Every thought leader needs a book
to communicate their message
Yet they don’t know where to start.
They’re not sure how to get from their big idea to a book that will sell.
What they need is a plan and a guide—someone who has traveled
from idea to a bestseller list before.
Our process helps you . . .
1
define
your book’s message
2
develop
your writing plan
3
determine
your publishing path
Manuscripts completed
Authors helped
NYTimes Top 5
Million books sold (and counting)
Recent Blog Posts
Read our most popular thoughts on writing, publishing, and whatever inspires us.
Should You Write Your Book Yourself, Get a Coach, or Hire a Ghostwriter? A Few Things to Consider…
So you want to write a book—in fact, you need to write a book. It’s not just a whim, but something you need to do as part of your mission in life. There is a message burning a hole in your soul and a book feels like the best way to express it. It is something you have...
Read moreThe big kahuna in content marketing is the book.
—Michael Bungay Stanier,
“Exactly how I self-published my book, sold 180,000 copies, and nearly doubled my revenue”
The big kahuna…
The big kahuna in content marketing is the book. —Michael Bungay Stanier, "Exactly how I self-published my book, sold 180,000 copies, and nearly doubled my revenue"
Understanding the Writing Process for Fun and Profit
Most of us have learned to approach writing as an activity. “I need to write __________,” fill in the blank: “an email,” “a report,” “a marketing blurb,” “a letter,” “a book,” or the like. We sit down, we draft what we want to say, we reread it to check for typos,...
Read moreTo hell with last words.
Let’s try to make
one sentence
that’s rightly positioned
within a manageable context
so that we can utter it
to somebody else
and they’ll understand it.—Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry discusses life
Let’s try to make one sentence…
To hell with last words. Let's try to make one sentence that's rightly positioned within a manageable context so that we can utter it to somebody else and they'll understand it. —Wendell Berry Wendell Berry discusses life
“The Most Beautiful Train Ride in the World” (Part 5)
Riding the Ella Odyssey: Oceans of Tea (Part 5 of 5) (In case you missed it, here is a link to Part 1) After Nanu Oya, the huge vistas calmed to an ocean of plantations with tea pickers interspersed here and there. The neat, undulating rows of tea bushes among Dr....
Read moreIf a nation loses its storytellers,
it loses its childhood.—Peter Handke
If a nation loses its storytellers…
If a nation loses its storytellers, it loses its childhood. —Peter Handke
“The Most Beautiful Train Ride in the World” (Part 4)
Riding the Ella Odyssey: Into the Wilds (Part 4 of 5) (In case you missed it, here is a link to Part 1) Between Idalgashinna and Pattipola, the track runs through its wildest stretch on the route—dense rainforest and tunnel after tunnel. (There are fourteen tunnels...
Read moreWho wants to become a writer?
And why?
Because it’s the answer to everything. . . .
It’s the streaming reason for living.
To note, to pin down, to build up, to create,
to be astonished at nothing,
to cherish the oddities,
to let nothing go down the drain,
to make something,
to make a great flower out of life,
even if it’s a cactus.—Enid Bagnold
Who wants to become a writer?…
Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it’s the answer to everything. . . . It’s the streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make...
“The Most Beautiful Train Ride in the World” (Part 3)
Riding the Ella Odyssey: The Most Spectacular Part of the Ride (Part 3 of 5) (In case you missed it, here is a link to Part 1) Almost immediately beyond Ella, the vistas swell. No longer were we seeing across a river valley, but across vast highland plains to...
Read moreIt’s often good to do
a fishing trip between
the first draft and the second draft,
because that’s
where you find the howlers—
that’s where you see
the weaknesses. . . .
You need the distance to see it.—David Seidler,
Creative Spark: David Seidler
Between the first draft and the second…
It's often good to do a fishing trip between the first draft and the second draft, because that's where you find the howlers— that's where you see the weaknesses. . . . You need the distance to see it. —David Seidler, Creative Spark: David Seidler
“The Most Beautiful Train Ride in the World” (Part 2)
Riding the Ella Odyssey: Leaving from Badulla (Part 2 of 5) (In case you missed it, here is a link to Part 1) We arrived at the Badulla Railway Station a little before 9:00 am. The train was scheduled to leave at 9:15. There are advantages to doing things differently...
Read moreKeep a small can
of WD-40 on your desk—
away from any open flames—
to remind yourself
that if you don’t write daily,
you will get rusty.—George Singleton
If you don’t write everyday…
Keep a small can of WD-40 on your desk— away from any open flames— to remind yourself that if you don’t write daily, you will get rusty. —George Singleton
Testimonials
Melissa and Rick are a dynamic duo that will absolutely help you produce your best work. From framing a concept into a compelling narrative, to structuring the chapters, editing, writing and supporting authors, their experience, compassion and savvy make all the difference.
As a publisher and publishing services company serving both indie authors and other trade publishers, it’s critical to find writing and editorial partners that are professional, cool under pressure, and responsive to the needs of clients. Killian Creative checks off all three of these boxes. We worked with Rick in serving a client on a tight-turn revision schedule for a novel, and he was a complete pro every step of the way, translating the client’s requests into solid prose on the page. I’m glad to work with Rick and recommend Killian Creative to others looking for professional writing and editorial services.
Rick and Melissa are a truly dynamic team! Their combined creative writing and editing abilities are second to none. They have a unique ability to find the voice of each author and express ideas consistent with each author’s style and personality.
Rick is both an accomplished writer and editor—and in the publishing world, people with both competencies are rare animals indeed. When I’m in need of a great writer or book doctor, “Killian” comes first to mind.
Working with the Killians was a joy for me. My book was so personal and to be comfortable enough with them to be open and honest with the pain in my life made this journey a successful one for me. They are professional, thorough, detailed, and most important—kind.
I was a reluctant writer! Rick coached me into a love and confidence of writing that has made the whole experience enjoyable. Rick’s ability to preserve your thoughts and stories while adding an easy reading style and ordering the material to best flow for the reader is something I could not have done without him.
All our experiences with Rick have been great. He’s easy to work with. His research is outstanding, and he masterfully incorporates it into his writing.
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