Hi! I’m Emily. After writing and editing 30+ books, I’ve learned one truth:
The answers we seek aren’t found through MORE thinking—they’re found through DIFFERENT thinking.
About Emily:
Emily Crookston is an award-winning author, business book ghostwriter, and developmental editor who helps thought leaders turn their big ideas into books that sell.
As the Owner of The Pocket PhD, she works with founders, executives, and entrepreneurs to find their message, structure their story, and write a book that actually moves the needle. Her first book, Unwritten: The Thought Leader’s Guide to Not Overthinking Your Business Book, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how to write with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
A former professor of philosophy, Emily brings her background in critical thinking and communication to every stage of the writing process. Today, she’s a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, known for her signature session, “How to Write, Market & Make Money with Your Business Book.”
When she’s not writing intensely, she’s probably practicing yoga intensely. Emily also enjoys hiking, taking her inner child to the playground, and Jeopardy! nights with her husband, Jay.
One more fun fact about Emily: she lives for desserts topped with real whipped cream.
I’ve had the pleasure of Emily doing workshops and speaking to multiple groups that I run with my wife, Ana, and we’re delighted with the way she’s helped our members use tools and exercises to unlock their thinking and to really, really reflect more on decision making, which is what they do every day. So I can’t recommend enough Emily’s work and the impact it’s made with our members.
Click below to contact Emily about speaking at your conference, event, or function
Presentation Descriptions:
How to Write, Market & Make Money with Your Business Book…
Even if you’ve never written a thing before.
Let’s be honest—most business professionals approach their book backward. They pour every ounce of energy into perfecting chapters, editing endlessly, and stressing over commas… only to realize that nobody’s actually waiting to read it.
And while actually having a good book is important, what’s equally important is having a plan for actually making money with it. Which by the way, does NOT include the book sales itself. (Yes, that was a shocker to me too.)
You want to use the book as a vehicle for your business’ growth – increased credibility, higher rates and even paid speaking gigs if that’s a road you want to go down – and during this fast paced, highly interactive session Speaker & Author Emily Crookston will show you:
5 Key Principles to writing, marketing and actually making money from your business book…without reinventing the wheel or spending hours trying to figure it out on your own.
3 Quick writing “hacks” designed to help you get your book written fast…so you’re not sweating the details, not sure if you have something to say.
1 Simple Rule to help you start – and finish – your book, so you can finally get unstuck and get your message out into the world.
Perfect for: Groups of 15-50 established leaders who appreciate philosophical depth with practical application.
The Curious Self: Finding Freedom in a World of Overthinking
Drawing from her work as a business book ghostwriter with over 30 thought leaders, Emily reveals why brilliant executives get stuck—and how curiosity becomes the antidote to overthinking.
Through real-world case studies from her ghostwriting practice, participants discover the five ways successful leaders sabotage themselves: analysis paralysis, perfectionist leadership, authority questioning, research as procrastination, and the comparison trap. This isn’t another “just trust your gut” talk—Emily brings a philosopher’s rigor to balancing intuition with analysis, using curiosity as a strategic tool.
This interactive workshop combines reflective exercises and partner discussions where participants design small experiments they can implement immediately. Emily’s warm, approachable style combines intellectual depth with practical wisdom.
Key Takeaways:
Break the cycle of your unique overthinking pattern
Design experiments that move you through curiosity
Reframe projects into exciting “living documents”
Perfect for: Leadership groups and executive teams ready to stop overthinking and start creating. Best suited for intimate groups (15-50 participants) who value interaction over lectures.
I really enjoyed the seminar. Emily’s content was amazing. It’s thought provoking, and I got real engaged, and I was able to get very useful thoughts out of this… I’m able to understand that overthinking cycle better, and I’m equipped now to deal with it.
My biggest takeaway today was the phrase ‘not thinking more, but thinking differently.’ I think that’s the most important thing, that’s what’s going to get you those different results–doing exactly that.
97% of people who start books don’t finish them.
Let’s talk about why…