Book Collaborations

The publishing industry has changed. Years ago, book authors enjoyed a nurturing relationship with their publishing houses. But, with too few exceptions, that relationship has vanished. If you’re lucky enough to see your book idea accepted by a publishing house, you’ll be assigned to someone you’ll call “my editor.” But don’t be fooled. The editor who once paid attention only to authors and manuscripts is now responsible for generating profits. There’s little room left for risk. And there’s little time left for improving a worthy manuscript that nonetheless needs help.

But you need to sell your book idea in the first place, probably with the help of a literary agent. The document that does the selling is the book proposal, and too many good book ideas never become books because they never become marketable proposals. Remember: The best agent in the world won’t write a proposal for you. I will. I’ve written many — both for myself and for clients — and I’ll write one for you that will give your idea its best shot.

Have a look at the list of books I’ve worked on. It keeps getting longer. You’ll see a wide assortment of topics and publishers represented. Because so much of my background is in the culinary field, you’ll see that area well represented on my list. You’ll also see a wide variety of general-interest topics.

But I can deliver far more than a ghostwritten book proposal. By drawing on my extensive experience with publishing houses, I can guide you through the rocks and shoals of book publishing with as much or as little help as you need. I can help you find an agent and work with both you and your agent through every phase of preparing a book. I can prepare a full manuscript as your ghostwriter, editor, or cowriter. Or I can act as a consultant as you prepare the manuscript yourself. And if you’ve already completed the manuscript, I can edit it before you submit it to your publisher.

As with any collaboration, joining forces with another person to produce a book is a big move. An article I wrote on the subject discusses this kind of move at greater length. I suggest that you read this article if you’re considering a collaboration.