Welcome to Conquer Books!
We’re professional book coaches here to guide you to the manuscript of your dreams. If you’ve got a wild imagination and a file full of failed manuscripts, we’re the help you’ve been looking for.
Nicole and Rebecca coach writers who struggle to craft their inner magic into words. They transform budding writers into dynamic professionals, and wild ideas into powerful books.
The world is hungry for stories like yours and we want to help bring them to life.
Thanks for joining us! We are Nicole Van Den Eng and Rebecca Zornow, two sisters who grew up reading and writing together in the depths of Wisconsin country.
We’re book coaches who specialize in speculative fiction. With one eye on the influence of classics, and one eye on the genre’s evolution, we can help identify where your work fits in, what will set it apart, and how to make it shine.
See what past clients have to say about us:
“Rebecca is an insightful reader with a keen eye for detail. Her story development guidance was immensely helpful. She's fast and precise and I recommend her completely.” –Sarah Read, author of The Bone Weaver’s Orchard
“Nicole is an extremely skilled writing and developmental coach and editor. Her guidance had a profound impact on the quality of my writing. She approached the job with professionalism and dedication of the highest caliber. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone seeking her services!” –AnneMarie H., writer
“Not knowing what to fully expect when I started, I felt like I was being coached (one-on-one) by a college professor in a life-long writing course.” –John Safranski, author of Lost Faith
“I wish I had hired Conquer Books years ago. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Nicole taught me every skill I was missing to write great stories. The editing she provides is also spectacular.” –Siobhan Moore, author of True Lore
With our Substack newsletter, you’ll get weekly editions that cover all aspects of becoming a writer from the creative lifestyle to mastering hard craft skills. We offer essay-discussions that encompass our years of helping writers get off the ground. We also do editorial critiques, where we take subscriber content and provide professional feedback to strengthen the story opening.
Stick with us, and you’ll build skills you can use again and again. These are benefits that don’t disappear just because you wrote “The End.” They’ll serve you for years as you write numerous books.
“I am truly grateful to have met Nicole. Working with her was a game-changer, and she helped me take my lost ideas and put them into a solid plan. She took the time to understand my story deeply and provided sharp, insightful, and incredibly helpful feedback. At the same time, she was always kind and encouraging, making sure to point out what worked rather than just focusing on what didn't.” –Agata W., writer
“Their feedback is tremendous, and immediately actionable. The line edits are incredibly helpful. The developmental suggestions and possible title change have my mind racing with possibilities. With their help, I have a better understanding of my own story.” –Richard Leis, writer
What does the Conquer Books newsletter provide?
Our newsletter goes out bi-weekly and includes tips on:
outlining
marketing best practices
endurance & mindset
technique
creativity
edits & revision
tropes & beyond
We are believers in determination and perseverance and inner growth. You won’t find anything but encouragement here.
Our live edit series takes real works-in-progress from writers and will show you exactly how to accomplish what you’re trying to do in a scene or story opener.
Why join the membership?
Joining the membership community will get you the most out of the Conquer Books newsletter. Join as a paying subscriber for $5 a month and
unlock and read all posts
get your work critiqued by us personally through our live edits
gain access to the full repertoire of our writerly essays
make comments
join the chat community
take part in our bi-monthly office hours
We regularly conduct mini-edits based on samples of subscriber content. We take the first 500 words of your story and help you understand what’s working, what’s not, and how to fix it. Whether or not your opening can hook readers is of vital importance. This is a subscriber-only benefit.
We also host office hours where our expertise is fully available to your questions and current struggles. Simply put, we make every effort to support writers and joining our membership means you get access to our knowledge base.
Current Office Hours:
First Monday of the month, 7-8 PM CST
Third Sunday of the month, 8-9 PM CST
“Rebecca provided astute and effective guidance and advice. She must have made an accurate assessment of my needs because I received just the tools I needed to take next steps and the confidence to do so.” –Bruce Christiansen, writer
“Nicole has been incredibly helpful, not only with the technical aspects of writing but also the strategic direction of my books. She is a true partner who offers fresh perspective and advice, while simultaneously encouraging you to be your best writer self. Nicole helps me produce novels I’m proud of, and I highly recommend her services!” –Melissa Birling, author of Ice Floe
A bit more about us:
Rebecca
As a book coach, I help writers dig in to uncover the bloody, beating heart of their manuscript. I’m particularly motivated to help writers learn the ins and outs of the profession as we edit their work together. As a science fiction and fantasy author myself, I understand the writer perspective and the need for a coach. Writing had long been a daily part of my life but it wasn’t until Nicole encouraged me that I pursued it professionally. I’m now an Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo bestselling author, and will release my fourth book this fall.
Nicole
During my time on this Earth as a book nerd I have written millions of words, edited millions more, worked at a used bookstore for almost a decade, was awarded the Silver Honorable Mention in the Writers of the Future Contest, have been a magazine columnist and senior editor, founded a science fiction and fantasy event company, taught workshops, gave speeches, and helped other writers make great strides in their skills. It’s been a trip.
When not immersed stacks of books, I can be found cooking experimental new dishes, biking the summer trails, camping, star-gazing, and otherwise enjoying my time with my husband, two children, and two enormous dogs.
“Nicole possesses a ceaselessly probing and fascinating mind: she’s looking for answers where others aren’t even asking questions. Her work challenges, engages and enlightens. Best of all, Nic has vision—she approaches her own writing with a clear idea of what she means to accomplish and she respects and champions the vision of other artists.” –Kory K., writer who named a fictional dragon after Nicole
“Branding Speed wouldn’t exist in its current form without the help of Rebecca Zornow from Conquer Books. Her insight and experience has been invaluable—from the writing process to marketing to publication. She’s a phenomenal book coach!” –Fritz Wilke, author of Branding Speed
Ready to write the story of your dreams?
Let’s conquer those books.
