Let's talk about what's keeping you stuck

You’ve read the books, attended the webinars, taken the notes, and maybe even helped other people solve the exact problem you can’t seem to solve for yourself.

What you need isn’t another productivity hack or course.

It’s a conversation with someone who can spot the pattern you keep missing because you’re too close to it. 

In our work together, we’ll slow down and identify the moment when you get stuck. Is it when the book suddenly becomes “too messy,” the unique idea that’s somehow not translating into a salable pitch, or when you keep pushing back a decision until life feels less full? 

We’ll look closely at that turn because it can show us where you’re protecting yourself from the very thing you say you want. 

I work with writers who need a simple fix (book one session and let’s talk about that freelance pitch, that publishing decision, or the next pivot) as well as those who want more regular, ongoing support (finishing a book proposal, writing a novel, building a creative life).

Regardless of what you bring to me, my goal is that you leave every single session a little bit clearer, a little bit more inspired, and a lot more in touch with exactly where you’ve been letting yourself off the hook, so you don’t try to talk yourself out of the work (again).

WHO AM I?

Hi, I’m Natasha Khullar Relph!

I’m a freelance journalist, a bestselling indie author, and a creative entrepreneur. I’ve lived on four continents, written for publications in 80+ countries, and been a contributor to The New York Times, TIME, National Geographic, CNN, BBC, ABC News, Marie Claire, Vogue, Ms., and more. 

I’m a hybrid author, which means that while I’m represented by a literary agency in New York for my novels and narrative nonfiction, I also indie publish books for writers and anything else that catches my fancy. 

My books include Shut Up & Write: The No-Nonsense, No B.S. Guide to Getting Words on the Page and eight other bestselling books for writers. My work has also been included in The Lonely Planet Travel Anthology: True Stories From the World’s Best Writers (Lonely Planet, 2016), Breaking Out: How to Build Influence in a World of Competing Ideas (Harvard Business Review Press, May 2013), Voices of Alcoholism (LaChance Publishing, April 2008), and Chicken Soup for the Pre-Teen Soul 2 (HCI, June 2004).

I started coaching writers because I know the difference between a writing dream that drags on… and one that finally gets done.

It’s not a coincidence that so many of my clients go on to get $1-a-word assignments, finish novels, and build location-independent lifestyles. 

It’s because I know exactly how creative and ambitious people think, what they want out of their careers, and where they stumble.

01

I’m good at finding the real problem.

Every writer who signs up for coaching is trying to solve some kind of problem. They’re often great at helping others (aren’t we all?) and frustrated they can’t fix their own foibles. Maybe you need to stop procrastinating. Perhaps you’re missing a workable routine. Or maybe you’re convinced you wouldn’t be so stuck if you could just pick an idea and get on with it. 

Sometimes, yes, that’s exactly what you’re facing. Often, though, what you’re dealing with is a symptom and the problem is something you haven’t been able to identify on your own.

That’s where I come in.

02

I understand the life around the work.

A writing block is almost never about the writing itself. It’s about ambition, or confidence, or money, or visibility, or time. Sometimes it’s about old ideas about who you are and what you’re allowed to become. This is especially true for women who’re brilliant at taking other people’s work seriously while neglecting their own. 

I understand this struggle intimately, which is why I will never reduce your creative life to a productivity problem.

03

I’m honest, but I’m always on your side.

Before you can change, you need to hear the truth. It’s my job to deliver that truth, but never unkindly and never before you’re ready to hear it. I understand that people come to coaching with varying levels of openness, and my role is to help guide you–with warmth and honesty–into areas that may be uncomfortable for you, so you can stop wasting energy on the wrong fight.

04

I bring editorial judgement.

I’ve spent my career not just teaching writing, but practicing it. I’ve been an award-winning freelance journalist, a bestselling author, an editor, a content strategist, and a creative entrepreneur. My work has allowed me to get a unique understanding of the writing life, both from the outside and from an insider’s perspective. 

This means we can talk about your work in depth and also about where it belongs in the world.

05

I know what it costs when you want the work to matter.

I know what it means to care deeply about your work while also dealing with clients, deadlines, money, family, fatigue, doubt, and the angst of living in the world today. I know the difference between the romantic idea of the writing life and the actual one. Which is why I always ensure that my coaching remains practical. 

The goal is clearer work and braver decisions that actually serve both your life and your creativity.

"I've seen my freelance income nearly double."

In the three years that I’ve been working with Natasha, I’ve seen my freelance income nearly double. In our coaching calls, she’s helped me shift my mindset in ways that have enabled me to be a better businesswoman—and negotiator—and open myself up to better opportunities. I’ve learned to say no to projects with high opportunity cost and invest both time and money into establishing a lucrative career full of the types of projects I’m most passionate about. I’ve yet to find a problem Natasha hasn’t known how to solve, and I’m endlessly grateful for her guidance and mentorship.

KASSONDRA CLOOS

"Here, we are never too small."

In my secret life, I'm at my book launch at a cafe/bookstore in New York. Three people I recognize are in the room, among them is Natasha, super excited and cheering from the back row. (No pressure Natasha, it's ok if you're just there in spirit.)

But that's the power of Natasha's infectious energy. Me, who would never tell a soul that my dream is to be an author - can write this in a testimonial. She makes sure you know and BELIEVE that everything is possible, dreamable, achievable. And most certainly, she is cheering you on every step of the way.

I didn't take the one-on-one sessions to achieve any one particular goal or to reach one particular publication, I took this to put down on paper many ideas I've had for years now. In the one month we worked together, she made sure every single one of them was written down and worked and reworked many times. I have to say I didn't always like her for it. 

But I always knew she was right. And now the publications say the same because right after I am done with this testimonial, I'll get on to transcribing my interview for a piece for the Economist. Yes, the Economist. That's the joy of being part of Natasha's world. Here, we are never too small and no publication ever too big.

ZEHRA ABID

"I didn't expect things to start taking off so soon."

Finished—my first article for the Economist! Very much a result of coaching/pitch critiques from Natasha Khullar Relph. Making things even cooler, it came out on my birthday. ☺

I have two other articles coming out with big publications this month, one of which is a dream mag and the other a big tech site that will help give me more credibility to branch out into tech-based content marketing.

None of this would have been possible without the direct support that came from the coaching sessions, and I didn’t expect things to start taking off so soon… I really think it saved me months or even years of learning/progressing on my own. But it was very much worth it, and the three upcoming articles alone more than pay for the sessions.

JOSH NADEAU

"I achieved my goal of going full-time freelance again."

Natasha was everything I was looking for in a writing coach: she's all business while still being friendly and supportive.

I achieved my goal of going full-time freelance again by the end of our six-week coaching period. I've since created more goals for myself financially and career-wise, and have organized myself for success. Without Natasha's guidance and reassurance and gentle pushing, I doubt I would have come this far this fast.

HANIYA RAE

"Not an exaggeration that her 1:1 coaching has changed my life."

Things were going great… and I was miserable.

Four months ago, things were going really well in my own content writing business. I had more work than I could handle and clients who waited for my calendar to free up. I made a great living writing - the holy grail of many freelance writers, I know - but I couldn’t let go of the idea that I was just marking time.

I had written millions of words… and none of them were words for my own creative projects. And the worst part was that I didn’t even feel like writing for myself anymore. The thought of crafting a blog post - let alone a novel - was just exhausting and felt pointless. I finally had to acknowledge to myself that I won’t get out of the rut on my own.

They say that when you’re ready, the right teacher will appear, and that’s how it was with Natasha. In Natasha, I saw a person who was living the life I wanted - balancing a writing business for clients with noveling. When the opportunity to work with her opened up, I didn’t hesitate.

It’s not an exaggeration that her 1:1 coaching has changed my life. In very short order - a matter of weeks, Natasha worked a miracle! She helped me break through my barriers, see my creative writing in a whole new light, and again find joy in storytelling.

I’m now well into my new novel (12,000 words and counting) and brimming with ideas about other writing projects (that I’m actually executing on - like a newsletter about science). Writing is once more my happy place.

Thank you, Natasha, for this new lease on my creative life!

MARIA GRANOVSKY

"I could not have gotten this dream gig without applying your expertise."

My father, who discouraged me from pursuing writing because "hardly anyone makes any money at it" nearly fell out of his damn seat when I told him my offer [six-figure writing gig]. It was literally the proudest moment of my life. 

I wanted to reach out and thank you personally, because I could NOT have gotten this dream gig without applying your expertise.

I'd been in a scarcity mindset for so long without even realizing it. You really helped me develop a growth mindset and truly believe that I COULD run a business, could be profitable, could figure this stuff out.

So thank you. The education you gave me was worth every penny and then some.

CHELSEA LEVINSON

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)