College Essay Coaching for Students
Developmental Editing for Authors
Schedule Your Free Consultation Now →
Let’s Work Together!
Benjamin Roesch
I’m an award-winning author, English teacher, and veteran copywriter and editor with more than 20 years of experience. Words and stories are my greatest passion, and I’ve spent two decades helping students and authors find their voice, tell their stories, and make their writing shine.
My novel Blowin My Mind Like a Summer Breeze won the 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award. I’ve also written for some of the world’s most recognized and trusted brands, including Ben & Jerry’s, Burton Snowboards, Dove Men+Care, and Tony’s Chocolonely.
My approach is built on personal connection and honesty. Writing can be hard, and even a little scary, which is why you need a trusted partner for the journey. I promise to challenge you. That’s how we make progress. But I also promise to support you every step of the way and provide action-oriented feedback that will bring your story to life.
Whether you’re staring down a blank page or trying to figure out how to make a finished manuscript better, my goal is the same: to help you write the story only you can write.
In Their Words
My writing skills greatly improved. Benjamin’s personalized feedback helped me make an average piece of writing into an outstanding one and took my writing to a college ready level. I definitely recommend him.
— Ty, Class of 2026
Benjamin is the teacher every parent wishes their child had in their corner. He goes above and beyond to help teens see and reach their fullest potential, in writing and character. He is brilliant in his craft.
— Dana S, Parent
Write the college essay only you can write.
As a veteran English teacher, I know what makes a college essay come alive on the page, and what makes an admissions reader sit up and pay attention. I work with students one-on-one, wherever they're starting from, to help them find and tell the story only they can tell.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Now →3 Paths to College Essay Success
Which one is right for you?
You've got a good essay. Let's make it great.
Perfect for students who have a complete draft they feel confident about and are ready to take it from pretty good to totally amazing.
$300
Includes
- One round of detailed comments on your draft
- Editorial letter to guide revision
- Targeted feedback & grammar check on your final draft
You've got a working draft. But it needs some love.
Perfect for students who have a complete (or nearly complete) draft, but the structure, focus, or voice isn’t quite there yet and needs hands-on support.
$600
Includes
- Two rounds of detailed comments on your drafts
- Editorial letter to guide revision
- 30-min video chat
- Final read through, including hook, closing, grammar, and proofreading
You've got nothing but a blank page. Don't panic.
Perfect for students at the very beginning of their college essay journey, or who've been staring at a blank page (or screen) too long.
$1,500
Includes
- Guided pre-writing prompts & outlines
- Guidance in choosing a strong topic
- Two rounds of detailed comments on your drafts
- Two 30-minute video chats
- Two rounds of “panic button” email support*
- Final content & structure review
- Final grammar and proof polish
* Feeling stuck between drafts or while you're revising? Your two panic button emails are there to help get you un-stuck.
Don’t see a path that fits where you’re at? I’m happy to build a package that fits your needs.
Get in Touch →My Top 5 Tips for Writing Better College Essays
Dare to Be Original
Write an essay only you could write. If parts of your essay are too general, generic, or could have been written by someone else, it's time to dig deeper.
Surprise!
Readers can often predict where an essay is going, especially college admissions officers who read thousands of essays a year. Defy expectations by taking your essay to unexpected places and making unexpected connections.
Write Like a TikTok
Attention spans are short, and getting shorter. That's why your opening sentences and images have to be arresting and indelible.
Lean Into Your Values
Your values are what make you, you. No matter the topic your essay pursues, consider how to link it to your personal values, beliefs, and codes.
Make Every Word Earn Its Place
Elevate your essay by choosing words and phrases that feel distinct and memorable. Not fancy or “impressive.” But specific and surprising.
Benjamin changed my entire perspective on my essay. Whenever I was stuck or lost, he helped my thoughts become clearer and made my writing better.
— Livia, Class of 2027
He was super helpful throughout the brainstorming and outlining process. He asked questions that made me think deeply about my writing and had insightful feedback that greatly enhanced my final draft.
— Annie, Class of 2027
Ready to start your essay?
Tell me a little about where you are in the process, and we'll find the right path together.
Email Benjamin →Every manuscript deserves an experienced reader.
Developmental editing is where a manuscript becomes the book it's trying to be. As an award-winning author and veteran copywriter, I can help you see your story through clear eyes and guide your revision with actionable feedback that's honest, specific, and always in service of your story.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Now →3 Paths to a Stronger Manuscript
Which one is right for your book?
Your book is off to a good start. Let's see how good it can be.
Perfect for writers who want an experienced eye on their opening pages before they write the full book. A detailed, honest look at your story's potential.
$500
Up to 10K words
Includes
- Email consultation / questionnaire
- Thorough reading of up to 10K words
- Detailed editorial letter (4–5 pages) addressing your opening's promise — inciting incident, characters, conflict, story, pacing, voice, point of view, reader's experience, and genre considerations
- 30-minute editorial video chat
You wrote a book! Let's figure out what's working, and what needs work.*
Perfect for experienced writers looking for a “gut check” on a finished manuscript, rather than a full developmental edit. Get an honest assessment of your story's strengths and the most important areas for revision.
$1,500
Up to 75K words
Includes
- Email consultation / questionnaire
- Full-manuscript read-through
- Detailed editorial letter (5–7 pages), including big-picture assessment of your story's strengths and areas for growth
- Prioritized revision recommendations
- 90 minutes of video consultation (usually split into 30 minutes before reading, 60 minutes after)
+ $100 per additional 10K words
You've got a solid draft. Let's turn it into a great book.*
Perfect for writers who have a complete (or nearly complete) draft. You know there's something special in your pages, but you need help seeing how to unlock its potential.
Includes
- 30-minute initial consultation
- One complete read-through + targeted re-reading
- Comprehensive editorial letter (12–15 pages)
- Targeted in-manuscript comments on character, conflict, pacing, point of view & other key elements
- Prioritized revision plan
- 90–120 minute editorial video chat
- Two rounds of follow-up questions / revision discussion
* Fantasy or sci-fi novels with extensive world-building and large casts may require increased pricing.
Don’t see a path that fits where you’re at? I’m happy to build a package that fits your needs.
Get in Touch →Benjamin approached the developmental edit with care and gave me updates along the way. I felt like I was along for the ride before I’d received the Editorial Letter. Speaking of, it was robust, providing a TON of insight. Our first meeting was thought provoking and I left energized. I would recommend Benjamin to anyone who wants to get the best out of their stories.
— Jamie Aponas, Fantasy/Sci-Fi Author
I’m an Author, Too
I’m the award-winning author of several novels, including Blowin My Mind Like a Summer Breeze, winner of the 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award. The craft tools I bring to your development edit are the same ones I use in my own published work.
Ready to talk about your manuscript?
Tell me where your book is right now, and we'll figure out the right level of support together.
Email Benjamin →