A Powerful Life Story

Opens Doors

Joshua Doležal, Coach and Editor

The Right Reader

Makes All the Difference

Crowded workshops leave you with conflicting advice and no clear path forward. I offer something different: targeted literary guidance refined through 20+ years of professional writing and publication in journals that accept less than 1% of submissions.

I transformed my own writing career by working one-on-one with a mentor who understood exactly what makes stories resonate with readers and gatekeepers. I now provide that same focus to help you achieve your writing goals.

Joshua Doležal. Writing Coach and Editor
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How Can I Help You?

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Coaching

Turn your experiences into compelling stories that connect with readers, whether you're writing a memoir, personal essay, or professional narrative. From initial concept to completion.

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Ghostwriting

From concept to completion, I'll craft your book while maintaining your unique voice and vision, delivering a publication-ready manuscript without the years of struggle.

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College Advising

Stand out in the competition with a personal statement that shows your distinct value. Craft stories that admissions committees remember long after they've read your essay.

What Clients have said
about working with Josh

  • "I can’t thank Josh enough for the transformational experience I had working with him as a writing coach. Josh has an uncanny ability to help writers tap into their inner power. His keen eye for detail helped shape the memoir in ways I hadn’t imagined possible. He encouraged me to embrace my unique voice and style, empowering me to write with confidence and conviction."

    — DJ Lee, author of Remote: Finding a Home in the Bitterroots

  • "Before working with Josh, I had not completed a draft that I loved in about ten years. After ten sessions, I have written several drafts that are quite dear to me. I feel confident that when new ideas come, I have the tools to help them live outside of me."

    — Joseph Hirsh

  • "Working with Josh has absolutely improved the quality of my writing. But the greatest benefit is having a thought partner. It’s so easy to treat writing as a solitary experience when writing, for me at least, is really about sharing and being in conversation."

    — Beth Anne Macdonald

  • "Josh's feedback on my writing helped make my application essays much stronger and made me feel more confident. His suggestions helped me develop a compelling narrative that blended my personal story with my professional experiences and this significantly strengthened my PhD application."

    — Gabe, PhD Candidate in Biosciences

  • "Josh can help people who have never felt successful putting their story to paper, and he can also help those who want a fresh take on how they present themselves to the world in writing. His abilities to meet individual needs and draw out focused, thoughtful inquiries are his greatest attributes as a coach."

    — Matthew, PhD Candidate in Musicology

  • "After applying Josh's techniques to my personal statement, I earned a spot in the University of Florida Honors College, along with $54K in merit scholarships."

    — Joshua Franco, College Applicant

  • “As a mom, I saw my daughter Alex visibly relax after meeting with Josh. He guided her to recognize the value in her own experiences—like planting tomatoes, composting food, and her passion for sustainability—and helped her see that these topics were not only worth writing about, but powerful reflections of who she is. After working with Josh, Alex was accepted into every nursing program she applied to, including her top two: NYU and Pitt.”

    — Celeste Newcombe, Parent

Shortlist, 2016 William Saroyan International Prize 

Down
from the
Mountaintop

From Belief to Belonging

“Joshua Doležal traces the map of his life with the instincts of a poet and the sure direction of a cartographer.” —Kim Barnes, author, In the Wilderness: Coming of Age in Unknown Country

Front cover of Joshua Doležal Writer book, Down from the Mountaintop from Belief to Belonging

Writing
& Resources

Blog
3 Reasons to Use an Authority List
3 Reasons to Use an Authority List

I don't believe in writer's block. When most people talk about block, they're really talking about DOUBT.

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3 Tools for Drafting Your Book
3 Tools for Drafting Your Book

Most of my clients have hired me because they have a book idea but they don't know how to bring it to completion.

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Awaken Your Memoir By Making It Strange
Awaken Your Memoir By Making It Strange

Defamiliarization will transform your scenes from prosaic sketches into haunting images that live on in your reader’s memory long after they have left the page.

Read More →
Joshua Doležal Writer. Coach. Editor. Portrait in his office holding a book

Writer. Coach. Editor.

About Josh

I am a writer and award-winning teacher with 20 years of experience in publishing and editing.

My work appears in more than 50 literary magazines with acceptance rates below 1% because I understand what makes writing stand out in competitive environments. I bring this same discerning eye to every client project, helping you create stories that resonate with your specific audience—whether you're preserving family history, building professional credibility, or competing for limited spots at elite institutions.

To get a sense of my writing, check out my Substack, The Recovering Academic. Or read my memoir, Down from the Mountaintop: From Belief to Belonging.

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