Bookdoctor—Ghostwriter
What is a Book Doctor
    As a “Bookdoctor,” (or as some prefer, “independent story editor”), I work one-on-one with select writers who have that distinctive “voice” that sets them apart from others. One such example is Tom Kendrick, a former sea urchin diver who spent most of his life on or under the waves. We met together at a local coffee house after I read some of his work and I was excited by his natural ability as a storytelle. I felt his strength as he struggled to get his foundering boat into safety and his panic when a fifteen foot Great white Shark eyeballed him in deep water. We worked together over the course of a year and at the end, Tom wrote a really good book: “Bluewater Gold Rush: The Odyssey of a Sea Urchin Diver.” Published by the small nature press, Azalea Creek Press in October, 2006, and selling out its initial 2000 press run in under four months, I am proud of the acknowledgment inside:
    “Without the  assistance of Gil Mansergh, who saw possibilities in an early draft...this book would not have been possible.”

                
How Can I Help You?
   Writing projects are in varying stages of completion and book doctoring requires different levels of involvement:

First—The Consultation
  • This complimentary service requires that you provide me with the first two chapters (20-30 pages) of your work in progress.  
  • We then talk together in person, or by e-mail and phone regarding your goals and whether or not we can work together. 
  • Nine out of ten times I suggest a writer should pursue other options.

Second—The Annotated Evaluation
  •  Before entering into any fee-for-service arrangement, a letter-of-agreement is drawn up between the writer (client) and myself (aka Gilbert P. Mansergh Consulting).  Part of this agreement explains that as an independent editor I do not promise to arrange publication or representation for the work, and whatever my level of involvement  in the finished product may be, you retain all copyrights.
 • The evaluation of the manuscript will include comments on structure, plot, characterizations, voice, style, thematic elements and marketability.
  •  Comments for a full length novel or non fiction book run twelve pages or more.
  
Third—Revision/Collaboration
 • Working with you and from your materials, I will refine, reorganize, offer suggested rewrites and perform any agreed upon research to make your work a more readable and marketable book.

Costs and Timing 
 • Estimates of my time and costs are provided to you after the initial consultation.   
 • All work is performed at an hourly/daily rate within an agreed upon budget amount.
 • Payment for the Annotated Evaluation accompanies the signed Letter of Agreement.
  • 1/3 payment of the estimated costs for the Revision/Collaboration continues the Letter of Agreement for up to one year past the original signature date. The length of time needed for the revision depends upon the speed within which the client approves or reworks each completed section.










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Gilbert P. Mansergh Consulting
What Type of Books Do I Work  On?
• General nonfiction, biographies, family/corporate histories,  textbooks, program manuals, cookbooks, how-to-do-it guides, travel guides, craft books, educational curriculums and grant proposals.
• Novels, almost all genres except horror, romance, erotica or fan fiction (although I can direct you to colleagues who specialize in those areas).

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Ghostwriter
    When you have a great story to tell or information to share, but you don’t have the time or writing ability to complete a full length manuscript, you need the special attention of a ghostwriter.
    Working with you and using your information and guidance, I interview, research, outline, and write a marketable book which will bear your name as the author of record. This can be a novel or a family or corporate history, a memoir on narrative nonfiction, a how-to-do-it or reference book, a travelogue or best-places to book—the opportunities are wide open.
 
Costs and Timing:  Ghostwriting is not an inexpensive option. Researched, written and billed at an agreed upon weekly rate, books take several months to complete.
© Gilbert P. Mansergh Consulting
800.467.8128