I have had a varied career path. I studied English literature, government, and international relations in college. After graduate school, I worked as an economics editor in Boston before transitioning to a career in banking, where I remained for eight years.
In 1980, I moved to Los Angeles and took a job in corporate development. I later shifted to theater and documentary production, where my strength was in fundraising.
Now, I am a ghostwriter for celebrities and business leaders. My first ghostwriting project was writing a book about my mother's life as an opera singer. She was thrilled with the result, and I discovered a new passion.
I started my own ghostwriting company, Write Wisdom, in 2007. I have a team of seven writers who work with me on a per-book basis. I handle the client negotiations, payments, and project management, while the writers conduct interviews and do the actual writing.
I typically spend around five hours per day writing and managing multiple projects simultaneously. The business generates six-figure annual revenue. The fee for a single book ranges from $65,000 to $150,000, paid in increments as the project progresses.
Some of my notable clients have included businessmen, philanthropists, actors, and entertainment industry executives. They hired me because I understand their language and can craft compelling narratives, drawing on my background in documentaries.
The ghostwriting process involves 10 two-hour interviews with the client, which are recorded and transcribed. This forms the basis for the first draft. Further interviews and research are often needed to refine the manuscript, which is typically completed within a year.
The most important aspect of ghostwriting is finding the emotional hook that will resonate with readers. I aim to gently guide the client to share their personal experiences and struggles in a way that is inspiring and relatable.
Occasionally, the interview process can be difficult for clients, as sensitive topics are explored. I try to be delicate, allowing them to share at their own pace and avoiding pushing them into uncomfortable territory.
My goal is to capture the client's authentic voice and tell their story in an engaging, educational, and enlightening way. The ultimate measure of success is when the client feels I have truly captured their essence on the page.