Close the Middle School
Writing Gap,
In Under 30 Minutes a Week.
Turn your 5th–8th grader into a confident writer with guided story challenges they actually enjoy—no red pen, no nagging, no teaching experience required.
No credit card needed.
Join other families bridging the gap
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"My daughter went from hating writing to asking when she can work on her next chapter"
— Jennifer M.
The Middle School Writing Gap Is Real
It Follows Kids Into High School
Elementary
Simple sentences, personal narratives, basic structure
Middle School
Complex essays, analytical thinking, persuasive arguments, evidence-based writing
High School
Research papers, literary analysis, college prep writing
THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE
8th graders write at grade level
Writing scores falling every year since 2011
More likely to fail High School English
College freshmen needing remedial writing
Average cost of college remedial courses
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2024
The good news? It's not too late. With consistent practice, the gap closes fast.
Coauthor gives them 3-5x more writing practice—but it feels like fun, not homework.
Meet
Coauthor
Writing Practice That Doesn't Feel Like Homework
How Coauthor Helps
We provide the story outline and structure. Your child writes all the content—characters, dialogue, and creative details.
The Result
Complete stories they're proud of, plus the consistent practice they need to close the gap.
Think of it like training wheels:
The structure gives them confidence to start. The creative freedom keeps them engaged. And with every chapter, they get better.
Every Story Builds Skills.
Top Stories Get Published.
The real value is in the practice. But the chance to become a published author? That's the motivation that keeps them writing.
Write
Complete your story chapter by chapter
Share
Get feedback from the community
Submit
Our team reviews and approves
Get Votes
Readers vote on their favorites
GET PUBLISHED
Top stories become real books with royalties
Write
Complete your story chapter by chapter
Share
Get feedback from the community
Submit
Our team reviews and approves
Get Votes
Readers vote on their favorites
GET PUBLISHED
Top stories become real books with royalties
The practice they need,
disguised as stories they love
Why 
Is the best complement to school writing?
| Feature | BEST  | 🏫School | 📝Worksheets | 🤖AI Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing Practice | Unlimited | 1-2/month | Daily drills | AI writes |
| Topic Selection | They choose | Assigned | Pre-set | User provides |
| Feedback | Peer community | Slow | Answer key | None |
| Skill Building | Real skills | Limited | Grammar only | None |
| Engagement | Fun & creative | Homework | Boring | Dependency |
| Real Application | Publication | Grades | None | Shortcuts |
What Parents Are Saying
The peer feedback is what clicked for him. He actually reads what other kids write and learns from them. It's like a writing class, but he's excited to participate.
Michael J.
Phoenix, AZ
Dad of 13-year-old
My daughter went from 'I hate writing' to asking when she can work on her next chapter. She's completed THREE stories in 4 months.
Jennifer M.
Austin, TX
Mom of 12-year-old
The community aspect is brilliant. My son gets feedback from other kids his age, which he actually listens to. After 3 months on Coauthor, his school essays are noticeably better—more descriptive, better organized.
David W.
Portland, OR
Dad of 13-year-old
My daughter went from 'I hate writing' to asking when she can work on her next chapter. She's completed THREE stories in 4 months.
Jennifer M.
Austin, TX
Mom of 12-year-old
Give Them the Writing Practice
They Actually Need
Free forever. No credit card needed.
Upgrade when they're ready for more.
Free (forever)
"The free plan is no different from the paid plan, it is just limited to one story - it got us started."
— Parent of a 10-year-old
Built with safety first
- Moderated writing spaces
- No open DMs
- Parent access and controls
- No AI-generated stories
Your
burning
questions.
Can I use Coauthor for free?
Yes, you can use Coauthor for free. 85% of parents start with a free plan and upgrade when they're ready for more. No credit card needed.
What’s included in the free tier?
It is the same experience as the paid plan, but with limited stories. You can write 1 full story, get feedback from the community, and publish your story to the coauthor platform.
What age is Coauthor designed for?
Coauthor is specifically designed for middle schoolers (ages 9-14, grades 6-8). This is the critical period where the writing gap widens, and our story outlines and community are tailored to this age group's interests and skill level.
How long does it take to write a complete story?
Most kids complete a story in 4-8 weeks, writing 15-30 minutes per day. But there's no pressure—they work at their own pace. Some finish in 3 weeks, others take 3 months. The goal is consistent practice, not speed.
Is this just another AI tool that writes for them?
No! Coauthor is NOT an AI writing tool. We provide the story framework and chapter prompts, but your child writes every single word.
How does the publishing process work?
After your child completes their story, our editorial team reviews it for quality and appropriateness. If approved, it goes live on Coauthor where other users can read and vote. Stories with the most votes are selected for physical publication. We handle printing, distribution, and royalties—your child just writes!
Is the community safe for kids?
Absolutely. We're COPPA compliant and all community interactions are moderated. Kids can only interact through story feedback and comments, which our team reviews. No private messaging, no personal information sharing, and all content is monitored for safety.
What if my child doesn't finish their story?
That's completely fine! The goal is building the writing habit and getting those critical practice reps. Many kids start multiple stories before finishing one—that's all part of the learning process. There's no penalty for unfinished work, and they can always come back to it later.
Can I see my child's progress?
Yes! Parents get access to a dashboard showing chapters completed, writing frequency, word count, and feedback received from the community. You can also read their work at any time (if they give permission—some kids like to surprise you with the finished product!).
What genres/types of stories are available?
We have many story outlines across all popular middle-grade genres: fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, realistic fiction, adventure, historical fiction, and more. New outlines are added monthly based on what kids are reading and requesting.
How is this different from school writing assignments?
School gives them 1-2 writing assignments per month on topics they may not care about. Coauthor gives them 3x-5x more practice on stories they're excited about. The structure removes overwhelm, the community provides motivation, and the publishing opportunity gives them a real goal. Plus, it doesn't feel like homework—it feels like creating something they're proud of.
What if i want to upgrade?
You can upgrade to the paid plan at any time. You'll see the upgrade options in your account settings. You can cancel your plan anytime.
The Gap Widens Every Month.
Close It Today.
Give your middle schooler the practice, confidence, and skills they need to succeed in high school and beyond.
No credit card needed.