WORKSHOPS

You’ve Decided to Write a Book. Now What?

Congratulations! Writing a book is no small thing, and deciding to do it with the support of a developmental editor or ghostwriter is an excellent move. You bring the story; I bring the structure, rhythm, polish, and a generous helping of cheerleading along the way. When we get it right it’s a real partnership, creative, collaborative, and deeply satisfying. Let me explain a little more about what I do, and what you can expect when we work together.

There’s a Process

Writing a book, especially if it’s your first, can feel a bit like trying to assemble a puzzle without the pic on the box lid. That’s where I come in. Whether I’m acting as your developmental editor, your ghostwriter, or your line-by-line nitpicker, I’m here to help shape your manuscript into its best possible form. In most full-length book projects (think 80,000 words or so), we’ll blend three distinct types of editing:

Content editing for the big picture: structure, plot, pacing, character arcs.

Line editing for the artistry: language, rhythm, flow.

Copy editing for the fine-tuning: grammar, punctuation, and syntax.

Think of it as building a house. We start with the architecture (content), finesse the design (line), and finish with a sparkling clean (copy). Not every project needs the full treatment, but many do. I tailor the process to suit your needs and rhythm.

Our First Step Together

We begin with a two-hour working session. It’s a meaty chat where we set out the scope of work, nail down timelines, and clarify our roles. This is where you tell me everything: what you’ve got, what you need, what you’re dreaming about. If your book is in a specialist field like history, politics, or mental health, we’ll spend some time getting into the background too. I take all of that and put together a chapter-by-chapter plan that outlines the narrative flow of your book. It’s not the final product, but it’s our map, and a great starting point for any book proposal if you’re heading the traditional publishing route.

How We Work

Once you approve the plan, we move into feedback sessions. These can be weekly, fortnightly, or whatever suits your schedule. During these sessions, we discuss the unfolding manuscript chapter by chapter, or, when needed, we dig deep into more sensitive parts of the story once there’s trust and flow between us.

At each stage, I send through edited chapters, and you read, respond, refine. Don’t worry if the first draft of a chapter doesn’t quite hit the spot. Voice takes time to get just right, and I welcome your input. In fact, the more engaged you are, the better the final result will be. When we’ve got a full draft, I’ll do a final edit where I check for missing threads, smoothing transitions, and giving everything one last polish before you approve it. Once your manuscript is in shape, you’re ready for the next step: publication. Whether you’re approaching publishers or considering self-publishing, I can offer advice and help you navigate the process.

What Does It Cost?

I base my pricing on the South African Freelancers’ Association (SAFREA) guidelines, and I’m always happy to chat through options and find something that works. For full manuscripts, I often offer a flat rate that reflects the scope of the project, with 50% payable up front as your commitment to the process. If you’re curious about the SAFREA rates, you can check them out at www.mediaupdate.co.za. Or just ask me, I’m happy to walk you through what to expect.

A Final Word

Every book is different, and every writer brings something unique to the table. My job is to honour that uniqueness, help shape your story with care, and bring the best of both our talents to the page. I’d love to help you, because the world needs new writers more than ever before.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY WRITER RETREAT WORKSHOPS : CLICK HERE

📧 cindytaylor709@gmail.com