Is anyone familiar with this program? It's extremely pricy, but looks as though it would be worth it if one is selected for it and able to sell a lung or something before the first payment is due. . .
Welcome to the forum!
How did you hear about Story Mastermind? If it was through something like a promoted post/tweet on social media then you should be quite apprehensive. There are tons of people who do "master classes" online who aren't experts in in the subject matter and all you're getting is a very expensive Coursera class.
Writing retreats/workshops can cost thousands of dollars but you're getting room/board, too, and the teachers are brought to that location as well. But if this is all remote/over Zoom, then there's no reason for the cost to be that high. The "team" has one writer and 3 editors, so is this really "I'm going to tell you what you need to edit" or "I'm going to teach you how to write?" But the fact that this is over 6 months makes the price a little more manageable. It's still Quite A Lot of money, though.
"Beware people hawking editing services online" is generally good and sensible advice, but fwiw, Mary Kole is a well-respected, credentialed, and experienced editor in kidlit.
I can't answer whether or not the money's worth it for the OP, but there's nothing to fear about legitimacy in this particular case.
I like talktidy's advice - and I'd add that it might be worth starting the writing at once, rather than procrastinating. Quitting your job in order to write a book is a huge step, and suggests you have a book in mind? I'd dive straight in to writing it, while it's fresh - even if it's just note form to start with.I just quit my job to write a book