1:1 Booksmithing
Let’s Finish Your Book
If your book isn’t done yet, maybe it’s not because you’re doing something wrong.
Maybe it’s because
you’re doing something better.
Thoughtful Authors write better books.
These days anyone can write and publish books.
And everyone is.
Book farmers are pumping out shitty book after shitty book, as sources of passive income or just so they can call themselves “authors.”
But that’s not you.
You Want
. . . to write a book readers will actually read and benefit from.
. . . to be an author that readers trust and respect.
. . . people to feel your work spoke to them and had a real impact on them.
. . . a publisher-quality book—even if you’re self-publishing.
. . . a book your readers will value not just tomorrow, but also years from now.
You aren’t willing to compromise your standards.
You’re not using “readers will believe anything” as an excuse to put out spurious, half-baked information.
You don’t buy the claim that readers don’t care about quality content, careful thinking, or sound ideas.
You don’t assume readers will just give you their precious time, attention, and money for nothing.
You certainly don’t take your future readers’ trust as a given.
You’re committed to earning your readers’ high regard by giving them a thoughtful, meaningful, well-written book.
And you’re currently doing all of this in a really unsupportive environment.
You’re working against our cultural paradigm of “don’t think, just produce—more, more, more.”
You’re demonstrating intellectual integrity in an era of misinformation, disinformation, and hearsay.
You’re doing your own work at a time when ripping off other people’s work is commonplace.
You’re exercising discernment in an atmosphere of “anything goes as long as it sells.”
You’re using your own voice, thinking, and ideas—as well as reliable sources you know, trust, and respect—at a time when more and more authors are looking to Google or AI to tell them what to say.
By refusing to put out a fast-and-shitty book,
you are defying the norm.
And working against the norm is seldom easy.
As a Thoughtful Author, you’ve figured out …
How People Think Book Writing & Publishing Goes
How It Actually Goes
There’s a reason starting to write a book is easier than finishing it.
Writing a book involves more than just writing
and
it’s a lot to do on you own.
You know you don’t need someone to write the whole book for you.
But the way you’re working . . . isn’t working.
You also know some writing tool, productivity hack, or “secret” shortcut method isn’t going to cut it.
What you need is a booksmith.
That’s me! I’m your booksmith.
Most people just don’t know how much
time,
thought,
and effort
go into writing a first-class nonfiction book.
But I do.
And I can
help you do it.
I help this part …
Go more like this …
So this part …
Will go more like this …
And not turn into this …
What You Get When You Work with Me
A lot of firsthand bookcraft and publishing knowledge
With more than two decades and hundreds of books worth of nonfiction publishing experience, I can show you exactly what’s needed to write a book that satisfies readers and publishers.
Someone who cares about your book as much as you do
When I work with you, I become deeply interested and invested in what you’re sharing. I’ll be your most engaged student, your most attentive reader, and your second set of eyes.
Someone in the trenches with you
You’ll have another person who knows the ins and outs of your book as well as you do—who can help you hold your big vision and keep track of the small details.
Someone who can help you think things through
What do you really want to say? And what’s the best way to say it? I’ll be your sounding board, co-thinker, brainstorming partner, reflective listener, and ideas taster.*
Someone who can see things you just can’t
I can call you back if you wander from your vision, point out gaps in your information, and spot connections you may not otherwise notice because you know your work so well.
Someone who will challenge you in the best ways
Think of me as your personal book-fitness trainer, pushing you to strengthen your book, stretch into your full author potential, and not give up.
And in the end, you’ll get a book you can be proud of.
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* The wonderful term ideas taster comes from The Fifth Elephant (A Novel of the Discworld) by Terry Pratchett.
My Booksmithing Process: Overview
Stage 1
Book Visioning
Clarify Your Goals and Chart Your Course
Getting your vision out of your head and into words is the first step in making it real.
We’ll establish a comprehensive picture of your book and your goals by digging in to key details—including some important ones you may not have thought about.
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Stage 2
Book Building
Guidance, Strategy, and Support While You’re Writing
Regular page goals will keep you keep writing.
Expert feedback will keep you from wasting valuable time on material that doesn’t optimize your brilliance or meet your goals.
Coaching calls give you regular access to my practical, creative thought partnership, so you can get answers, strategize, and get unstuck quickly.
Stage 3
Book Finishing
The Difference Between Almost Done and Amazing
I’ll dive deeply into your content and take care of all the organization smoothing, gap filling, and prose polishing that turns a solid draft into a stellar book.
More than just editing, this stage is about the last
30% of book writing too many authors miss.
Fast Facts About the Process
No matter how much or how little you’ve written so far, my Booksmithing Process can serve you.
Whether you’re on your first draft or your fifteenth, whether you’re still fleshing out your book idea or working on a publisher’s deadline, Booksmithing can help you finish your book!
You can proceed immediately from one stage to the next.
Or you can take breaks in between stages.
Each stage can be done on its own.
But each stage is designed to reduce the time and work needed in the next stage(s).
So doing the stages progressively is the most efficient way to make progress and finish your book.
Each stage is priced individually.
Your overall time and cost will depend on:
The length and complexity of your book.
Your pace and capacity—how fast you write, rewrite, and revise.
Your publishing plans/goals.
Booksmithing
in Depth
Stage by Stage
Stage 1
Book Visioning
In this two-day VIP intensive, we will develop your Book Vision.
This comprehensive orientation to your book will serve as a touchstone and compass
for you as you write
for me as your coach/editor/co-conspirator
for any future book professionals you work with (such as publishers, book designers, copywriters, publicists, and marketers)
If you’ve already begun writing, Book Visioning will sharpen and clarify where your book is going and what’s needed to get it done.
If you haven’t started or written much yet, Book Visioning will be your kick-in-the-pants kickstart.
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We’ll work together over two days via video to build a detailed picture of your book and how you’re going to go about writing it.
Day 1: We will work in two 90-minute sessions + one 60-minute session, with one-hour breaks in between.
Day 2: We’ll come back and spend another 90-minute session reviewing the previous day’s work and filling in any incomplete pieces.
Then after an hour break, we return for a last 60-minute read-through and sign-off on your Book Vision.
There’s no homework, no prep work. Everything will get done during our time together.
Each of our sessions will be a mix of
interactive Q&A, where I ask you very detailed questions about your book project;
co-working, with each of us doing a specific task at the same time;
co-planning, we come back together and put our respective pieces together;
and even some co-writing, as we craft your book’s elevator pitch.
I’ll share my first impressions of the materials you shared after your exploratory call and my initial thoughts on how to develop your book further.
We’ll delve into practical details such as:
Your motivation for writing the book.
Your book’s concept and core message(s).
Who you’re writing for and what the book will do for them.
What’s unique about your work and what sets you apart from others in your field.
How long the book will likely be and what else besides text it might contain.
A table of contents + working chapter summaries.
By the end of the second day, we’ll have a comprehensive picture of your book project and a record of all the details we need to bring it to life.
Plus, you’ll know exactly what your next step will be—whether that’s stage 2, Book Building, or something else.
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An exploratory call or Immediate Insights Consultation—for us get acquainted, check that we vibe, and make sure your project fits well within my expertise and experience.
If you’ve already begun writing, I also want take a peek at what you’ve written so far.
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$1,800 (US)
Paid upon scheduling.
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Without a clearly drawn Book Vision, you risk spending a lot of time and effort on a book that won’t make an impact with readers or get traction with publishers.
You risk selling short your own brilliance.
Book Visioning addresses common root-level problems that can cripple a book’s potential, such as:
A fuzzy book concept
A lot of good ideas but no overarching premise
Undefined features or selling points
A target audience that’s too vague or broad
A tangled or meandering structure
Not showing how the book fits into the greater conversation about a topic
Most of us are too close to our work to see and fix these problems on our own.
Don’t spend any more time writing without clarifying the fundamentals.
Whether your book is still in idea form or you’re on your first, fifth, or fifteenth draft, Book Visioning will help you develop a sharper book with less wasted effort.
Stage 2
Book Building
In this stage, you write and revise the book described in your Book Vision.
I leverage my 25+ years and hundreds of books’ worth of experience to help you do it more quickly, efficiently, and confidently.
Getting my professional input on your book while you’re writing and revising it will allow you to:
assess the pros and cons of potential changes, so you can decide whether they’re worth making
make smarter decisions faster
course correct earlier
head off problems that would require a lot of time, effort, and money to fix later
lean into your strengths
waste less time writing in circles and creating material you don’t use
My practical expertise and insider publishing knowledge also allows me to identify opportunities for improvement early and avoid common mistakes that can turn off readers or publishers.
Plus, having eyes on your work regularly means I’m ready to jump in to help you problem-solve, brainstorm, think things through, and get unstuck when needed.
In addition to regular expert guidance and advice, this stage will give you—
Momentum and accountability: Regular page goals help you get into a writing groove and ensure you make steady progress.
Partnership and moral support: Having someone eager to read your next pages will keep “writing” from turning into a lonely, frustrating slog. I’ll bear loving witness to all your effort, thought, and decisions.
BONUS: If your Book Vision includes seeking an agent or traditional publisher, you can also craft a book proposal during this stage.
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Each month you get:
1. An expert page review.
You send me up to 25 pages (6,250 words) every month.
These pages can be new or revisions of previously reviewed pages.
I’ll take seven business days to review them. I will make notes about what’s working well and strategic improvements you could make.
Then we will have a 45-minute coaching call, where I give you the highlights and answer questions.
After the call, I’ll send you the pages with my margin notes.
You’ll be armed with both my verbal and written feedback as you embark on your pages for next month.
2. One 30-minute coaching call.
These calls give you consistent access to my expertise and experience as you write.
We’ll check in midway between your monthly pages due dates.
It’s an opportunity to you to get answers to questions that come up as you’re writing.
We can also problem solve, spot read new material, or brainstorm.
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Your Book Vision, developed in Stage 1, Book Visioning.
Or pre-approval from me.
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Starts at $7,500 (US)
Pre-payment plans available.
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Book Building can start as early as one month after Book Visioning.
Our start date can also be scheduled two to six months after, depending on your preferences and schedule and my availability.
A signed agreement and retainer are required to secure your place on my booksmithing calendar.
We begin with an initial term of three months.
Our written agreement will state:
your monthly pages due date,
date for our 45-minute page-review calls,
dates for your 30-minute coaching call.
All dates will be pre-scheduled for the same days and time each month.
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After our initial three-month term, we will have a “state of the work” conversation to recap and celebrate what you’ve accomplished so for.
Based on that information, we’ll determine how much more Book Building time you might need in stage for your manuscript to be ready for Stage 3, Book Finishing.
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You’re right—Stage 2, Book Building, can be a big investment. Here’s why it costs what it does.
1. Stage 2 is designed to save you money overall.
One of the goals of Stage 2 is to set your book up for a shorter, more efficient, and less costly Stage 3.
So the further you can take the book in Stage 2, the less time and money you’ll spend on Stage 3, thereby reducing the total cost to develop your book.
2. Book Building is 1:1, high touch, and highly personalized.
Most authors want to make fast, efficient progress on their book.
To do that, they want to get my expert input on their writing regularly and to have frequent conversations with me.
They want not only my expertise, but also my active engagement; close, personal attention; and ongoing care.
The cost is what I need to do just that—to engage deeply with your work and share my extensive bookcraft knowledge and publishing-industry experience with you 1:1 on a monthly basis.
Whether it's a good investment for you depends on ...
• how quickly and efficiently you think you could write the book on your own
• whether you think the resulting book would be the same quality
... without monthly page goals and without my professional insights and support every step of the way.
3. The cost balances predictability and flexibility.
Most authors prefer a fixed monthly cost, rather than paying varying amounts from month to month.
Yet how many months your book spends in Stage 2 depends on your book, pace, writing capacity, starting point, and preferences.
If you're starting with a first draft and want my expert eyes on every page of every subsequent draft, then yes, the cost of Stage 2 could run into five figures.
Then again, by working with me, it will likely take fewer drafts overall to get you to the book that meets your Book Vision.
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Book Building begins with a three-month term.
Based on how much we're able to do in that time:
• we can estimate how many more months it will likely take to finish developing your book and thus what you total Stage 2 cost will be;
• you can decide whether you're making the progress you'd hoped and whether you want to continue.
The cost-structure flexibility of Stage 2 allows you to Book Build in phases, if you wish.
For example, you could spread out the cost by Book Building with me for three months and then take a three-month break while you finish the rest of a draft on your own.
Then you could come back a few months later and work with me again for, say, one to three months, focusing on particular chapters or sections. Then work for a few months on your own again before coming back for another one to three months.
No matter many times you choose to Book Build with me, and for whatever periods of time, I will give you feedback and insights to apply not only to the pages you show me, but to any pages above and beyond that.
I realize the cost of Stages 2 and 3 (Book Finishing) aren't in every author's budget.
That's why I offer 1-hour Immediate Insights Consultations for $375. I've also designed Stage 1, Book Visioning, to be a standalone, one-time offering, for $1,800.
That way, even if you don’t use Stages 2 and 3 of my 1:1 Booksmithing to finish your book, you and your book can still get the benefit of my professional expertise.
Stage 3
Book Finishing
Book Finishing is about the details that make a difference—the revisions and improvements that turn a solid draft manuscript into a book that sings.
The problem is, after spending months or years writing and revising multiple drafts, many Thoughtful Authors just don’t have the perspective or energy to do the finishing work themselves.
As my business mentor Kelly Diels says, “It’s the last 30 percent of the writing that I just can’t stand.”
Maybe you know there’s a lot of endgame work that needs to be done, but after working on the book for so long, you just do not have the patience, interest, or wherewithal for it.
Or maybe you just don’t know how much clean-up and finishing work a manuscript needs to be truly ready to publish.
Whatever the case, fear not—this part of the work is my jam!
To make sure your book is complete and the best possible book it can be, I do much more than typical editing.
My Book Finishing work comprises four components:*
Workshopping
Developmental Line Editing
Relief Writing
Ancillary Details Wrangling
By the time we’re finished with Book Finishing, your book will be not only done, but even better than you thought it could be.
Plus, it will ready to sail through the publishing process with minimal fuss or hiccups.
* For more about each component, see “Book Finishing: My Four Components” below.
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In Stage 2, Book Building, you’re doing the main book development, while I give you input and feedback on as you go.
Here in Stage 3, Book Finishing, we switch roles: I take over the late-stage book revisions, and you review my work, providing feedback, responding to suggestions, and approving changes.
In our initial three-month term, we’ll establish a rhythm of sending revised files back and forth on a regular basis.
It usually takes at least one month before I have first-round revisions ready for your review.
How much of the revised manuscript I send you at one time depends on the overall length of the manuscript and how in-depth the revisions are.
I typically aim to send you at least a full chapter’s worth of revisions at a time.
When I send a revised file to you for review, I’ll give you a target return date. Typically, I ask you to send the file back within two weeks.
We’ll keep revising the manuscript at finer levels until we arrive at the finished, most complete, most polished version that’s ready to enter the publishing process.
You can expect to receive biweekly email updates from me along the way.
We will schedule video meetings and/or phone calls to address questions (mine or yours) and discuss revision details as needed.
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Authors frequently come to me thinking they need an editor.
But most manuscripts need more than just editing before they’re truly ready to publish.
I often see holes or problems in the content can’t be resolved by editing alone.
Or strategic improvements that could make the book markedly better for readers.
Or text that’s challenging to read and understand.
Or things I know will cause headaches and delays as the book is being laid out and prepared for publication.
The good news is, given the depth and breadth of my publishing experience, I’m equipped to address all of these things.
My full-spectrum Book Finishing sets up your book for a smooth publishing experience.
It also sets up your future readers to have the best-possible reading experience.
And when your book is finally out in the world, it’s one you’ll be proud to have your name on.
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A Book Vision developed in Stage 1, Book Visioning.
A solid, late-draft manuscript developed in Stage 2, Book Building.
Or pre-approval from me.
Please note: It is extremely rare that manuscript can jump to Stage 3, Book Finishing, without at least one of the previous two stages.
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Starts at $10,200 (US)
Pre-payment plans available.
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Book Finishing begins with a three-month term.
Based on how much we're able to do in that time, we can estimate how many more months it will likely take to finish your book and thus what the total cost of this stage will be for you.
Typically, the more we're able to develop your book in Stage 2, Book Building, the less time and cost Stage 3 will be.
Your total cost for Stage 3 will also depend on:
• The length and complexity of your book.
• Your pace and capacity—how fast you respond to my questions and requests while I'm working on your book.
• What we've decided "finished" looks like for your book, based on your publishing plans.
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How soon after Stage 2, Book Building, we begin Stage 3 depends on your preferences and schedule and my availability.
A signed agreement and initial deposit are required to secure your place on my calendar.
We begin with an initial term of three months.
Then we’ll have a “state of the work” conversation to celebrate what we’ve accomplished so for and take stock of how the manuscript looks at that point.
Based on that information, we’ll be able to see how much more work is needed and how much time it will likely take to finish.
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We’ll determine exactly what “finished” looks like for your book, based on your Book Vision and publishing plans.
Typically, I consider a book finished . . .
if you have a book contract, when it’s ready to send to your publisher, and in my professional opinion, will sail through their standard editorial and production processes with ease;
if you’re self-publishing, when it’s ready to be handed to a book designer for page layout.
Book Finishing:
My Four Components
How much of each component your book requires depends on your unique book and how much you’re able to do in Stage 2, Book Building.
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One of the best ways I can serve you is to advocate for your future readers.
To do that, I’ll act like a recipe tester or UX (user experience) designer for your book and become the world’s most avid student of your work.
I want to know all the details and will continue asking you questions and bugging, cajoling, or nudging you for more information until I completely understand what you’re talking about and see exactly how to put it to use.
Drawing on my decades of bookcraft experience, I also can suggest strategic adjustments to make it that much more accessible, understandable, and engaging—to optimize how readers experience your ideas, your work, and your world.
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I’ll comb through your manuscript head to tail—chapter by chapter, section by section, paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence—fixing problems and suggesting improvements.
This hands-on editing can include rearranging or consolidating large portions of text, relocating information to other chapters, and other larger-scale continuity adjustments.
It can also incorporate light rewriting to create smoother transitions, enhance important points, or trim repetitive passages.
Whatever changes will ensure your text flows well, reads easily, and takes minimal effort to understand, it’s part of my developmental line editing.
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Relief writing is my term for improvements and corrections that fall outside standard “editing.”
They’re hands-on revisions that require my writer’s touch and ability to replicate to your unique voice.
Ensuring a book is readable and understandable sometimes requires more than just changing the text that’s already there.
It takes seeing what’s missing and asking you to supply it.
I might ask you to clarify points or provide more information, and then I sew your rough answers into the manuscript on your behalf.
I may also add new sentences and paragraphs to create throughlines and connect the dots between ideas and concepts.
I might recast significant pieces, such as the book’s introduction or chapter openings, to make them more compelling and draw readers in more quickly.
Or I might suggest rewrites to exercise or practice instructions, to make them clearer and more doable for readers.
All relief writing changes are subject to your approval. Always, my aim is for you read them and think, “Wow, this sounds like me, only just a little better,” or “Yes! This is exactly what I meant to say but couldn’t quite get there!”
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I’ll help you plan for and organize all the materials beyond the main text, such as:
artwork, photos, and illustrations
charts, tables, graphs, or diagrams
text pieces requiring reprint permission, such as poems, song lyrics, or excerpts from other books
notes and citations
Ready to Get Started?
Step 1.
This is a free, no-obligation, 45-minute, get-to-know-you call.
On the scheduling page, you’ll be asked to fill out a short questionnaire.
Step 2.
You’ll get an email from me listing available call times and telling you how to claim one.
Choose your time, and you’ll receive a confirmation email with a Google Meet video link for the call.
Step 3.
On the day of the call, we’ll meet and chat to see if we’ve got chemistry and think we’d work well together.
If we both feel a yes, I’ll ask you to send me your manuscript-in-progress.
Step 4.
I take a peek at what you’ve written so far.
Step 5.
I send you a follow-up email to confirm that you’re ready to start and tell you how to schedule your first step.
If I don’t think I can serve you and your book well, I’ll tell you in this email. And I’ll try to give you other ideas for moving your book forward.
Questions?
Check out the FAQ below or contact me.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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If the stages are in order, with no breaks, the whole Booksmithing Process takes a minimum of 7 months. Most books take at least 12 months to complete.
It is almost impossible to estimate at the outset how long it will take to finish any given book.
How quickly Stage 2, Book Building, goes depends on:
what you’ve already written when we start
what your goals are
the length and complexity of your book,
your pace and schedule
if/how the book evolves as you write.
How long Stage 3, Book Finishing, goes depends on how much you’re able to do in Stage 2 and how much you leave for me to do.
In general:
the more you do in Stage 2, the more quickly Stage 3 will go;
you can expect both Stages 2 and 3 to take longer than you think.
Also, books that include artwork, photos, diagrams, tables, and charts typically take more time than text-only books.
If you have a deadline you want the book to be published by, please let me know when you schedule an exploratory call.
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Stage 1, Book Building is $1,200 (US).
Stage 2, Book Building, starts at $7,500 (US).
Stage 3, Book Finishing, starts at $10,200 (US).
Your total cost for Stages 2 and 3 will depend on:
your unique book, including how long and complex it is;
your writing process and pace, including how quickly you write and revise;
your publishing goals.
Both Stages 2 and 3 begin with an initial three-month term. What we’re able to accomplish in that initial term usually gives us a good sense of how long the work of each stage will take.
Books that include artwork, photos, diagrams, tables, and charts typically take more time, and thus cost more to complete, than text-only books.
Note that the total cost will be spread out in multiple payments over the course of the project.
Tip: Most authors I’ve worked with have been able to deduct my fees as a business expense. Check with your accountant or tax preparer for details.
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Book Visioning Two-Day VIP Intensives can usually be scheduled within four to six weeks after an exploratory call or Immediate Insights Consultation. (One or the other of these is required.)
Stage 2, Book Building, involves regular, deep engagement with you and your book.
Stage 3, Book Finishing, is both high touch and very hands on.
For these reasons, I can work with only one or two Thoughtful Authors at a time in these stages.
To reserve a spot on my calendar for each of these stages, I require a signed agreement and a retainer.
Both my Thoughtful Authors and my publisher clients often schedule my services weeks—even months—in advance.
So the sooner you contact me, the sooner I can get your book on my schedule!
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My expertise is in prescriptive and informational nonfiction—basically, nonfiction that is not memoir or personal essays.
My zone of genius is helping Thoughtful Authors make complex subjects and information accessible to the general public.
My specialties are:
self-help/personal growth books
how-to books
books on physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing
books with a spiritual angle or on mind-body-spirit topics
informational books (such as histories and long-form investigative journalism)
photo- or art-centric books
To all the thoughtful novelists, memoirists, essayists, poets, and children’s book writers, I see you and I salute you! But I don’t have the professional experience to serve you well.
I also do not work on books that:
consist of channeled material
consist entirely or primarily of AI-generated material
are written for academics or students (textbooks)
deny the biases, harms, and challenges people with marginalized identities face in today’s world
endorse or condone discrimination against people because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, size, health, financial status, or religious or spiritual beliefs
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I want to help you write your best book as quickly and efficiently as possible.
So I’ve designed each stage to prevent common problems that can bog down or even derail books in other stages.
Skipping Stage 1, Book Visioning, usually results in Stage 2, Book Building, taking more time and thus costing you more.
Skipping both Stages 1 and 2 nearly always means Stage 3, Book Finishing, takes much more time— and thus costs you much more—as we have to double back and address problems that would normally have been solved in stages 1 and 2.
It’s rare that a book can start in stage 3 and sail through it without headaches.
The only times it’s worked, the authors were experienced book writers, and we’d already worked together in the past.
All that said, if I think we can skip a stage with your book, I will certainly tell you!
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Editing is included in what I do. But I don’t do “just editing.”
If editing means providing experienced editorial direction to ensure your book’s concept is clear and compelling, the target audience is well defined, and similar fundamental details are worked out, I do that in Stage 1, Book Visioning.
If editing means providing broad, big-picture developmental guidance to
optimize your book’s content, structure, tone, and flow
ensure your book matches your vision and meets your readers’ needs,
make sure your thinking, ideas, and facts make sense to others who don’t have your expertise
this is what I do in Stage 2, Book Building.
If editing means developmental line editing to
ensure the text is as readable and understandable as it can be,
enhance your message(s), points, and voice,
address lingering gaps or questions about the material,
clear up confusing passages,
trim repetitive or off-topic information
I do that as part of Stage 3, Book Finishing.
If you mean copyediting to fix typos, spelling errors, grammar and word-use snafus, convoluted sentence structures, and similar sentence-level mechanical errors, that’s a bonus I provide as part of Stage 3, Book Finishing.
I do not do just copyediting for author clients (only for publisher clients).
Why? Because I have yet to receive a manuscript from an author client that’s had only copyediting-level problems.
And I just can’t, in good conscience, let a book go out into the world with only the copyediting-level problems fixed but bigger, serious, more problematic problems left unaddressed.
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Maybe, but I can’t guarantee it. (And beware of anyone who says they can!)
Commercial trade publishing is highly competitive and, frankly, capricious.
Whether or not your book might appeal to publishers depends on a lot of different factors, including choices you make when writing and planning the book.
That said, if a publisher hears you’re working with me, an experienced professional who’s been with publishers for 25+ years, it could be a point in your favor. They’ll know the book you’ll write will meet or exceed traditional publishing standards.
If you dream of having your book published by a commercial publisher (big or small), I can tell you what you’ll need to do and what to expect.
I can also help you evaluate your publishing options to see whether traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing is right for you.
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First, bestseller according to whose measure? The New York Times? Your publisher’s total list? A small sub-sub-category on Amazon? A local bookstore? Your family?
Second, no, I can’t guarantee your book will be a bestseller by any particular measure. (And again, beware of anyone who says they can!)
How well a book sells depends on a lot of variables, many of which I have no influence over, such as how you choose to market, promote, and sell it, as well as unpredictable world events and market forces.
What I can do is help you create the best possible book by:
looking closely at who you want to buy/read it, what their needs are, and what else they might be reading;
distinguishing your book from others on the same subject;
helping the unique benefits of your book shine;
making sure the quality of your book is as good or better than others in its category.
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If you’ve \have questions, but you’re not yet ready for me to jump in with full-on, 1:1 book whispering, I offer one-time, 60-minute Immediate Insights consultations for $375.
In these sessions, you can get my professional take on things like:
your book idea,
your book’s audience,
your book’s overall organization,
self-publishing vs. traditional publishing vs. hybrid publishing,
what publishers typically expect of authors and manuscripts,
what you can expect a traditional publisher to do (and not do) for you and your book,
the ins and outs of book proposals,
what kinds of things require permission to use in your book,
how to ensure you’re not plagiarizing or infringing on others’ intellectual property,
using artwork and photos in your book,
any thorny writing problems you’re encountering.
You can even bring pieces like your working table of contents, introduction, first chapter, book proposal, or chapter outlines for me to read and give feedback on during the session.
These single-serve consultations are a great way to address on specific sticking points or get answers you haven’t been able to find elsewhere.
For more, see the Immediate Insights consultation page.
I want to see you finish that book you’ve been working on for so long.
I want it to be the best book you can write—and the book only you can write.
I want your readers to love and respect your book.
I want you to feel proud of your book.
Most of all, I want you not to give up.
Because the world doesn’t need more fast-and-shitty books.
The world needs more books from Thoughtful Authors.
We need you, dear Thoughtful Author,
and we want your thoughtful book.
Love,
your booksmith and future reader,