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 message
2
develop
your writing plan
3
determine
your publishing path
Manuscripts completed
Authors helped
NYTimes Top 5
Million books sold (and counting)
Recent Blog Posts
Read our most popular thoughts on writing, publishing, and whatever inspires us.
“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…
Read moreDon’t compare yourself
with others except
to learn from them—
compete only with yourself,
maintaining the highest
standards of excellence
with yourself.—Rosemary Daniell
Don’t compare yourself…
Don’t compare yourself with others except to learn from them— compete only with yourself, maintaining the highest standards of excellence with yourself. —Rosemary Daniell
Now Is the Time to Consider Sri Lanka
Considering your next vacation? You should consider Sri Lanka Here are a few thoughts to make the most of the trip (One being, is it safe to go there?) Okay, big questions first: Isn’t Sri Lanka in the middle of a financial crisis? Didn’t they just have rioting in the...
Read moreWhen you read early
Hemingway stories,
you’re reading very fluidly—
and when you’re finished,
you’re not sure what it means. . . .
It’s somewhat like a riddle,
so you read it again.And that’s, I think,
what art is—
art makes us go back
to it a second or third time.
It seems as if it’s accessible,
but maybe it’s not so simple.—Joyce Carol Oates
Art makes you…
When you read early Hemingway stories, you’re reading very fluidly— and when you’re finished, you’re not sure what it means. . . . It’s somewhat like a riddle, so you read it again. And that’s, I think, what art is— art makes us go back to it a second or third time....
Five Things Writer’s Block Might Be Trying to Tell You
You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block. —John Rogers In its most essential form, writing is transcribing thinking onto paper. (There’s is more to it after that, but often that’s not writing, that’s editing,...
Read moreThe hardest thing
about writing
is writing.—Nora Ephron
The hardest thing about writing…
The hardest thing about writing is writing. —Nora Ephron
Finding Your Best Path to Getting Published
After spending more than twenty years helping people get their books into print, I have seen the industry pivot a few times. Here’s how I explain the process to authors who come to me today looking to get published. …
Read moreWhat I have learned in time,
in 32 years of writing,
is that it’s a lot of work,
and if I just show up,
and I work and work,
there is a moment,
a magical moment,
at some point,
when it gives.—Isabel Allende
If I just show up…
What I have learned in time, in 32 years of writing, is that it’s a lot of work, and if I just show up, and I work and work, there is a moment, a magical moment, at some point, when it gives. —Isabel Allende
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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