Turn Your Story Idea Into a Finished Novel

Writing workshops, story strategy, and novel development coaching for fantasy authors.

At The Mantis Academy, I help writers transform promising ideas into structured stories, completed manuscripts, and clear publishing pathways through a blend of creative development, workshops, and personalized coaching.

Whether you're starting with a spark of inspiration, struggling to organize a complex plot, or preparing for your next draft, you'll receive guidance tailored to your story and your goals.

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Great Stories Need More Than Inspiration

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Writers rarely lack inspiration or excellent ideas.

But turning an idea into a finished novel requires more than just creativity.

Creatives still need structure. And without knowing what the next step looks like (or what your options for it are) it’s just about impossible to come up with a plan that'll get you to your goals.

As a fellow writer whose inspiration comes and goes, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to balance the creative side of storytelling with the disciplined work of actually finishing a book.

The Mantis Academy helps bridge the gap between inspiration and execution by combining story development, novel planning, accountability, and strategic guidance.

And you get to do it all with a community of curious creatives with the same goals. 

Together, we'll develop your story, select the structure that best supports your vision, create a writing strategy that works with your life, and build a roadmap from inspiration to publication.

The Process

Inspiration

Every novel begins with an idea. We'll explore your concept, identify what makes it compelling, and develop the foundation for a story worth telling.

Formulation

We'll refine your characters, worldbuilding, conflict, and plot while selecting the story structure that best fits your novel. Whether that's Save the Cat, the Hero's Journey, Dan Harmon's Story Circle, the Three Act Structure, the Seven Act Structure, the Snowflake Method, or another framework, we'll build a blueprint designed around your story.

Strategy

Once the blueprint is in place, we'll create a personalized plan for turning it into a manuscript. This includes writing goals, scheduling, milestones, and an accountability system that supports consistent progress.

Draft

With a plan in hand, you'll move into the writing process with guidance, support, troubleshooting, and strategic feedback to help maintain momentum.

Evolution

After the draft, we'll review, refine, and evaluate the manuscript, creating a roadmap for revisions, editing, self-publishing, or pursuing traditional publication.

Coaching for Every Stage

Story Spark Session

A focused 60-minute brainstorming session designed to develop and refine your core story idea, solve challenges, and identify your next steps.

Novel Accelerator

An 8-week coaching experience that helps writers build a strong story foundation, choose the right structure, and gain momentum toward a completed first draft.

Novel Evolution Program

A 12-week intensive for authors ready to transform an idea into a fully developed manuscript with a clear revision and publishing strategy.

Author Momentum

Five months of ongoing coaching, accountability, brainstorming support, and strategic guidance for writers navigating revisions, future drafts, and publication goals.

Not Sure Where to Start?

The Story Spark Session is the perfect first step for writers who have an idea, a draft, or a story problem they want help solving.

Together, we'll explore your concept, develop and refine your core story idea, and identify the next steps to move your novel forward.

Book Your Story Spark Session