FAQs
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How does ghostwriting work?
The time needed to go from planning your book to having a completed manuscript ready for publication depends on several factors. A typical timeline for a full book runs eight to ten months, but your specific book project could be longer or shorter, depending on your requirements.
We start with a free consultation for you to ask any questions you have about our services and for us to learn about your story or idea. We want to ensure a good fit for both parties.
Once we're hired, we will meet online, on the phone, or in-person over multiple sessions to accurately and authentically portray the details of your story and learn your “voice.” We also use audio files and any written information you may have. Wherever you need us to go to do the best work on your book, we’ll be there.
Once we've started writing, we'll send you a few chapters at a time to check for voice and ensure we're on the right track. You'll have the opportunity to review the full draft, make changes, and partner with us for rewrites. This is your book, and we want to make sure you get the one you envision while providing recommendations based on our experience in the writing and publishing industry.
What kind of editing do I need?
Developmental editing is the big, macro look at your book. We dive into structure, organization, voice, flow, transitions from one chapter to the next, as well as characterization and setting development (fiction) and the clarity of your messaging (non-fiction). If you have a first-draft manuscript, this is for you.
Proofreading is for those manuscripts that have gone through a copyedit, which we do not offer at this time. Proofreading is the last edit before publishing or printing to ensure it's as flawless as possible. Currently, we are only proofreading for a publishing house, not for our editing clients/authors.
Who does the editing?
Our developmental editing is done by Founder Cortney Donelson. Proofreading, when available, may be performed by any of our team members. All are qualified to edit using Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS), which is the preferred style for most book publishers.
At this time, we offer copyediting services to only those authors who have already had a content edit. If we are your sole editor, we recommend a final pair of eyes before you publish. This can be a friend or family member, but our philosophy is "every book should have two+ pairs of eyes."
How soon can you start?
For ghostwriting, we typically fill up six to nine months (or more) in advance. We only work with one or two ghostwriting clients at a time to ensure consistency in the voice and exceptional writing quality.
Our editing schedule is variable. Since developmental editing is a 4–6-week process and involves a few passes back and forth, it's best to plan ahead and reserve space on our schedule at least a month in advance.
Packages: Developmental and line editing are first- and second-round edits, which we do for all authors unless they request only a high-level developmental edit. We always recommend authors get an additional copyedit and/or proofread afterward. We do not offer these services at this time.
What programs do you work with?
We work in Microsoft Word and track our changes, or we might ask for a printed copy. Either way, we provide you with a fully marked-up version so you can see our recommendations, comments, and questions for you as the author. Remember, our job is to be an ambassador for you, as the author, but also (and perhaps more so) an advocate for your readers.