Everyone has a book idea in them. However, not everyone can be an author.
You might be an expert in your subject, but aren’t a great writer.
Or you might be an excellent writer, but don’t have the time (or desire) to sit down and crank out a book.
That’s where ghostwriters come in! Ghostwriters take the bulk of the writing work off your plate so you can publish the book that’s burning up inside of you!
The Ghostwriting Process I Use
I use a process some people call a “hybrid” ghostwriting process. I interview you, record the calls, have the calls transcribed, and use that content as a foundation for the book. You can’t just string together interview material into a book—spoken material needs to “converted” to the written word. The material needs to be cleaned up and shaped. I will also need to add connective material to make a cohesive book. This is where my writing and editing skills come into play.
I like this method because I’m not trying to emulate your voice; I now have your voice and your words captured in the content. The book will sound like you, because it IS YOU.
This method also helps writers who have started writing their own book, but have gotten stuck.
What Does This Process Look Like?
- We have some Strategy Sessions where we figure out the “why” of your book, your intended audience, and your book’s “hook.”
- We create the outline and book structure.
- We do a series of phone calls, about 1.5 hours each, where we work through the topics we’ve decided upon in the outline. We can usually get through a chapter in one to two calls. If we’re REALLY in the zone and want to keep going after 1.5 hours, we can, but in my experience 1.5 is just the right amount of talking before we both run out of steam.
- The recorded calls get transcribed.
- I clean up the transcriptions and shape the material into your book, adding connective material where necessary.
- I send you the introduction (if the book has one) and the first chapter for a “voice and tone” review. This is the most worrisome moment for a ghostwriter client: reading the first few chapters. They want to know that the book sounds like them (spoiler: it will!).
- Once you approve the voice and tone (which should be easy, because it’s YOU), then we’ll continue on with the rest of the chapters.
- After all the calls have been completed and I have all the material from the outline, I’ll shape the material for the book. When I get all the material in front of me, I may want to move some things around, or change an angle on something to improve it, based on new information. And chances are new material came up in the interview that wasn’t in the original outline.
- Once I’ve completed the book, it’s off to you for review.
- Once I have your review notes, I’ll update the book.
- The book is done!
Genres and Subjects I Work On
I only do nonfiction ghostwriting projects, and I’ll choose which projects to take on.
Genres and subjects I like to work with are:
- Prescriptive nonfiction (how-to information, or knowledge-sharing content)
- Technology (AI, Web 3.0, cryptocurrency, etc.)
- Science (especially hormones, the microbiome and brain science)
- Alternative medicine (functional medicine, psychedelics for healing, etc.)
- Woo (the paranormal, parallel universe, time travel stuff)
- Humorous books
- Books that represent a business’s services (coaching methods, philosophies, etc.)
- Business memoirs, especially from women
I’m open to projects that I haven’t listed (as long as they’re not on the next list). I’m continually surprised and pleased by people’s inventive book ideas.
Topics I don’t work on:
- Trauma memoirs (I have excellent people to refer you to for these though)
- Sports memoirs
- Diet books
- Christian books
- Book projects that are straight up racist, misogynistic, or based on other offensive topics will be rejected with extreme prejudice.
NOTE: If your book project isn’t on the “offensive” list and I turn it down, don’t take it personally. For example, if I’ve just worked on a bunch of self-help books and you approach me with a self-help book, I may turn it down because I want to take a break from that genre (and I’ll usually tell you this). However, sometimes I’ll turn a book project down because it doesn’t resonate with me. And trust me, you’d rather work with someone who is EXCITED about helping you birth your book! If I turn you down, whenever possible, I’ll try to refer you to a colleague (if I happen to know one who is in your desired genre).