Mary Jane Nirdlinger is an Author Accelerator-certified book coach, writer, and public sector leader who helps writers craft promising ideas into compelling, well-structured novels.
With a background that spans creative writing, urban planning, leadership, and communications, Mary Jane brings a unique perspective to story development. Whether a writer is wrestling with a first draft, revising a manuscript, or trying to diagnose why a novel isn’t working, she excels at identifying the underlying structural issues and creating a practical path forward.
I help thoughtful people who work in service, government, and community-focused professions craft their life experience into compelling stories.
Mary Jane Nirdlinger
Mary Jane holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and has spent years studying story craft, revision, and the creative process. As a novelist herself, she understands both the exhilaration of a new idea and the challenges of carrying a manuscript through multiple rounds of revision. She is particularly drawn to mysteries, community-centered stories, and fiction that explores the complicated relationships between people, places, and their community.
In addition to her work as a writer and coach, Mary Jane has more than two decades of experience in public service and organizational leadership. She has served in leadership roles and is widely recognized for her work in plain language, strategic planning, facilitation, and engagement. She has taught and presented for audiences across the country.
That combination of creative and professional experience shapes her coaching approach. Mary Jane understands how to help writers navigate complex systems, competing priorities, and big ideas without losing sight of what matters most: the human story at the center. She is especially passionate about working with thoughtful professionals—including those in government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations—who want to bring their expertise and life experience to fiction.
Based in North Carolina, Mary Jane believes that great stories help us better understand ourselves, our communities, and the people around us. Her coaching combines rigorous story analysis, practical guidance, and genuine enthusiasm for helping writers create the strongest version of their work.
Want more information?
If you’re curious about coaching, fill out the coaching information form to share where you are in your project (thinking, writing, revising) and what kind of coaching you may be looking for (early-stage organization, full manuscript review). I will include my most current cost information in my response.
I only coach a few clients at a time, and I will give you a sense of my current schedule when I respond. Please allow a few days for a response.