3 Exciting Announcements for Utopia Editing and Ghostwriting Services in 2020

I had the trip of a lifetime in Thailand in September 2019, when I went to a humane elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand called Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary where you do not touch the animals. Respect is paramount--an incredible organization doing revolutionary things for animal tourism!  It's been a frighteningly long time since I've blogged on my personal website. I'm going to blame it on writing deadlines and client work and my own personal travels and obligations, but the reality of the situation is that blogging took a backseat to running a business and falling in love (yes, I got engaged in November 2019. Me! The online serial dater, someone who'd nearly resigned myself to a life of cat-ladydom and Real Housewives marathons, met someone who actually claims he wants to be around me for the rest of his life?! You won't be surprised to find that we met on Bumble. So, thanks online dating. Sometimes--okay, occasionally--you really pull through. Wanna stalk? He's on my Instagram).

That's all going to change this year! I have exciting announcements both for myself and for the business, with the first, most exciting one getting first place in line: 

1. Utopia Editing and Ghostwriting Services is offering a ten-percent-off, beginning-of-the-year discount! 
That's right: To bring in the new decade, I'm offering ten percent off the entire total of any job that's booked (a down payment sent and contracts signed, with this post mentioned) between January 23rd and March 15th, 2020. I'm currently booking clients for slots in summer of 2020, but you'll still receive this discount if you book the job and mention this blog post to me within the next two months!
Now's the perfect time to finish that memoir, book a self-publishing and/or traditional querying consultation, or just to reach out to a professional (with almost ten years of publishing and writing experience!) and discuss where you see your book and brand going in 2020.
Contact me anytime through my form here, or by email: ashleyrcarlson13@gmail.com.  

2. Utopia is formally announcing two services available in 2020:
a self-publishing package and traditional querying/proposal package. 
y?! While I've been offering these services sort of "a la carte" for several years, I'm officially going to be adding them to my services page in the coming weeks. Both the self-publishing package and the traditional querying/proposal package and very personalized based on each author's needs, and vary according to your preferences and budget. Please don't hesitate to ask for my referrals from past clients who've utilized these services, or inquire with any questions regarding these new and innovative packages! 

A typical self-publishing package might include: 
-Creating and managing an Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing account for your e-book and print book (can also include Apple, Barnes and Noble, and more online distributors).
​-Collaborating with your interior formatter, cover designer, and more to ensure a smooth completion of all moving parts of your self-published book before going live. 
-Managing your paperback and hardcover book in all stages from creation to getting it into your hands. 
Self-publishing packages range from $70-75 USD/hour.

A typical traditional publishing package might include: 
-Searching for and putting together a list of appropriate agents and/or publishers to submit a proposal to. 
-Crafting and/or revising a book proposal for a publisher (nonfiction) or a query letter for an agent and/or publisher (fiction). 
-Acting as a liaison between yourself and publishing houses' editors, and acting as your personal assistant and book proposal manager before a book deal is secured. 
Traditional publishing packages range from $70-75 USD/hour.

3. My personal writing career has taken some new turns for 2020.
I currently have several pieces on submission at the New York Times, Bustle, and other publications focused on travel, lifestyle, and more. I'm excited for this new chapter of my writing career--not only am I seeking publication at outside outlets for both fiction and nonfiction, but I've got a new work-in-progress manuscript taking up a large part of my brain. First drafts are the absolute most blissful part of a book's publication, aren't they?! Stay tuned for updates on future acceptances and my querying/publication journey.

Lastly, my fiancé and I are going to Italy from April 23rd-May 4th, so I will likely be hard to reach during that time. Other than that, please contact me any time to discuss your book project, editing or ghostwriting needs, questions about querying agents/publishers and how to self-publish (or whether you should!), learn more about my traditional publishing packages and self-publishing packages, and more. I'm always here to help. 

-Ashley