Ghostwriting
The easiest way to become a published author
build your authority & leave a legacy.
The most important thing to understand as you read through this page is the distinction between a ghostwriter and a non-writing author. Ghostwriters are professional writers – that’s how we make our living. Every day, we write. It’s what we do, it’s who we are, and if we’re not good, we can’t make it. Writing is a trade. Like plumbing, but with less water and silicone, and more paper and ink.
Non-writing authors are people with something to say but whose main occupation is something other than writing books. For perspective, of the roughly 1.7 million books that get published each year, book industry insiders estimate around 70% are professionally ghostwritten. The vast majority of authors are not professional writers, yet we still love their books because they have important ideas to share. Ghostwriters help those authors say what they want to say in the most reader-friendly way possible. We help authors turn golden ideas into readable and marketable books.
Your business book is a marketable literary property.
Your business book is your ultimate authority piece.
Your business book is your ticket to more and better clients.
Working with a ghostwriter is like anyone who uses a coach to help them cross the finish line.
When the dust settles, you’re the author, it’s your voice, and most importantly:
It’s Your Book
The Story Gold Way
The three tenets that define how I work as your ghostwriter
Confidential
Everything you tell me is confidential. I never reveal my contribution to your title or our association without your permission. Your name alone appears on the cover and copyright.
Comfortable
You’re going to feel comfortable with me. It’s easy to spend time with someone who deeply listens, is genuinely curious, and wants to know who you are and what matters to you.
Professional
I will position, structure, craft, and polish your manuscript to top industry standards. Outside of ghostwriting, I can create an analysis & recommendation, a professional book proposal, and design a best seller strategy.
Should you write your book yourself?
You’ve been writing blogs and articles for years. You have clarity on your ideas, your voice is distinct, and everyone who reads your stuff loves it. The only thing you don’t know is how to actually write a book. You sit down at your desk, pull up a word doc, type “Chapter 1,” and that’s as far as you get. Or maybe you start, but then get lost along the way not knowing if the structure is right, or if the manuscript is holding together as one cohesive unit. People keep asking you how the book is coming along and you say, “It’s getting there,” knowing it’s not getting anywhere. You think maybe hiring a ghostwriter could give you the momentum you need to get the book moving again and even finish it – then you hesitate and think…
“But if I work with a ghostwriter it’s not going to sound like me…”
You would be right and wrong to think this. It all comes down to your ghostwriter. It’s a valid concern, because authors do pay freelance writers thousands of dollars to write a book that comes back in someone else’s voice. The only way to mitigate that risk is by working with a professionally trained and accredited ghostwriter. The good news is I’m one of less than 100 professionally certified ghostwriters in the world who are trained to capture author voice, clarify ideas, find the gold in a manuscript, and structure a book into a marketable literary property.
In other words, I’m a professional.
What is a Certified Ghostwriter?
There is only one accredited master’s level program for ghostwriters in the world. It’s run through the California State University system and taught by ghostwriting legend Claudia Suzanne and her team. The intense master’s level program is designed to create not only the best ghostwriters on the planet, but book industry insiders. This means we have the skills to ghostwrite your book, help you publish it AND market it. Certified ghostwriters know how to:
Determine the best market positioning for your book before we begin writing so we can sell as many copies as possible.
Discover and fix major deal breakers in your manuscript – ones that non-book industry insiders would miss.
Structure your book in such a way that keeps your readers turning pages.
Preserve your voice, style, and perspective through all rewrites and edits.
Musically line edit the final draft for rhythm, flow, and readability.
Guide you through the publishing options that make the most sense for your book.
Story Gold Ghostwriting Process
Develop
The first step involves interviewing, outlining, and structuring your book’s chapters.
Ghostwrite
Now we bring each chapter and character to life and write the book chapter by chapter.
Edit
After the book is written I musically line edit it to make each line sing, flow, and provide the best reader experience possible.
Publish
I guide you through the standard publishing or self-publishing process and get your book published.
Ghostwriting Services & Pricing
Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting Time
- 9-12 months
Ghostwriting Pricing
Pricing is determined on a case by case basis. After our initial consultation I’ll have a better sense of where you’re at with your book idea, and the amount of time it will take to complete.
Most full-length ghostwriting projects range from $30,000 – $50,000 and are charged on a monthly payment plan.
Coaching
Coaching is basically like ghostwriting consulting. I’m there with you step by step but you’re doing the heavy lifting of writing and rewriting. I guide you using the same process I use when ghostwriting. We’ll meet for 90 minutes once or twice a week depending on your schedule and budget.
I help you make tough decisions about structure, flow, voice, and everything else you need to push forward and get your book finished. Once it’s ready for publishing I guide you through the publishing process and can help you develop a marketing plan to spread the word and build your authority as a published author.
Coaching Pricing
- Nonfiction: $1,000 – $2,000 per month depending on meeting frequency
- Brainstorming / Hourly Consulting: $200 per hour – Tap into my book industry insider knowledge and I’ll guide you through the process of market positioning, publishing, and marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to ghostwrite my book?
Every project is different, but business, self-help, and how-to books typically take 7 to 12 months. Memoirs or business legacy book take 9 to 12 months. The length, development, and your availability will be the biggest factors that influence how long it takes us to finish your book.
How much does ghostwriting cost?
Most full-length ghostwriting projects range from $30,000 to $75,000 and are charged on a monthly payment plan. Where the pricing falls for your book is determined by where you are with concept development, if you have a manuscript, and how much of the manuscript we can use if you have one.
Will people know I used a ghostwriter?
Not unless you want them to know. I never take credit nor do I discuss our work with anyone. Our collaboration is 100% confidential.
Do you get royalties if you ghostwrite my book?
Never. This is your book and you get 100% of the profits.
What does “certified ghostwriter” mean?
Certified Ghostwriters hold a certificate from the Ghostwriting Professional Designation Program sponsored by California State University. It’s the first and ONLY academically sponsored ghostwriting training program in the world. It’s an intense 15 month masters-level program that teaches theory, technique, and book publishing secrets.
Do I need to hire a copy editor and proofreader?
The final proofreading should be done by a cold-eye professional proofreader. You may arrange for a proofreader on your own, or I can connect you with one and incorporate their corrections without any additional charges.
How do you accept payments?
I send a monthly invoice via QuickBooks online for hassle free payments.
What if I decide to stop the project after we start?
Because I accept payments on a monthly basis this gives you the flexibility to pause or stop a project for any reason you desire. If you want to stop permanently I’ll give you all the materials I worked on and can refer you to another certified ghostwriter if you wish.
Write the Right Book
The 5 foundations to writing a must read business book
Discover the 5 things all great authors do before they write a single word. Get these right and you can write with purpose and confidence. So go ahead and download this little treasure and give yourself the best chance to write a must read book.