My Approach

The Creative Difference

Ordinary methods seldom produce extraordinary results. To stand out from the crowd, you must be creative.

When you hire me as your writer, editor, or ghostwriter, I look for opportunities to use imagination and originality to make your print and on-line communications more engaging, effective, and memorable.

For example, when an author asked me to help him write a book about a dramatic $24-million management turnaround at a regional health center, I wrote about the hospital as if it were a patient.

The book's title — Healing A Hospital — and the titles of the chapters — "Alarming Symptoms," "A Sober Diagnosis," "Intensive Care," "Fiscal Therapy," "An Encouraging Prognosis," and so on — carried out this "hospital-as-patient" theme. This extra degree of creativity made the book more memorable and successful.

The content of another book I wrote about estate planning and charitable giving was quite technical. So I created seven custom cartoons that related to topics in the text and made the book more graphically interesting and inviting to read. In fact, it's already been reprinted five times (more than 10,000 copies).

Perhaps I should mention that I'm the author of two published books. Flip Along Fun is an interactive, educational children's book that's sold over 20,000 copies, and Boosting Your Pet's Self-Esteem is a humorous satire of the self-help craze that was published by Macmillan.

Put the creative difference to work for you. Call me at 912.230.5051, or e-mail me at MJD@MichaelJDowling.com, for a FREE, no-obligation discussion of your writing and editing projects.

How I Will Save You Time and Money

I have an MBA degree from Columbia Business School in New York City, so I understand business. When we work together on a project, one of my primary goals is to complete your project on time and on budget.

Here's how the process usually proceeds:

  1. Initial Consultation: We discuss your project, define its scope, set objectives, and agree on a fee. This initial consultation is free.
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  2. Consulting Phase: I collaborate with you to conceptualize your approach. For example, if we're working on a book, I will begin to write the introduction, which will stipulate the purpose and audience for the book. We'll also outline the chapters and begin thinking about a title. Although most of my "consulting" takes place during this phase, I will continue to look for opportunities throughout the project to make contributions of a consulting nature.
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  3. Background Input: You give me any relevant written material you already possess about the subject matter, such as memos, speeches, and white papers.
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  4. New Input: You communicate your additional thoughts to me, either in writing or orally. Most of my clients find that it's more time-efficient to simply talk to me on the phone. As you talk, I'll take notes and record our conversation.
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  5. First Draft: Working with all of the above input, I'll produce a first draft for you to review. If we're working on a book, we'll usually work on one chapter at a time.
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  6. Editing: You edit my draft and suggest changes. I'll revise and resubmit the manuscript to you for your additional edits.
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  7. Completion: We'll continue editing drafts until you're pleased with the outcome. Then we'll give the project a final edit and submit it for publication.
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  8. Publication: I'm available to help with publication, if desired. Many of my clients self-publish their books through my publishing company, Wool Street Publishing. If you're writing an article, I can help with placement.
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  9. Marketing: I can also help you market your book and place your articles with magazines, e-zines, and websites.

Pricing

I usually bill by the project, but I can work on hourly basis if you prefer. Before we start, we'll agree on a billing method. If we can define the project fairly accurately, I'll give you an estimated or firm project fee.

On book projects, I require an initial, non-refundable retainer. Additional payments are due as the work progresses.

On shorter projects, I typically require 50 percent in advance and the balance upon completion.

Terms & Conditions

On book assignments, I suggest that you sign a "Work for Hire Agreement." This grants you the rights to the book when it is completed. Overwise, the law says that I as the ghostwriter would be the author and own the rights to the book.

On other projects, I usually work without written contracts. However, we can put our agreement in writing if you prefer.

Confidentiality

All client matters are strictly confidential. I'll be glad to sign a confidentiality agreement upon request.

I never sell, rent, lend, share, or give away my mailing lists.