Science Fiction &
Fantasy Writers!
Transform Your
Draft into a
Publish-Ready
Masterpiece!
Ready to join?
Does this sound familiar?
You want to learn all you can to create a great book, but your mind is stuck, thinking:
- Is my novel any good?
- How do I know when my book is ready to be published?
- How do I get unstuck in the writing process?
- How exactly do I edit my beautiful, precious, confusing first draft?
- How can I market my book when marketing feels so icky?
- Am I the only one confused and overwhelmed by all the steps? How do other writers handle all the things?
Want to get started?
Sign up for the: Edit Your Novel Checklist!
And read on for a program designed for sf/f novelists ready for more...
Many writers will leave their first draft to sit on their hard drive and it will never see the light of day because they stopped there.
You are different.
You know that this book can touch the lives of your readers and all you need are the steps to craft that published book.
We're award-winning novelists who met in a fiction critique group 26 years ago. Beth writes in three genres -- young adult epic adventure fantasy, paranormal/fantasy romance for adults, and science fiction mystery-- and runs a successful business as a coach, international instructor, podcaster, and consultant for authors and organizations. Ezra writes under two names, blending thriller, suspense, and mystery, plus paranormal, supernatural, and romance. Together they know what it takes to generate writing and to publish, amidst a busy life. And that's how they know you can live your writing dreams today.
We worked with 1000s of novelists guiding them from draft status to published book in their hands. And we know the dedication it takes.
Introducing...
A 12-month Author Group
Mastermind Program
“I can’t tell you how much your coaching and friendship has meant to me. I would never have gotten as far as I have without both of you. My only real regret is I didn’t know about your [program] earlier. Your lessons and instructions are the cornerstone of my new writing career.”
KERI KRUSPE
Author of Otherworldly Romantic Adventures
To take your science fiction or fantasy first draft and get it publish-ready with two expert teachers and professional novelists in a supportive community.
Because you are unique...
We help you find the creative editing path that works best for you.
As you edit and improve your own writing by giving and receiving feedback and learning in a small highly-interactive group, you will develop mastery.
There is no one right way to edit and revise a novel.
Together, we’ll take the process step by step. You’ll learn what choices are available, ask questions, and decide what works best for you and your book.
The creative soul that wrote the book can learn how to edit it too.
Come stretch creatively, learning how to befriend the critical judgmental mind and have it work for you.
Trust the unknown.
Gain faith in yourself.
Play.
Respect the muse.
“I had wanted for some time to complete NaNoWriMo and found it a daunting task. Then I took the [Plan Your Novel] 30-Day Writing Challenge from the Barany School of Fiction.
This comprehensive set of classes and group coaching gave me the tools I needed to make it not only to the 50K November goal but far beyond and my story continued."
Hugh Tipping
Author
"I wasn’t sure I would finish the work when I started, but once I began Beth’s program I was able to progress at a steady pace.
[The] schedule helped keep me moving consistently forward in a supportive environment with no episodes of the dreaded block.”
Patricia Watson
Fiction and nonfiction author
benefits
Inside the Mastermind you'll
be a part of a COMMUNITY
Join a community of like-minded novelists eager to help share the journey and give creative feedback so your novel is the best it can be.
Develop YOur CharacterS
Gain insight on how to develop and write your characters so your readers fall in love with them.
gain an ALL-ACCESS PASS TO OVER 20 COURSES
Access over 20 courses in our library so you can go at your own pace.
Craft powerful scenes
Discover how to craft powerful scenes to carry the reader all the way to The End.
TRANSPORT YOUR READER INTO YOUR STORY WORLD
Learn how to create your story’s world so that your reader feels utterly transported to a futuristic or fantastical setting.
CRAFT CAPTIVATING STORIES
Discover how to develop your story so readers can’t put your novel down as they're on the edge of their seat the whole time.
POLISH YOUR PROSE
Uncover how to do line editing - how to make your writing so smooth that the reader forgets they're even reading.
get direct MARKETING SUPPORT
Discover how to market your book so when it’s time to take it to the public you have eager buyers waiting.
access PUBLISHING INS + OUTS
Uncover the ins and outs of the publishing world so you can become a published author.
Join us!
Ready? Click here to apply.
Join us, two multi-award-winning novelists and writing teachers who are happily married people and who love to have fun with fiction!
Let’s work together to achieve your editing and publishing goals!
Why Join Our 12-Month Group Mastermind Program
Check-ins and feedback twice a month
I went from struggling writer to becoming an ePub’d writer with Beth’s help.
With her invaluable help, I wrote a 1950s Los Angeles Noir Boxing/love story, and it was published...
It was Beth’s belief in me and my talent that pushed me to work harder…
My confidence in my abilities to tell a story has grown phenomenally. I thank God for Beth’s help, caring, kick-in-the-butt techniques and her loving guidance.
Thank you Beth, for helping me to believe in myself, my talent, and my goals.”
CAROL MALONE
-- Author of Pulp-Fiction Romances
There are 2 levels of support:
crossing the threshold - Most popular
Crossing The Threshold is for writers who want all the group support and courses; and also want 1-1 support to tailored developmental in-depth edits. At this level, you also get a monthly one-on-one call with Beth. She will read up to 20 pages before the call, sent at least 1 week ahead of your coaching call. Calls are 45-60 minutes long.
RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR - ADVANCED
Return with the Elixir is for writers who want to fast-track their progress. All the group support, plus twice a month editing (as needed edits, including line edits on story, character, word choice, flow, etc.) of up to 15-20 manuscript pages, corresponding to the two 1-1 calls per month. Plus: four 2-hour Mindset Coaching sessions on Writer’s Block, Self-Doubt, and Other Blocks to Getting To Your Writing; Plus: 2 Special VIP Days for an intensive coaching, editing, and masterminding with both Beth and Ezra.
testimonials
What they say
"Before I started working with Beth in her Group Coaching program for Genre Novelists, I was stuck on where to go next with my WIP. I was a big time procrastinator.
On one hand I wanted to write but on the other hand, I never made time for it. She got me writing regularly and helped me overcome my procrastination.
She is a great listener, she really knows all about writing, and what's needed to finish a novel. After working with Beth I was on track with my writing, I had plans in motion to keep me going and the confidence that I could do it. She is a great coach."
Kate Robertson - Fantasy Novelist
"I know I've said this before, but THANK YOU for all of your help.
Your support, your words of encouragement, and your insightful feedback on my work, and your thoughts on writing process/practice have been immensely helpful."
Lucy Curran, Author
We have helped over 100 authors in this intimate group over the last ten years.
How can you be sure this program is right for you?
Great question! Let's talk!
And let's discover together if this program would be a good fit.
This program is designed for writers who have completed a science fiction or fantasy first draft.
Doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be done!
This program may be a good fit if you love your story, want to become a published author, and are willing to learn — even when the path feels unfamiliar. You don’t need to know all the answers; you just need to be open to taking the next step
Click here to contact Beth for a no-obligation no-pressure Discovery Call.
From Our Writers
Richard Burns
Author
“Beth’s Group Coaching helped me to go beyond mere good action and dialog.
I dig much deeper into the character interactions and emotions, make them real, make them grab the reader.
[I] put a sharper microscope on character motivations. I’m more daring with relationships and improved the voice to fit the story.”
Eve Visconti
writer
"The program is thorough, thought-provoking, and fun. When I started, I didn’t have a clue as to how to proceed on finishing my book. Having completed the course, I have a clear vision for my book, am writing every day, and accomplishing the goals that I have set for myself with the help of Beth’s course.
I have no doubt that I will complete my book, and Beth will have been instrumental in helping me getting the job done! Thanks, Beth.”
KA Whitehall
fantasy author
"Participating in the [program] is one of the best investments I have made for my writing craft.
The program provided the perfect mix of both education and support.
The program provided me with an expanded repertoire of tools that I now use on a daily basis and which provide me with an expanded sense of confidence and greater flow in my writing."
Are you ready to bring your dearest dream of being a published author into your lived, daily life?
Then join us!
Space is limited — we’re only accepting 3 more writers at this time so that we can give our full attention to the group.
They say that the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. And the second best time to plant one is today.
Plant the seed of your author career today. So that you have the full tree of your author career by the end of your (hopefully) long and creative life.
Your Writer's Life Starts Today
Steps to how we work Together
1.
Apply
Once you apply, you'll receive a personalized welcome email with all the details, plus an invitation to fill out a short assessment, so we can keep an eye on your goals for the year.
Additionally, if you signed up for it, you'll be invited to choose a convenient time for the first 1-1 call (phone or Zoom) and send pages in ahead time for your developmental edit.
2.
Grab Your All-Access Pass
Then you can sign up for the school to get access to the 20+ courses and instructions on how to join our community events: the twice monthly calls; the online community group; and the monthly writing sprints.
3.
Show up!
Join the twice monthly small group call so we can support you, celebrate your writing steps, and help move you that much closer to your dream of being a published writer.
Now enrolling!
Open enrollment for this 12-month program.
You can join any time during the year. You'll get a full year of support in a vibrant, intimate community.
Ready to join the mastermind?
Apply here.
Curious about what topics we cover?
We tailor topics to your needs and we have a tremendous library of courses and curriculum to cover a whole range of topics to help you plan, write, edit, publish, and market your science fiction or fantasy novel.
And more! We’re open to your questions, concerns, and are constantly creating new lessons tailored to you.
We’re here to mastermind with you.
You don't need to go it alone anymore!
We currently have a foundation course and a line editing oriented course. The foundation course includes a refresher (or foundations) of character, plot, story structure, pacing, including character and point of view, conflict and story structure, creating a page-turner, developing a strong voice, and what makes for a strong, compelling read.
Due to all the steps involved in getting a book completed, polished, published, and marketed, we offer coaching and mindset tips woven in to all our live calls and all of our courses.
We offer tips, tools, techniques on acknowledging and addressing procrastination, lack of motivation (even though you really want to write, and resistance (as Steven Pressfield calls it in The War of Art). We understand these phases quite well, both the psychology and ways to gently get back to your writing.
We deeply understand the difference between writing and editing and so support you on how to make friends with the internal editor and how to put it to work at the proper time and not a moment too soon.
Each of us has our own. Let’s uncover yours! This belief is woven through all we do. We focus on how you can work with yourself not against yourself.
We have a course on this and are often discussing the particulars in our call, where each person's needs can be addressed.
We cover how to find cover and layout designers, ebook conversion; proof readers; and any other questions you have. We also have a course walking you through step-by-step ebook publishing.
We can discuss how to find the right publisher, how to find a literary agent; how to pitch an agent or editor in person or in writing.
We cover building your social media platform; using social media tools to build your brand; get started with a basic website; learn how to find reviewers.
Book marketing can be your friend.
FAQ
Go here to fill out the short form and schedule a call: https://coaching.bethbarany.com/contact-us/. I look forward to our conversation.
Yes, please have your first draft done - completed - finished - even if it's written out of order.
The reason you need your manuscript completed is that the main focus of the mastermind program is helping you edit and revise, and learn your marketing and publishing options. So you can sell your book.
We designed this program for dedicated science fiction and fantasy novelists who are already doing the work of writing their book and are ready to turn their dear story into a beautiful product for readers to enjoy and cherish.
Wonderful! Both Beth and Ezra have worked on trilogies and quartets. During the program we recommend that you stay focused on editing one book at a time. That way you’ll be able to finish at least one book during the program. Past participants have actually finished their books and often started or even completed a second book.
No. If you sign up for the RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR level do I edit your pages directly. Starting at the CROSSING THE THRESHOLD level, I read your pages and give feedback. You are welcome though to upload your material and ask your cohorts in the circle for specific feedback. We’ll be giving you specific training and support on Beta Reading and Peer Critiques.
Yes, if you sign up for the CROSSING THE THRESHOLD or RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR levels.
The two times a month group calls are generally the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month (currently in the evening: 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET). All group calls are recorded, in case you can’t make it live. The replays generally go up within 24 hours and you’ll have access to them via our online school, Barany School of Fiction.
Yes, we will be covering how to query agents during the year. We teach you how to do this, so you know the strategies and tactics involved and also get feedback on your query letter.
No, we only publish our own books. But we can make referrals and help you find qualified professionals to help you self-publish, if that’s your chosen route.
No, not at this time. I do have work/trade agreements. If you’re curious about how that might work for you, write Beth to initiate a discussion. Some of the things Beth needs are: marketing support; in-office organizational help; teacher’s assistants in the school (for alumni only.)
Listen to How To Write The Future podcast
For science fiction and fantasy authors who want to create optimistic stories.
A podcast for visionaries, futurists, foresight practitioners, and storytellers.
c. 2013-2026 Beth Barany | Contact | Privacy Policy