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 a big, macro look at your book. We dive into structure, organization, voice, plot/flow, transitions from one chapter to the next, as well as characterization and setting development (fiction). We provide an editorial letter that summarizes our recommendations.
Line editing is also a content edit that assesses tone, messaging (and gaps in messaging), redundancy, word choice, grammar, and flow at a line-by-line level. If you have a first-draft manuscript, these types of edits are for you.
As of April 2024, we will no longer offer proofreading services.
Who does the editing?
Our developmental and line editing is done by Founder Cortney Donelson, using The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS), which is the preferred style for most book publishers.
At this time, we offer limited copyediting services to only those authors who have already had a content edit or return clients whose work and voice we are familiar with. This should not take the place of proofreading.
How soon can you start?
For ghostwriting, we typically fill up 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 availability 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 or two in advance.
Packages: Developmental and line editing packages include a copyedit as a second-round edit. We always recommend authors get a final proofread afterward.
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.