Freelance Writer Uses Transcripts to Speed Time to Publication

Author Gary Brozek's latest book, "Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle," chronicles the story of three American contractors held prisoner by the Colombian terrorist group known as FARC.

The book was co-authored with the three contractors, Marc Gonsalves, Tom Howes, and Keith Stansell. Brozek was able to publish his book on their capture and dramatic rescue in February 2009, only months after the daring July 2, 2008 operation that liberated them and 13 others.

To write and publish the book so quickly, Brozek turned to TScribe to transcribe interviews with the story's key characters.

"Today, publishers generally want a book done in six months or less," says Brozek. "I don't have the luxury of time I once did, and without a transcription service, I wouldn't be able to meet my deadlines."

Brozek went on to say that when writing a book, "I work with clients all around the country. They are very busy people and their schedules don't allow for face-to-face interviews. As a result, I conduct interviews over the phone." TScribe takes it from there.

Using these transcripts, Brozek can craft a story in far less than time than if he were transcribing the material himself. "I'm often working on multiple projects, so having someone I can rely on to provide me with fast, accurate transcriptions is essential, and that's what I get," he says.

Brozek says that with the help of TScribe, he's able to meet deadlines. That ability has earned him a reputation "as someone publishers can turn to get a job done quickly." And as a result of this, he adds, "I typically write and see published two to four books per year, and that makes up for whatever costs I incur in having TScribe do the work for me."

Outsourcing the transcription of his notes lets Brozek focus on his writing. "With so much on my plate so often, being able to just upload audio files to their site and then get back Word documents is a seamless part of the process. I can't ever imagine going back to doing my own transcriptions."