Personal Development Book Editing
Budget: $25 – $50 USD
I have the author's Edition Manuscript. Here what I need..
Editorial Brief for Become More — Author's Edition
The Objective
Become More is not intended to be simply another business or sales book. It is the foundation of a larger body of work and the beginning of a lifelong conversation with the reader. Every editorial decision should support that objective.
Your responsibility is not to rewrite the manuscript or replace the author's voice. Your responsibility is to help reveal it.
This project is about craftsmanship.
The Identity of the Book
Every memorable book possesses a clear identity. Creating that identity is far more difficult than writing individual chapters. Structure, grammar, and formatting are craftsmanship. Identity is what gives the book a soul.
I believe Become More has developed that identity.
Title
Become More
Subtitle
An Extraordinary Career Is Built by Becoming an Extraordinary Person, One Ordinary Day at a Time.
Four-Act Structure
Act One
Become the Person
Act Two
Become the Professional
Act Three
Build What Matters
Act Four
Steward What Was Entrusted to You
The Conversation Continues...
This is not simply a four-part book. It is the progression of a life.
Philosophy
Most books have chapters.
This book has conversations.
Each conversation should feel like sitting across the table from a trusted mentor—not reading a textbook.
The reader should never feel lectured. They should feel invited into an ongoing dialogue that continues long after the final page.
Protect the Author's Voice
This is perhaps the single most important editorial responsibility.
When readers experience these conversations, they should hear Doug Shepherd speaking to them.
They should not hear an editor.
They should not hear a ghostwriter.
They should not hear polished corporate language.
They should hear authenticity.
The imperfections that reveal personality are often more valuable than perfectly constructed prose. Preserve the cadence, warmth, conviction, humor, and conversational style that define the author's voice. If a sentence sounds more like an editor than Doug Shepherd, it should be reconsidered.
Current Stage of the Manuscript
This Author's Edition represents a working manuscript intended for thoughtful refinement. The goal is not to change the message. The goal is to strengthen.
how
Remaining Editorial Objectives
The book should not end. It should invite the reader to continue.
The closing should become "The Conversation Continues..."—a commissioning rather than a conclusion. The reader should leave feeling called to action, reflection, and lifelong growth.
4. Developmental Editing
Be rigorous in strengthening the manuscript's structure without altering its core ideas.
Focus on:
• improving rhythm and pacing,
• strengthening transitions,
• ensuring each conversation naturally leads into the next,
• making recurring themes intentional rather than repetitive,
• reinforcing callbacks so they gain meaning throughout the book,
• maintaining a coherent narrative arc from beginning to end.
• Every conversation should create anticipation for the next.
5. Line Editing
Where nessessary reformat in to traditional paragraph format. Once the structure is complete, refine the writing at the sentence level. Every paragraph should advance the conversation. Every sentence should earn its place. Every word should contribute to clarity, rhythm, or emotional impact. Polish the language without polishing away the author's personality.
6. Prepare the Publisher's Manuscript
When editorial work is complete, prepare a publication-ready manuscript that reflects the quality and significance of the work.
This includes:
• title pages
table of contents,
• dedication,
• Introduction
• Act One with conversation
• Act two with conversations
Act 3 with Conversations
Act 4 with conversations
• About the Author
Acknowledgements
and all front and back matter expected in a professionally published book.
The finished manuscript should feel timeless.
Then add art work ,
Line drawings interior pages, and front anad back cover art work.
Ultimately I need help self publishing. I need KDP formating help.
Beyond the Book
This manuscript is the foundation for a larger platform. The book is not the destination.
It is the beginning.
The ideas developed here will expand into:
• keynote presentations,
• a companion workbook,
• Shepherd's Reflections & Observations,
• a practical sales companion,
• leadership resources,
• a daily reader,
• coaching program
• and video-based training.
Every editorial decision should recognize that this manuscript serves as the cornerstone for all future content.
The Ultimate Goal
Success will not be measured by whether readers describe this as an excellent business book.
Success will be measured when readers say:
"That book made me rethink my life."
If the book accomplishes that, everything else follows. The sales. The keynote speeches
Because the central message has never changed:
Build the person, and everything else follows.
Editorial Brief for Become More — Author's Edition
The Objective
Become More is not intended to be simply another business or sales book. It is the foundation of a larger body of work and the beginning of a lifelong conversation with the reader. Every editorial decision should support that objective.
Your responsibility is not to rewrite the manuscript or replace the author's voice. Your responsibility is to help reveal it.
This project is about craftsmanship.
The Identity of the Book
Every memorable book possesses a clear identity. Creating that identity is far more difficult than writing individual chapters. Structure, grammar, and formatting are craftsmanship. Identity is what gives the book a soul.
I believe Become More has developed that identity.
Title
Become More
Subtitle
An Extraordinary Career Is Built by Becoming an Extraordinary Person, One Ordinary Day at a Time.
Four-Act Structure
Act One
Become the Person
Act Two
Become the Professional
Act Three
Build What Matters
Act Four
Steward What Was Entrusted to You
The Conversation Continues...
This is not simply a four-part book. It is the progression of a life.
Philosophy
Most books have chapters.
This book has conversations.
Each conversation should feel like sitting across the table from a trusted mentor—not reading a textbook.
The reader should never feel lectured. They should feel invited into an ongoing dialogue that continues long after the final page.
Protect the Author's Voice
This is perhaps the single most important editorial responsibility.
When readers experience these conversations, they should hear Doug Shepherd speaking to them.
They should not hear an editor.
They should not hear a ghostwriter.
They should not hear polished corporate language.
They should hear authenticity.
The imperfections that reveal personality are often more valuable than perfectly constructed prose. Preserve the cadence, warmth, conviction, humor, and conversational style that define the author's voice. If a sentence sounds more like an editor than Doug Shepherd, it should be reconsidered.
Current Stage of the Manuscript
This Author's Edition represents a working manuscript intended for thoughtful refinement. The goal is not to change the message. The goal is to strengthen.
how
Remaining Editorial Objectives
The book should not end. It should invite the reader to continue.
The closing should become "The Conversation Continues..."—a commissioning rather than a conclusion. The reader should leave feeling called to action, reflection, and lifelong growth.
4. Developmental Editing
Be rigorous in strengthening the manuscript's structure without altering its core ideas.
Focus on:
• improving rhythm and pacing,
• strengthening transitions,
• ensuring each conversation naturally leads into the next,
• making recurring themes intentional rather than repetitive,
• reinforcing callbacks so they gain meaning throughout the book,
• maintaining a coherent narrative arc from beginning to end.
• Every conversation should create anticipation for the next.
5. Line Editing
Where nessessary reformat in to traditional paragraph format. Once the structure is complete, refine the writing at the sentence level. Every paragraph should advance the conversation. Every sentence should earn its place. Every word should contribute to clarity, rhythm, or emotional impact. Polish the language without polishing away the author's personality.
6. Prepare the Publisher's Manuscript
When editorial work is complete, prepare a publication-ready manuscript that reflects the quality and significance of the work.
This includes:
• title pages
table of contents,
• dedication,
• Introduction
• Act One with conversation
• Act two with conversations
Act 3 with Conversations
Act 4 with conversations
• About the Author
Acknowledgements
and all front and back matter expected in a professionally published book.
The finished manuscript should feel timeless.
Then add art work ,
Line drawings interior pages, and front anad back cover art work.
Ultimately I need help self publishing. I need KDP formating help.
Beyond the Book
This manuscript is the foundation for a larger platform. The book is not the destination.
It is the beginning.
The ideas developed here will expand into:
• keynote presentations,
• a companion workbook,
• Shepherd's Reflections & Observations,
• a practical sales companion,
• leadership resources,
• a daily reader,
• coaching program
• and video-based training.
Every editorial decision should recognize that this manuscript serves as the cornerstone for all future content.
The Ultimate Goal
Success will not be measured by whether readers describe this as an excellent business book.
Success will be measured when readers say:
"That book made me rethink my life."
If the book accomplishes that, everything else follows. The sales. The keynote speeches
Because the central message has never changed:
Build the person, and everything else follows.