Developmental Edit | Ghostwriter

Totally reorganized and reconstructed, significiantly tightened and trimmed: 12 nonfiction or business, 2 memoirs, 8 novels

Expanded, embellished, enhanced: 1 therapeutic nonfiction, 2 self-help nonfiction, 1 memoir, 2 tips business booklet, 1 screenplay

In addition, 59 client books were heavy edited, including creative rewriting: twenty-eight nonfiction and business, and thirty-one memoirs.

BOOK DEVELOPMENT nonfiction, memoirs

DEVELOP SHORT rewrite, enhance, polish

Cover copy, general letters, query letter

Personal Estimate to Develop Your Draft into completed book, answer these questions in an email: word count your draft and materials, genre, title, topic, how your experience writing/publishing in this genre, first book, your budget? Also please provide a short summary paragraph to give me context.

Two Draft Booklet Development:

I rewrite, polish, and reorganize as needed to enhance and clarify your writing; bringing out its strengths, and creatively enhancing, including titles. Two drafts is generally sufficient for booklet length. I may include suggestions for the author to include missing specific details.

Estimate 30 cents/word original count.

Samples Business Tips Booklet

One Draft Short Book Light Edit & Layout in Word

Estimate 10 cents/word original count. Reference Mark Hoge.

FINISH YOUR BOOK

Memoir, Inspiring Nonfiction

Typical Develop Your Book Draft

Three drafts plus final proof

Anticipate 1.5 to 2+ hours per original 270 words (for example, Dr. Bill Lee's book Over 50, Feeling 30! original 27,000 words or 100 pages, final 300 pages and 200 hours; we did a lot of back and forth, he added quite a lot of content as we proceeded). Dr. Lee's book was a full polish development from his unfinished rough draft; included creative additions, reconstruction, and titles, in addition to his expanded contents.

6-12 months generally

Anticipate at least 1.5 hours per 270 original words (this allows for typical one-third expansion). Dr. Lee's book was 2 hours/page because he added quite a lot of content. The more content the author adds, the more hours.

Here's how it works: The author writes; I rewrite, restructure, suggest additions, and I may add creative enhancements, including writing cover copy. Initially I do all that I can on my own. I email questions to the author for missing details or information to be embedded. Part of this process is the author reviewing a rough draft (about halfway), proofing changes, making additions suggested. This back-and-forth process is what increases the work time. See other notes this page regarding "finish" or "develop" an incomplete manuscript.

Times estimated are based on receiving word processed document in Word for PC (handwritten manuscripts would increase cost)

Write Your Memoir:

As in the movie The Ghost Writer: "I interview you. I turn your answers into prose. Here and there, I'll add linking passages imitating your voice... get to the heart of you..."

I only do full ghostwriting on memoirs. I interview you, to capture your voice and story. You provide any materials to me. I research, if necessary.

This is not "developing" your draft. This is writing from scratch.

Typically 400-600+ hours, four drafts (9-12 months). Number of hours depends on volume of interviewing and research necessary, and if any additions along the way.

Fee includes written Testimonial, as Book Doctor.

Plus out-of-pocket expenses, if any.

Plus travel if needed (you prepay).

This is not co-authoring. You retain full copyright.

All work done on retainer.

Rate subject to change, posted here.

The writing process is similiar to "developmental writing" except that you are not providing a draft to be expanded and completed.

Business Nonfiction Book Development

William H. Lee, M.D.,

Over 50, Feeling 30!

How bioidentical hormones bring your body back

"A special thanks to my book doctor, Charol Messenger. She organized my extensive materials, edited with great enthusiasm, and motivated me with new ideas that have brought a greater fullness to this book for all who are seeking better health... This book would not have gotten into print without her knowledgeable assistance." 2011