The Process

Ghostwriting is about putting your ideas on the page in a way that reflects your voice and vision.

Your participation is to share your book idea with me in detail so I can understand the story from beginning to end. My role is to develop your material into a clear, compelling, professionally written book.

The collaboration process follows your manuscript from our initial conversations to a completed, publication-read draft.

Contact me:
We’ll decide on a time to speak over the phone about your project.

Consultation:
You’ll send me a writing sample beforehand if you have one. During our consultation, we’ll discuss your project in detail - what you want the book to accomplish, the direction you envision for it, and how I approach the collaborative process. The goal of the consultation is for us to determine whether we are well-suited to work together.

Cost:
Following our consultation, I’ll provide a project fee and estimated timeline for completion.

Decide:
If we decide to work together, I’ll send you an agreement and begin the project with a 20% retainer.

Manuscript Development

  • Planning: First, you’ll tell me about your book idea in detail from beginning to end. I’ll take notes and develop an outline. In our second meeting, I’ll share the outline for your comments and discussion. Following our initial sessions, I’ll refine the outline and prepare it for final approval before drafting begins.

  • Recording: I record our conversations and take extensive notes throughout the development process. All recorded material belongs to you and may be returned or destroyed at your request.

  • Confidentiality: Many projects are developed privately and remain confidential throughout the collaboration process.

  • Submission schedule: We’ll create a submission schedule that works comfortably within your availability and goals.

  • Communication: Ongoing discussion and revision throughout development help ensure the manuscript reflects your intentions clearly and accurately.

  • Outline: Following our conference sessions, I’ll submit a revised outline for your review and comments. Once the outline is approved, I’ll begin drafting the manuscript.

  • Drafting: During development, I’ll match your written voice and shape the manuscript according to your vision for the book.

  • Revisions: The manuscript will be revised throughout development to ensure the work reflects your intentions with clarity and precision. The project includes two complete revision passes following the completed draft.

  • Completion: The completed manuscript will be delivered to you, prepared for traditional submission or independent publication.

  • Project timelines: Writing a book is an involved and rewarding process that varies depending on the scope of the material, research requirements, revision depth, and level of collaboration. Most book projects are complete in nine months. Expect the rough draft of your book in six months, and your projects are complete in nine months. Expect the rough draft of your book in six months, and you revised and proofread completed manuscript two to three months later. Large in-depth research project can take two to three years.

Submitting and publishing

  • Insight: I’ll advise you on the publishing process, querying, magazine and journal submissions, and how and when to submit your book to agents.

  • Strategy: We’ll decide on a publishing and submission strategy based on your goals for the manuscript

  • Submitting: If you choose traditional publication, I’ll draft your query letter and submission materials. If you choose independent publication, I’ll prepare the manuscript for print-on-demand and digital release.

Additional work

  • Additional work beyond the original agreement is available separately if needed

Location options

  • I travel: I travel to your city and stay in local accommodations. You choose a private office or meeting location for our sessions.

  • You travel: You travel to New York, where we’ll meet in a private office setting

  • Remote: Meetings may also be conducted remotely by video conference. Follow-up meetings during manuscript development are conducted remotely.