Take your readers on a heroine's journey

YOUR STORY SPINE

Outline the key elements of your book, in advance of writing your manuscript.

90 day package includes:

12-PART WORKBOOK

12 x SUBMISSION DEADLINES

12 x EDITORIAL FEEDBACK

12 x COACHING CALLS

EMAIL SUPPORT (M-F)

This package includes:

Here, you will do your thinking ahead of the writing, defining all of your book's key elements in advance, so that when you sit down to write, you know where you're going.
This gives your work narrative cohesion from the start, has you feel sure-footed as you move into the writing stage, and liberates you to write with creativity and ease.
  • Are you ready to take your good idea for a book, and transform it into an effective and actionable plan
  • Do you want to find the ideal structure for your contents and write a detailed outline
  • Is it time to develop the signature journey you will offer your readers, so your book can inspire a profound shift in culture, one reader at a time?
  • Are you ready to write a book that becomes a valuable business asset?
This program is for you if:
You have a transformational non-fiction book in mind that will deepen your readers' knowledge about the archetypal feminine, and inspire cultural change. 
You're passionate about your idea. You've gathered your materials. You've done your research.

You know your message has the potential to change lives. 

However, there's so much information to put in, you don't know where to begin, how to end, what to include, what to leave out, or how to structure your materials effectively. 

Perhaps you've been trying to write on your own for some time, but keep getting stuck.

The task of writing a long-form narrative might feel insurmountable, yet you're longing to see it through to completion. 

You know this book is yours to write. You can feel it in your bones.

It's possible that writing this book scares you.

You feel called and resistant at the same time. 

This may not be the subject you would have chosen for yourself... yet here it is, keeping you awake at night. 

Perhaps your message feels contentious within your social, spiritual or professional milieu, adding layers of complication you'd prefer not to deal with. 

Your idea is likely to be disruptive, and this takes courage, especially if you're taking on culturally imposed misogyny. This is no small task.

If you've been writing already, you may feel as if you have one foot on the accelerator and the other on the brake: a wildly inefficient way to work.

Envisioning your book

Your Story Spine helps you find your book's true identity. 

You will put all the key elements for your book in placeThe objective is to be able you see your book, as if you could hold it in your hands, before you begin writing it.

This is a rigorous process that alleviates confusion, gives you focus, and optimizes your precious writing time. You know exactly where you're going as you enter into the long-form writing; and how each section connects to the whole. 

Those daunting feelings that can arise when you sit down to face the blank page? They dissolve, because you're already intimate with the structure of your contents and your narrative flow. All the pragmatics have been thought through, leaving you free to dive into your creativity. 

This is beneficial for any publishing pathway

If you wish to pursue a traditional publishing route by signing up with an agent or one of the 'Big Five' publishers or an independent press, Your Story Spine is an invaluable process that prepares you to then write a compelling and focused proposal.

If your desire is to go with a hybrid publisher or to self-publish, this work is still be of enormous benefit because you outline all the elements of your book - up to the point of being ready to write your long-form manuscript - with the eyes of a trained professional supporting you at every step of the way. The result is a detailed, effective skeleton for your book that places a special focus on reader transformation.

By the time you get writing, you know exactly how to proceed... in a way that is both well-mapped out and inspired. 

Topics we'll go into

You will define all the key elements of your book:

  • Your 'why'
  • Your credentials
  • Controlling idea
  • Title & subtitle
  • Jacket copy
  • Ideal reader
  • Author platform
  • Table of contents
  • Narrative structure
  • Chapter format
  • Reader's journey
  • Chapter drafts x 2
 This program will support you to:
Define the deepest vision for your book, factoring in both the muse and the marketplace.
Determine how your readers will interact with your book, and why it will be of value to them. 
Consistently move forward towards your goals, through carefully measured accountability.
Reach out for creative nurture and emotional support when you encounter moments of doubt or confusion.
Pay special attention to the transformational journey you'll take your readers on, ensuring that you're offering a compelling emotional experience as well as an educational one. This is how real change is wrought... and you want your book to inspire cultural change.
Structure is everything in non-fiction
Above all else, we'll focus on finding an effective structure for your contents, so that you can create a pathway that unfolds beautifully for your reader - not only in terms of the book as a whole, but inside each chapter. 
You will develop a strong sense of your chapters, subheadings, ordering of contents, and narrative drive.
When you've established the narrative cohesion for your book, you are likely to experience a huge sigh of relief. This is doing the heavy lifting before you do the writing. 
This is not intended to impede your creative flow. Quite the contrary: there is enormous creativity involved in building your outlineYou either do that creative exploration now, getting the key elements of your narrative into place in advance of your long-form writing, or you're doing that as you write.

With your outline created in advance, you can avoid the frustration and heartache of writing down dead ends, or having to course-correct when you're already thousands of words in, which is really hard to do, and can be expensive if you need an editor to do a lot of fixing. 

Inspiring a journey of transformation

Your book's structure is intimately tied to your book's purpose: to inspire transformation. But how do you facilitate this?

You will learn to hold two sets of considerations at once: your own inspirations and reasons for writing, as well as your reader's experience of your materials

I'll provide a powerful tool to help you create a 'heroine's journey' for your reader: one that ensures that the narrative arc builds from one chapter to the next in a lockstep manner.

This may present a new mindset for you as a writer, but I'll be there supporting you along the way, asking questions to check that your transformation journey is effective from the reader's perspective.

THIS PROCESS IS LIKELY TO UPLEVEL YOUR EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM, AND EVEN OTHER ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE, BECAUSE YOUR BOOK WORKS ON YOU AS YOU WORK ON IT.

You may well get a business uplevel because the story spine is really about working on the signature journey you have to offer your readers; and this is a valuable business asset. 

Although our focus remains on your book throughout, your educational platform gets polished, and your marketing and communications become more focused, because all of these pieces are interconnected.

"I was surprised by how much richer my work became."

The Story Spine not only clarified the process of writing my book, but also clarified my online programs and the kind of market I would like to focus on.

Catriona is organised with sharp insights, but there is also room to dream big. I really felt like I could stretch my ideas as far as my mind could reach."

SANDRA RADJA

AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER & EDUCATOR

"The joy of having everything laid out and structured is very real!"

It was essential to go through this phase. Now I know what I’m actually meant to be writing when I sit down at my computer. 

The power of structure and focus!"

MELANIE SWAN

THE SACRED WOMB

Benefits of this program:

  • You'll capture your deepest vision and intentions for your book, in terms of both your controlling idea and supporting ideas.
  • You will have an effective structure in place, one that takes your reader on a compelling journey through your materials. 
  • You won't need to stare at a blank screen waiting for inspiration. You know where you're going, each time you sit down to write.
  • Your next steps will be mapped out in a way that feels good, because they are aligned with both your heart and your intellect. You have a sense of intimate connection with your book before it's written.
  • You'll be able to articulate your vision with clarity. Instead of mumbling about your project, you'll be able to speak in terms that have the other person say, "Oh! My sister would love a book like that!" This way, you can start building interest in your book before it is even written. 
  • You'll be well prepared to write a detailed book proposal to pitch to literary agents and publishers, if you want to take a traditional publishing route. This makes it much easier and faster to create Your Book Proposal.
HOW THIS PROGRAM WORKS:

1.

PREPARATION 

When you sign up, I'll issue you with a detailed 12-part PDF guide. You'll work on one or several sections at a time, and send your working document to me weekly using Microsoft Word. 

2.

EDITORIAL FEEDBACK

I'll provide feedback on your submissions via detailed in-line notes and editorial letters. I use Microsoft Word's Track Changes, so you can always reject or accept my changes to your document. Please note: you must have a working knowledge of this software (and a subscription.)

If you have questions between submissions, I offer basic assistance by email (Mon-Fri). 

3.

COACHING CALLS

Calls are 60-minutes long and are for discussing your progress, addressing any questions you  have, brainstorming where needed, and planning your next steps.

Further practical details:

  • You submit your working document to me according to a weekly schedule, with a maximum of 12 pages per submission whether your submission is new or revised work. You will be asked to submit in industry format: Times New Roman font, 12 pt, double spaced with 1 inch margins.  
  • You will receive a detailed feedback letter from me on each round that focuses on what's working and what isn't in a big-picture sense; plus in-line comments with specific suggestions on you might resolve problems.
  • My notes are rigorous and detailed. I invest significant time, energy, deep thinking and expertise into all of my editorial feedback. Editorial letters will be 3-5 pages each per week double-spaced, though this can vary according to the complexity of your submission. 
  • Coaching calls are for 60 minutes and are dedicated to the issues you're finding most pressing.
  • Email support is for questions (M-F) that don't take longer than 10 minutes to answer. More complex questions will be addressed in our coaching calls or in an editorial letter. 
  • I provide additional resources when relevant or needed (industry tips and guidance, articles, book recommendations, etc.)
  • This package is for 90 days and is renewable. The Story Spine work takes an average of 3 months to complete, depending on how developed your ideas are when you begin, how fast you proceed, and how much time you have to give to this. 

INVESTMENT:

$2500 USD

90 day package 

This includes:

  • WELCOME PACKET
  • 12-PART STORY SPINE GUIDE
  • 12 x WEEKLY SUBMISSION DEADLINES (max 12 pages per submission)
  • 12 x DETAILED IN-LINE NOTES for each submission 
  • 12 x EDITORIAL LETTERS (3-5 pages each)
  • 12 x WEEKLY COACHING CALLS (60 minutes)
  • EMAIL SUPPORT (Mon - Fri)

PAYMENT:

I'll invoice you for an online payment before we start working together. While my prices are set in USD, payment is possible in €, AUD or GBP on request.

TIME:

You will need to commit to a minimum of 5 hours/week in order to get the most of of your STORY SPINE experience.

BONUS COACHING CALL:

YOUR PERSONAL STORY: 

Readers these days want to feel a sense of intimate connection to you as author. Here, we will look into some memoir elements you might incorporate into your non-fiction narrative.

1:1 INTENSIVE (90 mins)

This additional laser-coaching session is about how to effectively weave stories from your own lived experience into your narrative, to support your book's message and  optimise its emotional resonance.

Yes, you're writing non-fiction, but by cherry-picking stories from your own life, you will add memoir elements that emphasize your book's transformational aspect, and drive your point home in a more compelling way.

The inclusion of memoir elements will evoke a stronger emotional response in your reader, opening her up to your book's contents and messaging more deeply. It can create a beautiful sense of 'connective tissue' between you and your reader, leading to a more intimate reading experience. 

Is this preparatory work really necessary?

This really depends on how your mind works. Some people rely on the inspiration that comes during the writing process; they find what they want to say by writing their way towards it. 

If that's you, this package isn't a good fit.

However for most people, and especially in the realm of non-fiction, exploring the potential of an idea in detail before you start writing can be the difference between writing your manuscript with ease, or feeling frustrated and getting stuck later (which in turn can cause you to give up on your project).

WORK WITH ME:

If you would like to work with me on YOUR STORY SPINE, I'll be delighted to hear from you. Please click the button below and fill out the contact form provided.

FAQ

*The list below provides basic information only. I will provide you with a 'terms of agreement' document when we agree to work together.

WHAT COMMUNICATION TOOLS DO YOU USE?

For edits and written feedback, we'll use Microsoft Word's 'track changes' function. This is industry standard, and it's important you're familiar with it.

For coaching calls, we will use Google Meet (which requires no special download from you.) Video recordings and/or a written transcript can be made available. If you prefer, we can do audio calls. Audio can facilitate a deeper listening process without distraction.

DO YOU PROVIDE A WRITTEN AGREEMENT?

Yes. When we agree to work together, I will provide you with my terms of service and a book coaching agreement, so that you can review these and ask any further questions before signing.

I'll also provide an invoice for your tax records.

WILL THIS PROGRAM GUARANTEE MY SUCCESS as an author?

No. I cannot guarantee any results such as securing a publisher or agent, writing a bestseller, earnings or sales numbers; nor can I predict the success or failure of any editorial decisions.

These things cannot be predicted or guaranteed (and I'd be wary of anyone making promises). They depend on many factors, such as world events, industry trends, books about to be released that are similar to yours, and so on.

What I can guarantee is that I will offer guidance to the best of my professional abilities, to enhance the viability and reader's experience of your book.

CAN I BE ASSURED OF CONFIDENTIALITY?

All communication and materials are treated as confidential, unless your permission to share with others is explicitly granted. This is stated in my terms of service.

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?

My services are non-refundable, because book coaching involves deep commitment from both sides. I plan my schedule around our deadlines in advance, turning away new clients accordingly.

If you aren't sure whether this is the right step for you to take - financially or otherwise - I request that you spend some time reading this website and particularly this page. 

Once you are more familiar with me and my approach, it should become clear whether or not you wish to make the investment.

It's also really important that you're sure you have time to give generously to our work together.

WHAT IF I MISS A COACHING CALL?

You must re-schedule your call at least 24 hours in advance, unless a true emergency comes up. I will be holding this time-slot for you and am counting on your reliability and commitment. Late cancellations won't be rescheduled or refunded.

If I need to cancel our call with less than 24 hours notice, I will notify you as soon as possible, and will add an extra 30 mins onto our rescheduled call at no charge.

WHAT IF I WANT TO KEEP WORKING WITH YOU AFTER COMPLETING THIS PROGRAM?

If you wish to continue working with me after your 90 days are complete, you are welcome to renew your package.

When you finish the work on Your Story Spine, you can move directly into my next offering, Your Book Proposal, if you intend to follow a traditional publishing path.

If you would prefer to sign up for guidance with writing your manuscript rather than a proposal (for instance if you plan to self-publish and don't intend to pitch your book), you can then sign up for my Write Your Manuscript monthly retainer. 

How to take your readers on a heroine's journey

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