Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
I’m an introvert, a generalist, a fascinationist and a deep conversationalist. People amaze me, and there’s a story inside every one of us. I’ve been a teacher, a wrangler, an author, an unbeatably fast sprinter and a crasher of the coolest 1975 Mercedes Benz 240D you could ever imagine. 😭 My work organizes itself across two domains: BOOKS & WRITING 📚 My mission is to help people write the books the world needs now. The people who come to me want their writing to serve as a gift to others. They want to share their wisdom and insights through story, and make other people's paths easier. I'm honoured to walk alongside these creators as the creative process pulls them deeper and deeper inside, to where they reach that burning core of power: their why, their voice, their fierce soul-level light. Walking with someone as their thought partner through the deeply personal act of writing is sacred work. I worked as a professional writer for decades, publishing 15 of my own books along the way. I've edited many more with the Royal BC Museum, Rocky Mountain Books, Crabtree and Orca. Certified by Author Accelerator in fiction, nonfiction and memoir, I help writers structure, draft and revise their books with an eye to commercial viability, whether they choose to hybrid publish, pitch directly to indie presses or aim for a Big 5 deal through an agent. Publishing is a very competitive industry and it's not well understood, so besides helping my writers plan and write their drafts, I educate and support them in the myriad choices they need to make as authors. Writing a book is a MASSIVE undertaking, so get help. You wouldn't try to build a house or a SaaS product all by yourself! The support of a seasoned coach who understands all the parts of the business is invaluable. I work 1:1 primarily, with workshops and group coaching starting in 2026. SOMATIC COACHING 🧘 I help people reconnect with their body wisdom and let go of unhelpful behaviour patterns, bodily ailments and unproductive thinking through somatic coaching. I credentialed as a Big Leap coach in 2022, training directly with somatic therapists Katie and Gay Hendricks. This work is body- and breathwork-based. Results can be profound. I study memes and zeitgeist, yawn uncontrollably when I'm nervous, and have given up on any sort of organized brand identity. I stand for everyone being equal, bare feet on the earth, and men who ride like Rip Wheeler. Love yourself first, then hold on for the magic🤘
I've published, edited and project-managed books with the Royal BC Museum, Crabtree Publishing, Orca Book Publishers and Rocky Mountain Books. Now I help other writers craft and develop their own fiction and nonfiction books. Working from a proven framework, I help writers structure, draft and revise their books with an eye to commercial viability, whether they choose to self-publish or place their work with an agent. I coach every part of the writing process, from ideation to organization to writing pages readers can’t stop turning. The first book I coached (Takaya's Journey) was nominated for a BC and Yukon Book Prize in its first year of publication. Certified fiction and nonfiction book coach (cert. by Author Accelerator, North America's only certification-granting organization for book coaches).
Writing articles, fundraising materials, web copy, annual reports, service and strategic plans, press releases, ads, marketing materials, manuals, newsletters and blogs. Clients include DFO, Canadian Business Magazine, the Province of British Columbia, UBC, UVic, Rowing Canada, the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia, Vancouver Island Health Authority, Chard Development, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Saanich Police, Leap XD, Royal BC Museum, Douglas Magazine and more. www.alexvantol.com
Companion book for Great Bear Rainforest IMAX (2019) and its educator guide. Fiction and nonfiction books, teacher guides, middle-school educational materials.
Middle school math, English, outdoor education, social studies, personal planning.