Welcome. You've come to the right place!

I am Jessica Tilles, national best-selling author of nine books and the award-winning publisher of Xpress Yourself Publishing, an independent publishing house with more than 150 titles in print. I am the owner/creative director of TWA Solutions, a minority- and woman-owned company providing graphic and web design, editing, writing, book design and many other services.

With 16 years of writing books in all genres, as your literary ghostwriter, I will bring your idea and dream to fruition. I will be your complete source of inspiration, writing and editing, as well as your publishing consultation.

Literary Ghostwriting Your Book

Ghostwriting your book is a collaboration of love. I have a passion for writing and listening and you are passionate about your story. However, I do far more than just write. I act as your coach. I endeavor to inspire you to do your best work, help organize you and your thoughts, offer creative solutions and styles you may not have considered, and then manage the project from beginning to end to your total satisfaction.

With over 18 years of experience, as an award-winning publisher, and publisher of more than  150 titles and best-selling author of ten books, I have my finger on the pulse of the book industry.

The ghostwriting process begins with your contacting me at Jessica@twasolutions.com or calling: 202-702-7120. We will discuss your needs at length to see if we are a perfect match. Once we've talked and you feel we are a good fit, I will send you a non-disclosure statement, a typical agreement, and a firm quote for all work.

Depending on the type of ghostwriting needed, projects may take from three to six months to complete.

Literary Ghostwriter's Biography

JESSICA TILLES is a best-selling author, award-winning publisher of Xpress Yourself Publishing, owner/creative director of TWA Solutions, speaker and literary ghostwriter.

As a native of Washington, DC, Jessica is a creative writer in all genres of fiction, with several titles in print:
Anything Goes, In My Sisters' Corner, Apple Tree, Sweet Revenge, Fatal Desire, Unfinished Business, editor of the anthology Erogenous Zone: A Sexual Voyage, contributing author to the anthology, The Triumph of My Soul edited by Elissa Gabrielle, with her short story “Julian’s Grace,” Loving Simone and Crossing Sisters.

Listed in Heather Covington’s Top 100 Literary Divas (Amber Communications), Jessica remains humble in her literary endeavors and continues to assist authors with the business of self-publishing through TWA Solutions.


In 2001, Jessica launched Xpress Yourself Publishing as a self-published author, publishing her national best-selling titles. In 2006, she published fellow authors Bill Holmes, Kenda Bell and Michael J. Burt. Bill Holmes' debut novel, One Love, peeked at #4 on the Essence Best Seller's List in July 2007, followed by Kenda Bell's For Every Love There Is A Reason at #8 in August 2007. As publisher of Xpress Yourself Publishing (now affectionately known as XYP), she is helping to mold the literary careers of 35 talented authors, which includes two ESSENCE Best Sellers, award-winning authors, several award nominees, and a finalist for the 2008 NAACP Image Award nomination in the Best Debut Novel category.


In addition to her many accomplishments, Jessica is a staff writer for Black Men In America.com, has contributed the article “Third Shift Blues” in Black Romance Magazine, and is the recipient of the Memphis Black Writer’s Guild’s Rising Star award, and the Jackson Mississippi Reader’s Clubs’ Outstanding Contributor to Literature award.

Jessica resides in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with her three fury children: Teddy, Piccachu, and Chelsea.

Services Included

In addition to ghostwriting your book, I will provide the following services:

Coaching—This is part of the process of ghostwriting your book and is included in my fee. However, I do coach other writers on a fee or hourly basis, helping them to polish their ideas and their writing abilities. This may include rewrites, suggestions, and content editing. Please email Jessica@twasolutions.com for more information on rewrites, suggestions, and content editing.

Publishing Consulting—With my publishing background, I can advise you on a variety of ways that you can self-publish, often at a very low cost. I can also advise you on the promotion and marketing aspects of your book, whether you self-publish or ultimately sell your work to a traditional publisher.

Miscellaneous—Feel free to email me at Jessica@twasolutions.com or call (202) 202-7120 about any other services not listed such as magazine articles, advertising copy, rewrites of manuscripts, etc. I can offer specialized services.


Custom Book Cover Design for trade paperback or hardcover.

5-Page Web Site to meet your specifications.


Copy Editing Services—You can be sure that your English-language manuscript will be polished and ready for self-publication or submission to your publication of choice. My staff at TWA Solutions is comprised of accomplished and seasoned writers and editors who will make your words and story flow beyond your wildest imagination. We correct grammar, delete redundancies, fix problem sentences, and even sharpen your vocabulary. We also edit for overall wordiness, replace inappropriate words, and eliminate obvious spelling errors. To improve the overall clarity and organization of your manuscript, we even re-arrange sentences and paragraphs, if necessary.

Editing is the foundation of a solid manuscript. When editing manuscripts, we will look for:
  • Intended Audience (reading level, style, tone),
  • Literary Devices (metaphors and similes, foreshadowing, repetition),
  • Character Development,
  • Dialogue and Narrative Flow, and
  • Description (use of imagery, setting).



FAQs

How much does it cost to ghostwrite a book?
The fee ranges from $7,500 - $10,000 for books of all genre, depending upon the length, time and nature of the story. (See Fees.)

What does the Literary Ghostwriter’s fees cover?
The fee to ghostwrite your book covers all interview time between me, you, and any other participants to obtain the required information. It includes all research time, writing, editing, rewriting, and may include help in self-publishing from establishing your business to book production. The ghostwriter’s fee does not include travel or lodging, although travel time is included, if necessary. If you email JTilles@aol.com, I would be glad to send you a sample contract which will give you all the details.

How are fees paid to the Literary Ghostwriter?
There is an initial deposit to begin work and then subsequent monthly payments broken out in even amounts to run concurrently with each phase of work that is completed. I accept cash, certified checks, and money orders. I do not accept personal checks. I do accept PayPal. Please add an additional 4% service charge to each PayPal transaction.

How long will it take to Literary Ghostwrite my story?
A well-organized, short business book can take as little as 2 months. Ghostwriting a life story, a novel, or an inspirational work can take from 6 to 8 months.

Does the Literary Ghostwriter get any credit?
Generally not unless you want to give it. You own all the rights to your ghostwritten book including the copyright. The ghostwriter does not participate in any royalties or other income you may derive.

Does the Literary Ghostwriter work on a contingency?
No. I am paid a flat fee over the life of the project. I do not participate in any royalties nor do I wait until your book is published or made into a movie, for a deferred payment.

Does the Literary Ghostwriter provide any other services?
Absolutely. When your story is nearing completion, I will consult with you on all of the newest self-publishing techniques, processes, and costs if that interests you (included in fee). I can also consult with you and develop a professional package to seek out a qualified literary agent to represent you.

How do I know the Literary Ghostwriter won’t steal my idea?
At your request, I will send you a signed non-disclosure agreement that protects you and covers all your legal rights prior to discussing your story.

What qualifies you to be a Literary Ghostwriter, and why should I trust you with my story?
I am a best-selling author in my own right, having written several of my own books. I have more than 30 years of experience as a writer, 16 years as an award-winning publisher, and 16 years of editing and ghostwriting.

My passion is writing, and has been since I was a child, and to date, I’ve written and ghostwritten more than 20 books on a wide range of subjects.

Please feel free to contact me at
jessica@twasolutions.com or call (202) 702-7120 with any additional questions you may have.

Glossary

Ghostwriter: One who writes with and for another individual on an anonymous basis.

Copyright: The exclusive rights to the publication, production, or sale of the rights to a literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic work. Filed with the U.S. Library of Congress. In the case of ghostwritten works, the copyright is held by the credited author.

Non-disclosure statement: A document that promises that the signatory (the ghostwriter) will not divulge the contents of conversations, documents, records, or other communications to any third party.

Fiction: A story, book, or movie that is not based on fact, as in a novel.

Non-fiction: A story, book, or movie that is factual as in an autobiography or a business book.

Best-selling author: A writer whose book has reached a high level of sales generally as determined by regional and national newspapers and magazines. The determining sales period is for a given week or weeks during the year.

Fees

I accept cash, certified checks and money orders. Payments via PayPal.com require an additional 4% service fee, and should be made payable to Jessica@twasolutions.com.

Please note: I do not work on a contingency basis.

Ghostwriting your book is based on a flat fee, which is guaranteed not to change unless you change the project substantially after we have started. You will never have to worry about cost overruns or surprise extra charges.

You can receive a copy of my “typical” agreement by sending an email to
Jessica@twasolutions.com.

The fee is broken into equal payments over the life of the project in roughly monthly increments. Each payment is due in advance of each phase of work. In many cases, the cost of ghostwriting a book can be tax deductible. (Check with your CPA or tax advisor.)


Business Books

Generally, business books are not as long as works of fiction, life stories, or other non-fiction works. A business book is generally a “how to” format on a specific subject that you are either an expert in, or with which you have a great deal of experience.

Page counts for business books generally run from 120 to 250 pages. Depending upon what the client requires, some books can be as little as 50 pages.

Fees start at $7,500.*


Fiction, Life Stories, and Other Non-Fiction Projects
Ghostwriting a novel, an inspirational story, a biography, or most other non-fiction works depends upon the subject matter, the length, the amount of research, and the time needed to work directly with you.

Generally speaking, these types of projects can run about 225 to 380 pages. My fee for this type of work also includes publishing consulting and a complete "how to" marketing package. You can also request a copy of my typical agreement by emailing
Jessica@twasolutions.com.

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*Note: In some cases, regardless of the type of project, the above fees may include help in self-publishing from establishing your business to book production.
 
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