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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Read our most popular thoughts on writing, publishing, and whatever inspires us.
The perfect storm that creates a bestseller (part two)
(If you haven’t read it yet, here is part one) I think most authors wish that writing an awesome manuscript was enough to have their name climb to the tops of the best of bestseller’s charts, but I know from experience that many of the books at the top of the lists...
Read moreThe practice and habit of writing
not only drain the mind
but supply it too.—William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White
Supplying the mind…
The practice and habit of writing not only drain the mind but supply it too. —William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White
The perfect storm that creates a bestseller (part one)
A lot of people think bestsellers just happen. While some probably do, that is far from the norm. More often than not, bestsellers come from carefully orchestrated campaigns to create them. Whether accidental or on purpose, however, bestsellers emerge from the...
Read moreDreams, books,
are each a world;
and books, we know,
Are a substantial world,
both pure and good:
Round these,
with tendrils strong
as flesh and blood,
Our pastime and
our happiness will grow.—William Wordsworth
Books are a world…
Dreams, books, are each a world; and books, we know, Are a substantial world, both pure and good: Round these, with tendrils strong as flesh and blood, Our pastime and our happiness will grow. —William Wordsworth
In honor of a fellow writer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1gekPG5Wk I spoke with Sgt. Sean Renfro last September. He'd been doing some writing and wanted to see if it was ready to be turned into a book. It took me some time to get back to him, but eventually we talked. In essence, I told him...
Read moreWe should write because we are spiritual beings and writing is a powerful form of prayer and meditation, connecting us both to our own insights and also to a higher and deeper level of inner guidance as well.
We should write because writing brings clarity and passion to the act of living. Writing is sensual, experiential, grounding. We should write because writing is good for the soul. We should write because writing yields us a body of work,
a felt path through the world we live in.—Julia Cameron
We should write because…
We should write because we are spiritual beings and writing is a powerful form of prayer and meditation, connecting us both to our own insights and also to a higher and deeper level of inner guidance as well. We should write because writing brings clarity and passion...
Bestseller: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
(Over the next couple of weeks, I want to look at what goes into making a bestseller. The first stop on that tour will be to get a better understanding of the term.) Romeo famously asked, “What’s in a name?” By the end of the play, he got his answer—apparently...
Read moreWhenever I’m asked what advice I have for young writers, I always say that the first thing is to read, and to read a lot. The second thing is to write. And the third thing, which I think is absolutely vital, is to tell stories and listen closely to the stories you’re being told.
―John Green
Read, write, listen…
Whenever I’m asked what advice I have for young writers, I always say that the first thing is to read, and to read a lot. The second thing is to write. And the third thing, which I think is absolutely vital, is to tell stories and listen closely to the stories you’re...
“Authorpreneurship,” an article from The Economist
I don't usually just provide links to articles, but here is a great one from The Economist on the changing world of publishing and how much being an author today means being your own business. Check it out and then come back and leave your thoughts in the comments. It...
Read moreBe daring, take on anything. Don’t labor over little cameo works in which every word is to be perfect. Technique holds a reader from sentence to sentence, but only content will stay in his mind.
―Joyce Carol Oates
Only content will stay…
Be daring, take on anything. Don’t labor over little cameo works in which every word is to be perfect. Technique holds a reader from sentence to sentence, but only content will stay in his mind. ―Joyce Carol Oates
Review: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller—Living a better story
It’s hard to read about Donald Miller’s life—through his memoirs, that is—and not come out a more thoughtful person on the other side. It was true for his first book, Blue Like Jazz, and it his true for one of his latest: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I...
Read moreA pencil is one of the best eyes. . . .
Facts are stupid things until brought into connection.—Louis Agassiz
Facts are stupid…
A pencil is one of the best eyes. . . . Facts are stupid things until brought into connection. —Louis Agassiz
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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