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.
Has the publishing industry capsized?
If you are an author, a writer, or even have an idea for a book, there are some things you should know about the world of publishing today. Namely, it is that the importance of getting published may have changed by 180 degrees to the way it was when I became an editor...
Read moreThe muses love mornings.
—Benjamin Franklin
The muses love mornings…
The muses love mornings. —Benjamin Franklin
“Sometimes you have to write to figure it out…”
The above commencement address holds some great insight about both writing and life. In case you don't have fifteen minutes to listen to the entire thing, here are some of my favorite bits from his story about a conversation with...
Read moreIt may be that when we no longer know which way to go that we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.
Wendell Berry
The mind that is not baffled is not employed…
It may be that when we no longer know which way to go that we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings. Wendell Berry
The Art of Essaying
The word essay comes from French for “to try.” Many, perhaps because of getting assigned lame essays in high school (though none of my teacher friends do that, thank God! 🙂 ), think of essay writing as a tedious rehashings of things we’ve already learned. However,...
Read moreIf you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out and sent rambling. You must write every single day of your life. You must read dreadful dumb books and glorious books, and let them wrestle in beautiful fights inside your head, vulgar one moment, brilliant the next. You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads. I wish you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime. I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon you. May you live with hysteria, and out of it make fine stories—science fiction or otherwise. Which finally means, may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.
Ray Bradbury
And out of that love, remake a world…
If you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out and sent rambling. You must write every single day of your life. You must read dreadful dumb books and glorious books, and let them wrestle in beautiful fights...
Are you living a shadow of what you are called to be?
Are you living the shadow life? Here is a simple test. Answer these two questions: What makes you feel most alive and improves the well being of others? Are you doing whatever that is on a regular basis? If you find it hard to answer the first question—or your answer...
Read moreThough we may have desires or bold goals, for whatever reason, most of us don’t think we can achieve something beyond what we’re qualified to achieve. Why, I ask, do we let reality interfere with our dreams?
Simon Sinek
Why…do we let reality interfere with our dreams?…
Though we may have desires or bold goals, for whatever reason, most of us don’t think we can achieve something beyond what we’re qualified to achieve. Why, I ask, do we let reality interfere with our dreams? Simon Sinek
7 things I am glad I did as a dad
I was far from a perfect father as my kids grew up, even though I am very proud of them as they begin to unleash themselves on the world. (Hannah just graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, which she...
Read moreA writer who waits for ideal
conditions under which
to work
will die without putting
a word on paper.—E. B. White
A writer who waits for ideal conditions…
A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper. —E. B. White
Read moreBeing a good writer is about more than writing.
Clear writing is a sign of clear thinking.
Great writers know how to communicate.
They make things easy to understand.
They can put themselves in somebody else’s shoes.
They know what to omit….Writing is today’s currency for good ideas.
—Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Rework
Being a good writer is about more than writing…
Being a good writer is about more than writing. Clear writing is a sign of clear thinking. Great writers know how to communicate. They make things easy to understand. They can put themselves in somebody else's shoes. They know what to omit.... Writing is today's...
What is the secret to great writing?
This secret could be the key to you writing that book you have had an idea for for so many years. At the same time, this, quite possibly, is one of the worst-kept secrets about writing. It is so obvious most people miss it. (In fact, you will probably laugh when I...
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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