Manuscript Coaching & Collaborative Memoir Creation
MANUSCRIPT COACHING
Whether you’re close to finishing a draft or nursing the seed of an idea, my role is to help you deepen your engagement with your material and give you the tools to move forward with clarity and confidence. The process unfolds in stages — from an initial deep read and test edit to a collaborative eight-week programme — with you deciding after each stage if you’d like to continue.
RECORD: MEMOIR CREATION
RECORD is a memoir-creation service that helps people capture their life stories in beautifully crafted books. In an era of cookie-cutter AI-generated memoirs, RECORD is enthusiastically human. I use personally tailored questions and in-depth, face-to-face interviews to draw out the richest possible material from my clients. After shaping this material into memoir form, I work with talented designers and printers to create volumes that will be treasured for generations.
MY BOOK
The Relatively Public Life of Jules Browde is a book I wrote about my grandfather and the trials of writing about someone you love. Published by Jonathan Ball Publishers in 2016, it was long-listed for the 2017 Alan Paton Award. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph Lelyveld said of the book: ‘If this were a novel, critics would hail [Jules Browde] as a brilliantly realised character with an unforgettable voice.’
My name is Daniel Browde. I am a published author, manuscript coach, and collaborative partner in the writing, design, and publishing of memoirs.
As a writer and editor I am fascinated by the challenges of long-form storytelling — whether in a novel, a work of nonfiction, or the telling of a life. Each, in its own way, asks the same question: how do intention, structure, voice, and style work together to serve the story?
In all my work, I draw on a decades-long interest in Buddhist thought and practice. I believe the lessons of Buddhism - among them patience, forbearance, and compassion towards oneself - can be very helpful on the writing path.
“Equal parts strategist, editor, and counselor, Daniel’s ability to guide you towards the best structure for your thoughts and intentions on the page is unparalleled.”
Uzodinma Iweala, author of Beasts of No Nation (Harper Perennial, 2005)
WHY WORK WITH ME?
Published Author & Practising Writer
While much of my work is focused on supporting others in their projects, I also maintain a writing practice of my own. With a published book under my belt (and another one on the go), I have the experience of taking a sketchy idea all the way to a book on the shelf — an experience I draw on in our work together.
A Mindful Lens
Mindfulness practice plays a central role in my daily life and in my work. I help my clients apply a patient and mindful lens to their process. When curiosity replaces self-criticism, and inevitable frustration can be experienced with self-compassion and support, writing becomes a more productive, and somewhat easier, path to navigate.
Personal & Tailored Support
No two works-in-progress are the same. No two writers need the same thing. I shape my approach to fit the particular needs of each person and their project. One-on-one, tailored guidance at any stage of the writing process.