PLEASE REVIEW AND SIGN THE AGREEMENT BELOW

This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made between Elizabeth (Libby) Baker, owner of The Story Guide (“Coach”), and the undersigned (“Client”). Coach’s services shall be rendered, if at all, in connection with The Story Guide’s One-On-One Story Guidance (“The Program”), defined below.
  1. Scope of Services 
    a. The Program
    Story Guide’s One-on-One Story Guidance is designed to keep the Client on track from start to finish with their writing project(s). The Client’s work with the Coach may help save the Client money, time, and frustration, and in some cases, can be deducted as a professional business expense. The goal of this Program is to get the book out of the Client's head and onto paper to the best of the Client’s ability, and/or develop a manuscript ready for potential publication, submission to literary agents and publishers, or self-publishing. The work may include:
    • Defining the scope of the project. 
    • Organizing and mapping out the process and materials needed for the project. 
    • Establish accountability benchmarks according to the Client’s schedule and work style. 
    • Working through emotional challenges with the Client’s materials and/or goals. 
    • Discussing the technical aspects of the Client’s project. 
    • Determining the potential market(s) for your book. 
    • Brainstorming title options. 
    • Producing a manuscript ready for publication or submission to literary agents and publishers. 
    • The Program includes: 
      • Weekly assignments and deadlines to develop focus and accountability. 
      • A custom curriculum designed specifically for the Client that includes writing exercises, hand-selected readings, and resources specific to the Client's story and writing needs.
      • Evaluation of up to 20 pages per calendar month.
      • The Coach may also be available and make reasonable efforts for additional coaching sessions, per Client’s request, on a prorated basis rate of $67/60-minute Zoom session.
      • All coaching packages have a fixed term and will expire at the end of the agreed-upon duration, regardless of Client activity. For packages that do not include live sessions, “activity” is defined as submitting assignments, engaging in feedback exchanges, or utilizing any program features available during the term. If the Client becomes inactive—meaning they do not make use of the program components—the package will still expire on the original end date unless an extension is agreed upon in writing by both parties.
    b. The Process
      • Assignments are typically issued weekly, with deadlines to support accountability. Feedback will be returned via email. Communication will occur primarily through email, and the Client is responsible for maintaining regular engagement throughout the duration of the program.
      • To ensure that the Client achieves the most reasonable impact for the Client’s efforts, and yet has the flexibility to proceed at the Client’s own speed, the Client and The Story Guide generally will work on a month-to-month basis. 
      • Fees include time spent editing and preparing written materials (MS Word, or google docs), market research, and other services that will support the Client in moving forward quickly and easily on the Client’s writing project.
    c. Technology
      • Work will be shared via email or within the Client’s Google Drive folder, provided by the Coach. No Zoom sessions are included in this package. 
      • It is the responsibility of the Client to use the required platforms (Google Docs, email) or to communicate with the Coach to find reasonable alternatives. 
      • The Coach is not responsible if any of the required software is unavailable, and reasonable attempts will be made to provide a solution.
    d. Coaching Overview
      • Coaching is a partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to reasonably maximize personal and/or reasonable professional potential. This partnership facilitates the creation/development of personal and/or professional writing goals and to develop and implement a reasonable strategy/plan for achieving those goals. The Story Guide will personalize your coaching to you.
    e. Coach-Client Relationship
      • i.Coach agrees to maintain the ethics and standards of behavior established by the International Coach Federation "(ICF)" (Coachfederation.org/ethics). It is recommended that the Client review the ICF Code of Ethics and the applicable standards of behavior.
      • Client is solely responsible for creating and implementing his/her/their own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions, and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship and his/her coaching calls and interactions with the Coach. The Client agrees the Coach is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services defined herein and provided by the Coach. Client understands coaching is not therapy and does not substitute for therapy if needed, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease.
      • The Client understands that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, the Client will communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance, and create the time and energy to take part fully in the program.
      • Client further acknowledges that he/she/they may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship, in writing, at any time.
      • The Coach reserves the right to end this coaching relationship, or suggest that it be paused for any reason if the Coach feels the Client cannot invest in the required work and would benefit from the additional time.
2. Disclaimer 
A. The Client owns the Client’s writing goals. The purpose of coaching is to facilitate reasonably the Client’s progress toward those goals. The Story Guide does not guarantee or warrant that such coaching will work for the Client in the Client’s particular circumstances. 
B. The Program does not guarantee 
    • an agent, publisher, book deal, or notoriety. 
    • monetary compensation or sale of the project. 
    • completion at any stage of the project.
3. Payment
a. The fee for services outlined in this agreement is $327.00 USD per calendar month, payable in advance via Stripe. Coaching is available in 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month packages.
b. If rates change before this agreement has been signed and dated, the prevailing rates will apply.

4. Refunds, Rescheduling & Forfeitures
a. Payment must be made in advance of work and is non-refundable.
b. There are no live meetings in this version of the Program, so no rescheduling or cancellation of sessions applies.
c. Either the Client or the Coach may terminate this Agreement with written notice 24 hours before the next billing cycle. Client agrees to compensate The Story Guide for all coaching services rendered through and including the effective date of termination of the coaching relationship.

5. Client responsibility
a. The Client agrees to complete all actions or assignments to which the Client has committed in each coaching session. If the Client cannot complete actions and assignments, the Client will notify The Story Guide via email as soon as possible.
b. The Client understands that progress depends largely on their effort, engagement, and completion of agreed-upon assignments.
c. Assignments should be emailed to Libby@the-story-guide.com or uploaded to the Client’s Google Drive Folder at the assigned due date. The Coach will respond with feedback within 24 hours of the coaching session so that the Client may prepare for the session.

6. Permissions
a. By signing this contract, the Client grants permission for The Story Guide to use their name, likeness, or book cover in marketing materials, on a case-by-case basis, with prior written approval.
b. Intellectual property of The Program is owned by The Story Guide, and the Client agrees they are for personal use only, in its current form.

7. Confidentiality 
a. Any information shared with The Story Guide is treated with the utmost confidentiality. Depending on the type of project, the Client may share personal information with the Coach. This information will never be disclosed to any third party, barring a court order. All written materials sent by mail or email fall under the Client’s copyright and will never be used, published, or shared without the Client’s consent.
b. The Coach is a work-for-hire and has no claim on the rights to the Client's story.
c. While the Coach-Client relationship is not protected under legal privilege (as with attorney-client or therapist-client relationships), the Coach agrees to maintain strict confidentiality as outlined. The Coach agrees not to disclose any information pertaining to the Client without the Client’s written consent. Confidential information does not include information that:
    • is in the Coach’s possession prior to its being furnished by the Client
    • is generally known to the public or in the Client’s industry
    • is obtained by the Coach from a third party, without breach of any obligation to the Client
    • is independently developed by the Coach without the use of or reference to the Client’s confidential information; or
    • the Coach is required by statute, lawfully issued subpoena, or by court order to disclose
    • is disclosed to the Coach and as a result of such disclosure, the Coach reasonably believes there to be an imminent or likely risk of danger or harm to the Client or others; and
    • involves illegal activity.
8. Indemnity / Limitation of Liability
a. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Coach makes no guarantees, representations, or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, including but not limited to any guarantee of outcome or results, with respect to the coaching services. In no event shall the Coach be liable to the Client for any indirect, consequential, special, and/or punitive damages. Notwithstanding any damages that the Client may incur, the Coach’s entire liability under this Agreement, and the Client’s exclusive remedy, shall be limited to the amount actually paid by the Client to the Coach under this Agreement for all coaching services rendered through and including the termination date.
b. This document reflects the entire agreement between the Coach and the Client and reflects a complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter. This Agreement supersedes all prior written and oral representations. The Agreement may not be amended, altered, or supplemented except in writing signed by both the Coach and the Client. 
c. If a dispute arises out of this Agreement that cannot be resolved by mutual consent, the Client and Coach agree to attempt to mediate in good faith for up to 30 days after the notice is given. If the dispute is not so resolved, and in the event of legal action, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover attorney’s fees and court costs from the other party.
d. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If the Court finds that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
e. The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this contract shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that party's right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every provision of this Agreement.
f. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any conflicts of laws provisions.
g. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permissible assigns. 

© Libby Baker, Story Guide, 2025

The Client hereby retains The Story Guide as a coach for the purpose of providing guidance with respect to the Client’s creative writing under the program described and outlined above.


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