Here are the answers to the questions I'm asked most often about book collaboration and speaking:  

 

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What is the best way to contact you?

By emailing me at HilaryBeard [at] mac [dot] com 

 

How do I book you for speaking?

By emailing me at HilaryBeard [at] mac [dot] com

 

Can you help me write my book?

Writing a book is extremely time consuming and laborious -- a full-time job. So each year, I can only work on a couple of select projects. Unfortunately, this means that I may not be able to help you. That said, if you’d like to hire me as your writer, please email me at HilaryBeard [at] mac [dot] com

These days it's very difficult to get a book deal with a publishing company. But if you aspire to be published by a major publisher, there are two parts of the process:

  1. developing the book proposal, which is essentially a business plan to persuade a publisher to invest in the project. It includes a description of the book and its intended audience, several sample chapters, a detailed outline of the remainder the book, and a marketing plan.

  2. writing the book itself, which entails extensive interviews and research about the subject matter and the back and forth involved with completing the work. Depending upon the nature of the project and our deadline, it will take many months and perhaps a year.

How long does it take?

That depends on the nature of the project and what else we're both working on. I've written books in as few as six months and as many as twelve.  

How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter? 

I charge the equivalent of a full-time salary for the time period that I'm engaged in the project. If the book gets picked up by a publishing company, the publishing contract typically covers my pay. However my price for a book proposal will likely come out of your pocket. It is typically a low five-figure investment.

 

How far in advance do you book your clients?

It varies, depending upon what mix of projects I'm working on and the nature of your project. 

 

Do you work on more than one project at once?

Yes. Almost always. 

 

Will you look at my manuscript?

I do not review writers’ manuscripts. If you need a professional editor or book doctor, I recommend Melody Guy, a former Random House editor, or Taiia Smart-Young, a former editor of Essence and Latina magazines. Melody was my editor for Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion with Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter. 

 

What do I need to know to write my own book?

Word to the wise: Writing is a whole lot harder than it looks. Doing it well requires a tremendous amount of time and commitment. So if you want to write a book, I suggest that you start by taking a writing classes, wherever one is offered -- at your local community center, as part of an adult education program, in a writers' workshop, or wherever. As you develop your skill, sign up for a workshop on writing a novel or your memoir. There are many places you can go, but one of my favorites targeting people of color is the Hurston-Wright Writers Week


What is a Faith Walk?

Faith walk (noun). The uncharted journey between the familiar spiritual, emotional, mental and/or physical space that you now occupy and the place you need to reach to become person you envision in your mind's eye.  

Faith walker (noun). A person who steps out on faith against the odds to follow their spiritual Calling, vision or passion.