Are you ready to get those bold ideas out of your head and onto that blank page? Are you ready to show that smug flashing cursor who’s boss?
You know you have a book inside of you, but you just can’t seem to find the time to write it. I know—better than many—that the hardest part about creating content is sometimes just getting started. I can help you get unstuck. Or maybe you’re up to your elbows in content and you need someone to get into the sausage-making with you. I love to brainstorm and bounce ideas around!
Book Ghostwriting
Think ghostwriters only work for B-list celebs who are too dull to pen their own autobiographies? Not so! Everyone could use another set of eyes on their content. My clients range from time-strapped CEOs itching to share bleeding-edge ideas, to passionate memoirists with shattering tales to tell.
I help fancy corporate people, gifted entrepreneurs, and regular folks articulate their stories and theories in arresting, original, and reader-friendly ways. My zone of genius is spinning prose that’s clear, captivating, and stirs the reader to action. I know how to pique curiosity and translate complex ideas for knowledge-hungry audiences.
Book ghostwriting is right for you if you have more ideas than time or inclination to write. I’ll take your outline, rough notes, random blog posts, or verbal musings and create a compelling narrative. Together, we can edit anything I come up with and whatever we collaborate to create belongs exclusively to you.
Let me be your silent partner. I promise not to haunt you!
- Collaborative content development
- Audience analysis and strategy
- Content research
- Content creation
- From outline to 40,000+ words
- 16-week process
Interested in working with me as a ghostwriter for your book?
Developmental Editing
When you are in the midst of writing a book, it’s easy to get tunnel vision. You need an intelligent reader who gets your project and can offer concrete, actionable steps for improvement. That’s what developmental editing does for authors. We’ll discuss your vision for the book and collaborate to make that vision a reality. Then I’ll roll up my sleeves and help you better define your ideal reader, strategize about using supplemental research, and work to position the book for best results.
Developmental editing is right for you if you are writing a non-fiction book and have a complete draft, but you’re not quite satisfied with it. We’ll get your manuscript ready for prime time. I’ll read your entire draft and deliver a manuscript evaluation with my recommendations for moving forward. If we decide to work together, I’ll provide high-level, critical feedback about structure, chapter breakdown, overall organization, general tone and word choice, and content gaps or redundancies.
- Manuscript evaluation
- Content strategy
- Book architecture
- High level reorganization and restructuring
- 4-week process
- Developmental editing + book coaching package available
Interested in developmental editing?
Content Strategy Session
Are you neck-deep in writing a book, and drowning in research or flummoxed by process? I'll help you get still enough to crystalize your ideas. Do you have an assload of blog posts, a burning desire to publish them as a book, and no idea where to start? I’ll show you the way.
My content strategy session is a 30-minute session, one-on-one with yours truly. This time is yours to hash out any content issues you have and "pick my brain" about anything that's bugging you. We can review your current strategy, brain storm blog topics, create an editorial calendar, work on your bio, whatever you need. Then we'll come up with some action steps for you to take and I'll follow-up with you via email (Hey, I'm more than happy to be your whip-cracker if that's what you need).
Content strategy is right for you if you want an extra set of expert eyes on a small piece you've written or if you feel stuck with your current content strategy and want a second opinion. Because you're buying a single session, it's also an easy way to see my work in action without making a big commitment. In this offering, I won't do any of the writing myself, but I will offer high-level recommendations as needed.
- Collaborative content brainstorming
- Talk through your current strategy, brainstorm blog topics, it's up to you!
- 30 minutes, one-on-one
- 3-5 actionable steps to take
- 2 follow-up emails
Interested in working with me as a content coach?
Book Proposals
The last thing you want to do after you finish writing your book is create a book proposal. Unfortunately, if you want to find an agent, publisher, or hire a PR firm to help sell you book, you need to make the argument...in writing. I know! Just when you thought the real work was finished. I will put my persuasive problem-solving skills to work and create the business case for your book.
You need a book proposal if, at any point in the writing process, you want a big picture look at your book to use for marketing and selling your manuscript. It’s easy to lose the forest for the trees when you’re producing content over the course of months or even years. Often, the thought of re-reading the entire book turns your stomach. No worries! I can be your objective eye. I have just the right combination of critical thinking skills, technical writing prowess, and distance to make your project shine.
- Sell your non-fiction book idea to agents, publishers, and PR specialists
- Get a bird’s eye view
- Completed before or after the manuscript is finished
- Book proposal template: suggested titles, table of contents,
- author bio, synopsis, audience and marketing suggestions,
- competitive analysis, sample chapters
Interested in a book proposal?
Case Studies
Hardly anyone buys anything these days without reading reviews or at least perusing a list of client testimonials. But do you know what’s even more powerful? Case studies describing how you work and how your process works for your clients. Interviewing your clients is a great way to give potential clients a crystal clear picture of the value of your product or service, while showcasing the benefits you deliver.
I absolutely adore this work. I worship at the altar of Terry Gross and Ira Glass and excel at transforming interviews into compelling supportive evidence. As a former academic, I know just how to craft this content so it spins an enthralling story.
You need a case study (or several) if you offer services or products that are tough to describe online. A case study can really bring complex work to life for potential clients. Let’s educate your audience!
- I create a list of questions
- You add, amend, and approve them
- I interview your clients using approved questions
- I write-up and edit your client’s responses
- Case study template: the situation, the opportunity, the results
Interested in hiring me to create custom case studies for you?
Other Ghostwriting
Think ghostwriting is only for books? THINK AGAIN. I love ghostwriting full-length books with my clients, but also offer writing and content marketing services for:
In-depth blog posts: Looking to pen skyscraper content that makes waves and shakes foundations? I’m your gal.
Contributed articles: Need to submit to a magazine or write a column for an online publication? I can make sure your article is both incisive and absorbing. I’ve ghostwritten articles for entrepreneur.com, smartbrief.com, and forbes.com.
Expert interviews: Want to include an expert interview on your blog or as part of a case study for marketing collateral on your website? I can come up with a list of questions and reach out to hand-picked experts for a conversation or written interview. Then I’ll edit the content to meet your objectives.
E-books: Eager to create an opt-in incentive to grow your email subscriber list? Or have some stellar evergreen content that can be repackaged and sold as a PDF? I’ll make sure the finished product is rich with detail and enjoyable to read.
Other ghostwriting is right for you if original content would increase visibility, credibility, and brand awareness. I can work with you or your marketing team to implement your marketing strategy. In marketing, everyone talks about “touch points.” But you can only reach out so many times offering to “answer any questions.” Creative, custom content that targets your top clients like a laser pays for itself several times over.
- Long-form blog articles
- Contributed articles
- Expert interviews
- E-Books
Interested in working with me as a ghostwriter?
DON’T CALL ME IF...
I’m not one to mince words, so if you tick ANY of the boxes below, I’m not the right fit for you. Don’t bother to reach out if you are:
- Looking for a transactional relationship. I’m not a word vending machine, I’m a writer. If you don’t want to really engage with me and do deep work together, we will frustrate the crap out of each other.
- SEO-obsessed. While SEO is important, I am not interested in cranking out blog posts overflowing with keywords. They may satiate Google, but frankly, it’s a waste of resources to write for robots. Hard pass.
- Unsure about what you want. If you have a phenomenal story or curiosity-sparking ideas that you’re ready to share with the world, I’m game. If you just want someone to hold your hand while you decide if you’re ready, look elsewhere.
- Looking to crank out a cookie-cutter book so you can launch your speaking career. You’re better off recording your thoughts and hiring a transcriber. That’s what content mills are for.
- In need of a copy editor, proofreader, or formatter. All respect to folks who do that important work, but I am not one of them. I do developmental and substantive editing for select clients, but I will not read through your manuscript just to correct your grammar or size your margins.
- Someone who talks about “growth hacking,” “incentivizing users,” or how “impactful” things should be. Jargon is my kryptonite. I can tolerate a bit of it IF, and only if, strategic use positions a client as a thought leader. But, “at the end of the day,” (Barf!) anyone who just throws buzzwords around for kicks or to make themselves look smart? I’m not interested.