craft a story so compelling that it becomes impossible to ignore.
Join us for an exclusive opportunity to collaborate with a seasoned agent, diving deep into your novel. Dive into the depths of your novel, uncover strategies to keep an agent hooked, identify and avoid common mistakes, and implement practical steps to enhance your manuscript. With personalized feedback from an agent experienced in what makes or breaks a manuscript, your work will be elevated to meet the standards of the publishing industry.
Is Our Coaching Program the Right Fit for You?
For the Aspiring Author with an Unfinished Story
If your manuscript is still a work in progress, you're in the perfect position to benefit from our program. Collaborating with a literary agent from the outset can transform your approach to writing. Imagine bypassing the endless cycle of drafts—your initial draft could possess the polish and depth of a much later version.
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Do you have an incomplete manuscript?​ (10 pages? Half a book?)
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Perfect! Working with a literary agent helps you draft your manuscript to meet industry standards from the very beginning. You'll get to avoid writing dozens of drafts as your first draft will read more like a fourth or fifth draft.
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Christina, our Founder and CEO, shares her experience: "It took me four years to get halfway through my manuscript. Despite consuming every resource I could find, it wasn't until I received coaching from a literary agent that I managed to complete my draft—in just three months. The right guidance earlier could have saved me years."
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For the Author Nearing the Finish Line
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Already completed your manuscript? Excellent! Partnering with a literary agent can refine your work to meet—and exceed—industry standards, ensuring your manuscript shines in the submission process.
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Christina's journey continued: "Under an agent's mentorship, I revised my manuscript in six weeks. I reached out to three agents and received three offers of representation. The impact of expert guidance is undeniable."
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You’ve either been thinking about, or trying to, get your book finished, represented or published but…
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You don't have enough time to write.
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You don’t know where to start and get easily overwhelmed by all of the information out there.
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You doubt whether this dream is realistic and the self doubt, overwhelm, fear of failure, and impostor syndrome keep you from moving forward.
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You don't know if your book idea is worth working and if anyone will like it.
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You don't know if your writing is good enough to be published.
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You’re taking all the courses and reading all the how-to books and blogs because it feels safer to learn than it does to take action on your dream.
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You haven’t told many people about your book yet because you’re not 100% confident that you’ll succeed.
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You keep telling yourself you’ll get to it soon, but you continue to procrastinate and put your writing dreams off.
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You're scared to share your work because they might hate it.
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You're afraid to call yourself a writer because you've never had anything published.
I hear you. I was you. And now I’m here to help you ditch the struggle, confusion, and overwhelm, and start making progress to reach your publishing dreams. It's why I started this business.
You're capable of writing a masterful story. You deserve to have your publishing dream become reality. And working with our coaches is the fastest way to get you there.
Why group writing coaching sessions?
Are you ready to accelerate your writing journey and achieve the success you've been dreaming of? Our coaching program is here to guide you every step of the way, from initial draft to final submission. Join us and turn your writing aspirations into achievements.
👥 Agent Feedback:
Receive constructive feedback from industry experts in a supportive environment that fuels your growth. Agents know what publishers want.
📈 Motivation and Accountability:
Stay on track with shared goals and regular check-ins, creating a motivating and accountable space to bring your ideas to life. Someone is waiting for those pages...!
🚀 Diverse Perspectives:
Immerse yourself in a melting pot of creative minds, offering unique insights and diverse perspectives that will enrich your writing journey.
💡 Industry Insights:
Led by seasoned literary agents with a proven track record in closing book deals. Benefit from their industry insights, personalized guidance, and passion for nurturing emerging talent.
program details
6 week - group coaching with Alyssa Eisner Henkin
Time & Duration:
Wednesday 7:00-9:00 PM EST
The program spans 7 weeks (6 coaching sessions + 1 break week)
Sessions:
Engage in interactive online group sessions with your coach, receiving invaluable feedback on your specific work-in-progress. Sessions are designed to provide a comprehensive yet manageable timeframe for optimal skill development.
Genres:
Whether you're into fiction, nonfiction, mystery, romance, or beyond, our program caters to a wide range of genres and writing styles.
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Choose the coach that best fits your genre. Meet them here.
Limited Spaces - Reserve Your Spot!
Exclusive Opportunity: With limited spaces available (Only 8 per session!), this is your chance to be part of a select group of writers committed to transforming their storytelling prowess.
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Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to revolutionize your writing journey and receive personalized feedback from industry experts!
How it works:
In small groups (no more than 8 writers), you'll meet on a weekly basis to receive feedback on your work-in-progress from your coach and your peers. Each week, you can submit up to 5,000 words (approx. 20 pages double-spaced). You'll engage in lively discussions with your coach and peers about how to improve your work to meet industry standards and finally make your book deal dream come true!
More information available here.
All 2024 spring sessions
