You have an idea in mind that could become a book.
As do many.
Maybe it's more than an idea; by sifting through memories an insight has appeared.
So, is it time to put it on paper?
Or, perhaps you already have a story written.
Is it time to edit it and turn it into a book for readers?
The first meeting with me is exploratory and complementary.
You may get what you need and no longer need me as a coach/guide, or editor. (Good! Self-reliance!)
Else, that first discovery conversation helps us decide where we might begin.
But before we begin, what prep needs to be done by you? By me? This work can be done by email and perhaps another phone call or two.
One output could be a 12-Week Writing Plan to follow together, with me as your coach OR guide.
Your writing is only limited by your willingness to be honest and expanded by the cultivation of a disciplined writing practice.
This daily work helps you translate the insights (from your life) into a structure, such as a story, although stories may live within larger structures like nonfiction narratives or fictional novels.
If things are still going well in the first week after our first meeting, then we can mutually decide to proceed.
If you already have a story written (one or more drafts), it could be you need an editor to get the book ready for publication.
What does your investment look like?
As your writing GUIDE/COACH, I will help you with:
Editing: Feel free to submit multiple pages to be read, but I will choose one to edit, which includes margin questions as well as line-level comments. Seeing how I edit will lead to improving your craft as well as the ability to self-edit. Instead of thinking with your fingers, you will think, then write.
Conversation: Bring anything to discuss! Can do face-to-face or over the phone.
Email with checkpoints: By listening to you, I will provide the support, encouragement, and tools you need at the right moments for measured accountability toward your goals.
Having said that, every creative project, whether the output it is a book, a blog, or a board game, is different.
What I've seen working alongside over 100 authors is that every author or creator brings their own gifts to the table.
Which means every relationship between each of you and me will differ based on what works best for both of us and the project. In other words, everything is adaptable to make the journey a success!
As your EDITOR, across the span of 3 months, I help you get from a good first draft of your story to a finished book, that is ready for publication from the perspective of its content.
Essentially, we will create follow a 12-Week Editing Plan.
The first month may require some revision and rewriting on your part.
The second month is mostly in my hands, suggesting a variety of line-edits.
The last month is to polish the manuscript so it reads as cleanly as possible.
What happens after that?
At this time I do not heavily assist with creating illustrations or direct help with detailed interior design or cover design, although I can point you toward resources and people to guide you.
As for the publishing process itself... Generally, there are two approaches, 1) to self-publish, or 2) to publish through a publishing company.
Having experience self-publishing and very limited experience with publishers, here I can suggest routes based on the outcome you want to achieve.
To be clear, the Editor service provides editing and polishing of your manuscript, turning it from a rough draft into book-worthy content, but there will be a few steps to take to get it into readers hands after my work is complete.
These options are opening up after several decades of being gated (in the print world) and another decade of being gated online (by Amazon). We can talk about your options and creatively explore. It's possible you may persuade me to help you, but more likely I am to send you to someone more capable.
