Teamwork makes the dream work

What if all writing is collaborative?

“All writing is collaborative.” My writing bestie Susy Flory, a New York Times bestselling author, recently asserted this in a conversation we had about books. Because we are always talking books. I think she’s on to something.

Susy and me by a bookstore (of course) in Ireland!

No one really writes a book alone. The romantic notion of an author sitting in solitude, pouring words onto the page—might be only a small part of the process. (Yes, writers need solitude, but also, community.)

Every writer draws, even subconsciously, on the wisdom and insights of other books they’ve read, conversations, life. They distill it into words on a page, but they draw from many sources. When we talk books with other writers, we are, in a way, collaborating and learning. But sometimes, collaboration is more formal:

• Smart writers gather beta readers: wise, lit-savvy folks who can give honest feedback and suggest revisions. I’m currently in a writers’ collective where we read each other’s drafts and offer feedback, ask questions, cheer each other on.

• Many writers find that a writing coach who holds them accountable is just what they need to finish their book. (Contact me if you’re interested in writing coaching services.)

• Many aspiring authors find they need the help of a collaborative writer, a more experienced writer to help them shape and more importantly, finish, their book. I love coming alongside writers to help them do that.

Once a writer begins the process of publishing, a team gets involved: an editor or two or three, an interior page designer, a cover designer. Once the book is produced, marketing and publicity folks come alongside the author to help let the world know about the book.

I have written more than a dozen books with a coauthor. We work together in a variety of ways. In the past 12 months or so, I have helped birth six books into the world. Sometimes, I’m a parent, and sometimes, I’m more akin to a midwife. In other words, sometimes I’m a primary writer, other times, I’m the editor and publishing coach.

But either way, I’ve been part of the teams that released the following titles:

The Resurrection Project, Sept. 2023

Unbreakable Crown, March 2024

Go Outside: God is Waiting, March 2024

Unleashing Radical Hospitality, April 2024

Live Like a Guide Dog, August 2024

(Learn more about each title by clicking on the link.)

I also just finished writing a manuscript on another book where I have served as a ghostwriter. That book will be self-published by the author later this year. (So yes, that makes seven books. When people ask how I make a living as a writer, that’s part of the answer.)

Me with some of this year’s Powerful Story titles.

I was a collaborative writer on Unleashing Radical Hospitality with David and Karen Anderson, a book I also helped them self-publish. I was also a collaborative writer with Michael Hingson on Live Like a Guide Dog. Both those books (the projects overlapped) took more than a year to write. While working on them, I helped the authors of three other books by editing their book, then guiding each through the self-publishing process.

The work between a writer and editor is often highly collaborative. In the case of Live Like a Guide Dog, I collaborated with my coauthor Michael. We had weekly conversations, wrote countless drafts and revisions. I conducted a dozen interviews with other sources. When we turned in our manuscript to the team at Tyndale, our editor gave us extensive feedback and asked us to make major revisions. It meant a lot more work, but the result is a much better book!

My coauthor Mike HIngson and me with his cat Stitch and the goodest guide dog, Alamo.

All this to say, who is on your team? Do you have beta readers? A writing coach? A critique group? If you’re planning to self-publish, do you have an editor? (This article explains what a book editor does. This one explains what a coauthor is.)

Where would you find an editor, cover designer, etc.?

If your book is published by a traditional royalty publisher, they cover the costs of editing and design and printing—all the production costs.

If you self-publish, you’ve got to assemble a team yourself. (Note: I can help with that. Contact me for info)

But no matter which publishing path you choose, it helps to have folks who will give you feedback and cheer you on. A writing coach, a critique group, even a beta reader or two who will give you honest feedback.

But where to connect with other writers and publishing pros?

A writers conference!

A writers conference is great place to meet other writers, learn more about writing and publishing, pitch your idea to editors and agents, and find your people!

Just as a reminder, early bird pricing for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference ends September 11. This excellent conference is held in Sacramento CA in November. For those who don’t want to or can’t travel, an online version is available!

And right now, if you register for the conference you can save $50 by using my last name, KENT, as a discount code. Click the button below to learn more.

P.S. The amazon links in this post are affiliate links. if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small (very small!) commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting this free newsletter in this way!