Just a bit of information on how I work with authors, so you can see if we’d be a good match. 🙂
Client Relationship
I’m not a writing coach, so I don’t nudge or work with you from initial idea to final manuscript. I like to begin with a completed manuscript (can be on the rough side, but with a beginning, middle, and end). I allow you the space to finish your book production in collaboration with me, but you are in charge of the motivation to write and the time you invest. I’m here to give you a professional reader’s perspective, along with providing specific technical skills on composition, book design, distribution, and marketing.
I will always respect you as a person and give you honest feedback about your book and our relationship as we go along. I will also keep your content confidential during the book production process, and will not give it to anyone else without your permission.
Time Investment
Keep in mind that this process will take anywhere from a couple of months to infinity, depending on your time investment and where your writing progress is when we start. Here’s about how much time it takes for my book production activities, given a 300-page (about 120,000 word) trade book (6 x 9-inch trim), with up to 10 images, fiction or nonfiction:
- Manuscript evaluation—2 days
- Copy/line edit—5 days (including first pass and one cleanup)
- Design (interior)—9 to 10 days
- Proofreading—3 to 4 days
- Distribution & Printing Consultation—1 day to 3 weeks, depending on simplicity level
- Marketing Consultation—1 day to 2 weeks, depending on what we end up doing
Total time might run from 2.5 weeks to 1 month for actual time for me on task in this example. We may also have other phone or video consultations plus me fitting in tasks between other projects. But you can get an idea from this sample.
Payment Process
Check out my publishing services for rates for individual tasks. I like to give you a flat fee based on page or word count whenever I can. I normally ask for a deposit of half of your estimated cost for an entire project if I haven’t worked with you before. I then bill you for the remainder at the end of our time together and give you 30 days in which to make that final payment. I use a shop structure with customized products for each client to allow you to pay by credit card if you choose or you can send an old-fashioned check.
For tasks that are variable and need an hourly rate, I charge $65USD per hour.
When we talk about what you’d like me to help you with, I will send you a quote with cost estimates for the different tasks and a total, so you have a good idea of what to expect.