Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Complete a Detailed Outline and Write Two Chapters
8–16 weeks (outlining + drafting)
Develop a complete chapter-by-chapter outline of the book: every chapter titled, one paragraph describing the argument or content of each chapter, and a word count target per chapter. Write two complete draft chapters. The outline should make clear what the book's central argument is and why each chapter contributes to it.
Proof required
Submit: a complete chapter-by-chapter outline (title + one-paragraph description + word count target for every chapter); and two complete draft chapters totalling at least 5,000 words. Include a one-paragraph statement of the book's central argument.
What gets checked
- Every chapter has a title, a one-paragraph description, and a word count target — not a list of chapter titles only
- Two complete draft chapters total at least 5,000 words
- The central argument statement is specific — what the book argues or proves, not just what it covers
Common mistakes
- Starting to write without a complete outline — books abandoned in the middle almost always lack a structural plan
- Outline that lists topics without stating the argument each chapter makes — a book without an argument is a collection of essays
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Is every chapter described with title, one-paragraph description, and word count target?
- Do the two draft chapters total at least 5,000 words?
- Is the central argument specific — what the book argues, not just what it covers?
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Complete the Full First Draft
6–18 months (dependent on book length and writing pace)
Write the complete first draft of the book — all chapters, in order. The draft does not need to be polished but must be complete: every chapter written to its target word count. First drafts are supposed to be imperfect. The goal is a complete manuscript, not a finished book.
Proof required
Submit: the complete first draft as a single document (PDF or DOCX); a word count breakdown by chapter; and a 150-word reflection on what the process of completing the draft taught you — specifically what changed in your thinking between chapter 1 and the final chapter.
What gets checked
- All chapters are drafted — not just the first and last with placeholders in between
- Word count breakdown is provided by chapter
- Reflection identifies something specific that changed in thinking across the draft — not 'I learned a lot'
Common mistakes
- Revising earlier chapters instead of pressing forward to complete the draft — a complete imperfect draft is more useful than an incomplete polished one
- Draft that is substantially shorter than the word count targets set in the outline — a 'complete draft' that is 40% of the target is not complete
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Is every chapter present in the document — no placeholder or 'TBD' sections?
- Is the word count breakdown provided by chapter?
- Read the reflection: does it identify something specific that changed in thinking across the draft?
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Publish or Share the Manuscript for External Feedback
4–8 weeks (sharing and feedback collection)
Share the completed manuscript with at least three readers who are not close friends or family and collect structured written feedback. Readers should be people who have a genuine interest in the book's subject. Document the feedback and write a 300-word response explaining what revisions the feedback prompted and what you would not change despite the feedback.
Proof required
Submit: a link to or excerpt from the manuscript (at least 10,000 words accessible to readers); evidence of sharing with at least three external readers; at least three written feedback responses that are specific; and a 300-word response covering what revisions the feedback prompted and what you are keeping despite any objections.
What gets checked
- Feedback is from at least three readers outside the candidate's immediate personal circle
- Each feedback response is specific — not 'I really enjoyed it' but specific observations about argument, structure, or evidence
- Response identifies revisions prompted AND defends what is being kept — both are required
Common mistakes
- Sharing only with people who are guaranteed to respond positively — external feedback is useful only if it is honest
- Response that capitulates to all feedback without defending any authorial choices
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Are the three feedback responses from readers outside the candidate's immediate personal circle?
- Are feedback responses specific — not generic praise?
- Does the response document both revisions prompted AND authorial choices defended?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
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