FAQs

What does the ghostwriting process entail?
We begin by building trust. You’ll meet your team, access trauma-informed resources, and settle into a safe space where your story can unfold naturally—no pressure, no rush. Once we’ve built that foundation together, we’ll map out an outline that honors your journey. Then comes the heart of the work: we meet virtually or in person and sit together for 2–3 hours at a time while you share everything with us. We’ll ask gentle questions to draw out the details, always moving at whatever pace feels right for you. From there, we begin writing and deliver your manuscript in batches of about 10,000 words (~30 pages) so you can review as we go. Although this is our typical process, we’re always happy to adjust to fit what feels right for you.

Frequently asked questions about our process

My story is triggering. Are you sure you can handle the things we’ll talk about?
I promise, we can handle it. We’ve sat with clients working through sexual abuse, violent attacks, the loss of loved ones, rape, chronic illness, near-catastrophic injuries, and much more. Every person on our team has been trained in trauma-informed dialogue—we’ve built our entire practice around holding space for the hardest stories. You won’t shock us. You won’t push us away. Whatever you’re carrying, we’re ready to walk through it beside you. We also have a licensed therapist on staff so you can schedule sessions as needed.

Every project is unique, so costs depend on your book’s scope, the support you need, and how we tailor the process to your journey. Once we talk about your story and what you’re hoping to create, I can give you a clear picture of what working together would look like—including investment and timeline. What matters most is making sure we’re the right fit and that you feel completely comfortable moving forward. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, let’s talk.

Ghostwriting means we write your book for you. We talk, you share your story, and we turn those conversations into a manuscript in your voice. You guide everything, but we’re doing the writing. Editing means you’ve already written something and we help you refine it—strengthening the structure, clarifying your message, polishing the prose. Think of it this way: ghostwriting starts with conversation, editing starts with your words on the page. Both get you to a finished book from different starting points.
Yes! We call it book coaching. With book coaching, you do the writing, but we’re right there with you—helping you work through what to say, how to structure it, and where to go next. We meet regularly to talk through your chapters, troubleshoot tricky sections, and keep you moving forward. We’ll give you feedback and guidance, but the words on the page are yours. It’s perfect if you want to write your own book but need support, accountability, and a trusted voice helping you navigate the process. Once the book is complete, we recommend taking advantage of our editing services.
This depends on the scope of your story and how we structure our time together, but most projects take anywhere from 6 to 12 months from start to finished manuscript. That timeline is just for the writing process. If you’re also working with us on publishing, you’ll want to add approximately 3 more months. Every project moves at its own pace, and we’ll never rush you through something that needs more time. When we talk about your book, I can give you a clearer sense of the timeline based on what you’re hoping to create.
Absolutely. Through Gatsby House, our custom publishing arm, we offer a path that gives you more control, higher royalties, and a faster timeline than traditional publishing—without sacrificing quality. With Gatsby House, your book is professionally produced in print, ebook, and audiobook (by request) formats. You keep creative control, own your rights, and earn significantly more per book sold. You work with the same team who built your manuscript, so there’s no handoff needed. This is the perfect solution for those who wish to put a book out in the world with a team that feels like family.
Traditional publishing is a beautiful goal, and it starts with making sure your manuscript is as strong as it can be. Publishers are looking for polished, compelling work, so whether we’re writing together or refining what you’ve already created, that’s always step one. Next, you’ll need a literary agent. Agents connect authors with publishers, pitch your book, and handle all the business side of things. Finding the right one takes patience—you’ll likely query several before you find your match—but it’s so worth it. I’m happy to help you understand what publishers are looking for and can point you toward resources for finding agents. Some of my clients have signed with incredible agencies and published with houses like HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and BenBella Books. It really is possible.
It starts with understanding your story—what you’re sharing, the tone you want, and what matters most to you. From there, we match you with the writer whose experience, style, and background will resonate with your journey. Sometimes it’s about expertise in your subject matter. Other times, it’s more intuitive—finding someone whose approach helps you feel safe opening up. We’ll talk through this together, and you’ll meet your writer before the deep work begins. The goal is to create a partnership where you feel heard and confident that your story is in the right hands. If you have preferences about who you work with, please tell us. Getting the fit right matters.
That’s completely normal. We’re still finding your voice, your rhythm, and exactly how your story wants to be told. That’s why we send your manuscript in batches. The first submission is just 2,500 words so we can refine seamlessly. If the first chapter doesn’t feel quite right, we’ll work on it together until it does. Sometimes it takes a few rounds to capture the tone perfectly, and that’s more than okay. This is a collaboration, not a one-shot deal. What matters most is that you feel good about what we’re creating. We’d rather take the time to get it right than rush through something that doesn’t honor your story.
Then we don’t include it. Simple as that. This is your story, and you decide what’s shared and what stays private. We’ll never pressure you to go somewhere you’re not ready to go. We do not believe in sharing salacious details for shock factor. Sometimes, as trust builds, you might choose to share things you weren’t sure about at first. It’s beautiful when that happens, but it’s never required. Your comfort and boundaries matter more than anything.