*Availability for ghostwriting clients is very limited, with a minimum of 3k retainer

Are you ready to start writing your book, but are not sure where to go from here? This is where our Arizona ghostwriters can help!

Ghostwriters are used for many scenarios. Sometimes, professionals don’t have the time, capability, or inclination to sit down and write a book, so a ghostwriter helps highlight the author’s expertise in order to spread their brand and ideas, and present a story in a way that inspires and engages people. Or, maybe a non-author just wants to write a memoir for their family and needs help organizing an outline and translating that story to narrative on paper.

We can help you develop an initial idea and outline; jump in once you’ve written the bulk of your book and need some organizational help; or assist you every step of the way.

Ghostwriting begins by meeting with our recommended ghostwriter in person or over the phone so the ghostwriter can understand the parameters of your project. Projects are often organized by way of a series of interviews and hourly writing rate on a retainer.

Ghostwriting happens in three stages: gathering material, writing, cleaning it up.

• Gathering the material/creating the outline/conducting interviews. The author and ghostwriter meet over the phone or in person for interviews, to collect materials and photos, etc. This stage lasts two to three months.
• Writing the book. The ghostwriter takes over and does the work, per the process the ghostwriter and author have agreed on per the contract. These processes include writing a chapter at a time and sending to the author or review, writing the book in quarters for review, etc.
• Clean up. The final stage is polishing and fine-tuning the book. The overall three-step process takes anywhere from eight months to one year.

Average timeline: 6-20 months

Average rate:  Starting retainer of $3,000 for meetings, research, and writing hourly rates

For more info, check out our blog post The Ghostwriting Process with Midnight Publishing

Proofreading is a light clean up for manuscripts about to go to or be submitted for publication.

• Adherence to The Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
• Punctuation and grammatical errors
• Sentence structure
• Formatting errors/inconsistencies
• Spelling
• Minor mechanical problems

Average timeline: 3-5 weeks, depending on the length of manuscript and editor availability

Average rate: $0.025 per word

This is our middle tier and most popular package—especially for fiction authors! The edits focus on consistency, readability, and flow, while also fixing grammar, punctuation, spelling, and more.

• Adherence to The Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
• Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, terminology, numerals, font, semantics, inappropriate figures of speech, hyphenation, capitalization, and word usage
• Preserve and enhance the author’s voice
• Check consistency (for example, if a character’s name changes or an event seems confusing)
• Address story flow and sentence structure
• Reorganize passages, paragraphs, or chapters to improve the rhythm and flow of the story
• Rewrite segments of text to improve readability and flow of information
• Read for overall clarity and sense on behalf of the target audience
• Address how to increase the visibility of “show vs. tell”
• Tighten dialogue, point out unnatural phrasing or misused words, and add in descriptive words to help enhance the story
• Note permissions needed to publish copyrighted materials
• Trim words, phrases, or paragraphs that are extraneous and do not contribute to the story

We also provide a written evaluation with the final edited version that addresses story flow, character and plot development (for fiction), and a chapter-by-chapter evaluation. We provide a similar evaluation for non-fiction books.

Average timeline: 5-7 weeks, depending on the length of manuscript and editor availability

Average rate: $0.044 per word

The ultimate role of the editor is to help the author connect with the reader. A good editor enhances that connection, providing another eye and view for the author. Our editors are artists of language, grammar, and the mechanics that help a manuscript take the journey from ordinary to great.

At the same time, the author is the one who has the final say in the manuscript. Editors give advice that the author can accept or reject. In the end, the manuscript is the author’s; the editor is simply a contributor with special skills and knowledge. Our editing process is very much focused on helping the writer understand why certain changes were made. Our job is not to just make your manuscript as professional and polished as possible–it’s about helping you become a better writer by understanding the editing process and giving you an industry-driven perspective.

The manuscript is edited in a Word doc with track changes and comments so you can see everything that was changed and why (as well as “accept” or “reject” the edits), and then we also provide a “clean” edited version.

Check out our blog post on the 5 Reasons You Need an HONEST Editor!

This is our highest editing tier, the most in-depth an detailed edit available, best for clients who need substantial rewriting or assistance fleshing out a concept, vision, and manuscript. Usually, we come up with a personalized package for each client depending on the work involved with their manuscript, as everyone differs. The developmental editor’s role is multi-faceted but is less concerned with grammar and syntax than with the manuscript’s overall structure.

It addresses such questions as:

Is the manuscript coherent? Who is the author’s audience? Are the ideas presented clearly? Does the material in Chapter 5 connect with what came before or after? IS the author using technical terms or jargon that may confuse the audience? And if so, how do make that transition clearer?

We’ll also:

• Perform multiple readings of your story, building a real appreciation of its style and context
• Include a range of tasks from the hybrid copy editing/content editing tier, including structural issues (reorganizing, cutting, expanding), pacing, point of view, transitions, character arc, big-picture questions about if something “works”
• Liaise with you to discuss their feedback and the paths available to you going forward.
• Address the story both on a line-by-line and wider structural basis
• Make suggestions about content, organization, and presentation, based on analysis of competing works, beta readers, and editing process
• Identify repetitive stylistic problems, address weaknesses in plot, and point out illogical parts of the narrative
• Rewrite, write, and research as needed, sometimes suggesting topics or providing information about topics for consideration to the author

Average timeline: 8-10 weeks, depending on the length of manuscript and editor availability

Average rate: $0.055 per word

The ultimate role of the editor is to help the author connect with the reader. A good editor enhances that connection, providing another eye and view for the author. Our editors are artists of language, grammar, and the mechanics that help a manuscript take the journey from ordinary to great.

At the same time, the author is the one who has the final say in the manuscript. Editors give advice that the author can accept or reject. In the end, the manuscript is the author’s; the editor is simply a contributor with special skills and knowledge. Our editing process is very much focused on helping the writer understand why certain changes were made. Our job is not to just make your manuscript as professional and polished as possible–it’s about helping you become a better writer by understanding the editing process and giving you an industry-driven perspective.

The manuscript is edited in a Word doc with track changes and comments so you can see everything that was changed and why (as well as “accept” or “reject” the edits), and then we also provide a “clean” edited version.

An editor will help strengthen your proposal before you submit to agents, addressing any weaknesses in your pitch, providing editorial feedback about how to strengthen your pitch on the concept of the book, the description of your platform, improve your comp title selection, and help define the market for your book.

For query letters, every word counts when it comes to selling your story to an agent.

We can help point out strategic missteps in your proposal or query, highlight areas that might need additional details, edit grammar and punctuation, identify repetitive stylistic issues, and point out specific transitions that don’t work well and suggest how they can be strengthened.

Average timeline: 2-4 weeks

Average rate: $250

Midnight Publishing offers a range of author services, necessary to publish your book, from a vetted pool of professionals that we have researched, worked alongside of, and trusted. These services include:

• Book cover design, starting at $250
• Interior formatting, starting at $75
• E-book file conversion, starting at $50
• Print formatting, starting at $50
• Illustrations
• Audiobook consultation and recording
• And more!

We do not offer design services directly and work with a network of professionals to provide these to our authors. Find a list in our 2019 Publish Your Best-Seller Guides.

Publishing Consultation and Management

Not sure what publishing route is the right one for you? We can walk you step-by-step through traditional, self, hybrid, and digital publishing, from the conception of a project all the way to the finished product. We easily find what works for your product and your budget. We even have an award-winning recording studio where you can create your own audiobook.

Please be aware that we do not publish books—we provide authors with the best resources possible to do just that through our 2019 publishing guides. 

We connect you with our vetted, experienced network of award-winning experts that have worked in various parts of the publishing industry.

For our publishing consultations, we can tailor a package to meet your needs.

Average rate: $250 includes:

• Download choice of our 2018-tailored comprehensive publishing, marketing, and design guides
• Two 30-minute phone calls with our CEO to find the direction that best works for you
• Direct introductions to our trusted partners of publishers, literary agents, publicists, and design specialists for authors
• Continue support during your publishing journey

Marketing and Publicity Consultation

Publicity and marketing consultation to help you figure out the best way to market yourself and your book, based on your target audience, budget, and expectations.

We connect you with our trusted publicists and marketing professionals located all over the country for a wide range of budgets and types of campaigns, with proven results. Campaigns generally start at $3,500.

We do not offer publicity and marketing services directly and work with a network of professionals to provide these to our authors. Find a list in our 2019 Publish Your Best-Seller Guides.