A year-long personal WRITING MENTORSHIP with The Writing Room
For non fiction and memoir authors
'At the end of our process, and if you really commit to it, you will have a book on the shelves'
This is a tightly-held mentorship that will take your book all the way from an idea to a completed and possibly publishable book. This could be a professional book, non-fiction, biography or memoir. This is not an online course at all, this is a mentorship process where you work together with a professional editor or author to get your book planned, structured and written.
This is not for novels. The novel mentorship is here.
This is not for novels. The novel mentorship is here.
What support can you expect?
This process 0-12 months to get your book all the way from an idea to a completed and possibly publishable book.A year is a long time but that is how long it takes to get a book to market. Writing is long and slow and steady. At the end of it you will have a book. You may have it sooner.
This is not an online course at all. This is a mentorship process where we work together to get your book planned, structured and written. Most often this takes 8-10 months of engagement and work. Writing a book is actually a big deal. It can (and should) change your life. It takes time, investment, sweat, hours of work and a good writing strategy. Some books take longer. Few books take less time. It will depend on your own writing speed and the amount of material you already have.
Depending on what you enjoy in a creative process, you can join a group of authors travelling a similar journey or we will work solo and you can dip into the group sessions for discipline and connection. You will move down the path to publication, but the writing journey is your own.
* You will be on a fixed and structured course with lessons and tasks that will bring together the architecture of your book. This is a very structured programme with a series of emails, calls and key lessons over these months and will take you all the way to a publishable book.
* You will be assigned a book mentor and meet every 4 weeks with your mentor to review your work and to keep your book on track and make sure you are meeting your word count deadlines. Over 100 published authors over 15 years shows it works.
*We expect an update every Monday in the initial planning phases. As you move into the writing phase you will be required to complete a scene or chapter every two weeks for review and input. We will then meet every 4 weeks to review your work, get feedback and move forward.
* Every Wednesday we have an (optional) scheduled writing group for 4 hours which will push up your word count and allow you to write in community and connect.
* We have a monthly 'At Home Writing Binge' of three days of solid writing, 6 hours a day. These are all part of the mentorship structure.
This is not an online course at all. This is a mentorship process where we work together to get your book planned, structured and written. Most often this takes 8-10 months of engagement and work. Writing a book is actually a big deal. It can (and should) change your life. It takes time, investment, sweat, hours of work and a good writing strategy. Some books take longer. Few books take less time. It will depend on your own writing speed and the amount of material you already have.
Depending on what you enjoy in a creative process, you can join a group of authors travelling a similar journey or we will work solo and you can dip into the group sessions for discipline and connection. You will move down the path to publication, but the writing journey is your own.
* You will be on a fixed and structured course with lessons and tasks that will bring together the architecture of your book. This is a very structured programme with a series of emails, calls and key lessons over these months and will take you all the way to a publishable book.
* You will be assigned a book mentor and meet every 4 weeks with your mentor to review your work and to keep your book on track and make sure you are meeting your word count deadlines. Over 100 published authors over 15 years shows it works.
*We expect an update every Monday in the initial planning phases. As you move into the writing phase you will be required to complete a scene or chapter every two weeks for review and input. We will then meet every 4 weeks to review your work, get feedback and move forward.
* Every Wednesday we have an (optional) scheduled writing group for 4 hours which will push up your word count and allow you to write in community and connect.
* We have a monthly 'At Home Writing Binge' of three days of solid writing, 6 hours a day. These are all part of the mentorship structure.
COSTS 2022 / 2023
For the entire process and 10 months of work together the cost is $3,000 payable in full or in instalments of $550 x 6. Link to pay is here
For Southern African Authors: For the entire process and 10 months of work together the price is R42,000 ZAR. You can either pay in full upfront for a discount at R38,000 or pay in instalments. Link to pay is here
Please note our mentorship payment Terms and Conditions here
For Southern African Authors: For the entire process and 10 months of work together the price is R42,000 ZAR. You can either pay in full upfront for a discount at R38,000 or pay in instalments. Link to pay is here
Please note our mentorship payment Terms and Conditions here
PHASE 1: APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW
1. You will fill in the application form that we will email to you after you fill in the online form.
2. Once we have reviewed it, we will book a (free) chat to discuss how this mentorship works and what your book goals are.
2. Once we have reviewed it, we will book a (free) chat to discuss how this mentorship works and what your book goals are.
PHASE 2: STRUCTURE, WRITING AND DEADLINES (MONTHS 1-4)
We plan, structure and you write the first draft. You will be given a series of lessons and tasks that will bring together the architecture of your book. We have monthly group calls along with the personal calls and task-driven lessons.
We start with an initial session to discuss your book and map out your writing plan, deadlines and publishing goals
This is a very structured four month programme I use that runs with a series of emails, calls and key lessons over these months. You meet every 4 weeks with your mentor to review your work and to keep your book on track and make sure you are meeting your word count deadlines.
We start with an initial session to discuss your book and map out your writing plan, deadlines and publishing goals
This is a very structured four month programme I use that runs with a series of emails, calls and key lessons over these months. You meet every 4 weeks with your mentor to review your work and to keep your book on track and make sure you are meeting your word count deadlines.
PHASE 3: REFINE, EDIT AND REWRITE (MONTHS 5-6)
During this time you will be editing and rewriting your book, working towards a more solid second draft. At the same time you will be working on some of your marketing and pitch documents.
PHASE 4: AUTHOR BRAND (MONTH 6)
This is strategy time. Identify, tighten and refine your author brand.
Understand and start building or refining your author brand and social media.
Soft launch of all your author brand elements
Understand and start building or refining your author brand and social media.
Soft launch of all your author brand elements
PHASE 5: REWRITE (MONTH 7-9)
You will send out your book and get reader reports and ‘first eyes’ feedback
Read and identify key changes and restructure.
This is the time to edit, fix, refine and improve the entire manuscript - again.
Prepare your proposal and all documents. You will work on log lines, back cover copy, reader endorsements, reviews and elements to add to your presentation.
Read and identify key changes and restructure.
This is the time to edit, fix, refine and improve the entire manuscript - again.
Prepare your proposal and all documents. You will work on log lines, back cover copy, reader endorsements, reviews and elements to add to your presentation.
PHASE 6: REWRITE (MONTH 10-12)
This is your big push to the finish line. It is a structured process that supports and pushes you to move forward. It is a chance to get professional feedback on your book, refine your genre, tighten and rewrite the book, write your proposal, get your marketing material ready and get your brand collateral ready.
Learn about different publishing options, explore costs and distribution models for your book. You will end up with a hit list of 15 publishers or agents.
Pitch session with an international publisher / agent.
This final rapid-fire rewrite brings into alignment all elements of your pitch deck, query letter as well as final polish on Chapters 1-5
You will be sending out the proposal to publishers and agents and tracking replies.
Learn about different publishing options, explore costs and distribution models for your book. You will end up with a hit list of 15 publishers or agents.
Pitch session with an international publisher / agent.
This final rapid-fire rewrite brings into alignment all elements of your pitch deck, query letter as well as final polish on Chapters 1-5
You will be sending out the proposal to publishers and agents and tracking replies.
If you have a passion to write a book and feel confused about where to start and what to do – you absolutely have to make contact with Sarah! She is brilliance on steroids. She will poke, prod, push, teach, inspire, mentor and support you like nothing you have experienced. She wants you to win and succeed and that is a rare trait today.
Nevi Letcher, author Mind your Own Business 2020
Sarah's expertise and heartfelt care are a rare find. I highly recommend her services as a writing coach and literary agent and am very grateful to have found her.
Colleen-Joy Page, Author The Apple Tree + many other books
Sarah created the perfect balance of support and accountability in helping me write my book and get it accepted at a publisher Sarah’s thought-provoking nudges, expertise and advice along the way were invaluable and helped me to craft a book that I am incredibly proud of.
Nicky Rowbotham, 7 Steps to Finding Flow, Flip the Script on Stress 2020
Q. What do you end up with at the end of the year?
A. A completed solid draft of your book. Many authors have ended up with a publisher too. It depends on what you are writing and what your publishing goals are.
Q. Will I be finished in the year?
A. That depends on your commitment and writing time. I take a year to get a book to completion but you can read the testimonials and some authors have written a book and got a publisher in this time. Most non fiction books take a solid 8 months from idea to final draft. Many take years to get to market. So having a realistic timeline is important. After our six months are completed we can renew the package if you want to continue with mentoring.
Many writers take their book all the way from IDEA to PUBLISHER over this process. .
If you are starting with just an idea and some planning you can use this process to produce a solid first draft of your book.
If you have a completed first draft, this process can take you through your all your edits to get you to a final amazing version, a pitch deck, an author brand and a book ready to send to publishers, or self publish.
A. A completed solid draft of your book. Many authors have ended up with a publisher too. It depends on what you are writing and what your publishing goals are.
Q. Will I be finished in the year?
A. That depends on your commitment and writing time. I take a year to get a book to completion but you can read the testimonials and some authors have written a book and got a publisher in this time. Most non fiction books take a solid 8 months from idea to final draft. Many take years to get to market. So having a realistic timeline is important. After our six months are completed we can renew the package if you want to continue with mentoring.
Many writers take their book all the way from IDEA to PUBLISHER over this process. .
If you are starting with just an idea and some planning you can use this process to produce a solid first draft of your book.
If you have a completed first draft, this process can take you through your all your edits to get you to a final amazing version, a pitch deck, an author brand and a book ready to send to publishers, or self publish.
Sarah Bullen - pic credit FairLady Magazine / Lisa van Deventer
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’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
“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
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, Broken and Brilliant
This 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, romance novelist
“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
