"THE PATHFINDER"
Welcome!
So you want to publish a book—great! I presume you want to make money
from it (or at least get back what you invested). And a pinch (or gallon) of fame
would be nice too. And maybe a stint on the talk shows would also be fun—and
mortify your family or kids.
The problem is that if it
isn’t hard enough just putting a first-rate book together, it’s
twice as hard to get a publisher to produce it. And if you do it yourself
(self-publish), then it’s flat-out harder to get anybody else to buy it.
Let me help you.
I’ve been both routes many
times. Of my now 38 books in print the least I earned was $8,000 (of those out
for at least a year), and four have brought in between $125-150,000. Another
book I published has topped $1.2 million. I hope another might reach seven
digits (if I live that long!)
Most important, I can personally
tell within 15 minutes if your work has a chance, and in two hours I can tell
you straight out what it needs to be a winner, or what can be done if it falls
a bit short as is. There’s no magic here. Any other writing veteran of
40+ years in the publishing field can do the same. The next section tells more
about the process, and an article linked below gives examples plus even more
information. If I can help you early on to produce the kind of book you want
and
No fiction, please. And no
children’s books. I’m real helpful on general market or niche
books, non fiction (and modest too), but I don’t know much at all about
the others, except that they can be lots of fun to do and read.
More…
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Incidentally, I have a free monthly newsletter for writers,
speakers, publishers, and product developers.
You even get three free reports!
Why not sign up here? You can just as
easily un-sign up later, after you have the reports!
(You can also check the blog. Free
as well.)
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THE PATHFINDER EXPLANATION SHEET
There are two points at which nonfiction
books can most benefit from an outsider's experienced, honest, no-holds-barred
close reading analysis, and constructive advice.
The most important point is when the project
is in its final organizational and design form, before the text is written.
That corresponds to the Beginner
Information Guidelist linked below. The second
key moment is when the best version of the first draft is done but before the
book has begun the final steps of production. That is related to the Intermediate Information Guidelist, also linked below.
My name is Gordon Burgett and I am now
offering just such a review/analysis/commentary service to fill a badly needed
gap for writers, speakers, and others eager to share their ideas, advice, and
dreams in print.
The format couldn't be simpler:
1. You let me know what you have in mind: what your
book is about and how far along it is.
2. You select the appropriate Information Guidelist
and download it (see link below). Respond in writing to that guidelist and send that information so I can best review
your progress and help you realize the book's goals.
3. Please mail the items indicated—plus
more, if you wish.
4. I will give the submitted items one focused hour of reading and review—enough to see what's solid, what isn't, and how it
can be improved.
5. In the second hour I will provide analysis and advice—in writing, on audio cassette, or by phone, as you
suggest. The responses to the guidelist tell me
precisely what you want to know. If not, I must divine.
I call this
"The Pathfinder" service for the obvious reason that by identifying,
designing, and sticking to a path that leads directly from your vision to a
published book you can save months or years in time and energy plus thousands
of dollars in expense.
The biggest
problems that book writers have are conceiving a book that could most fully
realize their vision, organizing that book's contents clearly and fully,
establishing a doable work schedule, planning a sensible budget, writing at a
level demanded by a first-class publication, infusing the necessary marketing
into the text and design from the outset, selecting a title that sells, and
having the book published or produced so that the end product not only achieves
the vision, it is a book that the writer can proudly show for a lifetime.
That's why
"The Pathfinder" intervenes at critical points in the book's
development. And why this service is unique in helping the writer at the spot
when time and money can best be saved by precise focusing. Or, rarely, when the
project can be significantly redirected before too much of either has been
poorly spent.
The cost is $350
for two hours of my consulting time (normally $200 an hour). How long will it
take me to reply? You should have your material back within a week from the
time that I have everything in hand. (Or I will contact you with an exact date
if it must be longer.)
What's next? Get
in touch. Respond by hitting contact,
call the office at (800) 563-1454, fax us at (415) 883-5707, or write to
It's your book and
your life. If I can help, great. But you must take the first step.
___________________________________________
Pathfinder" service. Here's a brief
biography as it pertains to book review, commentary, and analysis:
I've owned a publishing firm since 1982 and
have also been offering four-hour seminars at colleges and universities
throughout
LETTER OF AGREEMENT
The page titled THE
PATHFINDER EXPLANATION SHEET just explained the purpose of this service. Let me
elaborate some upon it, and if what follows is agreeable to you I ask that you
sign and return this sheet, the information I need to assist you, and the
payment by mail.
1. I will provide two hour's consultation
concerning the project you will describe and the material submitted. Unless
otherwise agreed upon, that will be approximately one hour of reading and
review of the item(s) sent and one hour of analysis and commentary sent to you,
with the material submitted by mail in written form unless you stipulate
otherwise.
2. Every attempt will be made to have that
in the mail and, hopefully, back to you within a week of the receipt of the
items sent. It’s faster if you want it e-mailed!
3. If you include a list or indication of
precisely what you want to know as it relates to the project and the items
sent, I will, to the best of my ability, respond to each point. If you don't or
there is other information I feel you need to know, I will comment as if I were
seeking my own help with the material sent, to best help you prepare a
successful book.
4. My response is not the last word on the
subject; it is my opinion shared with you at your request. Nor am I a lawyer or
accountant; if such assistance is required, the services of a competent
professional in those fields should be sought.
5. Full payment of $350 should accompany
this letter of agreement. Payment can be made by check (payable to
Communication Unlimited) or by PayPal, VISA, Mastercard, or American Express. In the last three cases, I
need to know the full card number, expiration date, the name in which it is
issued (if other than your own), and the 3-4 digit number on the back of the
card.
6. Additional expenses greater than $5 will
be billed later, if there are any. Please include a stamped, self-addressed
envelope for the return of all items you want back by mail. Other expenses
would be in the nature of necessary phone or FAX calls, photocopying, or
additional consulting. These are very rare if all materials are initially sent
to me in one package, it is clear what you want to do and know, and return
postage is enclosed. If you mail the items to me, want an email response, and
do not care about the return of the items, tell me, I will dispose of the
latter, and there is no return postage necessary.
7. Please make a copy of everything you will
send. We have yet to lose anything or fail to have it arrive here or back to
the client, but we ask you to protect yourself on the long shot that it might
happen. I too will make a copy of my report for the same reason.
8. I want you to create a book that meets all
of your expectations. Let's work together to let me help you do that.
If you are in agreement with the eight
points made above, please sign and return a copy of this "Letter of
Agreement" with the items stipulated and I shall begin the review, analysis,
and commentary as soon as it is received.
Sincerely,
Gordon Burgett
Agreed to and accepted this date
( ) by
_________________________________________
|
Gordon Burgett |
(800) 563-1454 |
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See BEGINNER
INFORMATION GUIDELIST
Almost there!
This is pathfinder.htm
|
Gordon Burgett |
(800) 563-1454 |