Rooted Writers Mentorship
A group coaching program for you to embrace, plan, and write a novel you’re proud of
The world needs your story. Now, more than ever.
With so much hatred and fear in the world, we need stories from people who are writing for good, connection, and change, one reader at a time.
You may not be a fancy-pants influencer or leader, but if you’ve got a story you need to tell, that means the world needs it too.
You are the the most important part of your story.
It’s not your protagonist, it’s not the reader, it’s not the plot. It’s you.
Because every part of your novel comes from you.
You provide the meaning, impact, purpose, and, yes, all of those amazing ideas that make the story mean something.
The more you embrace what lights you up, who you really are, and what you have to offer, the stronger your novel will be and the more it will change your reader.
That’s why the foundation of the Rooted Writers Mentorship is self-discovery. Because we need you to write brave truths that will challenge bias, foster empathy, and nurture hope.
Writing a novel is hard as hell.
It’s lonely. It’s confusing. It’s never-ending.
And it feels like no one can help, because they don’t know all the details of your story. And even if they did, they wouldn’t really get it.
I mean, who spends so much time making up people in their head?
Then, once you finish (if you finish), you get nothing but confusing feedback, rejection letters, or even worse, silence.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
There’s a community of writers who get it.
The ups and downs. The plot holes as big as the Grand Canyon. The middle-of-the-night ideas that keep you from sleeping.
There’s a system for building your novel in a way that ensures it’s holding together, saying what you want it to say, and impacting your reader on a heart-level.
There’s support for the doubt, avoidance, and confusion so common to the writing journey.
Welcome to the Rooted Writers Mentorship
The Rooted Writers Mentorship is for folks with a story they need to tell to grow purposeful stories that can change the world, one reader at a time.
The Mentorship isn’t about writing a book in 90-days, getting an Amazon Bestseller tag, or following the hottest publishing trend.
No, the Mentorship is for writers who are deeply connected to their stories, who want to know themselves better through the writing process, and who are writing because they want to make the world 300-pages better.
If you’ve been looking for support, community, and guidance so you can finally write a novel that makes your reader feel seen, the Rooted Writers Mentorship is the place for you.
“I've been in a few writing groups in the past, but this is the first one I've found where everyone is really coming together as a community to support each other.
This is also the first group where I've felt comfortable expressing my queer identity, and felt able to open up about the true core and reason for this piece.”
Science Fiction Writer
The Mentorship is a one-of-a-kind program designed to give you the knowledge, feedback, and community you need to write a book that makes your reader feel seen and helps them to see others.
Writing is slow, circular, and requires a shit-ton of courage.
That’s why we don’t rush the process.
The Rooted Writers Mentorship is a year-long program because your book matters that much, and it deserves the time, space, and focus to become its strongest self.
Using the Story Tree Process, we grow your story from the ground up, with you as the roots of your Story Tree.
The Mentorship is right for you if you:
Understand the life-changing impact of story
Have a personal connection to your book
Have a novel you need to write
Want to grow with a community of like-minded writers
Are done trying to write fast and are ready to write deep
Value making an impact over gaining accolades (though those would be nice too)
Want to learn more about yourself and others through the Enneagram personality system
Plan to write a book with strong characters and emotional depth
Understand the value of thinking about your story before you write
Long for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the world
“The ability to SHARE and talk about the story at all is huge for me. It is terrifying (I feel almost ashamed whenever talking about it?? It’s SO difficult) but this whole process and this kind, supportive group has done wonders for me.”
Michelle Carpenter
How does the Mentorship work, exactly?
Part Course
Focused lessons teach you how story works and how people work, so you can find what your story needs RIGHT NOW to get unstuck and know that your book is heading in the right direction.
Part Coaching
We’ve got four calls a month where you can get direct feedback from me on your book. I want to know your story! That’s why we prioritize checking in, problem solving, and holding space for each other throughout the writing journey.
Part Mastermind
The writers in the Mentorship are fucking awesome. With this supportive, thoughtful, and engaged community at your side, you’ll never feel alone again.
Here’s what’s waiting for you during your year as a Rooted Writer:
Phase One: Embrace Your Story
Embrace Yourself - Learn the unique traits and superpowers you bring to your writing
Embrace Your Story - Discover what your book is actually about
Phase Two: Plan Your Story
Protagonist - Build the strongest protagonist for your novel
Antagonist - Create an antagonist who truly challenges your protagonist
World - Design a world that means something
Cast - Assemble an essential, unique cast
Conflict - Shape an impactful internal and external conflict
Outline - Create a character-drive outline
Series - Map the essential pieces of every book in your series
Phase Three: Write (or Revise) Your Story
Mindset
Scene Structure
Show, Don’t Tell
Characterization
Tone and Voice
Assessing Your Manuscript
Finishing strong
Plus you’ll get tons of support and feedback:
4 Group Coaching Calls
We’ve got four live coaching calls a month that serve different time zones. If you can’t make a call, no worries; the recordings are available ASAP.
Co-Writing Sessions
Four weekly co-writing sessions will help you show up for your story and yourself. No longer will Netflix, work, or cleaning the bathroom distract you from sitting down with your book. Our co-writing sessions will help you get shit done.
Online Community
Our online space (it’s not Facebook!) will keep you connected and engaged with your fellow Rooted Writers. This is a place to share your wins and struggles, get feedback on your work, and generally feel the love.
“I am learning about ME, and what I want to SAY, and that DRAMATICALLY changes who my characters are and the world they live in.”
Bobby Moore
Are you ready to write a book you’re proud of?
Your Investment
Pay-In-Full:
$3,800
Payment Plan:
$500 to enroll
Then 11 payments of $300
There’s no discount for paying in-full nor penalty for going month-by-month. Do what’s right for you. Folks in the Mentorship have the opportunity to book one-on-one calls with me. 10% of your monthly payment goes to fund scholarships for underrepresented voices in publishing.
We Are Mission-Driven
Part of my mission is to support the stories of underrepresented writers in publishing. This year, we’re launching a scholarship program to bring more of these writers into the Mentorship.
Are you a queer, Black, brown, AAPI, indigenous, trans, fat, neurodivergent, disabled, or otherwise underrepresented writer? Add your name to the waitlist, and I’ll let you know when scholarship applications are open.
Alignment Check
My first priority is to protect the safety of the Rooted Writers Mentorship so that folks feel able to be themselves and write their stories without fear.
I take this job seriously.
The Rooted Writers Mentorship is dedicated to developing stories that can change the world by creating more empathy and connection with ourselves and others.
Writers in the Mentorship are committed to building a world where all people are safe to be who they are (trans people!), love who they love (LGBTQIA+ people!), and pursue life without fear or oppression (Black Lives Matter!).
The Mentorship supports authors of all orientations, gender identities, skin colors, abilities, brains, body sizes, religions, and nationalities.
If you don’t align with these values, the Mentorship IS NOT FOR YOU.
If you do align, come on in. We’d love to have you.
A Little About Me
Hi, I’m Dani Abernathy.
I’m a book coach who helps novelists write the stories they need to tell so their readers can feel seen and can see others.
I believe stories can change the world, one reader at a time, because they teach us to have more compassion for ourselves and others.
Stories are one of our most powerful tools for having less war and more love, and that’s why I’m on a mission to support folks like you as you write brave stories that tell the truth (even in a fantasy world).
I used to be an evangelical Christian (and missionary!), but that’s not my thing anymore. These days, I feel happier, more fulfilled, and more loving than I ever did before.
I've been married to a fellow dreamer since the tender age of 22, and together we have two kiddos.
My values are dignity, self-discovery, authenticity, emotional bravery, and agency. These values guide my life and are the foundations of the Rooted Writers Mentorship. That’s why we spend so much time embracing who you are, figuring out what you really want to say, and helping you shape the story you really want to tell.
“I feel better about myself as a writer now than I have at any other point in my adult life. I doubt I'll ever use another model [...] I've been through so many over the years, and none were even close to being this helpful. I already know that the next draft will be the best yet - and maybe the first one I'm actually happy with.”
Kahina
Ready to join us?
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve already written a manuscript. Is the Mentorship right for me?
Probably. If you haven’t worked with a coach on your book, you’re a good fit for the Mentorship. I find that 95% of manuscripts are missing foundational elements. The Mentorship will help you assess your manuscript, strengthen what’s there, and write a kick-ass revision. You’ll come away with a story you feel confident about so you can move on to the next step.
Can you edit my book?
Nope! I support writers in the process of planning and writing the stories they really want to tell. I’m not a line editor, copy editor, and definitely not a proofreader. If you’ve got a manuscript you'd like my eyes on, let’s talk. I offer Manuscript Assessments as part of the Mentorship.
What genres are best for the Mentorship?
Any heart-centered, character-driven novel meant to impact the reader on an emotional level. My genre specialities are in fantasy, soft sci-fi, and YA, but I also coach romance, women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, and historical fiction. I’m not the best coach for middle grade, thrillers and mysteries, true literary fiction, short stories, poetry, screenplays, non-fiction, or memoir.
I’m less concerned about genre, and more concerned about WHY you’re writing. Do you have something to say about the world and how to live in it? Perfect. Do you want to make your readers feel seen or help them to see someone else? Awesome. Are you writing only to give folks a good time? Then I’m probably not the coach for you.
Will I get feedback on my story?
Absolutely. You can get feedback during the coaching calls and in our online community. The Mentorship is not a critique group. You won’t be expected to look at anyone else’s work and no one will be looking at yours (unless you want them to). But having a coach’s eyes on your work is invaluable to making sure you’re on the right track and that your story is developing the way you intend. Feedback is a high priority of the Mentorship, that’s why we encourage regular check-ins and hold space for figuring stuff out together on the calls.
Do I have to commit to a full year?
Yup. Writing takes time, and most people don’t give themselves enough of it. Especially if you’re writing a novel you’re deeply connected to, you need space to rest, refocus, and heal. Too many writers rush ahead, dumping out 100k words that don’t say anything. That’s not what I’m about. I made the Mentorship a year-long on purpose, because I want you to have the time to be intentional about your novel, show up for yourself, and actually write a book you’re proud of.
Will I be ready to query after a year?
Probably not. The Mentorship is designed to get you from idea to first draft (or from first draft to a solid revision). Your story will still need work. But here’s the thing, after your year in the Mentorship, you’ll have a story you’re proud of that’s doing what you want it to do. Writing impactful fiction takes time, so give yourself the gift of being intentional and going slow.
Can I stay in the Mentorship longer than a year?
You can! You can stay in as long as you’d like at your regular monthly rate.
What if I don’t live in the United States?
No problem! Our coaching calls are scheduled to accommodate multiple time zones.
What times are the calls?
We’ve got four calls each month:
1st full week of the month - Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST
2nd full week of the month - Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. CST
3rd full week of the month- Friday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. CST
4th full week of the month - Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. CST
What time are the co-writing sessions?
Mondays from 9:00-10:30 a.m. CST
Mondays from 6:00-7:30 p.m CST
Tuesdays from 7:00-9:30 a.m. CST
Thursdays from 7:00-9:30 a.m. CST
What’s the application process like?
Joining the Mentorship has two parts: an application and an Enrollment Session. The application helps me learn about your and your book as well as get an idea of whether the Mentorship will meet your needs. The Enrollment Session is a no-pressure conversation where we talk about your book, do a little coaching, and decide together whether the Mentorship is the right place for you.
How many people are in the Mentorship?
Because I’m committed to knowing every story in the program and coaching you along the way, we cap the Mentorship at 6o members. Once we hit that number, we can’t accept more people into the program. If you’re interested in joining, I encourage you to schedule a Discovery Call sooner rather than later, because I can’t tell you when we’ll be at capacity.