Before shooting me a note, please review these FAQs…

Most of my books are available via my local bookstore in North Carolina.

For a personally inscribed and autographed copy, contact Malaprop’s. It's best to phone them at (828) 254-6734 and talk to a human!

Tell them how you would like your book(s) inscribed. They will invite me in to sign, and your autographed book will be shipped quickly. You’ll be supporting a wonderful indie bookstore.

If one of my books is out of print, you can often find autographed copies on sites that search for or sell out-of-print books, such as Amazon, Alibris, Bookfinder, Abebooks, or Biblio.

If you’ve already bought one of my books, I offer signed bookplates that you can paste down in your book. Just write me and ask for one of those.

Unsolicited books mailed to my address—whether for review or for an autograph—will be donated.

I have blurbed many books, usually in the realm of children’s books. Blurb requests must come from a publicist, publisher, or editor—not the author. Please follow this simple rule to avoid being declined.

All media or other requests should go through the form below. I don't do social media.

I don’t offer fiction critiques; that’s what writing groups are for.

I do, however, read, critique, and edit nonfiction pieces and nonfiction book proposals. That species of writing is my primary area of expertise. Those services are billed at $100 per hour, and require a contract.

I also coach (or “mentor,” if you prefer that terminology) writers on the writing of such proposals, or on the entire nonfiction writing process.

Mentorships are billed at $3,500 per year, also with a contract. At the start of that year, I’ll review your current proposal—if you have one—and offer my notes.

For the rest of the year, you can return to me for further advice, a look-see at the revised proposal, or with questions on cracking the publishing industry. I’ll help with virtually any writing project except fiction.

Probably not, for several reasons. Professional book ghostwriting rates are billed at a minimum of $100,000 per year.

At the moment I am not doing speeches, white papers, or nonfiction articles for clients.

Bear in mind that I cannot guarantee that your book will be published by a traditional publisher. No ghostwriter or agent can.

And yes, even if I do write your book, you will most likely need an agent to help you get a book deal unless you’re publishing it independently.

No. Agenting needs differ from writer to writer.

The only way I know to land an agent is the old-fashioned way.

Buy a guide to agents, register with an online database, start querying, and plan on devoting two years to your search.

Start small, and go slowly. Revise your query and materials based on early feedback. If you haven’t landed one in the first year, rethink your project and revise your materials again. Write the next book while you wait.