Having a biography written by Jack Sheehan
Q: How does the process work?
A: Sheehan has a conversation with the client, explaining how he will produce a full-length book which will be made available to the buying public through the internet and select bookstore outlets. A mission statement for the book will be agreed upon, and a 'point person' for the subject of the book will be designated. This point person will provide interview names and contacts, will speak with the interviewee about the project and introduce Sheehan to him or her over the phone or internet, and will receive regular reports from Sheehan about the book's progress. From start to finish, each book takes between one and two years. Sheehan does all the interviewing, all the writing, and accepts bids from publishers to produce the final book. He will also help in marketing the final product through book signings and media interviews.
Q: Why should a successful person participate in writing a biography?
A: Thousands of successful people through the ages have wished in their later years that they had put their life experiences down in a book, which becomes a public record of all their triumphs and mistakes, and over which they have control. All of the people I have written about have been gratified that they spent the time and energy to tell their stories and to make sure it was told right. While I have done investigative reporting, I am primarily a feature writer and biographer. I also do not put a public relations spin on these stories. I tell the subject at the outset that my intention is to write a balanced and colorful account of his or her life. Because I choose successful people as subjects, and they understand that they are best served by offering a complete account of their lives, this is never an issue. The subject always is given a final read-through before the manuscript goes to a publisher, and both subject and author must be pleased with the final version when writing is completed.
Q: What is the commitment of time and money from the subject or point person on the book?
A: The subject or point person must work closely with the author to make certain the story is told completely, and told well. Updates on the progress of the book are provided regularly by the author, but appointments are made well in advance to fit easily into the subject's schedule. Depending on the length and breadth of the work, the cost to the subject runs between $150,000 to $500,000. All terms are negotiated with the author before work begins.
For additional information on high-end biographies please visit our biographies page.
Inquiries can be emailed to info@jacksheehan.com or by calling 702.277.0660. Thank you for your interest. We look forward to speaking with you. |
