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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Recent Blog Posts
Read our most popular thoughts on writing, publishing, and whatever inspires us.
Read moreRespect yourself.
Respect the craft of writing.
Respect the reader.—Karleen Koen
Respect…
Respect yourself. Respect the craft of writing. Respect the reader. —Karleen Koen
Read moreTELL ME A STORY!
Don’t try to impress your reader with style
or vocabulary or neatly turned phrases.
Tell the story first!—Anne McCafferty
Tell me a story…
TELL ME A STORY! Don’t try to impress your reader with style or vocabulary or neatly turned phrases. Tell the story first! —Anne McCafferty
Read moreI sometimes begin a drawing with no preconceived problems to solve—
with no conscious aim; but, as my mind takes in what is so produced,
a point arrives where some idea crystallizes,
and then a control and ordering begins to take place.—Henry Moore
The same could be said of writing…
I sometimes begin a drawing with no preconceived problems to solve— with no conscious aim; but, as my mind takes in what is so produced, a point arrives where some idea crystallizes, and then a control and ordering begins to take place. —Henry Moore
Read moreFinish the thing before you start revising.
If you’re working on chapter three and you discover you have to go back
and plant the butler in chapter one,
scribble a note to yourself and keep working on chapter three.
Otherwise you run the risk of having twenty versions of chapter one—
and nothing else.—Marta Randall
Finish the thing before…
Finish the thing before you start revising. If you’re working on chapter three and you discover you have to go back and plant the butler in chapter one, scribble a note to yourself and keep working on chapter three. Otherwise you run the risk of having twenty versions...
Read moreEveryone is unique. Find out what you have to say that no one else can say;
then perfect the way to say it. That’s all any writer has to sell.
Anybody who can do it can sell anything they write.—James Gunn
Find what you have to say…
Everyone is unique. Find out what you have to say that no one else can say; then perfect the way to say it. That’s all any writer has to sell. Anybody who can do it can sell anything they write. —James Gunn
Read moreEdit thyself.
(Learn the big difference between what’s interesting to you
and what’s interesting—period.)—Larry Strawther
Edit thyself…
Edit thyself. (Learn the big difference between what’s interesting to you and what’s interesting—period.) —Larry Strawther
Read moreExcept as we venture to create,
we cannot project ourselves
beyond ourselves to serve and lead.—Robert K. Greenleaf
Except that we venture to create…
Except as we venture to create, we cannot project ourselves beyond ourselves to serve and lead. —Robert K. Greenleaf
Read moreMy wife took a look at the first version of something I was writing not long ago and said,
“Dammit, man, that’s high school stuff.”
I have to tell her to wait until the seventh draft, it’ll work out all right.
I don’t know why that should be so, that the first or second draft of everything
I write reads that way.—James Thurber
Wait until the seventh draft…
My wife took a look at the first version of something I was writing not long ago and said, "Dammit, man, that's high school stuff." I have to tell her to wait until the seventh draft, it'll work out all right....
Read moreEverything that can be said can be said clearly.
—Ludwig Wittgenstein
Everything that can be said…
Everything that can be said can be said clearly. —Ludwig Wittgenstein
Read moreWords are like kisses—
they can express everything or
nothing.—Liz Glista
Words are like kisses…
Words are like kisses— they can express everything or nothing. —Liz Glista
Read moreGetting it wrong is part of
getting it right.—Charles Handy
Getting it wrong…
Getting it wrong is part of getting it right. —Charles Handy
Read moreI used to write because I wanted to become rich, and when I didn’t become rich, I wrote because I wanted to become famous, and when I didn’t become famous, I wrote because I liked to write. And that’s when I began to make a little money and gain a little notice.
—Thomas Sullivan
The reason I write…
I used to write because I wanted to become rich, and when I didn’t become rich, I wrote because I wanted to become famous, and when I didn’t become famous, I wrote because I liked to write. And that’s when I began to make a little money and gain a little notice....
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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