Do you have a story you've always wanted to tell? Has the inspirational story of your organization gone unsung? Are the wrong people getting credit for what you've done? Does your message not get the attention it deserves?
A book, with its inherent hard-cover credibility may be the answer
Hello, my name is Patrick A. McGuire. I'm an award-winning newspaper writer and reporter as well as the author of several well-received and eminently readable commissioned histories. One of them, a centennial history of the medical school at the University of North Dakota was just named 'Book of the Year' by the North Dakota Library Association.
These books have helped people and institutions get their story or message out to a broader audience. Often such stories are spurned by big city publishers because of their limited regional or topical audience. But the various underwriters of each of my projects had a more visionary return in mind. They decided to go ahead because their real goal was to spread their story as widely as possible.
Some of them were frustrated that incorrect versions of their story were circulating, giving credit to the wrong people. They wanted to set the record straight. Others felt their important work received scant attention in the distracting glut of today's mass media.
Often these books are marketed to alumni groups and professional groups who are eager and willing to buy. But they are also given away as promotional tools to interested parties and groups. With the longer shelf-life that a hard-cover book retains, their message has a staying power far beyond newspaper or magazine advertising.
Some of the projects you might consider:
The inspirational history of your organization
A fascinating, revealing episode in a career
A life story
Discoveries and observations on life's journey
An unforgettable character
A detailed account of an unusual, successful project
I offer three types of collaborative writing services
Research and writing as named co-author or unnamed ghostwriter
Manuscript evaluation and content editing
Story/project consulting, coaching
1. Research and writing
• It all begins with your desire to tell a story--either your personal story or that of your organization. We discuss the project, your goals, your concept of the story.Can we agree on the scope of the story? Are we suited enough to each other to spend from several months to a year or longer working together? Mutual trust and a commitment to a common goal is essential.
• I spend time with a small number of principals and begin to get a feel for the needs and the culture of the organization. I begin compiling a list of key interviewees and all pertinent research sites. I discuss travel and logistical needs over the life of the project. We agree on a deadline for submission of a first draft.
• I begin interviews and research.
• Once I feel I’ve talked to the key people and have a solid grasp of the chronology, philosophy, technology and culture of the organization—as well as major contributions by individuals—I begin organizing notes. I identify gaps in information and arrange for a subsequent round of interviews or research.
• I draw up an outline of the book and begin the actual writing of the first draft. This usually requires three to six months.
• The first draft is submitted and a review committee recommends any changes. Factual corrections are made without extra charge. If more reporting or writing is required beyond the original scope of the book, I assess a daily or weekly fee.
• After I have made all requested changes and corrections I submit a second, or final, draft to you. Any factual errors brought to my attention will be corrected at no charge.
2. Manuscript evaluation and content editing
You've written something and aren't sure if it's a long story or a short book. Or a book that isn't long enough. Or maybe you just want a professional opinion.
After discussing the manuscript, and understanding your goals, I'll read it and give you a detailed, written evaluation. I am not a copy editor--that is, I won't go into detail on issues of spelling, grammar, syntax and usage. If your manuscript is deemed to be ready for marketing, I may suggest you consider hiring a professional copy editor.
Instead, I will focus on the overall needs of the story in terms of your goals. Specifically I will address the story's structure, the writing quality (description, dialogue, scene creation, creative non-fiction devices, etc.) the readability, the depth of research undertaken thus far, research paths to follow, the realistic hope for completing and publishing. I will suggest improvements and make myself available to discuss them in detail.
At this point you should have enough feedback to decide whether to continue or to head in a different direction.
3. Story/project consulting and coaching
You have an idea for a story or a non-fiction book and are unsure how to proceed. Perhaps you've begun work and need advice on where to go. Or, you have a manuscript and you desire on-going coaching and feedback as you complete the project.
These services are similar in nature to the collaboration I perform in manuscript evaluation and editing. Indeed, one may turn out to be an offshoot of the other.
A word about design, production, printing, marketing, distribution
If you have your own publisher in mind or your own design and production staff, you may not need any of these services. However, I have experience in providing or managing all of the steps of publication and delivery of your book. |
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