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 question
2
develop
your writing plan
3
determine
your publishing path
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Recent Blog Posts
Read our most popular thoughts on writing, publishing, and whatever inspires us.
Review: The E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber— What every small business needs to know
So, what is the e myth? It is the basic myth of all small business, the "entrepreneurial myth." It usually starts with something along the lines of, "Why am I working for this guy? . . . I know as much about this business as he does. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't...
Read moreWhen I began to write,
I found out that this was
the best way to make sense of my life.—John Cheever
When I began to write…
When I began to write, I found out that this was the best way to make sense of my life. —John Cheever
How to Deal with the Voices In Your Head
At least Dr. Jekyll was never both himself and Mr. Hyde at the same time (for more modern readers, that should say, “At least Dr. Banner was never both himself and the Hulk at the same time,” if you catch my drift—who was it that said, “There are no new...
Read moreI know I was writing stories when I was five.
I don’t know what I did before that . . .
just loafed, I guess.—A. N. Whitehead
Getting an early start…
I know I was writing stories when I was five. I don’t know what I did before that . . . just loafed, I guess. —A. N. Whitehead
Here Be Dragons
You’ve probably heard the story before. Ancient mapmakers painted in mountains, rivers, bodies of water, and all that they knew on their maps, but the information was always limited. At some point there would be lands or waters beyond which they had no idea what they...
Read moreRead a lot,
write a lot
is the great commandment.—Stephen King
Read a lot, write a lot…
Read a lot, write a lot is the great commandment. —Stephen King
Interview by Mark Malatesta of TheBestsellingAuthor.com
https://soundcloud.com/rick-killian/interview-on-the-bestselling-author-radio-show The above is an interview I did with Mark Malatesta on his radio show/podcast available at his website: TheBestsellingAuthor.com. I know it's a little long, but we had a blast doing it....
Read moreGrammar is a piano I play by ear,
since I seem to have been out of school the year the rules were mentioned.
All I know about grammar is its infinite power.
To shift the structure of a sentence alters the meaning of that sentence,
as definitely and inflexibly as the position of the camera
alters the meaning of the object photographed.—Joan Didion
Grammar is a piano I play by ear…
Grammar is a piano I play by ear, since I seem to have been out of school the year the rules were mentioned. All I know about grammar is its infinite power. To shift the structure of a sentence alters the meaning of that sentence,...
The perfect storm that creates a bestseller (part four)
(If you haven’t read the previous posts in this series yet, here are parts one, two, and three) As you likely remember reading in the first three parts of this series, bestsellers—books that sell hundreds of thousands of copies, if not a million or more—happen...
Read moreThe difference between the right word
and the almost-right word is really a large matter—
’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.—Mark Twain
The right word vs. the almost right word…
The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is really a large matter— 'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning. —Mark Twain
The perfect storm that creates a bestseller (part three)
(If you haven’t read them yet, here are parts one and two.) Do you know the all-time greatest marketing tool for selling books? Despite the recent, rapid changes in publishing, this still is and has always been the best way to sell books. And it probably always will...
Read moreLearn to trust our own judgment,
learn inner independence,
learn to trust that time will
sort the good from the bad—
including your own bad.―Doris Lessing
Learn to trust…
Learn to trust our own judgment, learn inner independence, learn to trust that time will sort the good from the bad— including your own bad. ―Doris Lessing
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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