About

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
Maya Angelou

If you’re here, chances are you know what it feels like.

The story that won’t leave you alone. The characters who tap on your shoulder at inconvenient hours.
The draft that’s alive in your head but messy on the page.

You’ve put in the hours, studied the craft, maybe even written a few drafts. But somewhere between idea and finished novel, doubt crept in.

Maybe you’re stuck in the weeds. Maybe you’re searching for your voice or confidence. Maybe you’ve started to wonder if you’ll ever get this story done.

That’s where I come in.

Hi, I’m Karmen H. Spiljak

Award-winning author. Developmental editor. Author Accelerator-certified book coach for fiction and a contributor to Jane Friedman’d blog. Also: structure nerd with a soft spot for flawed characters and haunting stories.

I created Story Allegiance for writers like you, ambitious, thoughtful, and maybe a little overwhelmed. Writers who want their stories to mean something, without losing the thrill of a cracking good plot.

Jorge Luis Borges once said that art is fire plus algebra. Fire drives us to tell stories. Algebra makes them work.

If you’ve got the fire, I’ll bring the algebra.

From Doubt to Done: Your Quiet Revolution

Writing a novel isn’t about rigid formulas or soulless checklists. It’s about transformation, the story’s, and yours.

Together, we’ll:

Clarify what your story is really about (and why it matters).
Shape a strong emotional spine that holds through the messy middle.
Identify what’s working, what isn’t, and how to revise with intent.
Build your confidence alongside your craft, so finishing feels possible again.

No guesswork. No endless circling. Just clear, compassionate guidance that moves you from doubt to done.

You might be my kind of writer if…

You’re done treating writing like a secret hobby or an impossible dream.
You crave stories that are character-driven, genre-bending, or delightfully hard to label.
You doubt yourself more than you care to admit, but you’re ready to trust your voice.
You want feedback that’s honest, empowering, and rooted in your vision, not someone else’s rules.
You believe the world is better without cruelty or bigotry, and want your stories to reflect that without preaching.
You’ve been burned by critique groups that miss the point or strip out your spark.
You want structure without formulas

And let’s be honest, probably not a fit if…

Your story promotes hate, cruelty to animals, or bigotry.
You’re writing gore-soaked slashers, body-count epics, or erotica.
You’re only here for compliments, not growth.
You’re unwilling to revise deeply or explore the messy, magical heart of your story.

What you’ll find here

A coach who understands both the art and the algebra of story.
A structured, compassionate process to take you from murky manuscript to pitch-ready draft.
A safe space where your confidence can grow alongside your story.
A creative ally who can hold your big vision and your messy middle.

I believe stories can change lives. If you’re ready to stop circling and honour your creative spark, I’ve got your back.