How to hire help

 

Please don’t share this page with others as it is intended only for those who have purchased Dwight Clough’s How to Write and Publish Your Book course…

 

 

Lesson #12
How to hire help

Writing and publishing your book is a big job. It’s doable, but it takes a lot of persistence together with the right combination of skills and expertise. Not everyone has or should have the time or expertise to bring this type of project to completion.

Sometimes you just need to hire some help.

 

What type of professional to hire

Let’s start here. Hire the right person. What kind of help do you want?

Do you want to write your book yourself, but know—left to yourself—you’ll probably never get it done?
Hire a writing coach.

Do you really want to get your story or message out there, but don’t feel comfortable writing?
Hire a ghostwriter.

Have you written a book, but feel like it needs work?
Hire an editor or ghostwriter to rewrite it.

Are you happy with your book, but need help getting it in print or in e-book form?
Hire a self-publishing consultant.

Do you want to get a contract with a traditional publishing firm?
Hire an agent. If you can. Agents work on commission, and they typically only take on people with strong platforms.

 

5 Reasons to hire a writer

Five reasons to hire a professional to write or rewrite your book for you
#1 You’re too close to the material.
#2 Your time is best spent doing what you do best.
#3 Collaboration brings added perspective to your work.
#4 Writing just isn’t your thing.
#5 The job will get done. A hired writer will bring your book to completion.

More information about my services here

 

What is a ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who writes your book for you and doesn’t care who gets the credit for writing it. Your name appears on the cover. When I write or rewrite a book for someone, my name does NOT appear on or in the book unless BOTH of us want it to.

 

Will I steal your idea?
No. Here’s why: I don’t have your expertise. I don’t have your experience. Therefore, I cannot write with your authority, unless we agree to collaborate on a book together. In other words, I don’t have the ability to steal your idea. Moreover, I don’t have the time. With so many ideas of my own that I’m excited about, I really don’t need any ideas from anyone else. My current solo project is a paraphrase of the Bible, and that’s going to keep me occupied for a long time. So unless that’s your idea, we’re probably safe. Finally, it’s not in my character to steal ideas. I’m a win-win person. I like arrangements where everybody comes out ahead. If, for any reason, I think there’s any conflict of interest between your idea and anything I’m working on, I’ll let you know immediately.

More information about my services here

 

Know what you’re getting

You should have answers to the following questions before you sign or pay anything:

What exactly am I getting?
There’s a difference between printed books and a finished manuscript, for example.

How much will it cost?
Are there any hidden or add-on fees? What about expenses for travel, etc? Who pays for that?

When and how will I pay?
It’s customary to pay something in advance, and an additional payment or payments depending on the size of the project.

What happens if I’m not satisfied?
Usually ghostwriters include a round or two of revisions in their fee. A book is a big enough project so you should be able to inspect portions of drafts early on. Keep in mind that one of the hardest parts of a book project is just arranging all of the thoughts that will go into the book, and that takes place BEFORE the first words are written. If it’s not going the way you want it to go, then there’s time for course correction or walk away. However, expecting a 100% refund after someone has invested dozens or even hundreds of hours is not reasonable.

How do I get out of this if I decide it’s not for me?
Your agreement should have a walk away clause.

What rights am I keeping?
This question is particularly important. Upon payment of the writer’s fees, you should get all rights to the book. Make sure this is clarified up front.

How is my confidentiality protected?
If you don’t want the ghostwriter to reveal that s/he worked with you on a book, that is your right. Make sure that’s specified in writing before you start.

 

Book planning resource

Your message: Formation of your message
Identifying the core concept or basic story you want to communicate. It’s more than a topic; it’s what you want to say about that topic. How do you want to add value to your world? This is based on your values, your experience, your expertise and is refined in your interaction with others (discussion, focus groups, blog posts, social media interaction, etc.)

• I can do this myself
• I need encouragement / accountability
• I need coaching / instruction
• I want someone to do this for / with me
• I’m not ready to think about this
• Done or don’t need this

 

Forming a strategic plan for your book
What are your goals? What means (books, blogs, courses, etc.) do you want to use to convey your message? How do you define success with your book? How does your book fit into the big picture for you? Who is your reader? Why will your reader want to buy and read your book? How do you want your reader to respond? How will you get your book into the hands of your reader? How will you meet your goals? What publishing / marketing / spin off options make sense for you?

• I can do this myself
• I need encouragement / accountability
• I need coaching / instruction
• I want someone to do this for / with me
• I’m not ready to think about this
• Done or don’t need this

 

Writing
Gathering the information needed to write your book. Interviewing sources and/or compiling and organizing notes. Creating an outline. Translating thoughts into words.

• I can do this myself
• I need encouragement / accountability
• I need coaching / instruction
• I want someone to do this for / with me
• I’m not ready to think about this
• Done or don’t need this

 

Rewriting and editing
Taking a first or subsequent draft and reworking, rewriting, editing and/or polishing it to get it ready for publication.

• I can do this myself
• I need encouragement / accountability
• I need coaching / instruction
• I want someone to do this for / with me
• I’m not ready to think about this
• Done or don’t need this

 

Publishing
If traditional publishing, creating a book proposal for an agent or publisher. If self publishing, designing your book interior, setting up an account with Amazon (or working with other alternatives), designing a book cover, creating files in correct format for upload, setting up your title information, taking care of ISBN / bar code, choosing trim sizes, distribution channels, setting prices, proofing. Converting your book to Kindle or other e-book.

• I can do this myself
• I need encouragement / accountability
• I need coaching / instruction
• I want someone to do this for / with me
• I’m not ready to think about this
• Done or don’t need this

 

Marketing tools
Setting up a website to showcase / sell your book, setting up shopping cart if needed, getting a sellers permit, creating an elevator speech, developing a media kit

• I can do this myself
• I need encouragement / accountability
• I need coaching / instruction
• I want someone to do this for / with me
• I’m not ready to think about this
• Done or don’t need this

 

Spin offs
Taking the message of your book a step further; creating a course, a coaching service, a business, a screenplay or other spin offs.

• I can do this myself
• I need encouragement / accountability
• I need coaching / instruction
• I want someone to do this for / with me
• I’m not ready to think about this
• Done or don’t need this

 

More information about my services here

 

Don’t be “that” kind of client

When you hire help, you want to get the best results for your money. If you hire a competent professional who charges a reasonable fee and is willing to work with you, then everything should turn out fine. But there are a few expectations on your part.

Here are a few “no-no’s” to avoid:

Don’t micromanage. As a rule, clients who micromanage are clueless, and they don’t know they’re clueless. If you try to control every part of the creative process, it makes the process frustrating for you and for the professional you hire, and the resultant product will ALWAYS be a disappointment for both of you. When you hire a professional, trust that person to be a professional.

Don’t haggle. Professionals charge a fee. It’s their paycheck. Your employer doesn’t haggle with you when it comes time for you to get paid. Enough said.

Don’t expect professionals to work for free. Professionals may be willing to work with you or even consider a barter arrangement, but nobody wants to work for free. That includes expecting free add ons. If the service the professional is providing has any value to you, then pay for it. Otherwise, don’t hire.

Don’t expect professionals to work under some kind of “split-the-profits” arrangement. Speaking for myself: Sorry, no can do. I’ve been ripped off on every “split-the-profit” arrangement I’ve done, so I don’t consider them any more.

Of course, you wouldn’t do any of those things. Right? Of course not.

 

Writing and publishing services

I help you write, rewrite, and/or publish your book.

Here’s what people say about me:

 

If you are looking for someone to help you create your book I recommend Dwight Clough. He is knowledgeable and goes the “extra mile” to make sure his client is well served. He is also very affordable. There are many large publishers for self published books that are very expensive. My book received the same quality and professionalism with Dwight for a third of what these large companies charge. My book, Uncommon Courage, is now on Amazon and Kindle and was a #1 seller of new releases for the biographies under special needs. Thank you Dwight! ~ Cheryl Wiker

 

…a friend … was very impressed with the cover… I feel the same way. As for content I … am especially pleased with the help you gave in creating a smooth flow of the subject matter. I am very pleased with the book but wouldn’t feel that way without your assistance. –Jim Dickson, Author, Mere Humanity

 

Writing services

Work with me and your book will get done.

I specialize in helping Christian leaders and anyone with a positive message or story. I work on inspirational, life story, Christian testimony, leadership, educational, self improvement, Bible study and related books. My specialty is nonfiction and life story.

You have final say on the content.

My name appears in/on your book ONLY if both of us want it to.

You don’t need to write a single word; I can work with a blank slate, our conversations, independent research, your completed manuscript, your partially completed manuscript, your notes, your blog, recordings of your presentations or almost anything else.

All rights will belong to you, and you won’t get locked into a contract that you can’t walk away from.

I’m a national award winning writer with over 25 years of experience, and I’m a committed Christian specializing in Christian inspirational, devotional, life story, testimony, leadership, Bible study, self improvement and educational books.

Turnaround time depends on the amount of work needed, but two to six months is common.

I’m a writer, not a copy editor. Copy editors check your manuscript for errors and inconsistencies. As a writer, I take the time to understand your message and how it best connects with your reader. Then I evaluate every line of our manuscript to make sure what we are creating together sends the kind of message and produces the kind of response you want from your reader.

Revisions are a normal part of the process.

I am not always available to take on every project. I reserve the right to turn down any project at any time for any reason or for no reason.

I go way beyond typical editing.

More information about my services here

 

Publishing services

If you are looking for a way to get your book into print, I’ll guide you through the self publishing process and help you avoid many of the traps and pitfalls that trip up inexperienced authors.

Super easy! I do all the work for you. As an experienced author and self publisher, I will steer you around many of the pitfalls that trap inexperienced authors. As an experienced ghostwriter, I can also help you re-purpose and rewrite your material if you want me to (see above).

Your rights are protected.

You earn a generous royalty on every book you sell. You don’t need to fulfill a single order. The publisher will pick, pack and ship your book to your reader for you. You earn a much bigger slice of the pie than you typically would with a traditional publisher.

• No inventory required.
• No minimum print run.
• No hidden costs.

You may order inexpensive author’s copies from the printer—any number, anytime you want, but you are not required to do so. Give them away or sell them.

You set your own price on your book. Within reason, you can set whatever price you want.

Your book can become available worldwide (major markets) if you want it to be.

You keep all rights. You never get locked into a contract that limits your right to do what you want with your own material.

Publishing your book is a big job, but I take care of everything for you, so you don’t need to worry about a thing.

Here’s how it works:

I start by helping you set up a free account with Amazon’s publish-on-demand platform.

I use your photos or Creative Commons images to create your book cover. You, of course, have input into the design and make the final approval. I make sure that our cover is printable which means I create the front and back cover, spine and bleed all at the same time.

If the back cover contains copy (words), I help you with that.

I take care of ISBN and bar code for you:

I prepare your manuscript for printing. Many first-time authors underestimate how important this step is. A poorly designed book interior makes the book look cheap and makes it difficult to read.

In addition, I help you select a trim size, write promotional copy, write an author’s bio, select a BISAC book category, develop key words, set up distribution channels, price your book in the USA and internationally, and plan royalty payments.

My service is quick and affordable.

As an author, you need to be careful where and how you publish your book. Many publishing houses not only take away your rights to your own content, but to any future content you create. Talk about unfair! Not here. You own the content. You are free to republish elsewhere in addition if you like. You are free to do develop spin offs and derivative works (which are sometimes more profitable than the book itself).

I’ll get your book in print with Amazon’s print-on-demand service. That means you don’t need to maintain an inventory. Books are manufactured as you sell them or as you order them. You can order as many copies as you want any time you want and sell them yourself, or your customers can purchase copies directly from the printer and/or Amazon.com and you get paid a percentage.

If desired, I’ll also convert your book to Kindle or other e-book formats. For the uninitiated, converting a book to Kindle—and doing it right—can be about as much work as putting a new transmission in your car. Yes, there are automated conversion services, and I use them, but a thousand things can go wrong in that process. I’m the guy that can go through all 6,000 lines of html code for you and fix the problems.

I publish in the following formats:

• Paperback—color cover with black & white or color interior
• Kindle e-book
• I do not publish hardcover.
• We may be getting into audio books in the future, but we haven’t done any yet.

I publish a variety of trim sizes with 6×9 being the most common.

Please note that I am not always available to take on every project. I reserve the right to turn down any project at any time for any reason or for no reason.

More information about my services here

 

“It was such a great experience working with you. I know that the whole site, and ESPECIALLY the cemetery piece, is anointed because of your anointing. Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for all you have done (and for being so patient)! I know it was incredibly hard to “write for a writer” and you met the challenge—and exceeded my expectations. You can be sure that you’ll be hearing from me soon …” Kathie Torres

 

A final word

Writing and self-publishing your book is a big job, but it is a job that people accomplish all the time, and you can do it too. I hope this course has taken the mystery out of that process for you.

Then please contact me and tell me about your book. I’d love to cheer you on and offer you any pointers or encouragement that I can.

Dwight Clough

 

This is the last lesson; the course index is below…

 

Recommended resources and sample books

Yes, these are referral links so there is a danger that I might make money if you click through and purchase…

 

More resources

LibreOffice, a free alternative to Microsoft Word (scroll down for the most recent stable version)

Download GIMP, a free alternative to PhotoShop

AWeber, an email list management service—I’ve experienced excellent customer service from these folks (and, yes, this is a referral link)

How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months

Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book (Volume 2)

1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers, 6th Edition

 

About Dwight Clough

I am a national award-winning writer, published author (20+ books), ghostwriter, and publishing consultant. Since 1983, I have worked on a wide range of writing projects for thousands of enthusiastic clients. I’ve helped clients write, rewrite, and publish their books.

I specialize in Christian inspirational, life story, devotional, educational and leadership books, but I’ve worked on other book projects ranging from microbiology to mental health.

You can reach me here: