Our “Soup-To-Nuts” services include:

• Interviewing and recording, as many as needed
• Interviewing others if necessary
• Transcribing interviews
• Writing the book (we do NOT use AI)
• Revising content as needed (smooth out the story)
• Research as needed
• Editing the manuscript
• Full-color cover design
• Placement of photos and illustrations
• Formatting the book for publication
• Writing the biographical profile and book synopsis
• Writing introduction, foreword, and other front matter if directed by client
• ISBN – International Standard Book Number assigned to your book
• Publication on KDP Amazon for worldwide sales
• Formatting and publishing the Kindle electronic book version
• KDP-Amazon ongoing administration including royalty reports and payments

To Start

Together, we discuss the style and scope of your book … the “bones” of your story. We answer your questions and make suggestions to guide you to the best outcome.

BiographyMasters has developed a simple technique to guide you through the interview process. While you talk, we listen and record. Later, we’ll organize the audio material into the draft of your book.

Step One: Planning

We’ll discuss the schedule that suits you, including additional sources of information and others to be interviewed, if any. Next, I’ll visit your location to conduct initial interviews. Prior to the interviews, we’ll send questions or prompts to help you organize your thoughts.

Step Two: Content Editing, Copy Editing, and Writing

We’ll transcribe your interviews and write your draft from top to bottom while ensuring a logical, smooth flow of the storyline. If needed, subsequent interview sessions are conducted via phone on an as-needed basis. You can add or delete anything before the final edit.

Step Three: First Draft

As we develop the story, we’ll periodically email you (or your designees) draft chapters or segments for a “fact check” or corrections. That back-and-forth process will continue until you are satisfied with the final draft.

Step Four: Revising & Proofreading

After you’ve read the final draft of the manuscript, we’ll make corrections if necessary and conduct a final edit. Only you will give the final approval.

Step Five: Final Assembly

We’ll consult with you as to the placement of photos, documents, maps, and anything else you want to include. Your biography can include up to 30 photographs. We’ll customize your book cover with illustrations, colors, and wording, and present cover drafts to you until you’re satisfied. We’ll also develop your back cover synopsis and your biographical profile with a photo.

Step Six: Your Book is Published

We publish primarily through KDP-Amazon. Based on our experience, KDP is the best and most cost-effective independent publishing company for high-volume black and white paperback books. In so doing, your book will be available for purchase from the general public. That’s how you generate royalties. KDP-Amazon is a “print-on-demand house” so no pre-purchase is necessary. We will set up your KDP account and administer it on an ongoing basis. You always retain 100 % ownership of your book rights.

You can place your name on the book as the sole author which makes us your “ghost writer,” or we can be your secondary author. Most often, the biographer is a secondary author (“with John Smith”). This is your choice.

Financial Relationship

Our pricing structure is based on data from professional writers, editors, and related specialties throughout the U.S. It includes reports from professional associations such as American Independent Writers (AIW), and the American Society of Journalists & Authors (ASJA). Note that our prices fall below these averages.

Our price depends on the length of your book and the complexity of interviewing and research. Our services are based on a monthly retainer system for as long as it takes to complete and publish the book.

Notes:

• An average biography is about 175 pages with #12 Times New Roman font in a 6″ x 9″ paperback with up to 30 photographs.
• On average it takes between 300 and 325 hours to interview, transcribe, write, edit, revise, and publish such a book.
• When we publish and administer your account through KDP-Amazon, we arrange for all printing and shipping of your “author discounted” books with a small service and handling fee to cover our costs. Ongoing administration fees are levied each quarter at 24% of your royalties. We are paid only when you earn royalties on your book.

 

Following is the general breakdown of the process

Interviewing, gathering information & collateral research – 25%
Writing, editing – 50%
Revising, further editing & compiling – 15%
Finalizing, publishing on Amazon & wrap-up – 10%