I provide services as a book developer, ghostwriter, editor, and publisher, in order to assist select clients with writing, publishing and promoting their books, whether they are first-time authors or those already published. These works may be either fiction or non-fiction. I work on English texts only and do not provide translation services. To review my experience and qualifications, you may follow the link provided at the bottom of this page, or click on "About Mike Marcon."
I am particularly interested in working with clients who have aviation or aviation related interests.
As a creative writer with 40 years of commercial and independent publishing experience, I perform custom publishing solutions and guidance, whether you plan to or desire to write and publish a book from scratch, or if you wish to publish an existing manuscript. After consultations with you, and I determine what you want to accomplish, if we decide to collaborate, I will present you with a detailed job proposal and quote the projected project cost.
I am not a literary agent, and do not seek clients to represent to commercial publishing houses. Publishing with me bypasses the agonizing and time-consuming process of finding and gaining the favor of a literary agent who may or may not be able to place your manuscript with a publisher. Publishing under my guidance allows you to make the decisions you want to make about the content and design as well as the future of your book, and act on them in the fashion you wish.
In that regard, I provide complete manuscript development and publishing services in a mix of options that range from helping you to shape the original idea, to creating the outline, to writing the text, to manuscript formatting, to final publication and marketing. You will have multiple manuscript review and approval opportunities throughout your project’s progress to insure your satisfaction.
I utilize Kindle Direct Publishing services, a division of Amazon, to handle the actual printing, distribution and delivery of the books I publish. Once the manuscript and the cover is approved by you and is print-ready, I will upload your book to Amazon. After publication on Amazon, you will have full ownership and control of your book. You will be free to set prices, publicize and promote your book as you see fit, or to make any changes in the text or the cover that you desire. Most importantly, after publication, I will remain available to you at no charge to guide you in the ways necessary to help you accomplish your promotional and marketing goals.
Some items to consider…
* Your book would show you as the author with no mention of my services except as the publisher of record. Copyrights and the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) assigned by the International ISBN Agency would be in your name.
* Once your book is published on Amazon’s platform, I will grant you full access to your KDP book’s account. Your royalties would be paid directly to you by Amazon, and under my guidance at no further charge, if you desire, you will be able to make changes in your book, at will, and avail yourself of the wide range of marketing and promotional tools that KDP offers its users. Additionally, once we publish your print book, be it hardcover or paperback, you will be able to make it available as a Kindle e-book at no additional charge. Both print and e-book versions pay royalties. Royalties paid by Amazon are on par with publishing industry standards.
I have spent many years mastering the use of KDP tools and capabilities and that experience contributes significantly to what I do and make available to you. I am certain that you will have many questions about KDP, which I will be happy to answer.
(Note: When you are ready, you will make a decision as to whether to make your book available as a hardcover or paperback edition, or both. Usually, it is good to have both in-print. Beyond my fees to help you get published, there are no charges by Amazon to publish your book. However, per Amazon policies, hardcover books sold on Amazon do not share the wider distribution opportunities that paperbacks do. Nevertheless, you may purchase author copies at cost to be sold or used elsewhere as you wish. Conversely, paperbacks sold on Amazon offer a much wider distribution to multiple outlets such as libraries and third-party sellers. I am sure that you will have questions about this as well, which I will be happy to answer.)
* All work assigned to me by a client is held in the strictest confidence.
A Few More Things You Need To Know…
* Your project will have three “milestones.” These are progress and payment stages. The first milestone takes place when you agree to go forward with a project, and I have a signed proposal/contract in-hand. Your first payment is due then. The second milestone occurs when a print-ready manuscript is finished and approved by you. Your next payment is due then. The third milestone takes place when the cover art is complete and the book is ready to go into print. The third payment is due then. (Given the time and work I invest to reach the milestones, none of these payments are refundable.)
* After our initial consultations and I determine your needs, I will prepare a first draft work proposal for you which will outline in detail and stipulate what services I propose to provide, the estimated timelines for the accomplishment of those services, the project milestone moments along with the fees to be charged. After you review the first draft proposal, and subsequent discussions are held regarding any changes that need to be made, I will prepare and present you with a final proposal that will also serve as a contract between us.
* Project costs vary by the estimated time and work to be done that it takes to complete a given project. (I do not charge by the word.) Therefore, until I have consulted with you, and make a determination as to the estimated time required to complete your project, it is impossible to quote you an upfront price. You will find that my fees are fair and competitive.
* I handle the enhancements of the photos you provide such as cropping and editing to make print-ready. You may use as many black-and-white or color photos as you wish within your text. However, at some point before the book is published, we will need to make a decision as to whether your book is printed as a black-and-white or full-color version. I will advise you on this.
* You will have a full range of book sizes to choose from. Sizes start at 5” X 8” and range up to 8.27” X 11.69” (6” X 9” is the most common format.) The decision regarding a book’s dimensions should be made at the second milestone.
* Books printed using KDP require a minimum of 24 pages. There is no upper limit for pages or words.
* You will have a choice of cover finishes – matte or glossy.
* Using your specifications, I will initially design your cover art and present that to you. From there, you will be able to suggest and have made any artistic changes you desire.
* After your book is published, as a no-charge service, I will remain available to you as a marketing and promotions consultant to help guide your activities as needed.
* Once published, you will have the ability to purchase author copies of your book, at print cost, in multiples of 1 to 999 per order.
Special note: I do not provide custom interior artwork, graphics or illustrations. Those would need to be provided by you.
Getting Started…
After initial no-charge consultations with you by phone and/or e-mail, and on your go-ahead, I will develop and provide for you a first draft project proposal that is amendable based on further consultations and your needs. That will be accompanied by the standard terms and conditions of the work along with a fee schedule. (The charge to initiate a first draft project proposal is $150. (Non-refundable in the event that you choose not to proceed with the project, but deducted from your first milestone payment if you do proceed.) If you proceed, after consulting with you, based on changes made to the first draft proposal, I will prepare a final proposal/contract that will show, step-by-step, what services I would perform for you and at what cost; it will also specify approximate timelines and designate milestone review and payment points. That would be forwarded to you for your signature and approval. Your first milestone payment would be due before the project begins.
For a no charge, initial query or consultation about your project, you may contact me by phone at 804-313-0932 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST), or you may request a call using the contact form below. If you use the contact form, please be sure to indicate the best times to call along with your time zone.
But, before you contact me, please take a few minutes to review my writing and publishing background here. It will help you make an informed decision about your writing and publishing future and my role in it.
I look forward to speaking with you! Should you call, and I am tied up, please leave me a message and be sure to include your name, what you interested in, and your time zone along with best times to return your call.
804-313-0932 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday