Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I'm not a 'writer' so how do you write my book?
A: Well the process can and has gone any number of ways but they all share a few things in common. We talk about what you want to achieve, what you want the book to say, how you want to affect readers. Inspire them? Teach them? Entertain them? What's your ideal 'end result?'
We brainstorm about ways of doing that until we come up with a plan.
At some point I will have to interview you and record your answers for the transcripts. It's a great place to start. This can be done over the phone , via Skype or various kinds of conference call programs on the web. Worse case scneario you record from your computer or phone, it's easy and then I work from there. I find from experience that interaction is better. I draw more out of people since I know what I'm looking for. There are certain things I need to know to create ambiance, to establish set and setting, to structure the elements for the desired effect. But I've worked from 'cold tapes' of a guy telling his story into a microphone as well.
It take the transcripts, my notes, our conversations, I take all these raw thoughts and observations turn them into 'story.' A story that we've 'agreed' to tell a certian way to elicit a certin response from readers.
Every 50-150 pages I turn it over for you to go hmmmm. Let's...and then we made improvements as needed until we get things just right. We do this over and over again until the story is told. 200- 300 pages or more like 100- 150 pages? That depends on what you want.
These are ways I've done it before. I find each collaboration takes it's course based on the person/ people I'm working with. If they have time or interest, or if they just want to see the end...if they have hard and fast images of what they want or if they're open...
I hope that helps. If you like we can make an appointment for a call...no strings.
Q: What do you do?
A: I provide oversight for your manuscript before you present it to prospective agents or publisher or before you send it to your self-publisher to be printed. Another name for the kind of thing I do is writing coach, or book doctor; sometimes ghostwriter. The name ghostwriter refers to the fact that the work done is confidential. Many, many writing projects you see commercially have been aided by the work of a ghostwriter or revision specialist. Some estimates suggest that up to 70% of the work on the New York Times Best Seller List has benefited from the oversight or contribution of a professional writer, experienced in the book development process. Ghostwriters and revision specialists get paid to not get famous. We get paid to stay in the background.
Personally I have a flexible range of how much or little I contribute to your project. My optimum suggestions will be discussed in your INITIAL MANUSCRIPT REPORT.
Q: How does it work?
A: The first thing you do is contact me via e-mail and request 'manuscript evaluation' in the subject line. It's a test to see if you're serious or just shopping. I will contact you to schedule your MANUSCRIPT REVIEW. I bill you through Paypal and you send me your manuscript for review. I provide you with a detailed MANUSCRIPT REPORT including some sample ‘fixed’ pages of your draft so you can understand my review comments.
The Paypal transaction is on-going once I receive your manuscript for review. Should you choose me to do the work for you, your MANUSCRIPT REVIEW fees will be deducted from your total project cost for any editing, revision, or re-writing services.
Q: Do I have to pay up front?
A: The Paypal transaction is on-going once I receive your manuscript for review. This is a diagnostic service that is a must before any editing, revision, rewriting, or reconstruction of any manuscript.
I provide the objective, instructional information you need to revise and fully prepare your manuscript yourself should you so choose.
I'll also be letting you know my fees should you choose me to do the work for you. The MANUSCRIPT REVIEW fees will be deducted from your total project cost for any editing, revision, or re-writing services you opt to pursue with me.
If you choose to do the work yourself or hire someone else the fee for the MANUSCRIPT REVIEW is 99 cents per A4 *
Q: How do I pay?
A: Convenient billing and payment through Paypal. Those who adore bureaucracy may opt to enroll in Elance and invite me as a provider for their project.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: The initial MANUSCRIPT REVIEW is a flat rate of 99 cents per (A4- 12pt. standard font, 1 inch margins and double spacing) page. The Paypal transaction is on-going once I receive your manuscript for review. Should you choose me to do the any editing, revision, or re-writing work for you the MANUSCRIPT REVIEW fees will be deducted from your total project cost.
The purpose of the MANUSCRIPT REVIEW is to help me determine if your manuscript can use improvement and offer suggestions on how to accomplish those improvements. The initial MANUSCRIPT REVIEW offers objective, and instructional information you need to revise and fully prepare your manuscript yourself should you so choose.
If you choose to do the work yourself or hire someone else the fee for the MANUSCRIPT REVIEW is 99 cents per A4 *
Q: What do I end up with? I mean what am I paying for, what do I 'get?'
A: I provide the objective, instructional information you need to revise and fully prepare your manuscript yourself should you so choose. I'll also be letting you know my fees should you choose me to do the work for you. The MANUSCRIPT REVIEW fees will then be deducted from your total project cost for any editing, revising, or re-writing service you choose to pursue.
If you choose to do the work yourself or hire someone else the fee for the MANUSCRIPT REVIEW is 99 cents per A4 *
A: Following EDITING, REVISION, and REWRITING services you get a book manuscript ready for review by agents and publishers or ready for your designer to prep for self-publishing.
You can submit your book for consideration by literary agents*
You can submit your book for consideration by publishers*
You can submit your manuscript to a self-publishing company. You can submit your manuscript to a print-on-demand service such as Lulu or Amazon createaspace.
You can tie it in a ribbon and give it to your mother, father, wife, or brother.
*A4- 12pt. standard font, 1 inch margins and double spacing
*To do this you must submit a query letter and proper proposal.