The 10,000-WORD Challenge

When I was completing my first draft of my first novel, I looked at it and thought, I have no idea what to do next. I turned to the Internet and got lost in a rabbit hole of information. Then I stumbled on Mary. In her program, I completed a manuscript in eight weeks start to finish...and it was in a genre that I never thought I could do. But with Mary's encouragement, I did it, and that manuscript landed me a literary agent on the one-year anniversary of when I started the program. I never could have done it without Mary and the support of her community…I didn't know what I didn't know.

Gayle Brown

I finished my book today. Over the last three years, I’ve lost a job, quit a job, and started a job; moved my whole family to a new city; sat in the hospital with my child as she fought for her life; served as the contractor as I built my parents a house; lost three beloved fur children; and homeschooled kids in a pandemic. I resigned myself to finishing my book...someday. And then I met Mary. And then I wrote: before my kids woke up, after they went to bed, when I should be doing paid work, and everything in between. And today, while my children were parked in front of the TV babysitter, I finished the 78,097th and final word.

Kate Stone

Working with Mary is the best thing I did for my writing. Mary’s brilliant methods allowed me to write the book I’ve been dying to write. I’ve learned things from Mary that have revolutionized the way I build characters and craft stories. She has changed my overall outlook entirely.

Elizabeth Holly

I’d been writing excerpts of my memoir for over ten years but couldn't figure out how to put it together. I needed a plan for how to move forward and finish the draft. Now, instead of thinking I need three hours at a time, I carve out 30 minute or an hour a day. Mary has demystified the process of writing a full first draft. I never thought it would be possible to write after a full day of teaching, but I'm doing it!

Rachel Hartmann

For years, I tried many different times to write a novel, but I could never seem to finish anything. Mary gave me the tools I needed to finally get the job done. I completed my first draft in five months, which is pretty incredible considering my previous attempt took over three years and I still never made it to the end! I couldn't have done this without Mary's guidance and support. If you're serious about finishing your novel, working with her is the smartest investment you'll ever make.

Graham Gremore

I was making very slow progress on my draft and thinking too much about about querying agents while I was still drafting. The incubator gave me the support I needed to finish my draft. A lot of programs have an overwhelming amount of content, but Mary makes sure she is only giving us valuable lessons and not cutting into precious writing time. The Book Incubator was the best investment ever!

Fiona Campbell