'There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.' -- Maya Angelou
About Us
Creativity takes bravery, commitment, passion, and time -- but the idea of chasing your passions when the demands of life are pulling you in every other direction can be overwhelming. So can denying or stifling creative expression. Many of you are walking around bearing untold stories, and what you need most is someone to take your hand and tell you to just START. This is what The Starter is about: being brave enough to begin — and finding the right people to guide you on your way. At The Starter we offer creative direction, inspiration, and support through custom mentorships and creative coaching for writers and poets. We also offer editing, manuscript consultation, translation, proofreading, and copy-editing services. An online course is in the works, too and our goal is to eventually create a community of likeminded creatives who inspire and support one another.
You don’t need experience. You just need the courage to start. Contact us today. We like answering questions!
Meet the Team
Marissa Stapley
Mentor/Editor/Creativity Coach
Marissa Stapley is an internationally bestselling author whose novels have been translated into fifteen languages and published around the world. Her latest novel, THE LAST RESORT, has been optioned for television and her fourth novel will be released in Winter 2021. Marissa has taught creative writing and editing at the University of Toronto and Centennial college and now mentors and edits the work of clients exclusively through The Starter.
Sophie Chouinard
Mentor/Editor/Creativity Coach/Translator
Sophie Chouinard is a bilingual poet, bringing over 15 years of corporate and freelance experience in creative writing, communication, translation, and coaching. A former poetry magazine masthead, she has also taught poetry workshops and mentored literary students. She now translates, edits and coaches the work of clients through The Starter. In Fall 2021 her first poetry collection and second work of Literary Translation will be released.
Our Services
Jumpstart your creativity. Jumpstart your joy.
Jumpstart your creativity. Jumpstart your joy.
Initial Consultation: $75
Monthly Plan: Starts at $400
(includes: two editorial phone or Skype calls, three hours of editorial work, and email access. )
Pay as you go
- $50/email
- $100/30 min Skype
Starts at $50/hour
Starts at $50/hour
Less than 250 words: $75 flat fee
250 words or more
- $0,25/word for poetry
- $0,20 words for screenplays
- $0,18 for other genres
Full poetry manuscripts (45 pages or more) OR Novels (200-250 pages): contact us