Do you want to become a published author or poet? If so, I am ready to mentor your efforts from "idea to publication." Just contact me at mshawin@yahoo.com or call 970.618.2027 and I will be pleased to give you any practical advice to aid your journey. You can also benefit, free of charge, by downloading my book, How to Become a Published Author: Idea to Publication. Just click here to open, and then save the file.

For those who want more detailed information about the publishing process in general including promotion alternatives, seek a ghostwriter or collaborator, wish a personal evaluation of their book idea, manuscript, book proposal, or query letter, or seek help in securing a literary agent, these services are available at a reasonable per hour rate. Email me with information about your book project and I will give you an estimate of the charges.

Those whom I have assisted over the past few years include:

Frances Jewel Dickson - SKIPPER, The Sea Yarns of Captain Matthew Mitchell, Christine Montross - Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab, Nancy Spears - Buddha: 9 to 5: The Eightfold Path to Enlightening Your Workplace and Improving Your Bottom Line , Patti Lawson - The Dog Diet: What My Dog Taught Me About Shedding Pounds, Licking Stress, and Getting a New Leash on Life, Dawn Knight - Taliaferro, Breaking Barriers from the NFL Draft to the Ivory Tower , Frances Jewel Dickson - The DEW Line Years, Voices from the Coldest Cold War, Dr. Gordon Dragt – The Resurrection of New York’s Famous Middle Church: How What I Learned Can Save Your Church, Sam Drash - Reaching Paradise Through Intercourse: American Towns with Unique Names, Charles Pearson - The Last Expedition , Ron Lowry and Mary Walker - Chasing Lewis and Clark Across America: A 21st Century Aviation Adventure.

Testimonials include:

• "Mark - thank you for helping me with writing my book and with creating a successful book proposal and query letter." Beth Johnson, New York City
• "I will always be grateful for the information you provided about how to prepare a book proposal. You really know what you are talking about author to writer." John Edwards, Seattle, Washington
• "How may I ever thank you? You really made it possible for me to learn how to complete my book and create a successful book proposal. Your patience and encouragement are most appreciated." Lisa Mantoba, Fort Charles, Louisiana
• "Thank you, thank you. Your words of advice regarding my writing skills have really paid off." Peter Lynch, Paris, France
• "Mark, thanks for caring about writers so much. Your advice is so practical in nature and I feel blessed to have had you in my corner." Rex Billings, San Francisco, California

Remember, it only takes one publisher to say "Yes" and you are on your way to becoming a published author or poet. Beware of subsidy publishers, but there are many traditional publishing options as well print-on-demand and ebook alternatives open to first-time authors. When you finally hold your published book in your hand, or see it posted on an internet site, all the hard work will be worth it.