Everything you need to know.Everything you need to know.

Yes. In fact, most of our clients start with just an idea. We help you turn it into a complete book step by step — beginning with a conversation about what you want to say and who it is for.

You don't have to figure that out yourself. We look at the stage you are at — an idea, a half-finished draft, a complete manuscript — and recommend the right approach from there.

Absolutely. Our entire process is designed to support beginners and remove confusion. Each step is explained in plain language, and you are never expected to already know how publishing works.

Send it before the consultation and we will read it first. A finished manuscript usually needs editing and proofreading, then formatting, a cover and publishing, and we recommend the services it actually needs from where it stands.

Nothing in particular. An idea, a few notes, a partial draft or a finished manuscript are all fine starting points. Tell us where you are and what you are trying to achieve, and we take it from there.

No. We are based in Chicago, Illinois and work with authors across the United States. Most of the work happens over phone, video calls and email, so where you live makes no difference to the process.

Yes. You keep full ownership of your manuscript and everything written, edited or designed for it. Our role is to help you create and publish your book, not to hold any claim on it.

That is the point of how we work. Whether we are ghostwriting from scratch or editing your draft, we focus on understanding your voice, your message and your goals so the finished book feels authentic and aligned with your vision.

Yes. Every stage, from writing and editing to formatting and cover design, is handled to professional publishing standards, and you review the work at each stage before it moves on.

Memoir, business, fiction, children's books and more, for first-time and independent authors alike. Whatever the genre, the same team takes the book through writing, editing, design, publishing and marketing.

Timelines depend on the scope of the project — the length of the book, the stage it starts at, and which services it needs. We follow a structured process so work keeps moving, and we agree the timeline with you at the start rather than guessing on this page.

You review the work at each stage — outline, chapters, edited manuscript, cover, formatted files — and nothing is treated as final until you have seen it. The number of revision rounds is discussed and agreed per project before work begins.

Through a free consultation. Pricing depends on the length of the book, the stage you are starting from and the services you need, so we talk first, then put a clear scope and fee in writing for you to review. Call +1 888 389 5182 or email info@chicagobookclinic.com.

Yes. You only take the services your book needs, and you can skip the stages you have already done. Most books do need more than one, and on the consultation we tell you which and in what order.

No. Writing, editing, design, publishing and marketing are handled in one place, so nothing gets lost between a writer, a designer and a publisher who have never spoken.

Yes. Our book publishing service guides you through launching your book on the major platforms, and our formatting service prepares the files for both ebook and print.

Ebook and print are the usual starting points, and we can add an audiobook edition through our audiobook production service. We will recommend the formats that make sense for your book and your readers.

We guide you on the next steps, including visibility, promotion, and building your author presence — book marketing, an author website, articles and blog content, or an audiobook edition.