Every thought leader needs a book
Yet they often 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 bestseller before.
Manuscripts completed
Authors helped
NYTimes Top 5
Million books sold (and counting)
Our process helps you . . .
1
define
your book’s question
2
develop
your writing plan
3
determine
your publishing path
Recent Blog Posts
Read our most popular thoughts on writing, publishing, and whatever inspires us.
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
“The Most Beautiful Train Ride in the World” (Part 1)
Riding the Ella Odyssey: The Path Less Chosen (Part 1 of 5) One of the happier and more helpful delusions of travel is that one is on a quest. —Paul Theroux “The Slow Train to Kandy” Ghost Train to the Eastern Star We arrived in Sri Lanka the last day of February 2022...
Read moreI knew others that
had more talent,
and a better background.
If persistence could not
do it for me,
I was doomed.
So I always listened,
and worked harder.—Jack Bickham
Others had more talent…
I knew others that had more talent, and a better background. If persistence could not do it for me, I was doomed. So I always listened, and worked harder. —Jack Bickham
How writing a book is like stuffing marshmallows in your mouth
When you stuff marshmallows into your mouth, you do so one at a time. You don’t worry about which order they come in, you don’t organize them ahead of time, and you don’t pick them up, examine them, or ponder which ones are best before you stuff them in. In fact, you...
Read moreEvery writer knows
fear and discouragement.
Just write.―Anne Rice
How to handle fear and discouragement…
Every writer knows fear and discouragement. Just write. ―Anne Rice
How Writing a Book Is Like Moving to a New Place
At the beginning of 2022, my wife and I were presented with a special opportunity: She was offered a position working in Sri Lanka…
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.
Free mini-course!
21 Days of Writing Inspiration, Tips, and Tricks, plus other writing tools as we create them.
You have Successfully Subscribed! For free chapters, click on "the workshop" in the menu at the top!