Dear Future Author,

Have you ever had an idea for a book so compelling you felt like you’d explode if you didn’t sit down and write it? This can be extremely frustrating—especially if you don’t have the time to write a book… or the expertise… or the patience.

Honestly, this describes about 70 percent of the people I meet. In my line of work, people are constantly telling me about the amazing book idea they have. Then they give me a sad laundry list of excuses why they haven’t gotten around to writing it.

I make a point of encouraging these people, even though I know 98 out of 100 of them will never write a single word—meaning their compelling idea (and their future book) will literally die with them.

The Solution: Let Me Write Your Book For You

It doesn’t have to be this way. If you aren’t able to write the book you’ve always dreamed of writing, let me write it for you.

I’m a professional ghostwriter, which means I can help you transform the idea in your head into an actual book. One you can proudly show off to your friends. One you can sell to a publisher. One you can pass down to your kids. One they can pass down to their kids.

I’ve streamlined my writing process to the point where I can guarantee that in only 39 weeks, you’ll be the owner (and author) of a book you absolutely love. (See my in-depth writing process here.)

What Kind of Books Do You Write?

It can be anything—a personal memoir describing your adventurous childhood… a business memoir describing your revolutionary million-dollar marketing idea… or a fictional young adult novel about a blind teenager’s trek up Mount Everest.

It simply doesn’t matter what your idea is—my 25 years of writing and editing experience will help you get it down on paper.

Thankfully, my experience is quite diverse—from my early days in San Diego working for a cutthroat literary agent and an award-winning newspaper columnist… to a few years ago, when I wrote a 5-book children’s series for an ex-Harlem Globetrotter basketball player who is launching a global literacy program.

In addition, I’ve ghostwritten a script for Lifetime Television, seven young adult novels, several thrillers, scores of newspaper and magazine articles, a business book (9 Mistakes Small Business Owners Make in Their Business), a 200-page photography marketing manual, a successful book on running garage sales, and several personal memoirs, including one about a woman who kicked her addiction to drugs and became a nurse. (Read my complete bio here.)

I also worked for 12 years as the editor of a Fortune 500 financial marketing department—which developed in me an annoying, neurotic attention to detail. Although this greatly aggravates my wife, it will definitely benefit you.

And there are still other projects I can’t even tell you about because, well… that’s one of the advantages of hiring a ghostwriter.

Complete and total anonymity.

Is Ghostwriting Ethical?

If you’re like many people, the whole idea of ghostwriting makes you a little uncomfortable. It’s cheating, some say. It’s unethical, others say. It’s intellectually dishonest, still others say.

To which I say—hogwash.

The fact is, ghostwriting has a long and glorious history—there are even some scholars who think some of William Shakespeare’s plays were ghostwritten.

Among the more recent high-profile people who have used ghostwriters:

• John F. Kennedy—for Profiles in Courage
• Hillary Clinton—for It Takes a Village
• Gen. Colin Powell—for My American Journey
• Ronald Reagan—for An American Life
• Johnny Cash—for The Autobiography of Johnny Cash

I could list a hundred more books that have been ghostwritten—including, to my one-time shock, all of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books—but you get the picture.

Why Do I Need a Ghostwriter?

Why? Because the truth is, writing a book is hard. Really hard. Much harder than it looks.

Writing a book is infinitely more complex than sitting down at your desk and pounding out words on your computer. There are dozens of other things to consider—grammar, pacing, structure, theme, consistency, dialogue, tone, voice, and on and on.

Writing a book takes time, and focus, and dedication. It can be a frustrating and lonely endeavor to write a book—although there are few things in life quite as rewarding as finishing one.

In other words, it’s really hard.

Fortunately, in the end, who physically wrote the words on the paper doesn’t matter. It’s what your book says that matters—not whose name appears on the cover.

That being said, when you allow me to ghostwrite your book, it will be your name on the cover. In big letters. You will be the author, and you will own 100% of the book rights.

Furthermore, because you and I will spend dozens of hours talking together, the final book will be written in your “voice.” I’m just the middleman between your brain and the printed page.

My job is to help you get your great idea down on paper, then quietly slide back into the shadows. That’s why they call it ghostwriting.

One important thing to keep in mind when we work together—I will personally write every single word of your book. I don’t outsource, and I won’t show your manuscript to anybody, including my wife!

What Is Required of Me?

When you hire me to ghostwrite your book, I’ll put every ounce of creative energy I have into it. But what is required of you?

In a nutshell—honesty, openness to suggestions, accessibility, the willingness to spend 40 to 50 hours (over the course of several months) talking with me in depth, and the willingness to review the various drafts of your manuscript.

And of course you’ll need to provide your really great idea. Although my guess is that if you’re still reading, you already have a really great idea.

Your Investment

Which brings us, I suppose, to the question of money.

In ghostwriting, like in life, you get what you pay for is a good motto to live by.

If you pay somebody $2,000, or $800, or $150 to write your book, you’re going to get a lousy book. You might find yourself working with somebody who has barely even read a book, much less written one.

I, on the other hand, take what I do completely seriously. I am a professional—no different than a housing contractor or a dentist. Therefore I’m going to charge a professional fee, just like they do.

Because I am a professional, I’m going to put everything I have into making your project shine. In order to do this, I must spend time, energy, and money—doing research, structuring your book, and investing in proofreaders, transcribers, and cover designers.

And writing. And rewriting. And rewriting some more.

If you check around, you’ll find my fees are slightly to the right of the middle of the road—not dirt-cheap like some, but not outrageous and generally-unaffordable like others.

My fees and timing structure (which vary depending on the type of book) are:

Type of Book	Length of Project	Estimated Fee	Learn More
Personal Memoir	39 weeks	$30,000	Learn More
Business Memoir	39 weeks	$30,000	Learn More
Fiction (Adult)	9 – 12 months	$30,000+	Learn More
Fiction (Kids)	2 – 4 months	$3,000 – $5,000	Learn More

These are estimates, of course. Each project is different, and your fee could vary slightly (up or down) depending on:

1. How much research is required.
2. How much information you’ve already compiled on your subject.
3. How complex your specific project will be.

Now, many ghostwriters out there charge a hefty fee for the manuscript only! However, I believe in giving my clients something extra, so my fee also includes:

1. If needed, a physical trip to talk with you in person about your project (I’ll travel anywhere within the U.S. or Canada). This can be either at the beginning of the process during the interview stage, or after the rough draft has been written. All other contact will be via Skype/Zoom, telephone, or email. 
2. Having your interviews professionally transcribed.
3. Having your book professionally proofread.
4. Writing a query letter and book proposal you can submit to publishers and literary agents.
5. Creating a professional-looking cover for your book.
6. Getting your book set up on Amazon (including the ISBN number)—both print and Kindle editions.

So that’s that. If you’re still reading, it means some part of you is finally, truly ready to see your great idea in print. If you are, call me. Email me. Send me a carrier pigeon. Just don’t put it off any longer. Next year, when you’re holding your completed book in your hands, you’ll be extremely glad you did.

Jim Gratiot
916-805-4875
jimgratiotghostwriting@yahoo.com

P.S.: Because I dedicate so much of my time and energy to each project, I’m only able to work with two or three authors at a time. I would very much like you to be one of these authors. I can’t wait to hear what your great idea is, and I can’t wait to get started. Call or email me today—916-805-4875 or jimgratiotghostwriting@yahoo.com.

© 2022 Jim Gratiot Ghostwriting