Work with me

I’m a big believer in building a strategy to support your creativity, so we’ll start by assessing where you are in the book-creation process.

Sally Collings Book Proposal and Development Specialist

I’ll bring all of my expertise and energy to your book project. Together, we will turn your rough drafts and false starts, bullet points and blog posts into a book that is irresistible to your readers.

But first? We’ll plan for success. I’m a big believer in building a strategy to support your creativity, so we’ll start by assessing where you are in the book-creation process.

We’ll ensure your book concept aligns with who you are, and what you’re inspired to accomplish. What is your message, argument, or proposition? What will your book do for its readers—what benefits, what problems solved, what changes in thinking or behavior?

You know you’ve clinched this when you can describe the unique offering of your book in one or two clear, explanatory sentences.

We’ll weigh up the competition. What other books do your readers have on their shelves? How do those books achieve their aims—through case studies, a sustained narrative, executable advice? I’ll show you how to read like an editor, assessing the competition like a pro.

We’ll make sure your chosen path to publication is rock solid. Many authors hanker after a book deal with one of the Big Five publishing houses (HarperCollins, Penguin Random House etc.). But it’s not the only solution, or even the best one for every author.

You know you’ve got this covered when you can explain clearly which publishing path is right for you, how you will go about achieving it, and why it’s the best choice for you and your book.

For your book proposal, I will craft an outstanding case for your concept, credentials, voice, and message that will captivate agents and editors. It will be complete within four months.

For your manuscript, I’ll expand and hone, polish and reshape until it fulfills your visions and dreams. From the first sentence to the last, it will be clear, strong, fresh, and engaging. To write a 70,000-word manuscript takes me about eight months; smaller editing projects may take as little as one month.

No matter how far along the writing and publishing path you are, I’ll bring you to the finish line in winning fashion. Yes, there will be effort required on both sides, but...