Maya's Freelance Page

I love words. That's why I've made it my life's work to know how to use them. As a result, I use them well. I can make the complex simple, the dry delicious, and the dull sparkle.

I can write anything from business documentation to fantasy (which is not that far a leap in some cases); from self-help to historical fiction.

In addition, I've picked up a potpourri of knowledge and skill in a diverse array of areas related to writing. And I'm quick.

My goal is simple: I want to continue to make my living writing.

In addition to writing my own prose, my day job is helping other folks with theirs. I can do the whole soup to nuts thing: ghostwriting to collaboration to vetting to editing to critiquing. Fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, articles -- I can do that. The links below will explain further. I'm also very open to collaborating with other writers on fiction or non-fiction projects I find interesting.

I've met and worked with some amazing people since I started freelancing. Here are links to some of them.

Currently: I'm editing a Western, a fantasy and a crime-thriller, and ghostwriting a personal memoir.

Contact me at

Click the appropriate link to open each of the following in Microsoft Word format.

To return to this page from one of the links, just close the PDF window.

Marc Scott Zicree is the teleplay writer, author, and creator of the MAGIC TIME universe in which I collaborated with him on character development for the first novel in the series (which he co-wrote with Barbara Hambly), wrote book two (Magic Time: Angelfire) and assisted in the editing and research for the third (Magic Time: Ghostlands, co-written by Robert Charles Wilson).

I enjoyed this process immeasurably and am actively seeking collaborations with other writers in shared universes. I've also collaborated with Michael Reaves on a Batman novel (Batman: Fear Itself).

Click this link to see a glowing letter from Marc. To return to this page just close the reference letter window.

Due to the nature of ghostwriting, if I told you exactly who my clients were, I'd have to kill you -- or at least induce amnesia and set you loose on a desert island with a team of overly competitive yahoos who think their survivlal depends on them being the last one standing.

But I can tell you that I have done the following types of projects:

  • screenplays (horror, fantasy, science fiction)
  • media tie-in novels
  • epic fantasies
  • historical fiction
  • personal memoirs
  • exposés
  • business and trade books
  • how-to books
  • inspirational books

 




















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Be Your Own Boss

Bill Evans has a lifetime of experience in what makes people fit into their jobs ... or not. He hired me to put that experience, along with a wealth of cool real-life stories, into words and help him find a publisher. Jim Rock liked the project, and the rest is history.

BE YOUR OWN BOSS is a different sort of self-help book. In contrast to the raft of books that advise a mercenary "chuck it all" approach to work life -- books such as FIRE YOUR BOSS (all three of them), HOW TO WORK FOR AN IDIOT, YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY, and HOW TO GET REVENGE AND LOVE IT -- the goal of BE YOUR OWN BOSS is to show readers a variety of positive ways in which they can transform the job they have into the job they want.

Ultimately, BE YOUR OWN BOSS is about taking control of an area of life in which most of us feel we are completely out of control -- the work environment. Bill's suggestions and illustrations revolve around the central idea that you have complete control over one key element in life -- your attitude.

If you've ever been dissatisfied, frustrated, or burnt out at work, I recommend you invest in this book. At best, it could be life-changing; at worst merely entertaining!

Related Links:

James A. Rock Publishing -- Where you can order a hardback copy of BYOB. It's also available from Amazon.com.

Smile! Customer Service Training Video - This is the Web site of a kindred spirit whose award-winning corporate training package delivers new insights for frontline customer service employees. SMILE! training is based on the fun, inspiring, true story of a Seattle bus driver who makes a difference in the lives of his passengers. The package includes video, facilitator's guide and 10 SMILE! buttons.






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I Married a Planet

I MARRIED A PLANET is the working title of a science fiction novel by Rhyk Gilbar of Seattle. It follows the adventures of amateur archaeologist, Adam Levine, on the planet Twosuns and in a New York City defined for Adam by the work of Timothy Leary.

I'm editing the novel for Rhyk even as he works his fingers to the bone up in Seattle providing new material...







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hackoff.com : a book and a "blook"

Tom Evslin came to me with a daring and novel (ar, ar) idea: publish a VERY BIG murder mystery novel on the Web as part of a blog (hence, "blook") and as a print novel. Use e-mail correspondence, legal documents, chat room output and third person narrative to tell the story of hackoff.com, a hi-tech company that became one of the casualties of the bursting of the Internet bubble. Hackoff's fictional CEO, Larry Lazard, is also a casualty.

And thereby hangs a tale ... read it at: www.hackoff.com

I edited hackoff.com for Tom and had a grand old time doing it. He's a very good and clever writer and has come up with a great plot and believable (if not always likable) characters. Though I guarantee you will find characters to root for in the book.

But I have to say, editing hackoff.com has convinced me that there are two things I would never do: take a company public and play the stock market.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HACKOFF.COM

"In addition to being awesome content (this is the book that every entrepreneur from 1997 - 2001 wanted to write), Tom is using (as well as inventing) lots of blog ... in the experience." -- Brad Feld

"Tom's a great writer and had front row seats/was a lead actor in the bubble. The first episode has me hooked. This is going to be fun!" -- Matt Blumberg











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All Men Are Not Created Equal

Ann Lim is an actress, model, television correspondent, and motivational speaker with a degree in psychology. In 1999, she was winner of Cosmopolitans’ magazine “Fun, Fearless Female” award.

And she hired me to edit her unique book on dating: All Men Are Not Created Equal.

Check out Ann's website for info on how to obtain this delightful book.

What Ann said about my work: "You did a very nice job with the project. We are both very pleased."







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Kino No Tabi & Missing

Somewhere over the rainbow ... I got hired to edit the Keiichi Sigsawa novels upon which the anime series, Kino No Tabi: The Beautiful World is based. I've adapted three of these highly episodic books, translated from the Japanese, into "American" YA novels.

Here's the official online blurb: Destination is a state of mind. Kino wanders around the world on the back of Hermes, her unusual, anthropomorphic motorcycle, only staying in each country for three days. They experience happiness, sadness, joy, pain, peace, and violence on amazing adventures. In their travels they discover that the world's imperfections hold its true beauty.

I've also been working on MISSING, a second series from TokyoPop/Harper-Collins that involves a team of high school students who find themselves at the center of a series of supernatural mysteries.

What my editor said: "I'm so glad I picked you!" and "Our publisher is in love with Book One. Everyone here is in love with it. You did a fantastic job. Kudos!"