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
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.
Sri Lanka in Interesting Times
There is a Chinese curse which says, “May he live in interesting times.” Like it or not we live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also more open to the creative energy of men than any other time in history.[1] —Robert...
Read moreDiscipline is the ability
to make yourself do something
you don’t want to do
in order to get a result
you really want to get.—Andy Andrews
The result you really want to get…
Discipline is the ability to make yourself do something you don’t want to do in order to get a result you really want to get. —Andy Andrews
Detachment Gain: The Value of Getting Out of Your Own Head
Don’t think harder—think better. Last fall a client I was working with shared a New York Times op-ed with me: “How to Think Outside of Your Brain.” As a ghostwriter and writing coach, I’m always on the lookout for tools that can lead to better writing—because in my...
Read moreI find the line,
“Write what you know,”
extremely unhelpful. . . .
I think, in fact, writing what
you can dare to research
and imagine is a far
better line to live by.—Emma Donoghue,
The 10-Minute Writer’s Workshop
Writing what you dare…
I find the line, “Write what you know,” extremely unhelpful. . . . I think, in fact, writing what you can dare to research and imagine is a far better line to live by. —Emma Donoghue, The 10-Minute Writer’s Workshop
Read moreI would stand and
look out over
the roofs of Paris
and think, “Do not worry.
You have always written
before and
you will write now.
All you have to do is write
one true sentence.
Write the truest sentence
that you know.”—Ernest Hemingway
A Moveable Feast
Write one true sentence…
I would stand and look out over the roofs of Paris and think, “Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” —Ernest Hemingway A Moveable...
Read moreStorytelling is
the most powerful
way to put ideas
into the world today.
Stories are the creative
conversion of life itself
into a more powerful,
clearer,
more meaningful experience.
They are the currency
of human contact.—Robert McKee
The currency of human contact…
Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today. Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact. —Robert McKee
An American, in Sri Lanka, Tries to Explain Cricket to Other Americans
It all begins with the wicket. Three posts (actually called “stumps” or “stakes”), twenty-eight inches high and an inch and a quarter in diameter, st…
Read moreDon’t wait for the muse. . . .
Your job is to make sure the muse
knows where you’re going to be every day
from nine ’til noon. or seven ’til three.
If she does know,
I assure you that sooner or later
she’ll start showing up.
—Stephen King,
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Don’t wait for the muse….
Don't wait for the muse. . . . Your job is to make sure the muse knows where you're going to be every day from nine 'til noon. or seven 'til three. If she does know, I assure you that sooner or later she'll start showing up. —Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir...
The Danger of a Single Story
This is a fantastic talk and a great reason why more of us need to tell our stories. Listen and let me know what you think.
Read moreYou can only become truly accomplished
at something you love.
Don’t make money your goal.
Instead pursue the things you love doing
and then do them so well that
people can’t take their eyes off of you.―Maya Angelou
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love…
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you. ―Maya Angelou
Steven Pressfield on The Foolscap Method of Story Outlining
https://vimeo.com/70767223#t=13s If you don't know Steven Pressfield, let me introduce him to you through this video. While he talks about his book, The Legend of Bagger Vance here, the first book I read by him was The War of Art (and its two companions: Do the Work...
Read moreWhen I sit down to write a book,
I do not say to myself,
“I am going to produce
a work of art.” I write it
because there is some
lie that I want to expose,
some fact to which
I want to draw attention,
and my initial concern
is to get a hearing.—George Orwell
To expose a lie, draw attention to a fact, get a hearing…
When I sit down to write a book, I do not say to myself, "I am going to produce a work of art." I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing. —George...
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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