Ghostwriting/Developmental Editing
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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.
Recent Blog Posts
Read our most popular thoughts on writing, publishing, and whatever inspires us.
Read moreDon’t wait for the muse. . . .
Your job is to make sure the muse
knows where you’re going to be every day
from nine ’til noon. or seven ’til three.
If she does know,
I assure you that sooner or later
she’ll start showing up.
—Stephen King,
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Don’t wait for the muse….
Don't wait for the muse. . . . Your job is to make sure the muse knows where you're going to be every day from nine 'til noon. or seven 'til three. If she does know, I assure you that sooner or later she'll start showing up. —Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir...
The Danger of a Single Story
This is a fantastic talk and a great reason why more of us need to tell our stories. Listen and let me know what you think.
Read moreYou can only become truly accomplished
at something you love.
Don’t make money your goal.
Instead pursue the things you love doing
and then do them so well that
people can’t take their eyes off of you.―Maya Angelou
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love…
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you. ―Maya Angelou
Steven Pressfield on The Foolscap Method of Story Outlining
https://vimeo.com/70767223#t=13s If you don't know Steven Pressfield, let me introduce him to you through this video. While he talks about his book, The Legend of Bagger Vance here, the first book I read by him was The War of Art (and its two companions: Do the Work...
Read moreWhen I sit down to write a book,
I do not say to myself,
“I am going to produce
a work of art.” I write it
because there is some
lie that I want to expose,
some fact to which
I want to draw attention,
and my initial concern
is to get a hearing.—George Orwell
To expose a lie, draw attention to a fact, get a hearing…
When I sit down to write a book, I do not say to myself, "I am going to produce a work of art." I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing. —George...
Music to Write to: “Fall in Line”
https://youtu.be/EUhoWfiYebA Here is a short video from one of my favorite artists to write to. Love this! Enjoy!
Get Your Book’s Audience Right
If you are someone with a message—whether for your business, nonprofit, ministry, agency, political candidate, speaker, journalist, etc.—something inside of you is probably telling you to write a book. And the truth of the matter...
Read moreIntuition makes us look at
unrelated facts and then think
about them until they can all
be brought under one law. . . .
Intuition is the father of new
knowledge, while empiricism is
nothing but an accumulation of
old knowledge. Intuition,
not intellect, is
the “open sesame” of yourself.—Albert Einstein
The “Open Sesame” of Yourself…
Intuition makes us look at unrelated facts and then think about them until they can all be brought under one law. . . . Intuition is the father of new knowledge, while empiricism is nothing but an accumulation of old knowledge. Intuition, not intellect, is the "open...
Judging a Book by Its Cover
Yeah, I know you’re not supposed to do that, but far too many authors underestimate the power of the physical design of a book. Today more than ever, the look and feel may not tell you much about the quality of writing or depth of thought put into a book, but they do...
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