Manuscript Review Service 

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.

I’ve been both routes many times. Of my 36 books in print the least I earned was $8,000, and four have brought in between $125-150,000. Another book I published has topped $1.2 million. And another will 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. If you'd like my assistance to help you produce the kind of book you want and America needs, the steps to take are explained below.

No fiction, please. And no children’s books. I’m a godsend 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…

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 first 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. 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.

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 the guidelist links four paragraphs earlier). 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 in the guidelist—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 manuscript review service" 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? 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 by hitting contact, calling the office at (800) 563-1454, faxing us at (415) 883-5707, or writing to P.O. Box 845, Novato, CA 94948. Then sending in the Letter of Agreement, the payment, and the appropriate questionnaire with the accompanying manuscript.

___________________________________________

"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 California for 30+ years. The three most appropriate are called "Before You Write That Book...," "How to Sell-Publish and Market Your Own Book," and “Publishing to Niche Markets.”  I have also written 36 books, mostly about writing, speaking, and publishing, including Niche Publishing, How to Sell More Than 75% of Your Freelance Writing, The Travel Writer's Guide, and a Writer's Digest release, Sell and Resell Your Magazine Articles. Six times my books were writers Digest Book Club selections. Over the past 30 years I have also had 1,700+ articles published. Finally, I am a long-standing member of the American Society for Journalists and Authors, the Publishers Marketing Association, and the National Speakers Association. (For more information about the books and me, please check this link.)

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.

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 VISA, Mastercard, or American Express. In the latter case, 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. 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 sent. 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

P.O. Box 845
Novato, CA 94948