FIRST DRAFT.

I'll reserve my seat

a.

Issue 4 · Writing Program for Nonfiction Books

Inspiration comes from a book.She sees a trial through to the end.

In 42 days, you’ll clarify your idea, finalize your outline, and write—in the right order—between 8 and 12 chapters.

You work for 30 minutes a day, following a specific topic. I’ll read you the plan, monitor your progress, and step in when you get stuck or lose your way.

In the end, you won't just have a book in mind. You'll have a coherent outline, a clear promise to the reader, and a well-developed manuscript that you know how to continue.

Ce aud
Nu am timp să scriu și să vând în același timp.
Ce spun eu
Și eu am spus asta. De aceea programul e de 30 de minute pe zi.
  • 42 days
  • 6 weeks
  • Topics on WhatsApp, every morning
  • You can log in right now
I'm starting my first draft

Registration is now open

All participants follow the same program, receive the same assignments, and are subject to the same accountability system. The difference between the two packages is the final manuscript review.

Essential175leiValue of resources included: 1,110 leiReserve my seat · 175 lei
Complete485leiIt includes an analysis of the entire manuscript.

Value of resources included: 2,810 leiI'll choose the Complete package · 485 lei

The group started on October 1, but you can still sign up now. All the assignments have been posted in the group since day one, so you can work through them one by one and catch up at your own pace.
Pay by card and you'll receive the group link right away. I personally review every registration form.

The program is based on real-world experience, not on theories about writing

  • 1.345+authors I've worked with
  • 12years of strategy, editorial planning, and promotion
  • 1.000+participants in my writing challenges
  • $4M+generated through the projects of my clients and authors
  • 12+Published books, both fiction and nonfiction
  • Hundredsof manuscripts prepared for publication

The Real Problem

You're not short on time.You lack a clear enough direction.

After twelve years of working with manuscripts, I have seen the same situation happen hundreds of times.

As long as the book is just in your head, everything seems clear. You know what you want to write about, you know what you have to say, and you think the only thing missing is time.

It seems simple enough: I make time, sit down, and write.

Then you sit down in front of the page.

Over the next half hour, you try to decide:

  • what the book is actually about;
  • for whom you're writing it;
  • What change do you promise the reader?;
  • what should be included;
  • what should be set aside;
  • in what order the ideas come;
  • if what you write is good enough.

You try to make all these decisions at once, every day, starting from scratch all over again.

The page doesn't stay blank because you have nothing to say. It stays blank because, before you write the first sentence, you try to figure out the whole book.

That's why the people who make it to the end aren't necessarily the most inspired. They're the ones who know what to do on an ordinary Tuesday, when they're feeling neither motivated nor creative.

Inspiration can get you through the first ten pages. The rest of the book is driven by a process you can follow even on days when you’re not feeling your best.

Why does it look like this?

A little bit every day,in the right direction.

In medieval monasteries, books were not copied during marathons of inspiration.

They worked a little each day, following a simple rule. The light was dim, their hands grew tired, and a single book could take months of work to complete.

Every scriptorium also had a proofreader. He would check early on to see if the text was deviating from the original, before a mistake could spread to another fifty pages.

This is how the FIRST DRAFT is structured:

  • a clear task every day;
  • a pace that fits into real life;
  • three days to recover;
  • four stops to check the steering;
  • an editor who notices early on if you've gotten stuck or are heading in the wrong direction.

Books that stand the test of time aren't written in a single weekend, with great enthusiasm. They're built page by page, at a pace that can be sustained.

What I did with it

I took on a three-month caseand I shaped it into something that fits into your life.

My three-month courses were comprehensive and well-structured. But for many people, they were too much for the life they lead.

I know what it's like to have a hundred important things to do and just one thing you really want to do, but that you never get around to. Not because I'm lazy. Not because I'm not serious. There's simply nothing left of the day.

That's why I've broken the entire process down into small steps. Every day, you have just one decision to make and one assignment to complete. You don't have to figure out where to pick up on your own. You don't have to work through the entire book every morning.

And we've created a simple accountability system. Every day, you check off what you've done on a short form. It's not an app—you don't have to install anything, and you don't have to learn any new software.

From this, I can see where you’ve gotten to, where you’ve fallen behind, and where you need help. If you stop, I’ll notice before you completely lose your rhythm. That way, I can help you figure out what’s holding you back and find the next step.

I have invested over 50,000 euros in the training that shaped the way I work today, in addition to twelve years of working directly with manuscripts. You don’t have to pay that amount, nor do you have to wait years to find a clear direction for your book.

Thirty minutes a day for six weeks, moving in the right direction, can take you further than months of trying to figure everything out on your own.

Artificial intelligence can help you formulate a sentence. It cannot decide for you which book is worth writing, for whom you are writing it, or what should be included in it.

How It Works

You only need to sign up once.Then you have just one decision to make every day.

  1. 01

    Tell me where you're starting from

    Fill out a short form about your book idea, your target audience, and the obstacles you've faced so far. I'll personally review the form before the program begins.

  2. 02

    You get one assignment per day

    Every morning, you’ll receive a single assignment in the WhatsApp group, designed to take about 30 minutes to complete. You can do it at any time that day, and the assignments stay in the group, so you can catch up without having to ask anyone for help.

  3. 03

    We'll check what you've built

    On days 7, 14, 21, and 42, we pause to review the concrete results:

    • the book's contents and what it promises;
    • the chapters that have been written;
    • the things that are missing;
    • the condition of the manuscript.
  4. 04

    You get help before a tough day turns into a wasted week

    If you get stuck, I'll notice and help you figure out why. You won't be graded, and you won't be judged. The goal is to make sure you're not alone right when it's hardest for you to keep going.

The 42 Days

You don't just learn about books.You're working on your book.

The program lasts six weeks: 39 days of writing and three days of catch-up, intentionally scheduled into the calendar. You work for about 30 minutes a day, including the time needed to read the assignment.

The goal of the program is to write 8–12 chapters. How far you get depends on the length of the book and where you start.

  1. 01

    The Right BookDays 1–6

    Choose the reader you’re writing for and clarify the change you want to bring about for them. Come up with a working title, get all your ideas out of your head, group them, and arrange them in a logical order.

    At the end of this stage, you have:

    • a well-defined audience;
    • a clear promise;
    • The book's initial structure.
  2. 02

    First checkDay 7

    We’ll review the table of contents and the book’s premise. We’ll confirm the direction before you invest the next five weeks in a manuscript that doesn’t take you where you want to go. You’ll receive my feedback in writing.

  3. 03

    The beginning of the manuscriptDays 8–13

    Start with the chapter that’s easiest for you to write. Write the first chapter, then another one. Weave your story and your experiences into the manuscript. Then comes the first day of recovery.

  4. 04

    Second checkDay 14

    We count the chapters and the number of words written. You can see in black and white what you've accomplished in the first two weeks and what needs to be adjusted.

  5. 05

    The Heart of the BookDays 15–20

    Develop your main arguments. Include evidence, examples, and steps the reader can follow. Address any objections, and reread the content from the perspective of someone encountering your ideas for the first time.

  6. 06

    The third checkDay 21

    We're making a list of what's missing. From now on, we won't add any unnecessary ideas. We'll fill in what's needed to make the manuscript coherent.

  7. 07

    What have you put off or avoided?Days 22–41

    Write the remaining chapters and fill in the parts you skipped. You're working on:

    • the missing chapters;
    • an introduction, written after you know what the book contains;
    • conclusion;
    • About the Author page;
    • dedication;
    • the most significant omission in the manuscript.

    This period also includes the other two make-up days.

  8. 08

    Assembly and DeliveryDay 42

    Compile the entire manuscript into a single file. If you chose the Complete package, this is when you send it to me for review.

Select the Essential package · 175 leiI'll choose the Complete package · 485 lei

Three times we stop and look at the real traffic jam

The deadlock isn't always resolvedwith one more lesson.

Three times throughout the program, we’ll take a break from writing and look at what’s holding you back from continuing.

The first time, we grapple with perfectionism and the fear that the idea isn’t good enough. The second time, we deal with the jumble of ideas, losing our direction, and falling out of rhythm. Finally, we deal with the fear of finishing the manuscript, of letting it be seen, and with the thought that „it’s still not good enough.”.

We'll break through every roadblock and identify the next concrete step so you can get back to your manuscript.

Andreea Elena Halikias, content editor and marketing strategist

Who coordinates the program?

Andreea Elena Halikias.

  • Structural Editor
  • Marketing Strategist
  • 12 years of experience
  • More than 1,345 authors
  • More than 12 published books

I work with manuscripts, not with theories about writing. I’ve seen firsthand what holds people back. Most of the time, it’s not a lack of talent. It’s the sheer number of decisions they’re trying to make all at once, day after day.

PRIMUL DRAFT has already had three editions. This is the first edition to feature a daily accountability system and the first one I coordinate on a daily basis. I review the forms, I track progress, and I step in when someone gets stuck.

You are the one writing the book. Your voice, your ideas, and your experience remain your own. I provide the structure, insights, and process you need to move forward.

Where are you now, and where can you go?

In the end, the book no longer existsonly in your mind.

Next

  • You want to write a book based on your own experiences, but you don't know where to start.
  • You're not sure if your idea can fill an entire book. Or maybe you have too many ideas and can't decide on just one.
  • You have notes, recordings, and chapters scattered across multiple files.
  • You've started a few times and stopped at the same place every time.
  • You sit down to write, but you don't know what to do next.

After

  • You have the table of contents and the book's description, which I have confirmed in writing.
  • You have a clearly defined audience, and you know what might change for them after they read your book.
  • You have a well-developed manuscript and six weeks of writing behind you.
  • You have a routine that you can continue even after the program ends.
  • You know exactly what you need to do the next time you sit down with the manuscript.

How far you get depends on your book, its length, and where you start from. I can’t promise you a specific number of pages. It wouldn’t be fair to make such a promise before I know more about your project.

I do promise you, however, a clear direction, a process you can follow, and a manuscript you’ve worked on for 39 days.

What the people I've worked with say

The First ChangeIt is clarity.

„Would you like to have a compass to guide you through the chaos of ideas, giving you clarity, structure, and the confidence that you can turn your story into reality? You’ve just found it.”

Daniela · participant

„Have you been dreaming of writing a book for years, but didn’t know where to start? This program provides you with the process you need and a clear system that brings clarity and order to your thousands of scattered thoughts.”

Oana Julean · participant

„A creative process that helps you ask questions, find answers, and discover new ways to approach your story.”

Anca Miculit · participant

„I never imagined that someone could guide me, in such a short time, toward my next book. I feel challenged to bring out what I didn’t think existed within me.”

Daciana A. · participant

„Working with Andreea helped me gain clarity about my target audience and the course I should create.”

Florin Pasat · Bestselling Author and Mentor

„With Andreea’s help, we turned a vague business idea into a name with a clear message.”

Kevin Judge · Author and ICF-Certified Coach

Packages

The same challenge.Two levels of support.

The Essential Package

175lei
  • an individual, written analysis of the book's concept and outline 250 lei
  • all 42 topics and the accountability system 390 lei
  • the three sessions on roadblocks, with recordings 120 lei
  • The Complete Guide to Independent and Profitable Publishing in Romania, 2026 Edition 197 lei
  • One month of Premium access to the Authors' Business School, my library of resources for authors 153 lei
  • the group of participants and the answers to the questions
  • Digital Planner for Authors

Total value of the resources included: 1,110 lei. The price of this edition: 175 lei.

Select the Essential package · 175 lei

The Complete Package

485lei

For those who would also like a detailed analysis of the manuscript, at the end of the program.

  • everything included in the Essential package 1,110 lei
  • a comprehensive analysis of the book 1,200 lei
  • Intensive Course: „Book Launch from A to Z” 500 lei

After day 42, send me your manuscript. Within ten days at the latest, you’ll receive an 8–12-page document in which I’ll show you what works and why, what strengths are worth building on, what needs improvement, in what order I recommend you make the changes, and what risks and opportunities the manuscript presents upon publication.

Total value of the resources included: 2,810 lei. The price of this edition: 485 lei.

I'll choose the Complete package · 485 lei

Cum vorbesc despre asta

Varianta 1 / Varianta 2

Varianta 1 — cum ar fi să apăs pe răni.Varianta 2 — cum ar fi să fim oameni.

Varianta 1Locuri limitate! Grăbește-te, se umple!
Varianta 2Sunt puține locuri pentru că atâtea manuscrise pot citi eu.
Varianta 1Transformă-ți complet viața în 30 de zile!
Varianta 2În 42 de zile ai un cuprins coerent și între 8 și 12 capitole scrise. Atât promit.
Varianta 1Nu rata această oportunitate unică!
Varianta 2Mai e o ediție după asta. Dacă acum nu e momentul, nu e.
Varianta 1Investește în tine! Meriți!
Varianta 2Costă 175 de lei. Dacă merită, hotărăști tu.

Sincerity

Anyone for whom the schedule doesn't work.

FIRST DRAFT is designed for nonfiction books based on your own experience and expertise. If you're writing fiction or a children's book, this isn't the right program for you.

If you want someone else to write the book for you, I'm not the person you're looking for. If you want a computer-generated manuscript, there are cheaper tools available.

If you can't set aside even 30 minutes a day for the next six weeks, you're better off waiting for the next session. There's no point in paying for assignments you won't be able to complete.

Also, if you expect your first manuscript to look like a published book ready for printing, you'll be disappointed. The first draft isn't perfect. Nobody's is. That's exactly why it's called the first draft.

Who benefits from it?.

This program is useful if:

  • You have an idea and you're not sure if it can be turned into a book;
  • You have too many ideas and don't know which one to choose;
  • you have scattered notes, recordings, or chapters;
  • You started writing and then stopped;
  • Do you want this book to promote a business, a message, or your professional reputation?.

It's useful even if:

  • You haven't written anything since high school;
  • you have no idea where to start;
  • you don't have a business built around your experience;
  • You've never written more than one post.

I'll provide the structure, direction, and feedback. You'll contribute your experience and day-to-day work.

It won't always be easy. That's exactly why it's called a challenge: you'll have to change your habits and overcome the obstacles that have held you back until now. The difference is that, this time, you won't be doing it alone, and you won't have to guess your way through it.

Practical Questions

Just so you knowwhat you're signing up for.

The group has already started. Is there still any point in joining now?

Yes. All the assignments stay in the group from day one, so when you join, you have them all and can work through them at your own pace. The program includes three catch-up days intentionally scheduled in the calendar, and from the daily form, I can see exactly where you’re at and help you get back on track. You’ll receive feedback on your idea and plan just like everyone else, and if you have the Complete package, the manuscript review happens when you’re done, not on a set date.

Do I have to start from scratch?

No. You can come with an idea, a few notes, an outline, or even some chapters you've already written. The registration form will show me where you're starting from.

Will I finish the first draft in six weeks?

I can’t promise a specific number of pages until I’ve reviewed your project. By the end, you’ll have a book outline approved by me and a manuscript you’ve worked on over the course of 39 days, spread out over six weeks. The goal of the program is to write 8–12 chapters. The exact result depends on the length of the book and where you’re starting from.

How much time should I set aside each day?

About 30 minutes, including reading the assignment. On days set aside for decision-making, you may finish sooner. You also have three recovery days, intentionally built into the schedule.

Do I need to be available at a specific time?

No. The assignment is posted in the morning in the WhatsApp group. You can work on it at any time that day, and the assignments stay in the group.

What happens if I miss a day?

Check the „I’ll make it up” option and continue. One missed day doesn’t have to throw off the rest of your schedule. You can always go back to a previous day’s topic and complete it.

Can you tell if they're falling behind?

Yes, on purpose. You don't get grades, and you aren't judged. I want to be able to notice if you've stopped and ask you what happened before a whole week goes by.

Do you read my manuscript every day?

No. With both packages, you receive an individual analysis of your book idea and outline. Throughout the program, I’ll track your progress and help you when you run into roadblocks. A complete manuscript analysis is included only in the Complete package.

I write fiction or a children's book. Is this right for me?

No. FIRST DRAFT is designed for nonfiction books that draw on the author’s experience and expertise. The prompts, daily tasks, and checks are specifically tailored for this type of book. If you’re writing fiction or children’s literature, it’s better to wait for a suitable program than to force this structure onto your manuscript.

How is this edition different?

PRIMUL DRAFT has already had three editions. This is the first edition to feature a daily accountability system and the first one I coordinate on a daily basis. I review the forms, I track progress, and I step in when someone gets stuck.

Select the Essential package · 175 leiI'll choose the Complete package · 485 lei

The group has already started. You can still join.

Otherwise, another year might go byin which the book remains merely an intention.

At first glance, it seems like you still have time. But things don't just sort themselves out on their own. A year from now, you might still have the same idea for a book—but one year less patience for it.

Set aside 30 minutes a day, for six weeks.

I'll provide the structure, direction, and feedback. You'll bring the experience that only you can turn into a book.

Essential175leiValue of resources included: 1,110 leiI'm starting my first draft · 175 lei
Complete485leiIt includes a comprehensive analysis of the manuscript.

Value of resources included: 2,810 leiI'll choose the Complete package · 485 lei

You can sign up right now. You'll receive all the assignments starting on the first day and work through them at your own pace.

Nothing to installYou check off items daily on a short form. No account, no password, no apps.
Themes on WhatsAppYou receive them in the morning, as a group, and they stay there so you can catch up.
Three days of recoveryThey're intentionally included in the schedule so you can get back into the swing of things.

Starting at 175 leiI'll reserve my seat