Story-Argument Foundations Service Package

Build a solid foundation for your scholarly book project through a ten-step support process from Margy Thomas, Ph.D., creator of the ScholarShape Archives.

Note: This page describes the version of the Foundations service package that is designed to guide you through the development of a book proposal, partial manuscript, and detailed project plan. Modified versions of the Foundations package are available to support you in developing a book project that is already further along, or in developing a long-term strategy for a body of work in any genre(s), in or out of academia. Fill out the form at the bottom of the page for more details about these other options.

How It Works

Through a sequence of one-on-one services from Margy, supplemented with hand-selected DIY tools and resources from the ScholarShape Archives, you’ll be guided through the development of your book idea into a solid proposal, a growing draft you feel excited to complete, and a focused yet flexible plan for bringing the project to fruition. Together, we’ll target all the essential questions and tasks involved in developing a compelling book-length Story-Argument for a scholarly publisher.

You may schedule each individual service component at your convenience across a period of up to four years. Included in the package is lifetime access to all the ScholarShape Archives resources, so you can return to them for support throughout this and future projects.

What You’ll Get

By the end of your experience with the Story-Argument Foundations service package, you’ll have…

• a book proposal that articulates why your project needs to exist and how the book will deliver on that promise.

• two body chapters that demonstrate your progress and show how you’ll execute the book stylistically.

• a precise yet flexible plan for developing the book’s remaining chapters.

• a sense of how to leverage the ScholarShape Archives resources over the long term, for support in developing this and future Story-Arguments.

If you already have a full book proposal upon enrolling in this service package, you might consider the modified package alluded to above (for more info about this option, you can fill out the form below). Alternatively, you may stick with this version of the package and think of the book proposal component of this process as a chance to develop a project plan — a blueprint or evolving summary that serves as a space to work out the essential components of your Story-Argument and track their evolution. A modification is also available specifically for scholars who already have a book contract in hand.

With the support of the Story-Argument Foundations service package, you can design a solid book structure from the ground up.

Upon purchasing the Story-Argument Foundations service package, you receive instant access to the ScholarShape Archives as well as to a Project Dashboard that provides all the info you’ll need for your journey through the Foundations experience. Then, on your preferred timeline, you’ll embark on an alternating sequence of Strategy Intensive sessions and Draft Feedback services. Below is a description of the sequence of services, with asterisks (*) indicating one-on-one service components.

Pricing & Customization

The price to purchase each service individually would be U.S. $5,200. The package price for the Story-Argument Foundations experience is U.S. $4,200.

Customization: Alternative versions of the Foundations package are available for if your book project is further along (you already have a sizable draft), or if you’re working in other genre(s), academic or non-academic. In addition, you have the option to expand your Foundations package with extra Strategy Intensives and/or Draft Feedbacks. Any customization requests can be included in the inquiry form at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, if you’d prefer more ad hoc support or support with smaller projects, check out the Story-Argument Strategy Intensives.

Payment Plan: You are welcome to split your payment into two installments of U.S. $2,100 each. Upon making your first payment, you receive instant access to the ScholarShape Archives, the Project Dashboard, and the homework for your first Strategy Intensive. Once you’ve made your second payment, you can proceed to the rest of the service package.

Timeline of the Story-Argument Foundations Experience

Step 1. ScholarShape Archives Membership

Receive instant access to the ScholarShape Archives as soon as you enroll in the Story-Argument Foundations service package. Inside the Archives, you’ll find a large and growing body of Story-Argument design resources to support you in developing your current project. Margy is happy to suggest a starting point via email based on where you are in your current project. Your purchase of the Story-Argument Foundations service package includes lifetime access to the ScholarShape Archives, so you can return again and again to use the resources for future projects. ($600 value)

Note: If you are already a ScholarShape Archives member when you purchase the Story-Argument Foundations service package, you receive a bonus Strategy Intensive, described below between Steps 9 and 10.

Step 2. First Strategy Intensive: Your Macro Story-Argument *

Prepare for your first project deep-dive with Margy by completing a questionnaire about your goals and challenges in your project and drafting a rough project description (up to 1,000 words). Margy will review these before your session. In the Strategy Intensive video call, you’ll work with Margy to hone your guiding question, identify a macro structure for your Story-Argument, and strategize next steps for developing the full book proposal document. You may be recommended specific ScholarShape Archives resources to help you with Step 3. Strategy Intensives last 60-75 minutes, and you’re provided an audio recording of the call. ($600 value)

Step 3. Book Proposal Development

Based on your takeaways from your first Strategy Intensive, as well as any Story-Argument resources recommended in the session, develop a draft of your book proposal. Consider the guidelines of your preferred press as well as comparable titles, as discussed in your first session. Contact Margy when ready to schedule Step 4.

Step 4. Draft Feedback: Book Proposal Document *

Submit your book proposal draft to Margy within your scheduled time window and receive her detailed written feedback within 1-2 weeks. You may also be recommended specific ScholarShape Archives resources to help you with Step 5. ($1,000 value)

Step 5. Draft Revision and Development

Based on the Draft Feedback, as well as any Story-Argument resources recommended in the feedback, work on revising your book proposal and developing chapter drafts. At this point, you likely have a timeline of mini-deadlines to work toward for generating individual chapters, and you can discern at what point the next service component will be most helpful for you. Contact Margy when ready to schedule Step 6.

Step 6. Second Strategy Intensive: Your Meso Story-Argument *

Prepare for your second project deep-dive with Margy by completing a questionnaire about your goals and challenges in your project and drafting or distilling a 1,000-word work sample. This sample text can be anything that pertains to the session goal of getting you ready to develop full drafts of your two sample chapters: outlines of your sample body chapter(s), a key passage from the book draft, or any other text of your choice. Margy will review these before your session. In the Strategy Intensive video call, you’ll discuss with Margy whatever you need clarity on in order to draft your chapters. Examples include revising your guiding question and/or macro structure and elaborating it into a meso structure; figuring out the wording of key passages; and / or working to articulate how the book through-lines carry across the chapters. You may be recommended specific ScholarShape Archives resources to help you with Step 7. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear sense of direction for your draft development. Strategy Intensives last 60-75 minutes, and you’re provided an audio recording of the call. ($600 value)

Step 7. Draft Development

Based on the discussion in your second Strategy Intensive, as well as any Story-Argument resources recommended in the session, develop drafts of two body chapters of your book. Feel free to contact Margy for additional resource suggestions during this process. Contact Margy when ready to schedule Step 8.

Step 8. Draft Feedback: Two Body Chapters *

Submit your two chapter drafts to Margy within your scheduled time window and receive her written feedback within 2-3 weeks. You may also be recommended specific ScholarShape Archives resources to help you with Step 9. Note: this is not a line editing or proofreading service, and feedback may be less granular than on your book proposal document to allow for greater focus on your structure and storytelling. ($1,800 value)

Step 9. Draft Revision and Development

Based on the Draft Feedback, as well as any Story-Argument resources recommended in the feedback, work on revising your body chapters and developing the book manuscript as a whole.

If you’re receiving the third, bonus Strategy Intensive, contact Margy when ready to schedule it; otherwise, skip right to Step 10!

[BONUS]. Third Strategy Intensive *

This service component is for people who purchase this package while already a member of the ScholarShape Archives. In this final Strategy Intensive, we can go in-depth on any remaining pieces of your Story-Argument that feel confusing or unresolved. We can focus on high-level strategy, nuanced implementation, or anything in between. The goal is for you to have, by the end of this session, a clear vision of how to navigate all the way to your next major submission deadline or other work milestone. ($600 value)

Step 10. Integration

At this point, you now have a solid book proposal, two chapters, a growing book draft, and extensive guidance and resources for further developing your whole book! You’re welcome to contact Margy via email to ask any follow-up questions about your Draft Feedback and / or what ScholarShape Archives resources can best support you to the finish line!

Price to purchase services individually: U.S. $5,200

Package price: U.S. $4,200

If you’d like to request any modifications to the package, such as extra Strategy Intensives or Draft Feedbacks, please include that in the general questions & comments box at the end of the form.