Happy Clients

Over the years, I’ve worked with many satisfied clients. Here are just a few of their testimonials.

When I started on my book writing journey, I really had no idea where to start.  I had written public policy in Washington for several years, and had started a newsletter, but writing a book was on another level.  I knew I needed someone to guide my hand and give me focus.  Rochelle Melander was the cure I was searching for.  She helped me find my voice and refine my message.  Rochelle has been an amazing coach and mentor throughout this entire process.  I never could have completed my project without her help and guidance.  Thanks for everything, Rochelle!                     —Walter L. McLeod – Carbon Creed

Rochelle Melander is the central reason for my book, TRANSPIRATIONS-Guidance for the Head & Heart through Career and Beyond, being published with a new company—a better one, offering significantly more value for readers and bookstores alike. Her skill, patience, and persistence in navigating complex procedures were remarkable. Her professionalism exemplary. Just as importantly, she consistently calmed my anxieties throughout the process and was resourceful in finding solutions.

I have also benefited from Rochelle’s marketing expertise as she has developed a number of creative ideas for getting the book to the right audience and in ways resulting in increased sales. I will continue to count on Rochelle for future projects and ventures. 

—Thomas Bachhuber, Ed.D., Founder and Executive DirectorCenter for Life Transitions

When I retired, I knew that I wanted to write because it was an enjoyable hobby. I had written a few things, but nothing serious. I wanted to be more intentional and maybe eventually be published, but I did not know where to start and how the process worked. I knew that I needed a professional to guide me and help me be a better writer. I contacted Rochelle Melander, and she agreed to help. I did not know what to expect, but it was one of the best decisions I had ever made. Instead of being overwhelmed with a myriad of websites offering self-publishing and how-to, she cut to the chase and provided the best websites that would be helpful in writing my book including information regarding submittal letters to writing agents, and the publishing process. Most importantly, she performed multiple, thorough and comprehensive edits of my book along with recommendations, comments, and improvements. I learned a great deal about being a better writer through this process. So, if you are interested in using a professional writing coach and editor and someone who understands the writing business, I whole-heartedly recommend Rochelle Melander. You will find that it is a helpful and pleasant experience.
—R. Dailey Taylor

Rochelle and I have worked together for almost 10 years. Through her coaching, I was able to broaden my horizons and imagine my life in new ways. Rochelle guided me to find my voice in translating and writing. Thanks to her, I translated my first full-length book from French to English, wrote a book proposal that received interest from several agents, and started my own company as a translator, writer and editor. She also encouraged me to develop my website and get into social media. You can check out some of my work at www.kedlanguagesvcs.com Rochelle’s persistence and enthusiasm for writing has helped me find the work I love!
—Katherine Douglass, KED Language Services, LLC

Just three years ago, I had entered the maze-like arena to find my own way as a freelance writer. I didn’t have a brand or even a website. I had one book in the bag from a traditional publisher, but I didn’t know what steps to take to launch a career. I had heard from a friend that Rochelle worked with writers. Honestly, I was skeptical—what could she teach me that I already didn’t know?

I was wrong.

Rochelle is not only a capable writing coach, she also helped me rethink the goals I wanted to achieve. She gave me simple, step-by-step instructions to initiate a plan of action to realize my brand. Today, Dan the Story Man is my non-fiction brand. I share transformational and transformative stories and I have won an award for my first book. Her guidance to assist in developing this brand I believe has led an acquisitions editor to work with me on a third book. I would recommend Rochelle’s services without hesitation—not only is she amiable and kind, but her guidance is spot on. I will continue to use her knowledge to develop a work of fiction I’m working on for the future.
—Daniel D. Maurer is a freelance writer, an award-winning author and a national speaker for recovery events. He is the author of Sobriety: A Graphic Novel (Hazelden, 2014) and a co-author of Faraway: A Suburban Boy’s Story as a Victim of Sex Trafficking. He lives with his family in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Rochelle Melander is the perfect coach: wise and encouraging, challenging and supportive. I was in desperate need of a mentor who could help me to make my writing dreams come true. This was no easy task, because there are multiple demands on my time, and I had nearly given up on my hope of becoming a writer. Rochelle heard my concerns, and directed me to a writing plan that makes sense for my life. That process has helped me to write regularly and more strategically. I have started a blog, and a more ambitious writing project that had been on hold for several years is now underway. Thank you, Rochelle!
—The Rev. Dr. Edward G. Horstmann, Senior Minister, Round Hill Community Church

Rochelle is a good listener. We came together for conversations and she could hear the sound of my creative energy deep down in the hole where I had unwittingly allowed it to be buried. As a writing coach, Rochelle built a staircase and walked my energy out of the ground and into productive processes. She suggested appropriate readings, writing exercises, changes in my daily routines and new ways to think about what seemed like insurmountable creative blocks. Like a guide with a lantern, she showed me how to meet my creative goals.
—Elaine Blanchard, storyteller, actor, writer

Rochelle Melander is not only a gifted writer developing her own ideas, she is also someone with skill to help other writers find their voice. As a University faculty member with a Ph.D, I have learned that I need someone who can understand the spirit and content of what I want to write about in my particular field. Rochelle’s coaching style and skills attended to my voice and ideas and worked to clarify and develop these ideas. If you want to write, seek consultation with Rochelle before she becomes famous and goes on Oprah.
—Jan Ewing, PhD, Narrative Health Initiatives

I’d really put a lot of work into my book proposal before bringing it to Rochelle. It seemed pretty solid and it felt like it said what I wanted it to say. Yet as I worked with Rochelle she gently helped me see numerous ways to tighten up my proposal, focus it more sharply–and most importantly–help it sound more like my writing voice. In addition she helped me lay out a workable plan for presenting my proposal to the right agents. Signing on for her coaching was definitely a wise move on my part.
—Ron Vanderwell, Lead Pastor, The Gathering

I want to let you know how much your coaching and editing has influenced my book. I had worked for many years to make my manuscript ready. But, I knew it needed more work. A friend told me about you and I contacted you. You were an incredibly supportive, wonderfully educating and illustrative influence on my book. You instructed me on the importance of keeping my writing in the present tense and making sure the reader could place themselves in the scene. Your help on making one chapter lead to the next was invaluable. Your belief that my story was worth telling – well, it was priceless! My book For the Love of Angela will be published in a few weeks and it would not have been possible without your help. I hope when I write my next book, your edits and recommendations will help me make it a masterpiece. Thank you for all your help.
—Nancy M. Mayer-Whittington, Author, For the Love of Angela

Rochelle Melander held open the door for me as I moved from the era of writing for the print media to the new era of electronic communications. Her coaching helped me transition from full time ministry to a semi-retired life that includes writing through and for the internet. This has freed me to literally travel around the world and still stay connected to a network of people I’ve developed in the States. Her insights, patience, great ideas, and seemingly endless supply of connections and resources really helped at a time when I was a bit uncertain about what path to take next. I admire her creativity and many venues of service she provides.
—Kathy Haueisen, How Wise Then Blog

The coaching process assisted me in clarifying goals that had remained fuzzy for years. As a direct result of my work with Rochelle, I have started writing a book, completed life coach training myself, and increased my skills as a speaker, group facilitator and presenter. Rochelle is relentless in assisting her clients in uncovering/discovering the core action that has to be taken in order to move a project forward – because, as she said more than once to me, “until you know what to do next, nothing gets done.” Thank you, Rochelle, for helping me to get on task and move on with my life!
—The Reverend Gary B. Manning, Episcopal PriestTrinity Episcopal Church

What a boon Rochelle’s coaching has been to my personal and professional life! Working with her coaching style has taught me how take “bite-able bites”, or small steps, in managing my time to include both my passions and my goals. Coaching has helped not only my time management skills, but my “life purpose” issues by helping me to train myself to set boundaries balancing my private and work lives, and ultimately, to learn to live and “be present” in the moment. If this sounds small, it is NOT! What a HUGE gift to give yourself, your life, and those whom you value. Coaching CAN, literally, be life-changing.
—Ingrid Huebner

The six-week email coaching turned out to be just the thing I needed to keep on track and finish the book I started for NaNoWriMo! Being accountable to someone through the weekly check ins helped me to rebuild momentum. Talking with Rochelle about the details of my writing process, problems I was encountering, and ideas to address stumbling points, gave me better insight into what works best for me and strategies for dealing with my trouble areas that will be useful on future projects!
—Jennifer Simmons