Hi, I’m Ruthie Ackerman, author and founder of the Ignite Writers Collective.

My memoir, The Mother Code: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Myths That Shape Us, was named a Best Nonfiction Book Of The Year So Far by NPR. You can also find my work in Vogue, Glamour, Oprah Daily, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Most recently, I was the deputy editor of ForbesWomen. When I’m not writing my own books, I’m helping others write theirs. 

I’m a bestselling book coach and developmental editor who has worked with hundreds of writers at all stages of the writing process: from the seed of an idea to a polished book proposal or manuscript to strategizing a launch plan in the months before publication. My client wins include multi-six figure book deals with Big 5 publishers and representation by top tier agents. I have a Master's in Journalism from New York University and live in Brooklyn with my family.

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Upcoming Classes

Upcoming Classes

8-Week January Jumpstart: Writing for Non-Writers

Next class: Starts January 13, 2026

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Book Proposal Intensive

Next cohort: Starts January 14, 2026

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Learn More About Ignite Writers Collective

The Spark is a newsletter for book nerds who have FOMO for what everyone’s talking about at the coolest lit parties, but don’t want to leave their house (if they don’t have to).

This is where you’ll find my musings on how to get your writing out of your head and onto the page, my rantings and ravings about the patriarchy, the rituals, routines and recommendations of some of your favorite authors, designy stuff I love, #realtalk on how to cross the finish line of whatever you’re working on (an essay, book proposal, manuscript, or even just digging in the sandbox of your ideas), and my behind the scenes adventures in writing my own book.

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What Past Clients Have to Say

  • "Writing a book at all is hard. Writing a book alone is even harder. Ruthie’s writing class is the ideal combination of emotional support, feedback on your writing, and the authentic belief that you can and will bring your book to life.”

    - Barrett Brooks, Executive Coach

  • “The consistent encouragement and guidance I received from Ruthie and her class has given me both the confidence and insight to achieve my goals of becoming a published author.”

    -Rachael McMullan, Writer and Birth Trauma Advocate

  • “The writing community she assembles combined with her perspective, insight, and structure helped me take my book idea from a vague concept to a developed manuscript. I now have the confidence, tools and momentum to get words on the page and make my vision a reality.”

    - Kaarsten Turner, Writer and Conservationist

  • “Ruthie’s class and the web of people she’s weaving have become the community I needed for support, accountability, and consistency. I’m pinching myself to have just signed a book deal with a major publisher, and Ruthie’s editing support on my proposal, industry contacts, writing class facilitation, and overall encouragement were essential.”

    – Carla Fernandez, Author of Renegade Grief, Impact Strategist, Facilitator and Co-Founder, The Dinner Party

  • “Before I met Ruthie, my book outline was at a standstill and I wasn’t sure how I would move forward. Ruthie was able to see right to the heart of my story, and reorganized my outline so that I had a solid foundation to work from. In less than a year, she helped me get from stuck, to a finished proposal, to having an agent!”

    – Alexis Barad-Cutler, Founder, Not Safe for Mom Group, and Co-Founder, Chamber of Mothers

  • “The peerless Ruthie Ackerman performed triage on 146,000 words. She saw me better than I saw myself, made firewalking seem fun and easy, and helped me spot my personal and professional blindspots. She also taught me the joys of a shared Google doc, renewed my faith in my own abilities and helped me stay true to my original seed and vision.”

    – Moon Unit Zappa, Author of Earth to Moon, Actress, Singer