There's a big difference (huge!) between an author who takes on an occasional ghostwriting gig to pay the bills and a full-time all-in book ghostwriter. It has to do with what inspires and energizes. When I worked with my most recent ghostwriting coach last year, we hit upon a powerful idea in our frequent talks:  Though I am deeply proud of the books I've written and published alone, these days I am truly inspired and energized by the stories and unique perspectives of my clients.  In other words, I would much rather write a book with another human being than write one alone. Fo ..read more

Since every ghostwriter, co-writer, and book collaboration professional is a little bit different, I'd like to share some Laura Schaefer LLC process information with you today.  Generally, I meet with clients from anywhere on the globe at the same time each week via Zoom.  1. First, we work on determining the audience for your book and how publishing it will help you meet your goals. Some people want to leave a legacy for their families or for their industry. Others are looking to grow a business and plan to use the book as a calling card.  2. Next, we plot out a roadmap for the ..read more

I was a solid "nay." I had giant glasses. I got hit in the face during dodgeball. (They called it murder ball at my school in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in the '80s. So.) The funny thing is that having to go to gym class made me LESS athletic than I might've been otherwise... because it heaped all this embarrassment and shame on the whole thing for me. I was so awkward at pretty much every sport. But that's not where the story ends, of course. Once I discovered jogging at my own pace in adulthood, not to mention yoga and super-fun Lindy Hop swing dancing, I became fit and happy to move.  So, wher ..read more

An author's relationship with a ghostwriter is a special thing. Ideally, it should last many years and cover many books. To get it right, it helps to be in synch. This is not something either party can or should force. If you'd like to test the waters with me as your book ghostwriter, I suggest we start by working together on a shorter test project. This way, you'll get the feel for how I work with little financial or time risk. And we'll both have the opportunity to assess how we feel about our collaboration potential. With this in mind, let me tell you about my Story Packet offering. Essenti ..read more

I specialize in writing Life Lessons books for readers who are new to adulthood. The authors who hire me as their ghostwriter are often quite advanced in their successful careers or newly retired. These reflective folks now have the urge to give something back by sharing their wisdom with the next generation. They know it is not easy to navigate the world as a 22-year-old and launch a career or a new business. They know the right story at the right time might make all the difference. Life Lessons books are special. Not only do they tell the stories of their remarkable authors, but they do it i ..read more

[Please note: this piece previously appeared at the Association of Ghostwriters.] I recently updated my website and asked a friend for her feedback. She said this: “It easy to understand the value you bring to the project of writing a book. What I don’t understand is how much potential money I would make if I wrote a book, and what percentage of that would go to you?” It’s a fair question and one we ghostwriters get a lot. The quick answer: Generally, none – ZERO – of the profits/royalties our author clients receive from publishing their books goes to us, the ghostwriters. Instead, nearly ever ..read more

Do you have an immediacy bias? I hope so. Let me explain. In 2014, I was ready to move away from the cold. It was an extremely awkward time to do so as my husband and I had just purchased our first home together and welcomed our daughter. Most people don't do those particular life-y things and then think, "Let's move across the country!" But we did. We had an immediacy bias. It had to happen as quickly as possible. Thus, we pulled up stakes and moved here to the Orlando area in Feb. of 2015, just about nine years ago. It would be fair to say our first year here was a complete disaster. We didn ..read more

I just did something illuminating: I wrote down every single annual living expense. Much higher than I expected. (But not terrifying...whew.) Then I wrote down three major life goals. The funny thing about this little exercise is that just by acknowledging reality in a Microsoft Word ledger (get away from me, Excel) and writing down *exactly* what my husband and I have said we wanted countless times over the last several years, I feel so much closer to achieving it. Instead of a vague set of goals, I see a concrete action plan. I see who we will need to talk to and the changes we'll need to ma ..read more

My daughter, a fourth-grader, sees the books I’ve co-written strewn atop the shelves. She asks about my clients and shares her thoughts when I talk about my collaborative ghostwriting process. To her, co-writing books is just another form of creating. Like many kids her age, my daughter is unencumbered when it comes to creation. Her process is impromptu and self-made. Lately, she's been collecting the pop tops from aluminum soda cans and turning them into a thick, colorful winding chain. This idea of what’s possible is influenced by those around us—parents, teachers, friends. Some co-write boo ..read more

Three qualities to seek out in a ghostwriter for your life lessons book: 1. Mastery 2. Care 3. Surprise First, in the excellent Hulu series The Bear, Sydney makes an omelet for another character. We see a master at work. She's a trained chef, after all, and an omelet isn’t difficult to make. Second, Sydney’s making the dish for a co-worker, and she does so unprompted because the woman is hugely pregnant, exhausted, and likely famished. In this sense, Sydney uses her mastery to express that she cares. Third, we watch her combine some standard ingredients—butter, eggs, and Boursin—with, wait for ..read more