Need a Book Coach, Ghost Writer, or Editor? Part 2

If you either want to write a book to help others create a better life and boost business or you already have your book nearly finished, you may need book coaching to answer all of your questions "What step to take next?"

Know Your Editing Choices

  • Line editing. Use this final professional edit after you have already revised your work three times. These three revisions include: excluding all redundancies, reworking all the words and sentences so they are your finest with few passive verb constructions (aim for 2-4%) and relatively short sentences. Finally, look at headings, paragraphs and transitions to make sure your message carries power through placement and is easy to read. These editors charge $50 an hour or more.

  • Developmental editing. While you put your writing, ideas and sentences forth, a developmental editor will not just polish your syntax, but fill in gaps you don't want to take time for. It's practically like ghost-writing and you need to choose a really professional editor who will not do this work on spec, but will charge you an hourly fee of $60 an hour plus or by the project.

  • Ghost writing. You give your topic, thesis and chapter focuses to a person you want to finish the research, put it together in chapter form, and write it to sell well. Again, you need to hire a real professional who specializes in ghost writing for your kind of book, whether it is a novel, memoir, how-to or history. These professionals also charge $60 plus an hour or by the project.

Seek a Book Coach First before you waste time or money going down a path that does not serve you.

========

Benefits a Book Coach Brings

1. A coach can look at your idea or topic and ask you a few questions.

  • What's your book's purpose?

  • Where are you now with this project?

  • What chapters are finished?

  • Is your introduction and table of contents done?

  • Does your title convince your preferred audience to buy?

  • Do you know your audience inside and out? Prospective buyers will ask you, "Why should I buy your book?" Can you tell them in a few sentences?

  • is this topic your # one passion?

  • Are you willing to put in two-three years to get the word out with traditional promoting?

  • Or eight months to a year with internet marketing?

Depending on your answers, you will learn from your coach what you need to do next.

The biggest mistakes emerging writers make, even if they are professionals:

  • They don't know their book's many benefits and features. Knowing these first before you write a chapter assist you in writing a focused, well-organized, compelling book that speaks directly to your potential buyer. If they think it is easy to read, they will buy now and tell their friends.

  • They don't have a book plan beyond a good idea and notes they have written. If you want your book to get read you need to answer all of your customer's questions. When a book coach guides you in this process, you write consistent chapters that practically write themselves with half the edits you usually have.

  • They have the idea but don't know their audience first. It's always better to know what an audience wants, then write the book for them. Today, look to online readers who join ezines for free information. These people want new material in all subjects for their web sites as well as possibly buying your plan (book) to help them succeed.

  • They don't realize today's audience wants shorter books, and will print eBooks under 100 pages. A book coach can show you how to write your print and eBook at the same time. You don't have to publish with a traditional publisher either. The shorter route is self-publishing. Find out about how it works before you chase a route that won't suit you. Even if you are not a techie, learn from the coach how you can get your book out directly from your home or office.

    Finally, think of your book as a lifetime profit center. Invest in the service that gives you what you need to sell well.

    About The Author

    Judy Cullins: 20-year author, speaker, book coach Helps entrepreneurs manifest their book and web dreams

    eBk: "Ten Non-techie Ways to Market Your Book Online"
    http://www.bookcoaching.com

    To receive FREE "The Book Coach Says..." or Business Tip of the Month go to
    http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml

    judy@bookcoaching.com

    Ph: 619/466/0622

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    6 Ways to Leverage Technical Articles

    Technology vendors often contribute bylined articles to trade journals. The... Read More

    The Heart of the Delay: Harnessing The Wisdom of Procrastination (AKA Writers Block)

    I am sure that at in some era, at some... Read More

    Editing

    EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More

    A Simple Contest with a Strong Message: Wake Up Your Writing Spirit

    The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More

    Get Published: The Nuts and Bolts of Good English, and How to Impress a Publisher (3)

    A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More

    How to Multiply Your Freelance Writing Work

    You can turn your $200 fee to write a press... Read More

    Plagiarism Through The Eyes Of College Students

    Plagiarism has been condemned lately by all types of experts,... Read More

    Top Seven Mistakes Writers Make and What to Do About Them

    Writers often get stuck because they make assumptions about writing,... Read More

    Why I Write

    I started writing as a way of keeping safe memories... Read More

    Writing the 8 WebCopy Headline Categories

    My article this issue is an excerpt from a book... Read More

    Learn to Write Like a Pro

    Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having... Read More

    Writing and Self-examination

    Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part... Read More

    Why Book Writers Need A Running Mate

    By far, I have found that the lack of discipline... Read More

    Writing Made Them Rich #3: Richard Bach

    One day in the mid-1970's a young man stumbled into... Read More

    Five Common Errors to Correct Before Submitting a Letter or Report

    First impressions count in writing too! So it is always... Read More

    How to Write Words Worth a Thousand Pictures

    Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It... Read More

    Becoming A Successful Author: The Price!

    So you want to be a successful author? You want... Read More

    Italics Part 2 - Using Italics to Show Thoughts

    Way back in your early school years, you were probably... Read More

    In Your Own Words

    More Tips For New Writers (Part I)Explain in your own... Read More

    Do The Unfamiliar To Keep Your Writing Going

    One of the best ways to blow someone's winning streak... Read More

    Piecing It All Together

    There's a little known secret we writers like to keep... Read More

    Create the Writing Life You Want

    Ah, writing. For those of us who love to play... Read More

    Ways to Make Extra Income Using the Internet

    To capitalize on ways to make extra income you can... Read More

    How Can You Find Freelance Work As A Writer?

    For those looking at the jobs listings for writers, they... Read More

    Get Published: The Nuts and Bolts of English, and How to Impress a Publisher (2)

    The tiniest things can be so useful when you come... Read More

    A New Way To Self Publish

    More and more good authors are turning to the Internet... Read More

    Screenwriting ? The Value of Structure

    Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More

    Finish Your Book Already!

    I owe the completion and success of my book to... Read More

    The Blank Mind

    Many writers stare at the blank page or clean computer... Read More

    Five EASY Ways to Improve Your Business Writing

    Have you ever wondered why some people can make millions... Read More

    Effective Editing: It Spells the Difference!

    If you think proofreading equals editing, then you're wrong! Editing... Read More

    Learn How To Write Poetry!

    A poet isn't born; you must work at crafting your... Read More

    Have You Plotted Your Story Before Writing It?

    Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More