Writing with co-author

[hungry4more]

A top agent responded to my query and suggested I co-write my self help book with a Phd or MD.

All the Phds I know are busy with other projects. The ones who are not, are not good fits. My book is about life after 40.

Any ideas how I can find a qualified co-author?

[Dale Emery]

... or an agent who can sell your book based on the quality of your ideas, rather than on the borrowed credibility of credentials.

Dale

[IceCreamEmpress]

... or an agent who can sell your book based on the quality of your ideas, rather than on the borrowed credibility of credentials

Self-help books by professionals do have a big edge on self-help books by random person on the street, unless that person has other name recognition factors.

hungry4more, perhaps the answer might be to look for a professional with name recognition to write a foreword or introduction to your book, rather than a collaborator. One way of doing that might be to see who's published articles about topics similar to your book's topic.

Another way of establishing credibility might be for you to publish articles on the book's topic in magazines/newspapers; once you've got a 'platform' you're an authority yourself.

[escritora]

hungry4more,

Is it possible to ask the "qualified" phds for a recommendation? If they know you on a personal and professional level, possible co-writers are bound to be in their rolodex.

You may also be interested in learning the pros and cons of co-writing. Here's a link to get you started: http://behlerblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/co-writers-is-it-good-idea.html

[hungry4more]

Thanks for your input, everyone. I have found a Phd to co-author my book. She is fabulous and we are definitely on the same wavelength.
I will check out co-writing blog above.