Application Form
Thank you so much for wanting to work with me! Please note that all information shared on this form is shared in the strictest of confidence, will not be shared publicly, and will be automatically deleted after 90 days. For "Pay It Forward" scholarship applicants in particular, however, some or part of the application answers maybe be shared publicly on social media platforms to further support fundraising efforts, but this shall not be done without the express permission of those who submit the form.
Before you fill out this form, I need to make sure that we're a good fit for each other and that we won't be wasting each other's time. Please answer the following questions honestly and without any intent to manipulate the form.
Do you identify as queer, LGBTQ+, or otherwise?
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Yes
No
Do you identify as BIPOC/a person of the Global Majority?
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Yes
No
Do you identify as neurodivergent, disabled, or marginalized in any way?
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Yes
No
Do you identify as a different gender than the one you were assigned at birth?
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Yes
No
Do you wish to work with me on a speculative fiction project (i.e. fantasy, science fiction, horror, magical realism, etc.?)
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Yes
No
Wonderful! Based on your answers, you are likely a great fit for my book coaching, editing, and/or membership services. Please proceed to the next page where you will fill out the rest of the form.
Thank you very much for your time. Based on your answers, you have indicated that you are a speculative fiction writer who is likely a part of the dominant, white, cisgender, heterosexual, and/or neurotypical societal paradigms. Although I primarily work with LGBTQ+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or gender expansive speculative fiction writers, I am willing to see if my book coaching, editing, or memberships services would be a good fit for you and your project so long as you are also willing to confront your privilege and dedicate yourself to uplifting systemically oppressed communities during our time working together. If so, please proceed to the next page where you will fill out the rest of the form.
Thank you very much for your time. Although you appear to fit many characteristics of my ideal clients, it seems that you do not wish to work with me on a speculative fiction project. Therefore, I kindly ask that you please do not fill out this form, close this tab, and find someone else to work with. I wish you all the best for you and your project!
Thank you very much for your time. Unfortunately, I do not believe that we are a good fit for each other. I primarily work with LGBTQ+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or gender expansive speculative fiction writers, and your answers indicate that you and/or your project likely do not fit any of these criteria. Therefore, I kindly ask that you please do not fill out this form, close this tab, and find someone else to work with. I wish you all the best for you and your project!
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First, let's get some basics.
Full Name
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First Name
Last Name
Pronouns
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Example: he/she/they/xim
E-mail
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example@example.com
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Submit
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Sounds good. What made you come here?
What are your goals and objectives for your writing? Check all that apply.
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To raise my voice/speak up/claim my story
To prove that I can do it, either to myself or others
Because I feel called to do it/I am burning to do it/I can’t rest until I do it
To make money
To make a name for myself as an expert/authority
To influence/educate/illuminate/comfort/entertain
To leave a legacy for my family
To model for my kids what it means to pursue a dream (hard work, frustration, failure, perseverance, etc.)
Other
Which service(s) of mine are you interested in?
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Book Coaching
Editing
Membership
I'm not sure
Other
Which coaching tier(s) are you interested in? Please note that once you choose your tier, you will not be able to switch unless there is an available spot in that tier.
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The Traveler Tier
The Aspirant Tier
The Monk Tier
The Sage Tier
Other
Which editorial service(s) are you interested in?
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Sensitivity Reading
Developmental Editing
Editorial Sensitivity Reading
I'm not sure
Other
Which membership tier(s) are you interested in?
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The Medicant Tier
The Layperson Tier
I'm not sure
Other
What are your publishing goals?
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Traditional publishing
Self-publishing
Hybrid publishing
Other
Are you familiar with using Microsoft Word’s Track Changes tool?
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Yes
Maybe
No
What is the estimated or exact word count of your current project? If you haven't started your project or aren't sure, please write "0" in the field.
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Have you used, are you using, and/or will you use any generative AI technology in planning and/or writing your current project such as for outlining, writing entire passages, or even cover design?
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Yes
No
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Interesting! By the way, how did you hear about me?
Where did you hear about these services?
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Please Select
Author Accelerator
Blog
Editors of Color
Facebook
Firefly Creative Writing
Goodreads
Instagram
LinkedIn
Newspaper
Threads
Tessera Creatives
Salt and Sage Books
Substack
Slack
Website
Writing Group
YouTube
X (Formerly Twitter)
Other
Please provide more detail about how you heard about me and my services.
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0/250
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Great! Now, let's talk about you and your writing.
Where are you in the writing process of your chosen project?
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0/500
What gives you the most satisfaction in your writing process and your writing life?
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0/500
What gives you the most frustration in your writing process and your writing life?
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0/500
Why are you the best person to write this story? What do you bring to the work?
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0/500
If you identified as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or gender expansive earlier in this form, please feel free to provide some additional detail about your identity (optional).
0/500
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Nice! Do you have any prior writing experience?
Have you worked with a book coach, editor, and/or writing professional before on your chosen project or a different project? What was the feedback you received from them? What was your experience working with them?
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0/500
Have you, do you, or did you belong to a writers’ group? What feedback have you received from those in the group, if any?
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0/500
What are you looking for in terms of working with a book coach, editor, and/or writing professional in general?
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0/500
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We're almost done! Tell me more about your work.
What is your project about in 250 words or less? What happens in it?
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0/250
Who is your target audience, based on your genre and topic? What age are they?
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0/500
What is the point of your project? What are you trying to say about human nature and the world?
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0/500
Is there anything else you would like to share with me about your project or your writing journey?
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0/500
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Excellent. There are a few more things to complete.
Would you like to be considered for a Captured Phantoms "Pay It Forward" Scholarship Award to help reduce or cover the cost of your chosen service?
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Yes
Maybe
No
If granted financial assistance from the Captured Phantoms "Pay It Forward" Scholarship Fund, what percentage of the cost of your chosen service would you like to be covered?
Up to 100% may be indicated.
Please upload the first ten pages of your project as a .PDF or .DOCX file in standard manuscript format (double-spaced, 12-pt. Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins on all sides). Also, please do not send more or less than ten pages even if the chapter or scene unfolding would be cut off or incomplete. Treat this application like you would with any other professional writing or publishing opportunity.
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Please read the following legal disclaimer and click the empty circle to confirm your understanding:
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By submitting this form, you ("Author") consent to having your manuscript sample editorially assessed by Karen A. Parker ("Book Coach") and acknowledge that no guarantees are made as to the salability or marketability of a manuscript sample editorially assessed by the Book Coach. Author agrees that advice given by Book Coach during video calls such as coaching calls, discovery calls, and editorial feedback follow-up calls does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. For more detailed and specific matters, Author should contact suitable professionals.
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