Hi. I’m Michelle Caplan, a writer, editor, coach and meaning maker.
My life is about creating. I help artists and all types of creatives like you frame and execute your narratives— whether they are written stories (novels, memoirs, screenplays) or blueprints for the way you move through your life—with concrete strategies, personal coaching, and a "sooner rather than later" attitude.
I spent most of my career behind the scenes, writing and supporting hundreds of creatives (authors—both new and established, publishers, agents, producers) as a literary midwife to conceive and execute marketable creative projects across all areas of publishing and film through coaching, editing, rewriting, collaboration, ghosting, individual tutorials and writing workshops.
As editor-in-chief of a small publishing house in the greater NYC area, I commissioned and grew authors, as well as managed editorial, production and publicity with an incredibly talented team. I have a proven track record of success with well-reviewed and featured books—edited and ghostwritten (The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly and The New York Review of Books among other major publications as well as programs such as Meet The Press and The Today Show). I understand the publishing and film industries and what it takes to position your product.
In addition to my extensive literary background, I am a certified creativity coach, so whether you need technical expertise in bringing your project to life or visionary guidance to address your creative flow, I support and elevate both the art and the artist.
How do you keep writing or living your current life even when it doesn’t feel meaningful?
Just as a writer must consciously decide each step of the way which elements will form the design of their masterpiece, everyday creatives like you (artists, performers, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, mothers, empty nesters) must choose to value something, stand for something or give something to life in order to create meaningful opportunities.
You are in charge of the narrative for your life.
Where do you want to invest meaning?
Invest in your creative efforts and life choices and I will help you embrace and master the creative anxiety that comes when you are doing something great.
Let’s use your skills and talents and desires to organize and grow your life in the direction of your best work and life.
I like to call myself a creative life coach. Part of a meaningful life is creativity. It takes us out of the every day and let’s us connect more to our innermost selves. I am creative in my professional writing life and in the way I approach working with people as a coach. I founded a healing arts studio over 20 years ago which drew on my training as a therapist, life, wellness and creativity coach, writer, dancer, choreographer and yogini versed in mediation, mindfulness, Taoist practice, and natural healing. I will incorporate any and every modality that will support you as you change the way you think, feel and behave to create a fulfilling, meaningful life that makes you feel good.
Are you tired of going through the motions every day and want to infuse your life with purpose and meaning and joy?
I am a skilled mentor and coach and will help you identify and align yourself with your life purposes as well as rejuvenate your relationships.
I understand how life can get in the way of what you want to do and how you want to feel. My life changed overnight when my husband suddenly died. As a widowed mom of two young creatives, I needed to make decisions about my life purposes under extreme circumstances. Life gives meaning to life and I decided to take a vow to myself: Until death do us part, I choose to have a meaningful life. My core menu includes a balance between motherhood and my creative and professional calling; a commitment to spirituality and service to the world; and harmony in my relationships. As new meaning opportunities present or declare themselves, I make choices as to what I choose as meaningful for my life.
I will coach you to become a quick-acting and effective CEO of your life with behaviors that support your values, principles and dreams.