mentorship starts 3 february 2020
non fictions + memoir 
novels 

COST $450

 
Tired of putting “write a book” on your to-do list? Need someone to kick-start you into finally writing it and guide you through the entire process, step by step?  Then this is for you

This is a highly supported process that will get you to create, plan, write and COMPLETE your book. You will join a small and tight group of writers work to get your book out over four months. This is our first level mentorship, and it is a tightly-held course that holds you to your promise to write your book. 

Writing coach Sarah Bullen and international author Kate Emmerson are your master whip crackers. 
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Sarah Bullen - international writing coach and mentor working with authors and publishers. She has written six books, writes for magazines internationally and lectures on writing and publishing. 
Kate Emmerson - multi-published author, coach and international keynote speaker inspiring audiences with her kick-ass, engaging style. She coaches writers on confidence, discipline, procrastination and shifting blockages.

We know most writers need a few things to make real progress in their writing:

1. An experienced mentor to give you the right advice.
2. Someone to hold you accountable and make sure you get it done.
3. A place to ask experts questions when you get stuck

You are getting these three key elements in this mentorship. This is not an anonymous online course, ​but we work intimately with you over the entire first draft process.  We set the targets and deadlines and show you how to move forward and write with clear focus and intent. This is the first step all writers must take down the path to publication. Without your first draft, you cannot progress to the next stage.
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You get
Structured lessons via emails with tasks and word count goals
Live mentorship calls,
A closed accountability group
One-on-one sessions with your writing mentors.

That means you get to see our stern faces (you can watch our video below) and really become part of an intimate group of writers all working towards the same goal. The personal nature of this is why we have so many published authors come through our mentorships  - and that is pretty remarkable.
 
This will prompt, push and hold you to your promise to write your book.

We have limited spaces for each mentorship because of the high level of personal support we offer.

This mentorship is honestly a massive juggernaut. Once we start, you are going to be coached, cajoled, loved and pushed to get to the end of your book.

​ARE YOU READY TO FINALLY WRITE YOUR BOOK AND GET IT OUT INTO THE WORLD? THIS IS A UNIQUE, HIGH-LEVEL AND PERSONALIZED MENTORSHIP THAT WILL TAKE YOU FROM ZERO TO YOUR FIRST DRAFT OF YOUR BOOK

You may.....

Want to write a book (memoir, non-fiction or a novel)
Have started your book not finished
Have a story to tell and don’t know where to start
Wish to leave your legacy in the written form
Have an urge to write, and don’t know what it is yet
Want to reach a global audience
Want a lead magnet E-Book to share your passion
Be an expert who wants to expand your brand influence
Be a marketer who wants to tell your company’s story
Need to create a keynote talk - or a series of them 

The mentorship is highly successful because of the many accountability factors we have in place. ​

These are the real day-to-day nudges that are included, to keep you writing, keep you inspired and most importantly help you over your writing slumps.
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• A step-by-step structure with specific TASKS week by week
• 1 x one-on-one session with your mentors (one with each)
• Fixed and scheduled writing time and deadlines 
• Scheduled writing days built into your schedule for deep immersion in your book
• Professional industry experts that give you insight on writing and publishing.
• A private Facebook Group for weekly accountability and coaching
• A writing community to share ideas, get support, feedback and meet deadlines
• Weekly or monthly word count tracking – our aim is to get you all the way!
• Special “Feedback Fridays” to get input on specific writing

Why are so many of our writers published?

SARAH BULLEN is a writing coach with 15 years of getting writers to produce the most publishable version of their books and selling these to publishers. She is a literary agent and editor and really will support you to write your book.

KATE EMMERSON an international author, speaker and brand expert. She will lovingly hold you accountable to your OWN promise to make this dream a reality and to let go of anything holding you back from writing your story.  

What happens - practically?

In a nutshell, you will plan, write and produce your first draft over 100 days (realistically about 4 months with all the planning)

• You pay for your mentorship - $450 for all writers
• You will receive a confirmation mail with an author appraisal form to fill in
• You will be split into your relevant stream for non-fiction / novels
• Novelists and non-fiction/ memoir writers will be on different steams with different lessons and tasks.
• The mentorship starts on the first Monday of the month.
• You will receive some prep the week before, to get yourself ready to start
• The group officially kicks off on the FIRST MONDAY of the month and you will be guided for 4 months on how to write your book.
• You will join the STOP MUCKING ABOUT AUTHOR SUPPORT GROUP – for our serious, paying writers only.
• You update weekly for writing accountability – and we keep an eye on your word count each week to move you forward, word by word
• We kick off with a LIVE call the first week explaining the process and a lesson in how to write a book, what publishers are looking for and how to begin to structure your thoughts into a contents list.
• The core of the communication happens via very structured email lessons you will receive twice a week. Novelists will be put on a fast-track to plot, plan and write and will receive an email instruction every day to get your plot points adequate and your words flowing from the start.   
• There are FB live videos every week in the support group, run by either Sarah or Kate. These also form the backbone of instruction and inspiration, as writing can be a very lonely journey.
• Novelists have one longer personal session with Sarah, which includes reading time! It will work directly on your book structure, positioning, plot, and concept for your novel.
  Memoir/non-fiction have two shorter sessions. This will happen early in the course to get your book on the right track from the start. This will take a look at your entire book, writing, book structure and writing goals along with getting direct feedback.
• The session with Kate will cover target-setting, emotional and confidence blocks, how to constantly move forward and set accountability challenges. It can also be a focused look at your author brand and how to build and leverage this.

During the first four months, the entire focus will be on your word count and getting your draft down (aka writing your book).

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

• BOOK STRUCTURE: This is both a course and a mentorship and Sarah is a structure fanatic who will show you that a strong structure is the gift that sets your writing free. 
• Kate is all about supporting you to stay confident and release any "stuff" that niggles its way into your brain or heart, so you get on with the job of writing! Dealing with EMOTIONS of writing, procrastination or overwhelm that will kick you to touch if you don’t know how to handle it.
• What is your STORY? Let’s find it together.
• The basics of planning a compelling book
• The key elements of structure / plotting/ planning
• Finding your hook, genre and message
• How to build your book - chapter by chapter
• Titles and log lines
• Develop your characters and events
• Working with dialogue
• Knowing what to include and exclude
• Adding depth and layers, tone and voice
  

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

You can read a whole page of FAQs here 

How much time do I need to put aside for this? 
This mentorship works around your current life. We are not expecting you to quit your job. We do like you to be on the live calls once a month but other than that you are going to have to work out how much writing time will get your book completed. For some writers it’s a slow and steady hour a day, others may find they block-book a series of weekends away to get up the word count. You will also need to update on the Facebook group every week and take approx 20 minutes to support your fellow writers. Note: it is this community of support that past authors swear by, as a way to keep going. 
 
Is this for novels or non-fiction? 
Ah, good question! That makes my heart sing as it shows you know already where your book is heading. You understand genre. The answer is BOTH novels, and non-fiction writers can apply. Novel writers will be on a fast-track process to plot, outline and write the book. Memoir and non-fiction writers will be on an equally fast course to finish, but with their own lessons. You will all start and finish together. 

To what extent do Kate and Sarah read my work and edit or give feedback on it? 
Each writer gets a session with both Kate and Sarah. These are 45 mins each. Sarah's includes 45 mins of reading time with each session. Most of the feedback is structural, with a focus to getting you to write a publishable book with refinements to structure, plotting, characters, and story arc.  The opportunity to get focused reading time with feedback happens in month five when your first draft will be sent to a professional editor for appraisal (not editing).

Can Sarah edit my book? 
Not at this point during this mentorship. This is the first step on the road to publication. Sarah does take on certain books to edit, but you first have to finish your book. ... most often your first, second and third draft before it is ready for an edit. 

Can I do this if I am already published and want to write a 2nd book? 
Of course. We have some writers who had done this three years in a row.

Can Sarah take on my book as an agent?
This is not part of the mentorship. Sarah's does take on some of our graduates but this is not part of this process and taking part does not imply she can place your book. Submissions to an agent will happen separately and independently of this course, after the PITCH TO PUBLISHED BOOTCAMP. 

What if I don't finish my book in the allotted time? 
Hmmm, we like to think you will, and experience has shown us that you can. We are truly going to push you all the way there. If you don't finish, however, the chances are you will be a LOT further along than before we started. Our track record says you will complete your first draft. 
 
What if LIFE gets in the way and I need to stop the mentorship?
The fee is non-refundable. However, you can continue to receive all the lessons and recordings of live calls, and still be able to use your personal coaching sessions with Kate and Sarah within the mentorship time period. When life eases up, you can pick up your book where you left off and continue with your lessons. Often writers take us up on the highly subsidized “re-sit” fee to come and enjoy the group support and weekly deadlines to get back on track again FAST! We want you on the group, on the calls and engaged with us and your book so that you go all the way.
 

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Graduates say..

I LOVED everything. The structure and the accountability. I loved the combination of Kate's inspiration and Sarah's taskmaster writing challenges. I loved hearing other people's progress and stories – it inspired me to carry on. Also was great as a forum to discuss some of the structural aspects of writing and really narrowing the focus of your book's core. The one-on-one sessions were brilliant as it really kept me believing I could do it and gave me good ideas to implement going forward. For someone who wants to do it but isn’t sure how or if they have it in them, this is the perfect way to test yourself. 
Leigh Taylor 

I did your 100-day writing course in 2015 for my novel, Gracie Stirling and the Whisper Horses. It's getting published! A small publishing house in Wales picked it up and will be publishing it. I have already signed the contract and they have sent their edits.   I just wanted to say a big thank you so much. The 100-Day course was invaluable and it provided me with the structure and "action"  they loved in the book.  Thank you! 
 Jenny Kling, Gracie Stirling and the Whisper Horses, Gomer Publishing 2019

This course was a big eye opener for me! It showed me that I can definitely write and publish a book, and that it’s also not an exercise for the faint of heart! However, with the Mastermind structure it’s much more accessible that just doing it in the dark… having the guidance, expertise, and intense delivery context is definitely a potential game changer. 
Brad Shorkend  -  We Are Still Human (And Work Shouldn't Suck)

I’m no writer but had a story I needed to tell.  If you have a book “inside” you and you have determination then catch a ride with Sarah and Kate.  Hold on tight – it won’t be easy, and it does take time, but if you do it their way –
and do everything they say, you will get your first draft done.  Their wealth of knowledge on the craft of writing, the industry, and process and the motivation around it all was priceless.  Book 2 to follow soon and no doubt 
through this process again with them. 
Costa Carastavrakis - I am Costa, From Meths to Marathons

“Kate cracks the whip and Sarah moulds your book into shape” 
Sandra Buckingham
 
“Sarah is the master at showing you how to write for a reader” 
Khanyisa Malungana

“You are in for a ride of fun and learning, hard work, sleepless nights as well as the rousing and wondrous highs of 
meeting your own commitments in getting YOUR book done as you steadily come into your home run - your finish run -  the draft of your book! Get your ticket now.” 
Hester Bergh Appoyer - Being Nice isn't Enough! 
 
Kate and Sarah will help you up on your feet and moving in the right direction. 
They are kind, but clear; wise, but pragmatic. 
I recommend this to anyone who is ready to take their writing dream and turn it into a reality!
Anel Hamersma - The Creativity Midwife

I want to tell aspiring writers that it's actually easier than they think - to write, that is. And that a course like this, with a deadline and access to writers and industry professionals is worth every penny!   
Sandra Buckingham

The people, the community that was formed, the honesty and vulnerability and the opportunity we had to share stories, realizing that it wasn’t just us, we weren’t alone, sharing celebrations.  What really worked was the commitment to the regular posts and you holding that firmly; the consistency was epic. 
Wendy Ward. Metamorphic Coaching and Presilience

I have challenged myself to test a dream. I loved it. This mentorship is extremely supportive & well structured so one is not left in the wilderness and wondering what to do or write next”. The weekly tasks are very well thought through and keep one on track and it’s wonderful to connect with other writers. It is a non-judgmental course and process and therefore you can explore your writing without fear. 
Caroline Menell 

“Sarah is the master at showing you how to write for a reader” 
Khanyisa Malungana

To turn your dreams into reality one needs to take action. This helps you to do just that. It gets the words moving from your head onto paper and your book becomes a reality.
Theresa Robberts - Blind and Brilliant 

Sarah and Kate’s writing mentorship is the stick of dynamite you need to stop gazing at your own navel and instead gaze at a finish line that gets steadily closer. If you’ve been struggling to get your ideas out of your head and onto the page, this mentorship will prove invaluable.  
Meg Chronis

“I never knew how to share my story, and then like a divine gift from the universe, came Kate and Sarah. From book structure and editing to publishing, branding and PR I did it! And if I can, you can. What an incredible experience – let them show you how. It’s a life-changing journey.
Jennifer Cole - Beautiful Children in a Ugly World

You have motivated me to fulfill my dreams:  
Hannelie Bronkhorst.

What an amazing and inspiring experience it has been. After sitting for years with bits and pieces of my second book done, I now have a completed first draft in my hands. 
Jacqui Holmes

D-Day – Wow! What a journey. Yes I have a first draft! 89 000 words! 
Carmen Tina Schneider.

I absolutely loved the process with Kate Emmerson and Sarah Bullen. Not having been an author before, the experience gave me the grounding I needed to complete three chapters for a co-authored book and get started on my first book. 
Bettina Pickering, The Emotion Coach 2016

“Anyone who feels they have a book buried inside should be part of this course to dig deep and uncover the book that needs to be written”. 
Jacqui Bourne

This has started me on a journey that I dreamed of from an early age but hadn’t felt confident enough to act on. The whole process of writing and publishing has been de-mystified and made ever so do-able. It is no longer an intimidating out of reach dream, finishing my book is now an attainable goal. 
Viki Runge

"I want to thank you for putting together this course material, the course itself and without a doubt, for the magnificent support, inspiration, nurturing, friendship and confidence that both you Kate, and you Sarah have afforded us during this ‘a journey into the unknown world of writers’. This has been one of the best things to have happened to me for a long time! There is no doubt that I attract fabulous people into my life. Bravo! "
Rose McClement

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SARAH BULLEN

Sarah Bullen is an international writing coach and literary agent. She runs international writing retreats and workshops and works with writers and publishers all over the world to help them find and tell their best story - in any format. Sarah has written six books and writes for magazines internationally. She is a regular guest on talk shows and a keynote speaker at writing workshops internationally and does one-on-one writing coaching. Sarah’s clients are based all over the world and she runs courses and retreats in the UK, US, Greece, Ireland and South Africa. 
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Sarah says..

"After many years of teaching writing and coaching writers I have found this Mentorship has changed my entire view of the process. I have always advocated writing alone but the group dynamic of these courses takes on a life of its own. It has been a break-out success and the constant push towards the finish has kept writers going. The support is incredible and writers who are clear they want to write a book will get there on this course.” 

KATE EMMERSON

Kate Emmerson  - known as THE QUICK SHIFT DEVA shares her enLIGHTening ideas of LIVE LIGHT LIVE LARGE around the globe. She a global clutter expert, sought after international speaker, professional lifestyle coach, mentorship facilitator for writers and runs retreats and masterminds in idyllic locations, including Greece, Rome, Dubai, USA and South Africa. She has 3 books published. She was interviewed in an award winning film, “The Secrets of the Keys”, alongside the world’s self development leaders Brian Tracy, Johan Assaraf and Don Miguel Ruiz.
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Kate says..

​“When I wrote my first book, I literally had a green light from my publisher from a 2 page proposal that I submitted, and had zero input from specialists of any kind - just a deadline to hand it in. I literally sat and wrote on my own, but I am naturally massively disciplined and can simply trust my own process when I have big deadlines, plus I have the personal skills to overcome any negative self-talk that gets in the way of most writers. Writing my second book was a whole lot harder! I know this process is not that easy for most of you. My role is to keep you on track and to get your book out of you! I am very firm.. but kind."