GET YOUR BOOK WRITTEN
A 12-Month Mastermind Program for Changemakers
January - December 2021
- Have you been thinking of writing a book for way-too-long?
But it's hard for you to get even started because the whole process overwhelms you.
Wouldn't you feel such a sense of pride and accomplishment if you finally got that book out of your head and published in 2021?
Going it alone is way too hard, and most people give up.
Studies indicate that 81 percent of Americans want to publish books. But only a small percentage get to the finish line, and even fewer create quality books of lasting value.
And as somebody who adores great books, I feel that's a pity.
That's why I am organizing this 12-month mastermind program. I see too many changemakers with excellent ideas for nonfiction books who aren't getting them written.
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I Understand Why You May be Stuck
I'm Katie Curtin, a best-selling author, multi-disciplinary artist, social and climate justice advocate, and book coach. We need all the creativity and innovation we can muster to create a more just, sustainable, and beautiful world.
I started book coaching as I felt that a book could be an outstanding vehicle for changemakers and social innovators to get their great work out to a broader audience.
I know what it's like to have a book inside you and to have massive writer's block, or never seem to have the time or resources to get it done.
As a child, I dreamed of writing books. I read 4-5 books weekly and pretty well went through the children’s library.
I'm Katie Curtin, a best-selling author, multi-disciplinary artist, social and climate justice advocate, and book coach. We need all the creativity and innovation we can muster to create a more just, sustainable, and beautiful world.
I started book coaching as I felt that a book could be an outstanding vehicle for changemakers and social innovators to get their great work out to a broader audience.
I know what it's like to have a book inside you and to have massive writer's block, or never seem to have the time or resources to get it done.
As a child, I dreamed of writing books. I read 4-5 books weekly and pretty well went through the children’s library.
Conventional schooling and fears of not being enough, however, made me afraid to write. I remember crying on my bed when essays were due, wondering how I would ever get them done.
I would take hours even days to write and rewrite a paragraph. Nothing got written until the last day or so when I would pull all-nighters and finally get in the assignment. While I got good marks, the process was very painful.
I would take hours even days to write and rewrite a paragraph. Nothing got written until the last day or so when I would pull all-nighters and finally get in the assignment. While I got good marks, the process was very painful.
I’ve learned a lot since then, and don’t suffer the same agony when I write.
In fact most of the time it’s pleasurable.
At 24, I wrote my first book, Women In China, which was published by Pathfinder Press. I went on a book tour across Canada and did many radio and tv interviews as well as speaking gigs.
Over the years, Women in China went through three printings, was translated into French and Swedish, and an excerpt published in Readers Digest International. It was even adopted for high school curriculum, as well being a source on the topic for many academics, as well as activists.
Over the years, Women in China went through three printings, was translated into French and Swedish, and an excerpt published in Readers Digest International. It was even adopted for high school curriculum, as well being a source on the topic for many academics, as well as activists.
Since then I've pursued writing in different forms from report and copywriting to articles, blogs, newsletters, short stories, poetry, and plays. Drawing on my experience of over thirty years in the arts, I wrote the Amazon best seller The Happy Well-Fed Artist: How to Get Your Creative Projects Off the Ground and Into the World, and have also written a companion workbook.
Currently I am working on a book called Breaking Money Spells: Money Changes Everything But it Doesn't Have to Change You, based on years of helping clients breakthrough their financial challenges.
Fears, doubts and stumbling blocks still show up, but I've learned how to not let them stop me. While I work full time as a coach, I've carved out the time to devote most mornings to my writing.
Along the way, I've learned how to help others get their most profound work out of their heads and onto the page, working with coaches and changemakers to get their books written.
Currently I am working on a book called Breaking Money Spells: Money Changes Everything But it Doesn't Have to Change You, based on years of helping clients breakthrough their financial challenges.
Fears, doubts and stumbling blocks still show up, but I've learned how to not let them stop me. While I work full time as a coach, I've carved out the time to devote most mornings to my writing.
Along the way, I've learned how to help others get their most profound work out of their heads and onto the page, working with coaches and changemakers to get their books written.
A Program that Allows You to Develop A Quality Book
It takes time to develop a quality book: that's why this is a 12-month program. So there's no mad rush to write your book. You can write at a steady pace that works with other commitments in your busy life. This year together also allows you to develop your book at a deeper level and provides you with the time to build your audience, investigate and decide on your publishing options, and create promotional materials.
I'm only taking a small group of 6-10 people for this mastermind, as I want to ensure a high level of attention and care for each group member.
You are a suitable candidate for the program if you:
This program won't work for you if:
It takes time to develop a quality book: that's why this is a 12-month program. So there's no mad rush to write your book. You can write at a steady pace that works with other commitments in your busy life. This year together also allows you to develop your book at a deeper level and provides you with the time to build your audience, investigate and decide on your publishing options, and create promotional materials.
I'm only taking a small group of 6-10 people for this mastermind, as I want to ensure a high level of attention and care for each group member.
You are a suitable candidate for the program if you:
- Have an excellent idea for their book and substantial experience and expertise in their book's topic.
- Want to write about something that will help change and heal people and the planet
- Are willing to be active members in a collaborative mastermind environment where feedback and support for the other group members are essential.
This program won't work for you if:
- Want to write a quick e-book that doesn't take much effort or thinking
- You don't give an f---k about whether the book will make a difference in others' lives; you only want to have the opportunity to get more public attention and to make more money.
- You aren't prepared to work hard and give your book the very best.
- You don't have the time or mind space to write your book at this time.
Take altitude pills if you are coaching with Katie. She really gets her clients flying!
Cathleen Fillmore, President of Speakers Gold & Author, The Six Figure Speaker, Toronto
How this Program Works
This course is divided into three modules to guide you through the various stages of writing your book. I am not a formulaic kind of person and realize each of you has a different creative process and way of working, which I will respect and nurture. As we go along, I will customize the modules' individual components to fit the group members' particular needs and pace. I intend to strike a lovely balance between structure and improvisation.
This course is divided into three modules to guide you through the various stages of writing your book. I am not a formulaic kind of person and realize each of you has a different creative process and way of working, which I will respect and nurture. As we go along, I will customize the modules' individual components to fit the group members' particular needs and pace. I intend to strike a lovely balance between structure and improvisation.
Module 1: Months 1-3
The key to your success in this program is setting up a writing practice that works for you and clearly articulating your "big why" for your book, your book's central ideas, and your ideal audience. Then you are ready to create a rough blueprint of the book's content and get started on your first draft.
This Module will help you:
The key to your success in this program is setting up a writing practice that works for you and clearly articulating your "big why" for your book, your book's central ideas, and your ideal audience. Then you are ready to create a rough blueprint of the book's content and get started on your first draft.
This Module will help you:
- Set up your writer's space and rituals to foster a writing a pleasurable and productive writing environment.
- Develop habits to ensure you write regularly, no matter your schedule.
- Create your "Big Why" and vision for your book. Establish how your book dovetails with your overall work, life direction, and purpose.
- Explore ways to use your book to create courses and other revenue and client generating activities such as speaking gigs, and podcasts.
- Discover your book's core theme & promise
- Figure out what kind of person loves your type of book.
- Brainstorm your book title to attract your ideal audience
- Create a detailed blueprint or map for each chapter of your book. (This step will save you time, help you focus on what's important, and make the writing process much more straightforward.)
- Do background research to see what other books exist on a similar subject.
- Begin writing your "crappie" first draft. In this draft, it's crucial to let it rip without censoring yourself or being held ransom by the part of you who wants perfection. Late you will have plenty of time to refine and polish your concepts and words.
|
|
Module 2: Months 3-6
During this time, you will be diving deep into your book and researching your topic further. You'll also start testing your ideas with beta readers and finding out what works and doesn't work. You will also explore what publishing options might work best for you and how to build your author's platform.
This Module will help you:
During this time, you will be diving deep into your book and researching your topic further. You'll also start testing your ideas with beta readers and finding out what works and doesn't work. You will also explore what publishing options might work best for you and how to build your author's platform.
This Module will help you:
- Finish your book's first draft
- Get feedback on the content of your book from group members and me
- Do further research to fill in the gaps
- Work on the second draft
- Find out which publishing option is best for you and get advice on the steps you have to take with each option.
- Create your author bio for your book
- Begin building your authors platform
|
|
Module 3: Months 6-12
While this program's primary focus will be on you writing your book, we will make sure to prepare you for the later stages of getting a book out into the world, including publishing and promoting options.
This Module will help you:
While this program's primary focus will be on you writing your book, we will make sure to prepare you for the later stages of getting a book out into the world, including publishing and promoting options.
This Module will help you:
- Finish your second draft and circulate this among a select group of friends/ ideal readers.
- Learn about editing options.
- Get your book edited and make necessary revisions.
- Strategize on ways to create a fan-base.
- Explore strategies to finance and promote your book, including crowdfunding opportunities.Circulate pdf of your book and ask for reviews.
- Create a webpage(s) for book with an opt-in and gift.
- Prepare promotion for launching your book.
- Contact potential JV partners to help with the launch.
Thanks to Katie Curtin’s breakthrough coaching, I am presently the author of two books. "Discovering Your Heart Voice," is an Amazon best seller, and "ABC’s of Grief" will be published in early November 2016. All this because of Katie’s ability to help me identify and clear away the sources of the resistance that blocked my writing flow time and time again.
Being in her book-writing program (with co-facilitator Denise Rushing) in 2014 gave me the tools and structures I needed to be both productive and clear, and also to remain accountable throughout the process. Katie’s one-on-one coaching then and now has helped me rediscover purpose and clarity when I felt stuck and inadequate for the task of writing a book.
Our sessions left me feeling free and focused. Most importantly Katie taught me how to process my feelings and arrive at a point of freedom on my own when points of resistance would surface. I am so grateful that Katie Curtin’s gifts have touched my life!
Loretta McCarthy, Author, SoulWork Adventures, Lake County, California
Being in her book-writing program (with co-facilitator Denise Rushing) in 2014 gave me the tools and structures I needed to be both productive and clear, and also to remain accountable throughout the process. Katie’s one-on-one coaching then and now has helped me rediscover purpose and clarity when I felt stuck and inadequate for the task of writing a book.
Our sessions left me feeling free and focused. Most importantly Katie taught me how to process my feelings and arrive at a point of freedom on my own when points of resistance would surface. I am so grateful that Katie Curtin’s gifts have touched my life!
Loretta McCarthy, Author, SoulWork Adventures, Lake County, California
Along the way I bring in Guest Experts to present and answer your questions on a wide range of aspects of writing, publishing, and promoting your book. This includes:
Creating a Successful Book: How to Write A Book That Sells with Sam Hiyate
Sam knows the publishing industry inside out and will share with participants ways they can write and position their books to traditional publishers, and what are the elements he looks out for in a best seller. Sam is a Literary agent and President of The Rights Factory, an international literary agency based in Toronto. In his 30+ year publishing career he has launched the careers of numerous New York Times & Globe and Mail bestselling authors.
How to Promote Your Book Through Magazine Articles with Michael Pietrzak.
Chapters or sections of your book can serve as a foundation for magazine articles, Michael will provide us with a wealth of information about how to write, and pitch articles to magazines that can help promote your book, as well as provide some cash along the way.
Michael is a freelance writer, who has published dozens of articles in online and print magazines, and is a professor of communications at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.
Chapters or sections of your book can serve as a foundation for magazine articles, Michael will provide us with a wealth of information about how to write, and pitch articles to magazines that can help promote your book, as well as provide some cash along the way.
Michael is a freelance writer, who has published dozens of articles in online and print magazines, and is a professor of communications at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.
I will also provide you with interviews and webinars I've done over the years on the topic of book creation and publishing.
Katie, your coaching support in a group environment was fabulous. It helped me focus and stay on track with my creative process and accountable for my goals. I enjoyed our weekly check-ins as well as the alternating personal coaching, which drew on your years of training and life experience and various techniques, including Z-point clearing, which I found useful to clear old habits. This program is a great balance of group dynamics and personal attention—the best of two worlds!
I am happy to say I completed my first relaxation CD and it is now featured on iTunes and CD baby! I also have almost completed the e-book I started in the 90 days! So I did two creative projects! WOW! Thank you and I look forward to joining your next program for my next creative project.
Alexandra Leikermoser, Ecopreneur and Wellness Consultant, Founder of Yogagurl, Toronto, www.yogagurl.com
I am happy to say I completed my first relaxation CD and it is now featured on iTunes and CD baby! I also have almost completed the e-book I started in the 90 days! So I did two creative projects! WOW! Thank you and I look forward to joining your next program for my next creative project.
Alexandra Leikermoser, Ecopreneur and Wellness Consultant, Founder of Yogagurl, Toronto, www.yogagurl.com
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION
- An in-depth assessment containing questions that get to the heart of why you're writing your book, what you want to accomplish, and the resources (internal and external) you bring to the project. Your answers will allow me to customize the program to fit your needs and those of the other participants.
- Twice monthly 90-minute group mastermind meetings (24 sessions total) where you get a chance to ask questions, clear issues around writers' block, share your work with other participants and get feedback.
- Create Your Book Blueprint Half Day Virtual Retreat (3 hours including breaks)
- Three 60-minute Private Coaching Sessions with me so we can delve deep into any issues that might be blocking your progress, along with supporting you to write, strategize, and promote your book.
- Monthly "Get-It-Done" Days - These provide you with a chance to break from the isolation of writing your book on your own and work on either writing or any aspect of book production. My clients love these days and are amazed by how much they get accomplished.
- Worksheets, templates, and checklists to reference and support you in our work through-out the program.
AND MORE
Bonus #1 - Interview for Creativity Cafe on your book, and access to an audience who would buy and review your books (you must finish your book within 12 months of ending this program to qualify)
Bonus #2 - Mailing to Creativity Cafe list when you publish your book.
Bonus #3: Free participation in 7-week program Mental Fitness for Changemakers: Habits to Transform Your LIfe and Double Your Impact. This is an amazing program that will help you not only build the mindset needed to write a book, but also will help you in all areas of your life. (worth $995 USD)
And LAST BUT NOT LEAST:
Access to My Network - Over the years, I've established an international network of highly talented friends and colleagues in the fields of creativity, social innovation, and publishing and marketing of books. I'll be drawing on this network of people to make sure that your book gets the attention it deserves from start to finish and out into the world in the biggest way.
YOUR INVESTMENT
I've made it a reasonable price, one which works for you and me in these challenging economic times. For $1997 US, which works out to only $167 monthly you get a year of high-level support. This is less than what many courses charge for three months. Moreover, you get the kind of attention you need, in a small group format, instead of being one amongst hundreds of participants, where you get lost in the crowd. Flexible payment plans are available.
JOIN US
Are you interested in joining a small, committed group of changemakers who want to get their book finally written with expert support all along the way?
Email me now at [email protected], to arrange a time to chat and see if this is a good fit for you.
(I expect to see this group fill up quickly, so if you want to join us, make sure to contact me right away.)
Bonus #1 - Interview for Creativity Cafe on your book, and access to an audience who would buy and review your books (you must finish your book within 12 months of ending this program to qualify)
Bonus #2 - Mailing to Creativity Cafe list when you publish your book.
Bonus #3: Free participation in 7-week program Mental Fitness for Changemakers: Habits to Transform Your LIfe and Double Your Impact. This is an amazing program that will help you not only build the mindset needed to write a book, but also will help you in all areas of your life. (worth $995 USD)
And LAST BUT NOT LEAST:
Access to My Network - Over the years, I've established an international network of highly talented friends and colleagues in the fields of creativity, social innovation, and publishing and marketing of books. I'll be drawing on this network of people to make sure that your book gets the attention it deserves from start to finish and out into the world in the biggest way.
YOUR INVESTMENT
I've made it a reasonable price, one which works for you and me in these challenging economic times. For $1997 US, which works out to only $167 monthly you get a year of high-level support. This is less than what many courses charge for three months. Moreover, you get the kind of attention you need, in a small group format, instead of being one amongst hundreds of participants, where you get lost in the crowd. Flexible payment plans are available.
JOIN US
Are you interested in joining a small, committed group of changemakers who want to get their book finally written with expert support all along the way?
Email me now at [email protected], to arrange a time to chat and see if this is a good fit for you.
(I expect to see this group fill up quickly, so if you want to join us, make sure to contact me right away.)
|
|
|