PROCESS
THE PROCESS
Say you’ve got an idea for a book or are part way through preparing a book manuscript. You decide to get some help in moving your project along. Once you contact me, what should you expect?
First, we talk (preferably over Zoom or FaceTime). As you describe your book project to me, I will ask you some questions to determine what you need me to do. Would you like me to prepare a proposal for a publisher? Are you ready for me to edit a draft? Do you need help in developing the content of the book or in finding contributors to an anthology? Is your manuscript complete and you want help in finding a publisher? After this dialogue, I will break down the work required and estimate my hours. There is no fee for our initial consultation. If you wish to move forward, I draw up a simple contract listing the services we have agreed on and a fee schedule. After we both sign that document, I’m ready to start.
COSTING
Costing reflects the uniqueness of every project and the needs of individual clients. For most projects, I work at an hourly rate. It tends to be at the relatively low end for writing coaches, editors, and literary agents. Charging an hourly rate works well since most of my clients ask for multiple services. I typically find myself involved in consulting on the conceptualization of a book, providing writing support, developmental editing, writing a query and book proposal, recommending appropriate publishers, and combinations of these tasks.
