The authors I help are unique individuals--each w/ a publishing project unlike any other. I help them maintain the unique qualities and characteristics of their publishing project while doing what I can to make it a best seller!

Wherever they are in the journey, ­­I can help--from concept to publication or anywhere in between. Whatever the condition of an author's manuscript, project, outline, notes, or audio recording--I can help. I've even help authors who had nothing but their story. They told it to me, and I made it a book!

I can develop, write, or edit your project. I can coach you through the process and help you write and edit. I can help you get your book  published--develop proposals and prepare your work for the publisher's eyes.  I can coach you through self-publication. Or if your project is compatible with the publishing mission of Spirit of Hope Publishing, I can help you get published without any drama!

I said every author and his/her is unique. That's true, but there are some common needs that authors have in their initial consultation w/ me. So I have developed 3 basic options for our initial consultation. Still, each author has different needs so the options are flexible, but they give you an idea.

3 INITIAL CONSULTATION OPTIONS for published "book" projects: fall into the following 3 basic phases each w/ variations:

1) CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT  

SERVICES: A one-time meeting (max. 2 hrs.) at a mutually convenient location to review and discuss your manuscript, publishing project, outline, or idea.

*We'll get acquainted and talk briefly about your project and needs.

*You'll receive my Author's Kit, samples of my writing (books to keep), and other related information and materials.

*I'll briefly use the kit to review or discovery the development-to-publication process. I'll highlight portions that most relate to you and your unique project.

*You'll in more depth your manuscript, outline, idea, etc. And you'll read (if you're comfortable) selected key portions--important to you or central to concept.

I'll learn from you 1) what you have, 2) what you want, and 3) what you envision as a final product. I'll also learn your target audience, personal goals, professional motivations, message to impart, written/editorial needs, and how I can help.

*I'll respond and review your project and needs as you presented. It's all good. I'll offer my offer ideas, share my insights, point out strengths, note opportunities for improvement, discuss ways to help today's readers, describe insider tips to attract publishers, and provide options and direction for your next steps.

*You'll reflect on and we'll discuss what you heard and any other questions or thoughts you have.

*I'll explain how I think I can help you. I'll be honest about what I cannot do to meet any specific needs or desired goals. But I'll provide specific suggestions, referrals, resources, or direction for how you can accomplish those project needs.

*You'll also receive my rough estimate of the time and costs involved--should you choose to involve me.

*Finally, I'll go over what I'll send you by way of a review of our meeting, any promised material, and other information you asked of me. And I'll share a bit about the contracts I use to you protect your copyrights, to clarify any agreement we might make for work on your project, and to keep my involvement confidential--should you desire.

NOTE: I never criticize or question an author's work or concept. I'm here to build-you-up, share my experience, help if I can, and point you in the right direction. But remember, this is a brief consultation, so my on-the-spot review of your work, specific evaluation, and estimated work needed, time, and costs will be affected by the limited time. Still, many authors get everything they need to finish their project on their own, understand their next steps, find the perfect resources, and move on to complete their projects.

2) MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATION

SERVICE: An in depth review of your manuscript w/ written report and one-time meeting (max. 2 hrs.).

*You'll send me (email or mail) your project in its current form: manuscript, notes, outline, audio files, etc.

*I'll read all your materials, note my response/review (as noted above), produce a written report with detailed notes, examples, and suggestions.

*We'll meet for a one-time, face-to-face meeting (2 hours).

*You'll receive my Author's Kit, samples of my writing (books to keep), and other related information and materials.

*We'll accomplish everything noted above in the "Consultation Appointment." But more....

*I'll be prepared with in an depth review of your materials. We'll go over my written response, review, and reflections on your project.

*We'll review my written report about your possible project options--from my experience.

*I'll describe how I can and cannot help you. And I provide a few written estimates for possible ways that I can be of service. Each will describe my of my involvement w/ an estimate of time and fees.

Note: This "Manuscript Consultation" is also available via correspondence. We communcate by email/phone initially, the project/ms is sent w/ consultation fee, I do all the review and written reports above, plus I provide an audio (w/ some video) communication w/ all that I would in the meeting. Then you are able to review the materials carefully and discuss your thought via email/phone.

3) MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATION W/ DEVELOPMENT

SERVICES: A meeting to discuss your manuscript or project, my in-depth read/review w/ reports, plus my development of a portion of your project. This is for authors who need help and know it. It's for those who are already familiar w/ me or have confidence in me.

*We meet to accomplish all the above (#1).

*We discuss the nature of your project

*I receive from you all of your manuscript, materials, and directions for your publishing project. NOTE: rarely is a publishing project in the form of a neat manuscript. I also receive from authors the following:
   --rough manuscript w/ notes and scraps of paper
   --outlines w/ written notes, articles, printouts, or scraps
   --audio recording of speeches, presentations, lectures, sermons,
      ideas/rambling (on cassettes, CDs, floppy disks, or mp3/wav)
   --old book (self-published/out-of-print) & no efile w/ text
   --no written, audio, video material at all...just the idea,
      life-story, presentation in their head (often shared but
      never recorded--*see NOTE below)

*I take your materials w/ me to do an in depth read/review w/ reports (as in #2 above), but more....

*I also develop a selected portion of your project according to your directions. I work from your manuscript, notes, audio/video recordings, outline w/ scraps, brief interview materials, etc. Note: I do a number of things: edit rough material, edit for a general audience (today's readers), edit passive/verbal language to more active easy-to-read copy, re-write seriously rough stuff, transcribe audio/video materials (then edit), or develop the written materials from scraps, notes, or interview material.

*We meet a 2nd time to review my written reports as in option #2 above.

*I read to you chapter(s)/materials that I've developed for you from your materials.

*We discuss your response and ideas about the project and my development.

*I'll describe your options (as in #2) and make a plan, or you'll take it all home to consider and contact me once you've reached your decision for the your next step.

NOTE: Projects that require interviews or transcription from audio recordings require some adjustments in time and fees. As noted in option #2's "NOTE," my time for the "Manuscript Consultation w/ Development" is budgeted. So manuscripts over 10,000 words should have instructions re: your priority portions. Also the development time is also budgeted. So the amount of material developed is limited by allotted time--as well as the degree of difficulty that your manuscript or materials present. But I will contact you about my progress and any problems I encounter.

FEES for consultations, writing/editing, and coaching are negotiable and depend up the unique needs of the author and project.