I get it - writing can be intimidating!

So many questions end with nothing actually being started.

"How do I start?"

"Where do I start?"

"What if no one wants to read it?"

"I have so many ideas - which one do I go with?"

No drafts, no lines, no progress.  No book.

Meet Your Editor/Instructor

Nikki Auberkett

Developmental Editor/Cultural Anthropologist

For over 15 years, Nikki has helped new writers and aspiring authors in both fiction and non-fiction not only perfect their drafts via traditional editing, but truly understand how storytelling can be an incredible vehicle for sharing language, culture, and history. Her own debut novel, Prax, was an Amazon overnight bestseller and a finalist in the international Page Turner Books Awards. She is also a proud member of the International Association for Professional Writers and Editors.

Somewhere, out there, is an old computer with all my unfinished books.

"I have a story idea" was the phrase that made all my friends groan.

Not because I'm a bad writer - quite the opposite (#humblebrag) - but because I never finished a single manuscript.

I struggled with world-building.

I struggled with character development.

I struggled with self-doubt.

And then I became a Cultural Anthropologist.

I specialized in folklore, discovering different ways people preserve memory through storytelling.

I researched ancient texts and observed modern forms of oral tradition, and found that no matter how much time passes, we tend to adhere to certain patterns.

I took my years of writing and editing and tested these theories against the structural principles of fiction novels.

And it worked!

This is why I created

Mind to Manuscript 

Imagine if you could turn this knowledge into:

- Characters with strong story arcs.

- Settings that make sense to your reader and enrich the story.

- Villains with depth and complexities.

- Most importantly...

A solid first draft!

This course is perfect for you if:

You have a story idea itching in your mind but you're unsure where to start....

You have a Work In Progress that's hit a creative block....

You want to strengthen your world-building skills....

You have questions about dialogue, chapter formations, paragraph lengths, and more....

You really, really don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a Creative Writing degree or book coach (yet)....

Or you understood literally NONE of that, but you know you want to write a novel!

Mind to Manuscript

will walk you through the principles and processes of storytelling:

    1. How to get the most from this course

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Intro Questionnaire

    1. Introduction

    2. Main Characters

    3. Secondary Characters

    4. Tertiary (Supporting) Characters

    5. Mapping with a Character Tree

    6. Event Characters

    7. Naming Culture

    8. Dos and Don'ts

    9. Test Your Knowledge

    1. Introduction

    2. Motivation Versus DRIVE

    3. What is the #1 Problem Your Main Characters are Facing?

    4. What is the #1 Problem Your Secondary Characters are Facing?

    5. What is the #1 Problem the Community is Facing?

    6. What Is Your Main Message?

    7. The Priority 5 Game

    8. Overcoming Self-Doubt

    1. Introduction: The Power of Human Adaptation

    2. Debunking a Common Myth

    3. Geography's Impact on Personalities and Regional Culture

    4. The Dark Ages: Plausible Deniability & Cultural Relativity

    5. Where Does Your Main Character Live?

    6. Where is That Home Located?

    7. Who Are the People There?

    8. Weather's Impact on Structures

    9. Outsourcing Labor & the Cultural Impact

    10. Environmental Impact on Language

    11. A Note on Religion and Spirituality

    1. Introduction to Protagonists/Antagonists

    2. The 3 Types of Antagonists

    3. Genuinely Evil

    4. External Conflict/Concepts

    5. Challenge Your Protagonists

    1. Choosing a Perspective

    2. Past vs Present Tense

    3. Chapters & Paragraphs

    4. Show vs Tell

    5. Editor's Nightmares

About this course

  • 45 lessons
  • 6 hours of video content
  • Printable/Editable Worksheets

PLUS :

  • 50% OFF Novel Assessment

    (Originally $350)

Get hands-on guidance from The Editor authors trust

“Mind to Manuscript was a life-saver for me. I was already finished with the first draft of my manuscript when I joined, but Nikki's lessons took my story and characters to a whole new level. Because of her extensive background in anthropology, Nikki has so much insight on characters, forming their back story, and locations unlike any other developmental editor I've found. I keep going back to her teaching, enriching my story more each time. I highly recommend this course and any service Nikki offers!”

Kristy Lynae Moore

“Nikki Auberkett’s Mind to Manuscript course was like a book I didn’t want to put down. After the first day, I realized my life, and my business was forever changed. I suddenly understood what my business had been missing: a compelling story, with a clear message..... Nikki knocked M2M out of the ballpark. She so far exceeded the majority of course creators in terms of quality & clarity, that she’s become one of my 'secondary main characters' when it comes to developing my courses & telling my business’ story.”

Stephanie Sage

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If I don't want to continue, can I get a refund?

    Due to the digital service nature (and intellectual property) of this program, no refunds will be issued after enrollment. Please always feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, or concerns! We're happy to coordinate with you to ensure you get the best experience possible.

  • Will I have a complete manuscript at the end of this course?

    That all depends on how much and how fast you write! The goal of this course is to significantly jumpstart your manuscript, as well as provide support and guidance throughout your writing process. When worked on consistently, a full novel manuscript can be completed between 6 months to a year - which is the primary reason that Mind to Manuscript is a lifetime membership!

  • I can't make the Live Group Sessions; how will I be able to participate?

    The Bi-Weekly Live Group Sessions are designed to give you the opportunity to receive face-to-face guidance and feedback while learning from others' experiences. All questions are required to be posted in the Facebook Group or messaged privately to Nikki so they can be answered in the Live. If you know you will be unable to attend, the best way to still get your questions answered is to post them in the Facebook Group so Nikki can answer them! You may also schedule 1:1 Sessions with Nikki on request. Please note: these sessions are offered at an affordable rate, but do require a deposit to ensure attendance and compensate for the allotted time.

  • How do I know this is legit?

    Great question! Nikki has been editing for 15 years and writing for even longer, but don't just take her word for it - she's active on LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram with reviews and feedback from authors and professionals around the world. Notable accomplishments include: -Copyediting for the Irish Journal of Anthropology -Editor-in-Chief for Ius Humanum, a new publication currently in development with the United Nations Association of Chicago -Novels curated by Tala Editorial are available through Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and more! Mind to Manuscript was also featured in the 2021 Writer's Craft 3.0 collection offered by Infostack. To date, there are over 200 students enrolled, with at least 4 novels close to entering the editorial phase and many more still being written!