About More to the Story

We need a safe and supportive space for telling true stories.

Join this group of nonfiction authors to learn how serious and dedicated writers find their voice, tell their story, and finish their book.

Our members freely share the strategies that are working for us.

We talk about the solutions we have found for balancing all the demands of our busy lives with our creative work, our heart’s work. We talk about how we find the time—no, *make* the time for our writing and book project. We celebrate each other’s wins and encourage each other when we need a kick in the pants.

We know what it’s like to feel like you’re spinning your wheels.

Never finding enough time to write.
Never making enough progress on the manuscript.
Never knowing whether anyone will care.
Never feeling like you’ll ever finish writing your book.

Even though you know you have a story inside & the writing chops to tell it.

Learn how other authors break this cycle and be supported by a community of smart and serious writers who are focused on getting their manuscript done, just like you.

We don’t whine. We don’t wallow. We are not beginners. We support each other. We have fun. We are generous. And we make progress.

Who Is This For?

More to the Story is for you if you are . . .

A serious and experienced writer. You may not necessarily be published, but you are not a beginner at the craft of writing.
Writing nonfiction incorporating personal story. Your work may not necessarily be memoir—all kinds of nonfiction incorporates personal story.
Struggle to find the time for your writing. Who doesn’t?
Unsure of the direction to take with your manuscript. Sometimes all you need is a place to bounce around ideas.
Looking for support and community with all of the above.

Writing can be isolating, especially when you are working through some difficult personal material. That’s why it’s important to be connected with a community of like-minded people who know what you’re trying to accomplish and understand what you're going through. You will feel better and see progress much faster when you surround yourself with others who will support you along the way.

Why You Should Join

More to the Story is an online community for experienced nonfiction authors. It’s a safe space where authors writing personal stories can connect with others on the same journey. It’s a place to share your struggles and victories, ask questions to inform your process, and find encouragement and support when you feel stuck or stifled with your writing.

It’s a private place away from ads and distraction of other social media platforms where you'll get access to:

👯‍♀️ A community of supportive women writers

👩🏽‍💻 At least 4 intensive workshops per year with well-known authors and industry experts

📚 Bi-monthly book club

✍🏼 Bi-weekly community writing sessions

📝 Option to join our year-long Nonfiction Bootcamp program (additional investment)

About Us

We believe in telling stories without shame.

Our philosophy is as much about connection, community, and healing as it is about the writing itself. All of this adds up to a safe space designed especially for nonfiction authors to connect with others writing and sharing personal stories. More to the Story is run by partners and principal editors Janna Marlies Maron and Karen Beattie.

Janna Marlies Maron

Hey there, I’m Janna Maron and I believe in the healing power of personal storytelling. It’s what prompted me to start Under the Gum Tree back in 2011, and it is the thing that compels me to not only tell my personal story but also to foster safe spaces for writers to write, share, and find support for the story they have to tell.

The official bio: Janna Marlies Maron is a professional editor with more than 20 years of experience helping writers to complete their projects and produce the best work possible. Her experience includes time as a magazine editor, college professor, agency editorial director, and content director for a popular internet brand. She has worked on a number of book projects from self-published Amazon bestsellers to traditionally published New York Times bestsellers. She’s also the founding editor and publisher of Under the Gum Tree, a literary arts magazine publishing creative nonfiction and visual art.

Karen Beattie

Hi, I'm Karen and I love books. I love reading them, writing them, and I love helping other authors write them as well. There's nothing like that moment I see a spark in a writer's eyes, when she finally realizes that her story has value and that the world needs to hear her voice. I believe that writing our stories with confidence and integrity can transform us, and help heal the world.

The official bio: Karen is the author of two books and numerous magazine articles and essays. She received the Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers for her book, Rock-Bottom Blessings (Loyola Press). She has a master’s degree in journalism and over 20 years of experience as a magazine editor, book editor, agency writing director, and senior content manager for an online media company. She has served as a workshop leader and speaker at various writing conferences, and has a passion for helping authors find their voice and find the courage to write the story they’ve always wanted to tell.

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Welcome to More to the Story

Community & Support for Nonfiction Authors: Hone Your Craft, Share Your Experience, Finish Your Book