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(For more on how I might help your book, visit my book site:
Ocean Cooperative.)
The Idea and the Book
You have an excellent idea, a rough draft or a finished manuscript. You have decided to seek opinion outside the circle of your own friends and acquaintances.Please allow me to outline what I can and cannot do.
What I Can Do
I am an free-lance editor. Indeed, I am a very good free-lance editor. I don't expect you to take my word for this. That's why I provide references. I canhelp polish and improve your manuscript -- whether it is a novel, a non-fiction work or an academic text. Or I can actually work with you to extend and develop the concept, and participate in the writing process, should you require this. Unless I explicitly state otherwise, I personally perform all the editing and writing undertaken by The Business of Words.
Some publishers and agents will still accept unsolicited manuscripts, but it is also true that what publishers want in a highly competitive market is to make money, not spend it on nurturing a talent. I'm afraid this is particularly true in the non-fiction categories, where publishers are not looking for books, they're looking for products. Like banks or venture capitalists, they want to see something that looks suspiciously like a business plan: a proposal -- a "package" -- that they can accept or reject. I will help you create such a proposal, designed to lift you above the crowd and get your project noticed.
I'll demonstrate these services to you in the most direct manner possible -- by doing work. I normally offer a sample -- actual editing of your manuscript or writing based on your requirements -- without obligation or charge. You simply decide if you like my approach or not. If you do, there is no large up-front retainer or change. We proceed bit by bit and allow the special relationship that must exist between writer and editor to develop in its own time. It is this incremental approach that acts as a guarantee for both of us.
Finally, I hope that you will come to edit and write with minimal outside input. For this reason, I explain everything I do. Our work together should be enriching experience, not just a commercial transaction.
What I Cannot Do
I am not a publisher, although I will help you in every way I can to be published. I am not an agent: I charge no percentage for my work on your behalf.
I cannot tell you that your book will be a bestseller when I know otherwise. Such deception is only useful to take-the-money-and-run artists. Since you and I may work together over time, I must retain your confidence on a truthful basis.
I cannot offer special access to any publisher or agent and I accept no payments from such.
"The Business of Words astonished me by bringing a new level of strength and clarity to my writing of Manfear, a book which treats a complex social issue in a thoroughly readable manner. Every chapter gained impact as a result of thoughtful criticism and talented editing, and every academic writer should be this fortunate."
Dr. Elsa Schieder, Vanier College,
Montreal
"I heartily recommend the services of The Business of Words. Working with Mr. Buckland was not only a totally professional experience but a thoroughly enjoyable one as well. It is always a pleasure to work with a reliable company that does first-rate work, and delivers it on time. Mr. Buckland's committment to delivering quality work was evident from the beginning to the end, and I am looking forward to working with The Business of Words on future projects."
Thomas H. Frank, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Program Development
Cornell University Food Industry Management
Distance Education Program
Ithaca, New York
"Robert Buckland is a superb editor. He has helped me edit and design three books and literally transformed my writing - truly translating my thoughts into print - then recently oversaw the development of my commercial website, www.cosmeticsx.com. If you want to communicate effectively through the medium of language, ask for Robert's help. You can't go wrong."
Dr. Barry Lycka, MD FRCP
Edmonton, Alberta
Unlock that drawer and take out that manuscript. Unlock your mind and let that idea see the world. We're here to help.
If you've arrived here from outside The Business of Words website, you'll want to click here to learn more about our free editing offer.
Call us at: (613) 659-3666
Toll-free from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada:1-888-377-7007
E-mail us at: words@businessofwords.com
Write us at: 640 Sand Bay Road, Lansdowne, Ontario, Canada K0E 1L0
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