Want to talk with a fellow author?
This mentorship is designed to help you get the most of the I. W.R.I.T.E.: How to Write a Novel course by providing feedback on assignments, accountability (since you will need to turn them in to me in a timely manner), and the opportunity to ask questions of an author and copyeditor. I am a professional editor and award-nominated self-published author. I try to keep up with indie marketing, and I know a good bit about the traditional publishing world, so I hope I can answer your questions or get you started on your own research. I have a teaching background (college labs and community college courses) and love to share information and help people grow their skillsets.
How does the mentoring work?
You sign up for the I. W.R.I.T.E. course (full, story, or word), and then sign up for the appropriate mentor program here. You work through the course, and each week as you complete the lessons, you email me your assignment. I will give feedback on the assignment and return it in a timely manner. During the course you will work on a short story. At the end of the course, you will turn in the short story and I will give feedback on it as a professional editor would. There are also live group Q&As for you to ask questions and learn from fellow students' questions as well. Students also get a free ebook copy of my book Pen to Print: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Publishing, which has a lot of valuable information whether you plan to self-publish or publish traditionally.
The course runs on a schedule (fall semester, spring semester, summer), but I can work with your schedule on when you send in assignments. However, the course must be finished within a year's time. The mentorship will end then whether or not you have completed the course assignments. If you fail to send in assignments by the schedule we set at the beginning of the course (every week is assumed unless you ask for a different schedule), then I will send an email reminder up to three times. I want to help you complete the course and finish a story but I can't make you. The mentorship and class must be completed within three years of purchase.
What is the story we're writing like?
The class involves writing a short story retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." This provides some structure, which is helpful to new writers.
What does mentorship cost?
Mentorship for the 15-week story course is $250. Mentorship for the full 30-week course, which includes feedback on a book proposal and developmental and copyediting feedback on the finished story, is $550. Payment plans are available, as well as one-time payments.
Course & mentorship expectations ***please read***
I enjoy reading and watching clean fantasy, historical romance, mystery, and I like a bit of sci-fi, dystopian, and thriller and suspense. These are the genres I know. These are what I can comfortably give feedback on.
Due to personal preference and professional knowledge limitations, I will not give feedback on certain genres and content: horror, children's, steamy/spicy/MM/FF romance and erotica, high violence, and message-heavy works. If those describe your work, I'm not your target audience and so you'd get much better help from someone who is.
I expect all work and any conversations to be respectful.
To get started
Please fill out the intake form below and tell me about your writing, experience, expectations for your mentorship, future writing plans, and anticipated start date and schedule. If I think we'll be a good fit, I will approve you, and you can move forward to checkout!
It's time to finish your novel.
Everyone needs a good story for rainy afternoons and sunny beach trips and those long days when the world is bleak and reading is the only pleasure left. Story is important. Don't doubt that yours could be the help someone needs —the wisdom or the laughter or a bit of both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I'm unhappy with my purchase?
There is a 30-day student refund policy. Refunds are calculated based on the percentage of the class completed (as in one week or two, since I don't know the material completed).
How do I schedule my appointment?
Upon purchasing coaching, you'll receive further instructions. There aren't appointments per se but feedback given via email and live group Q&As.
Can I purchase coaching more than once?
If you take the story edition course and then take the words edition or full course, then yes, for each course purchase you can sign up for mentoring. If you're interested in further mentoring or editing, please contact Elizabeth to see what she might be able to offer. You can contact her through her website: https://www.ejkitchens.com/contact/
Meet Your Writing Mentor
E.J. Kitchens (Elizabeth) loves tales of romance, adventure, and happily-ever-afters and strives to write such tales herself. After many years as a biologist doing non-research work (like teaching labs and growing bacteria for labs) at a university, she is now a full-time writer, freelance copyeditor, and instructor. She writes fantasy for those who love clean adventure-romance stories with compelling characters and rich worldbuilding. She lives in Alabama and loves reading, watching black-and-white movies, being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family, friends, and her church family. You can learn more about her books at her website (https://www.ejkitchens.com).