“I write because writing is the gift God has given me to help people in the world.”

Ann Lamott

Why Do A Book

How many times have you heard this one? “You should write a book.” Or, how often have you kicked yourself in the pants, and thought, “I have a book in me.”

Dust Devil, to the rescue … We can take you from start to finish, from concept to the book shelf. A book has a lot of moving parts. Using our services just might save your sanity.

Dust Devil guides you through these first steps, no charge. We provide the personal touch.

No computer templates. No paint-by-numbers layouts that make your book look like every-day wash.

Instead, we get you started, free. Then if you need us, we’re right here, eager to take your book idea to the next phase … then the next … and the next.

Dust Devil guides you through these first steps, no charge. We provide the personal touch.

No computer templates. No paint-by-numbers layouts that make your book look like every-day wash.

Instead, we get you started, free. Then if you need us, we’re right here, eager to take your book idea to the next phase … then the next … and the next.

Step One: WHY

Why are you writing a book? Money is one reason to write a book, but only one of them.

Not many authors make much money from their books. Exceptions are not just notable, they are wealthy. Say hello to J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter series) and Laura Hillenbrand (Sea Biscuit and Unbroken), also to John Grisham (Pelican Brief) and Dan Jenkins (Semi-Tough).

What is your motivation? Many gray panthers reach the age they want to leave something of themselves for their grandkids. Good idea, because every time an old-timer is taken to the grave yard, all those grand old stories go with him.

Step Two: Define Your Idea

Identify what’s in you that must come out. Is it stories from your parents, when you were growing up? Lessons learned from your military career? Stories from your faith?

Dig deep. What do you want readers to know? You should be able to verbalize the core message in 25 words or less. Those words should be so familiar, you can say them almost without thinking. Your book idea just tumbles off your tongue. If you can’t say it, chances are, you can’t write it.

Until you clearly identify the core message – really nail it down precisely — you might have a story to tell during dinner, or even a magazine feature. But you do not have a viable book idea. Noodle on the concept until the storyline can stand on its own two feet.

Step Three: Audience

Every writer writes to be read. Who will read you? Who will pick up your book, and absorb your message?

What is your target audience? Describe your typical reader. A senior citizen, or kid just getting into high school? Are your readers members of your own family? Do your readers take long vacations? Do they attend your church? Are they in the same line of work as you?

Step Four: Get Going

Dust Devil can work wonders with your stories, and turn them into a one-of-a-kind book that will last long after your gone. So, start at the start – outline your thoughts and begin to write. Then write some more.

If you don’t at least take notes, we have nothing to work with, no raw materials. This leaves you with one recourse: Sit down with a Dust Devil writer and answer questions. We have found that during a series of interviews we can capture a life story in about 25-30 hours of tape discussion.

Is it work? Maybe. But Dust Devil is doing all the heavy lifting and, besides, most of our clients say they enjoy the process.

Step Five: Dust Devil's Assistance

Now it is time to take advantage of all of Dust Devil’s resources. Here is how we work together with you.

  • Our development editors organize your material so the storyline flows from start to finish. This phase is often overlooked by the one-size-fits-all outfits 
  • Experienced line editors, including one from a major metro daily newsroom in Texas, comb your text, clean it up and make it ready for prime time.
  • With guidance from our experienced pros, you decide how you want your book to look, feel and function. Here’s where Dust Devil graphics designers go to work.
  • You approve the layout, and we start talking about the options for printing. Time to start getting excited. Won’t be long before you are an author.

  • Dust Devil oversees the prepress process while you go to the mountains on vacation. Or maybe you choose the beach. Either way, we’ve got your back.

  • The long-awaited day has finally arrived. You take delivery of the finished product.

Bottom Line

Dust Devil handles the process, turn-key. Or, you pay only for the services you require. Either way, you control the product. It belongs to you.