hemingwaywantabes

Attention Hemingwaywantabes, are you writing your first book, either one you are authoring about a subject you have chosen, or one you are authoring about someone else per an agreement with them? If so, my bet is that Mr. Hemingway would suggest that you hire a literary consultant to assist you idea to publication. Doing so with a professional with much experience in the publishing business makes good sense.

Despite my having been been published nearly twenty times (See the Mark Shaw Books icon above), I just hired a literary consultant to evaluate a book proposal I wrote. His opinion will be most helping in considering whether I am on the right track with my book concept.

When people hire me as a mentor/consultant to help them, I usually provide a sketch of what services I will provide. It includes:

Initial evaluation of the book project regarding topic, uniqueness, publishing viability, and strategy – idea to publication

Suggested research techniques and use of preliminary book outline

Evaluation of first manuscript draft with notes re content, grammar and punctuation accuracy, and theme projection

Evaluation of subsequent manuscript draft with notes

Evaluation of final manuscript draft with notes

Reference of line editors to examine manuscript for completion and submission

Consultation regarding form for first book proposal draft

Evaluation of subsequent book proposal draft

Evaluation of final version of book proposal

Consultation regarding first query letter draft

Evaluation of subsequent query letter draft

Evaluation of final version of query letter

Consultation regarding publishing alternatives

Consultation regarding selection of literary agent potentials

Assistance with submission procedures to literary agents and/or publishers

Legal consultation regarding literary agent and/or publishing contracts

Of course, I never guarantee that someone will be published, only that the strategy/advice suggested will optimize the chances to be published. Check the icon above that lists many authors who have used my assistance if you wish to do so.

No matter, locating a competent, professional consultant is easy to do using a Google search, etc. Carefully check out credentials and if you have the time, contact references the consultants mention to make certain they were pleased with the advice provided.

So, hemingwaywantabes, don’t be shy about asking for help with your first book, or even a subsequent one. The cost is reasonable and the advice worth the cost.