I help you write the book only you can write, and launch it into the world.

I'm Ruthie Ackerman, author of The Mother Code and a book coach and developmental editor. My clients have signed with top agents and landed six-figure book deals.

WORK WITH ME
READ THE MOTHER CODE

The Mother Code — one of Elle's Best Books of the Year · NPR Best Nonfiction Book of the Year So Far

As Featured In

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When it comes to writing and publishing a book, I've been there.

I've sold two memoirs to Big 5 publishers in six-figure deals and have written my way through the confusion, the loneliness, and the 2 a.m. doubt. I've landed press in NPR, the Guardian, and The Wall Street Journal, and learned exactly what it takes to get a book seen once it's out in the world.

I’ve spent nearly two decades as a journalist and editor, most recently as deputy editor of ForbesWomen. My work has appeared in Vogue, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Oprah Daily, and more. I know what editors want because I was one.

For the last seven years, I've helped hundreds of writers at every stage, from the seed of an idea to a finished manuscript to a launch plan. My clients have signed with top-tier agents, sold books to Big 5 publishers in multi-six-figure deals, and hit the USA Today bestseller list.

What you get with me: honest guidance, real industry knowledge, and someone in your corner who's done it.

Ways to work together

  • Ignite Writers Collective: Classes and one-on-one coaching for writers at every stage, whether you’re getting words on the page, figuring out what your book is, writing the manuscript, or building the proposal that gets you an agent.

    Explore Classes & Coaching  →

  • Ignite Studios: A launch partnership for authors whose book is the beginning of something bigger. Press and media, social and Substack, book tour, and a website and brand that match the book.

Not sure which fits for you? Tell me what you're working on →

Upcoming Classes

Upcoming Classes

8-Week Kickstarter:
Start Writing Now

Unblock your creative brain and get words on the page.

Next cohort starts January 12, 2027

Learn More

6-Month Book Generator

Sixteen sessions to work on your manuscript and your book proposal, so you come out with a book and a clear sense of where it fits in the market.

Next cohort starts January 2027

Join the waitlist

Here's a selection of the books published
by clients of the Ignite Writers Collective:

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Ruthie 2_Food is Love.jpg
Ruthie 3_ Earth to Moon.jpg
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SEE ALL CLIENT WINS

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

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Notes from the writing life: on craft, publishing, and the hard choices about which stories are worth your time. For writers who want the real story, not the highlight reel.