Today, we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Chin.
Celeste, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I never set out to be a ghostwriter, editor, consultant, or self-publisher, but I have always loved writing.
As my children got older, I started thinking about a career as a fiction writer. So, I took classes, joined an incredible writing group, and worked with an editor. I spent many years perfecting my skills as a busy mom of two boys. Since both my boys were reluctant readers, I would craft stories for them to get them to read, as the boy’s market for books didn’t always align with their interests.
Fast-forward to their teen years, my eldest was a competitive junior golfer. Another golfer my son had become friendly with recommended a well-known sports psychologist, Dr. Nick Molinaro, who revolutionized his game. What I learned as a parent was voluminous. When my son finished seeing him, I approached Dr. Nick about writing a book because I was entrenched in the sports-parent world and had witnessed the mistakes we all make. I knew every parent needed this information, but not everyone would have access to it. After three long years of drafting the manuscript, our book, “Beyond the Scoreboard: Learn It Through Youth Sports, Carry It Through Life” was complete.
We sought a publisher but were beyond disappointed with the process. The offers we received did not work for us, so I decided we would self-publish. Dr. Nick had a well-established media presence, so getting the word out was not difficult. However, just publishing one book and walking away didn’t appeal to me, nor did the label of ‘self-publishing,’ which carries a ‘less-than’ connotation. That’s when I devised a business plan to create a firm tailored for the indie writer where we assist in self-publishing while assuring a mainstream quality book is produced. We offer services from idea generation, ghostwriting, consultation, editing, and beta reading, as well as comprehensive analysis, proofreading, and custom graphic design.
Today, Creative License Publishing (CLP) has helped self-publish numerous books in areas that include business, self-help, memoirs, health, and fiction. We have set ourselves apart by offering a more personalized approach. We are not one of those houses where everything is formulaic and involves filling out preset questionnaires. Clients who come to CLP for help will get the one-on-one attention they deserve to elevate their work, and our services are specifically tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. No book is complete until it has been developmentally and copy edited and proofread at multiple points during the publishing process. Nothing we produce is short of the highest quality.
During our many years together working with clients, my business partner, Kris Pfeifer of Pfeifer Design, and I noticed some trends and decided to write a workbook series for the indie writer. Our first book, launched a few months ago, encompasses memoir writing. It is titled “Inspired: How to Write a Must-Read Memoir” and can be purchased through our website or on Amazon. Our next workbook will be launched at the end of this year; we have not yet announced the topic. CLP also launched its newsletter this year, “The Written Word,” which you can sign up for on our website. It’s packed with instructional tidbits for the indie writer, including reading suggestions and author interviews.
I couldn’t be more proud of this business or our work for our clients at CLP!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road. Many of our struggles have centered around being a business that often supports a client’s “side project.”
Whether people are writing fiction or non-fiction, or even if the book is intended to be a lead magnet for their business, the project can slide to the bottom of the client’s to-do list. What starts out with incredible motivation slowly loses that initial momentum. In a creative world, a project’s long stops and starts can be challenging. Therefore, we have devised creative ways to keep the client on track because it’s what’s best for them, the end product, and us.
Looking back, I’m so thankful for the growing pains because they have helped us become a far better business, and our clients benefit from that.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My favorite genre is memoirs because they allow me to meet individuals I might never have crossed paths with otherwise and learn about their stories. This is partly why my business partner Kris and I have written a workbook on memoir writing. We both have a deep love for working on these books.
These authors have lived incredible lives and overcome troubles we can only imagine. Helping them publish their stories gives me a perspective on life that I wouldn’t otherwise have.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Since starting this business, I have many individuals to thank: my team of editors, beta readers, proofreaders, my business partner Kris, my partner in life, Craig, and all my family and friends. I have such a deep support system that the list would be too voluminous to mention each by name.
But I must also mention our clients, who have been incredibly supportive and helped grow this business through unfailing loyalty and getting the word out about us to others. That has been the biggest driver of new clients and the best source of marketing, and why we are still able to do what we love each and every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creativelicensepublishing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/licensecreative/?fbclid=IwAR02YyQdVh7XuJh_89lDBZmTbLlTcDWoAoyZP6XJkGUu2cRd1ObMMloZW7I
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativelicensepublishing
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Inspired-Write-Must-Read-Memoir/dp/1733492941/ref=sr_1_2_sspa
Image Credits
Kris Pfeifer of Pfeifer Design
