Substantial Fiction.
Rigorous Craft.
For writers of Literary and Historical Fiction who are ready to craft the stories of their hearts.
The Challenge of the Deep Draft
You have the research. You have the prose. You have the passion. Yet, somewhere between the initial spark and the finished manuscript, the "pulse" of the story has faltered.
In the worlds of literary and historical fiction, it is easy to get lost in the "set dressing" or the "interiority" and lose sight of the narrative drive. Whether you are struggling with a sagging middle, a protagonist lacking agency, or a theme that feels out of reach, you don’t need more "inspiration."
You need structural and craft clarity.
How We Work Together
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Best for: Troubleshooting a specific structural snag or "friction point."
The Experience: One hour of intensive Zoom coaching to audit your current challenge and identify a concrete next step.
Investment: $150
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Best for: Writers who thrive in a cohort and want a structured deep-dive into the mechanics of fiction.
The Experience: A guided journey through the core pillars of craft—stakes, scene work, and narrative architecture.
Investment: $500
MORE INFORMATION & WAITLIST COMING SOON
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Best for: A quick, professional "pulse check" on a small excerpt of your work.
The Experience: Targeted, high-level feedback on your prose and narrative weight delivered via email. I provide in-line comments and an audio walkthrough of my feedback.
Investment: $50
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Best for: The writer ready to build a rock-solid foundation for their entire manuscript.
The Experience: A comprehensive, high-touch partnership to map your story from the ground up, ensuring every scene contributes to the larger "dramatic argument." I provide in-line feedback, an editorial letter with clear & actionable next steps, and we meet for a 1:1 coaching session via Zoom.
Investment: $1,500
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Best for: Writers who have completed a draft of their novel (or short story).
The Experience: Comprehensive, deep, craft-focused examination of your prose. I provide in-line comments, an editorial letter with clear, actionable, and prioritized next steps for revision, and a 90-minute strategy session over Zoom.
Investment: $0.04/word
"[Margaret] is a true educator and worth every cent of the investment!"
— Carmen C."Margaret was patient and supportive, but also asked poignant, thorough questions and pushed me to further develop aspects that needed work...I’m thrilled."
— Rebecca C."Thanks to Margaret I have found a new way forward. She was a joy to work with. I highly recommend her."
— LoRraine N."Margaret is knowledgeable, generous and gracious, and someone you want at your side while writing your novel and in your life in general."
— Litsa D.About Margaret McNellis, MFA
I don’t just map stories; I build them. As an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach and a writer of historical narratives, I know that the "bias of knowledge" is the greatest hurdle to a successful draft. My goal is to give you the coordinates you need to get back on track and stay there.
