I Help Authors: Here's How

Jean Purcell

I help writers shape their books. Some call what I do "book content development."   

I am working with the author of a nonfiction book manuscript for a highly specialized topic. The author wants his book to appeal to experienced agents, a reliable publisher, and a wide reading audience interested in his area of expertise.  

Complicated subjects with historical timelines imply different interacting components. I think of it as like a plot with many sub-plots, twists and turns, as with a novel. This manuscript requires care when forming chapter-by-chapter evaluation and overall treatment, including detailed advice for specific change recommendations. The author and I will likely communicate several times about this project. 

The book manuscript came to me in two forms: a word-processing digital file on a computer memory stick and  a printed copy (400-plus double-spaced pages) held together in a sturdy notebook. I noted right away that the table of contents (TOC) should help provide good guidance. 

After reading a few first chapters on the digital document, I realized I would work faster using the printed text pages. The number of comments I have inserted so far suggest to me that the digital process for this Work will be too time-consuming for my likes. 

I finished reading six chapters and gave the author a brief run-down, including that he was correct to tell me this Work invited repetition. Repetition is a natural ditch, easy to fall into, for any Work. He can send me, if done in time, revisions of chapters I've not yet read in the version he sent to me.  

I will finish reading through the full manuscript over the next two days, and editing or proofing will  not come into play. I am noting in memory that editing is needed, which is the norm. I'll return to that later, if the author chooses me for the next stages. 

I am watching for 

(1) clarity, 

(2) flow, 

(3) tone (writer's "voice"), 

(4) general appeal of style,  

(5) efficiency of language and structure. 

I may question facts, to clarify presentation, but am not responsible for the technical or professional areas being covered. I make marginal notes in pencil. 

Here is an overview of major parts of the process I'll use for this project:  

1. Read the full manuscript straight through, making brief marginal notes if needed (e.g., too much repetition and detected or suspected incomplete areas) and set a proposed schedule;   

2.  Focus on one chapter at a time, without comparing chapter segues, which I'll do later; 

3. Ask of every chapter, "Does this chapter fit the summary as written by the author? If not is missing or needs to change?"

4.  Make comment notes in margins with sharpened pencil with a good eraser; 

5.  Pin-point portions that need special remedy regarding content handling (e.g., too many or too few descriptions; information presentation;is there not enough information; too many examples or interest-generating examples); 

6.  Prescribe remedies with specific recommendations for the author;

7.  Stay with each chapter or section I'm focusing on, as  needed;

8.  Continue reflection/analysis/penciled marginal notes; 

9.  Pay special attention to connections/flow between each chapter and the one(s) before and after (segue); 

10. Compare chapter text with the book mission and chapter summary stated by the author;

11. Keep in mind the reading audience for the book; 

12. After all chapters have been covered, re-read entire manuscript and notes; retain,  restate, or remove margin notes, as needed;

13. Prepare a final findings-and-recommendations report for the author, to include proofreading requirements and, most important, comment on grammar or need for remedial work.  

While I assess the manuscript, I communicate about the book with the author, as needed; the author continues to rework sections or chapters and can use any interim recommendations (recommended) I may have provided; I will look at revisions and comment.    

Any author that wants to try this process, keeping objectivity in play as much as possible,  will need the proverbial skin as tough as a crocodile. That skin is also needed during later editing and proofing, to get out anything that does not move the Work forward. Cut parts can be saved for later on a blog, an article, or another book.  

If you are thinking of working with a content developer, I recommend that you interview a short list of professionals, ask about process, experience, and finished examples. 

Note: I am reading THE RACKETEER by John Grisham (fiction, 2012).
Writers read every day. I am reading, also, the last two chapters of The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple.