Book ghostwriter in Portland

Your ideas. My pen.

Some of the most impactful books in the world contain the wisdom of extremely brilliant people… people who knew that collaborating with a ghostwriter was the most effective way to share their ideas.

I’ve collaborated enough in my life to know that choosing a creative partner isn’t a science. So let me tell you about some important aspects of how I’ve approached my most successful and long term creative client partnerships:

  • You have a distinct style, or are willing to try something fun. Having written plays for over 20 years, I’m great at writing in other people’s voices in a way that sounds authentic and specific.

  • I can make bold stylistic choices early on with the expectation that you will redirect them. My rough drafts are usually not first attempts to write final drafts – they’re a step towards clarifying the concept for the whole piece.

  • Clients who get the most from working with me are the ones who give the most to the process. You’re involved enough to disagree with me and correct me. You’ll commit to a realistic amount of homework, and then do it.

  • Your idea is partly (but not fully) formed. Clients with fully formed concepts smother better ideas. Clients without any ideas need a ghostwriter with an appetite for working from a blank slate. (No shade, that’s just not me.)

  • You are writing a nonfiction book about something I can get behind. Climate change, mental health, queerness, relationships, personal experiences. I do great work with therapists and coaches.

  • I am comfortable with clients writing parts of the book that they are excited about.

If this sounds like a dynamic you and your idea might flourish in…

Sequence

No-commitment trial — $500

Outline and test chapter delivered in 1 month. If we agree that the vibe is right, we’ll move forward.

Rough draft + revision — $20,000

(Approximate price for a 50000-word book delivered in 3-5 months.)

In clients' words:

  • MJ manages to take my little specks of ideas and help turn them into powerful content full of heart, soul, and meaning—all while maintaining the company’s brand and voice.

    Ryan Schwartz, Founder and CEO of Mental Health Match

  • If you are someone who struggles to find the right structure, words, or flow of a document you want to create, MJ provides a creative and unique approach to collaborative writing. You end up feeling like you wrote every word when really you just added the finishing touches.

    Kel, community organizer

  • MJ perfectly understands the assignment - every time. He is excellent at communicating options and then delivering fresh, fluid prose that makes me look good. Working with MJ is a gift.

    Joshua, filmmaker