WHAT DOES A PUBLISHING DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT DO?
Every good book begins with an idea—an exciting story, some incisive knowledge, a promising vision. I help you take your book from conception to completion. Working with your idea, I help you turn it into a book. I don’t mean a self-published book; I mean a book published by a bona fide book publisher who assumes the cost of production and marketing.
Since every creative project is unique, my services are customized to each client’s needs. You may seek input on your idea for the book, or you may want someone to give you feedback about the content. You may want support through the writing process or, if you have a complete manuscript, you may want someone to edit it. You may be working on a book that will qualify you for academic tenure and promotion. If you are editing an anthology, you may need help in coordinating your authors’ contributions to this large project. Or you may be seeking guidance in identifying appropriate publishers and in securing a publishing contract.
I have done all of these tasks successfully, multiple times. While publishing consultants are often former editors with publishing firms, my approach derives from my experience as an academic writer. As an author and editor of several books, I have worked with co-authors and co-editors, writers and non-writers, academics and artists, activists, students, and community members.
Everyone has their own experiences and concerns, and their own enthusiasm and trepidation, about the publishing process. I can mobilize your creative capacities to get the thing done. No matter your level of experience, I am confident that I can help you realize your goal of writing the book that has been dwelling in your mind. If you feel overwhelmed by the scope of it, or if you have trouble finding the time to work on it, or if you need help to wrap it up, I can help. You might only need a nudge to transform your book from a set of notes in an electronic file to a book you will proudly hold in your hand.
TESTIMONIALS
Writer/Editor/Independent Scholar
It is a privilege and honor to write a testimonial about Cynthia’s professional work. Her quality and rich writing experience came to the fore in our collaborative work on two co-edited books—A Romani Women’s Anthology: Spectrum of the Blue Water (2017) and Stone to Stone: Writing of Romani women (in review). While working together, mostly online because of our distance, Cynthia wrote the successful proposals and coordinated the production of both books. She was able to ensure that Spectrum, a collection of nineteen authors, was published in less than one year. She assembled the twenty-five authors for Stone and edited these two anthologies of mixed genres including very close editing of my own contributions. As a writer and editor of many books, I am impressed with how Cynthia manages heavy workloads with ease. Compassion and professionalism are her trademarks. Working patiently and constructively with each individual author, her sense of ethics and integrity are irreproachable. Cynthia will win any author’s trust as she did mine. She will work with you until you achieve your goal.
Assistant Professor, Art History and Visual Culture
Cynthia was immensely helpful in putting together a book proposal and guiding me through the process of academic publishing. Plum Services was there for all my questions and concerns while I was negotiating my book contract, and I have already recommended Cynthia to my colleagues and friends who are likewise publishing their books for the first time. Big thumbs up!
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science
Unlike some editors and writing coaches, Cynthia knows the academic writing and publishing process from the perspective of someone who has successfully published her own journal articles and books. She is extremely hard-working, detail-oriented, flexible, a good listener and yet focused on getting the job done. And she always gets the job done!
Neil McLaughlin, PhDProfessor, Department of Sociology