you don’t have to be a writer to write a book

Most folks who come to me for help writing a book have lived through something painful and want to use their story to help others.

Some have…

• years worth of personal journals
• a slew of half-written Google Docs
• a secret collection of notebooks
• all/none of the above 

Most have…

• a gut feeling that their story is worth sharing
• insecurities about sharing it
• fears of an editor hijacking their voice
• confusion about what to do next 
• a burning desire to finish what they started

They usually say…

• I’m stuck
• I want to help people
• I wish I could hire someone to take over and turn this mess into a book

As a ghostwriter and book coach, I help regular people turn their lived experiences into books that can help others heal. (What’s your superpower?!)

Almost every time I’m introduced as a ghostwriter, people ask what that actually means. 

Before I get into any formal definitions, here’s how I like to break it down:

As a ghostwriter, I can write a book for you. 

As a co-author, I can write a book with you. 

As a book coach, I can help you finish writing it yourself. 

How Ghostwriting Works

When you want your story told, but don’t have the desire/time/ability to write it, you’ll want a ghostwriter.

We’ll meet on a regular basis, you tell me what happened and I’ll turn our conversations into chapters. 

You might have some scattered notes for us to start with, or you might just have an idea. (I’ve worked with authors in both scenarios.)

You’re deeply involved in creating the book, and you want the writing credit, but you’re not the one writing it. 

You get a book with your name on the cover.

How Book Coaching Works

Book coaching is perfect if you want to write a book, but you’re a little lost inside of your story.

This might be you if…

• you have years worth of journals and notes that you think could become a book but don’t know where to start
• you don’t know what belongs in the book and what doesn’t
• you’re overwhelmed by all the material
• you’ve written a book but you’re not sure what to do next

I’m not going to take your pen, but I also won’t let you drop it! 

As a book coach, I’ll help you…

• organize chaos into chapters
• see patterns you’re too close to spot
• figure out what the book is really about
• keep going when doubt tries to make you quit
• finish what you started
• explore publishing options

Some projects start with book coaching and evolve into ghostwriting. I’ve been doing this for years and after completing dozens of book projects, no two follow the exact same process.

The path from idea to book will have twists and turns, but at the end of that path, you get to announce to the world that: “I WROTE THE BOOK!!” 

How Co-Authoring Works

Co-authoring is a hybrid between ghostwriting and book coaching.

You might want to write parts of the book yourself, but need help shaping the narrative, filling in gaps, and making sure the story lands the way you hope it will.

In a co-authoring relationship:

• we share the writing
  
• we decide together who writes what
  
• your voice stays front and centre… with some direction from me… if needed
  
• the process feels collaborative, oftentimes therapeutic, and usually fun!
  

Sometimes you write full sections, sometimes I write full sections. Sometimes you talk and I translate. Sometimes I edit, restructure, or rewrite what you started and sometimes it’s the other way around.

This option works especially well if:

• you have raw material but don’t want to do all the heavy lifting
  
• you want to be deeply involved but not overwhelmed
• you’re happy to share author credit 

Many of the books I’ve worked on fall into this middle ground.

To sum it all up… 

If you want to write a book yourself, but need accountability and support when it comes to structure and narrative, you’ll want to consider book coaching.

If you want to have the book written for you or with you, ghostwriting or co-authoring will be the ticket.

If you’re not sure, book a call and I’ll help you decide!

The types of stories I’m drawn to.

I’m especially attracted to stories about overcoming obstacles and finding power from pain.

That usually includes:

• memoir
• legacy stories
• stories about grief, addiction, loss, recovery, identity, trauma, etc.

These are books born from scars and I feel honoured to have a part in bringing them to the world. 

Whichever option you think is best for your project, the process always starts with a conversation.Click here to book your call. Sometimes that’s the hardest part! 

You’ve got this!!