Do you have a book in you, waiting to be written, but you’re not quite sure how to write it?
Perhaps I can help.
An experienced ghostwriter, I work with clients to create compelling non-fiction books. Books that capture the client’s voice and messages; books that engage, inform and inspire readers.
Over the years, I’ve ghostwritten all kinds of books for publishers, authors and aspiring authors. I’ve worked on one-off projects, and I’ve ghostwritten for clients over the long term. For one client, I ghostwrote every week for 12 years.
Ghostwriting is demanding work, but I also find it very rewarding, because I love to write and to create books.
Working with a ghostwriter
You may want to write a book because:
You have a story to tell.
You’re passionate about a particular topic and are keen to share your experiences/knowledge.
You want to help and educate people.
You want to boost your professional credentials through publishing a book.
All good reasons to write a book, but do you feel able to write it yourself? Are you confident that you can turn the book in your head into one on the shelf – a book that you’ll be proud of?
You don’t have to write the book alone. If you lack the experience, skills and/or time to write it, then a ghostwriter can be an invaluable source of support.
But isn’t ghostwriting cheating? people ask me. They worry that if they work with a ghostwriter, that makes them a fraud. But there’s no shame in getting some support if you’re not an experienced writer. Ghostwriting, after all, is entirely accepted in the publishing industry. Plenty of non-fiction books are ghostwritten, probably many more than you realise. Ghostwriters don’t just write celebrity memoirs; we help anyone to communicate their messages effectively and elegantly.
If you want a great, polished book, but you don’t feel able to achieve this yourself, then ghostwriting offers the solution: your book, your way.
If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.
– Toni Morrison
My non-fiction specialisms
I specialise in ghostwriting books in the following genres:
Self-help, psychology, health and parenting
Personal memoir and autobiography
Books on wellbeing
I have a special interest in books that help and inform readers within the fields of health (mental and physical), psychology, self-help and parenting. When ghostwriting in this field, I draw on my editorial and writing experience, as well as my own lived experiences.
Due to the confidential nature of ghostwriting, I’m unable to share here specific books I’ve ghostwritten in these genres. However, the following books, which I’ve authored, developed, edited or proofread, give you some idea of the breadth of my subject-matter experience.
As you can see, I’ve worked on a lot of ‘For Dummies’ books for the publisher John Wiley & Sons (more than 70 in total), and I use that experience to write user-friendly, accessible non-fiction books. The following are fundamental to my writing style:
Logical structure: The content is carefully organised so that the reader can easily follow the meaning and navigate through the book.
Sparkling clarity: No waffle, no padding, no vague or ambiguous statements, just crystal-clear writing.
A strong and confident author voice: The book positions the author as an expert in the subject, someone the reader can trust – and like, thanks to the warm tone of the writing.
Memoir and autobiography
Helping people to tell their stories is some of the most inspiring work I do. It’s a privilege to be trusted by clients to share experiences of profound importance to them, and I do so with great care and respect.
My memoir and autobiography projects fall broadly into two categories:
Family histories and stories written as a legacy
These books preserve stories for future generations and ensure the person’s voice endures. For example, I wrote a fascinating memoir for a 100-year-old lady, capturing her memories for her family.
Stories of personal experiences and journeys
These books can encompass themes like loss, adversity, injustice, health struggles (mental/physical), family, love and healing. Ultimately, they’re stories of what it means to be human.
When choosing a ghostwriter, it’s important to feel that both you and your book are in safe hands. As a ghostwriter, I bring the following qualities to my memoir and autobiography projects:
Warm, compassionate and empathetic
Gently curious and perceptive
Able to see the client’s perspective and adopt their voice
Adept at knowing which details to include and which are best omitted
Mindful of any vulnerabilities in the client and the need to protect these in the writing
A sense of humour, where appropriate – because in the darkness, we need a little light
Write what should not be forgotten.
– Isabel Allende
How I ghostwrite
I’m highly selective in my ghostwriting work, and I only take on a project when I feel that the client and I will work well together, and I can engage well with the subject matter or story.
My ghostwriting service is bespoke, tailored to the client’s needs and preferences. The client and I firm up the concept and plan, and then I research and write the book.
Research often involves interviews with the client, and can also include books, media articles, academic papers, videos and podcasts. Some clients hand over reams of notes they’ve made and I shape these into a book; other clients prefer me to carry out research myself.
If the research includes interviews, these are conducted via video call, or in Nottingham if the client is local, and I make audio recordings from which to write.
The writing stage usually takes several months. For some books, I’m able to deliver the manuscript chapter by chapter. For more complex books, I write the first draft in one flow. Once the first draft is finished, the client and I work together to refine the manuscript until the client is happy.
The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.
– Vladimir Nabokov
Ghostwriting FAQs
How much does ghostwriting cost?
Ghostwriting is a bespoke service and the cost depends on a range of factors, including the extent and complexity of the research, and the timescale involved. As a guide, my rate for ghostwriting starts at £50 per hour for the simplest writing.
will you keep your service confidential?
Absolutely, if this is your preference (and it usually is). I’m happy to sign a confidentiality agreement (NDA) if required.
Who owns the copyright for the book?
Once full payment is received for a project, the copyright for my writing passes to the client.
will you help me publish the book?
My focus is on writing. I’m happy to advise on marketability and review submission materials for agents/publishers, but my clients take responsibility for publishing their books.
What comes next?
Given that I’m a professional developmental editor and copy editor, my writing is of a high standard. To prepare the book for publication or submission to agents/publishers, it will simply need proofreading. The proofread is best carried out by a different professional, as per the standard process in the publishing industry. I can recommend a colleague for this service.
If you’d like to discuss ghostwriting, please get in touch.
