Authentic Writing Provokes

5.0

(8)

About this pro

I believe my work as an editor, ghostwriter and writing mentor/coach who understands DIY platforms(such as Wordpress and Blogger and Joomla, self-publishing options and why they make sense, authentic marketing and self-promotion and why it works better) make me a great fit for some clients. I am not everyone's editor or writing coach or self-publishing and self-promotion specialist, but if I am a good fit for you, you will appreciate my style when it comes to extremely productive brainstorming that yields multiple nuggets of wisdom and ideas to pursue that suit you. I do my part to make my clients fall in love with writing for themselves and as themselves and it is not in my nature to push my voice or values on my clients. Yes, good grammar is preferred, but sometimes prose like e.e. cummings is what is needed to make the point! For me, it is about what will get the job done with your essence and vision clearly intact to attract your ideal customer, reader, subscriber. I develop communications skills in people who come to believe their story and opinions about things matter--be it for business goals or personal self-expression. I love developing genuine enthusiasm and confidence in self-expression (written & spoken congruently) in my clients. I see people go from saying they don't see them selves as a good writer or communicator for themselves, to getting that they can be and if they choose to have a ghost write for them, it is for clear reasons. I am thrilled when someone gets that their story and opinion matters, no matter how many others have written their piece on the same theme. People come to know themselves as they develop abilities to speak and write and publish themselves on their websites and in books and in presentations in working with me. I help people become better advocates for themselves through writing with them, for them, editing their writing and developing their skills of self-expression in our digitally active world!

10 years in business

6 hires on Thumbtack

1 employee

Reviews

Lori L.

Deborah was a gentle, intuitive and effective accountability coach for my writing. With her help, i completed a full length novel-memoir manuscript in only three months! I highly recommend her as assistant to your muse in any creative writing project.
Dec 21, 2015
Kelley K.

I was referred to Deborah Drake through a publishing company called Central Recovery Press. After spending 5 minutes on the phone with her, I was hooked. Her positive energy radiated through the phone. I flew to Seattle from Chicago to meet her and we spent 3 intensive days working through my manuscript. We spent hours talking through some of my life experiences in the memoir and she gave the writing wings. We have teamed up together to do a weekly blog and co-author my book. She is beyond talented and inspirational to work with.
Dec 15, 2015

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FAQs

How did you get started doing this type of work?
My current role as a writing mentor/coach, editor and self-publishing specialist who champions marketing well in advance of publications comes from taking the cumulative twenty years of skills developed through work in journalism, publishing, pre-press/printing, advertising and print production and business development and sales. Writing and self-expression is near and dear to my heart and has been since I was a young girl of nine. I wanted to be in publishing from the beginning. I took a circuitous route but for good reasons in hindsight. I am more than a writer and editor. I love honest, candid, authentic self-promotion and teach it well also. I went solo in late 2007 and took it to full-time and specialized work in spring of 2010 and am grateful to do what I do as my livelihood.
What types of customers have you worked with?
Developmental Editing and Manuscript Development with copyediting and proofreading Ghostwriting and blogging and developing a client's Authentic Voice for writing and self-expression (with genuine enthusiasm for it. Creating an Editorial Game Plan for blogging and writing and the marketing of it through classical and guerilla marketing strategies and enthusiasm for being consistent. Developing True Confidence and the Authentic Writing Voice of clients that allows for writing to be done with more ease and efficiency. Project coordination of blog development, self-publishing projects and marketing campaigns.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
It is critical that there be easy and "Good chemistry" from the start for me. I aim to connect quickly, work efficiently and assimilate the intentions and agenda of my clients swiftly. Relationships take time but the foundation for a good one from the beginning is either present or not. Trying to work together with someone we hesitate to share with is counter-intuitive but we do it more often than we consciously realize. I am candid from the first conversation and diplomatic as well. I appreciate clarity and direction and realize that flexibility is also important to maintain good flow. I consider myself strong at getting attuned to a client quickly and identifying strengths and good ideas clearly. I work fast when we are in the flow.