Cyn Balog

Cyn Balog - Ghostwriter

Quakertown, PA, USA

All-genre fiction ghostwriter of 100s of novels, book doctor and author of 11 acclaimed novels with Random House, Sourcebooks, and more!

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Overview

PLEASE NOTE: I usually book out about 3 months ahead of time and regular novel-length ghostwriting projects start at about $20,000. Book doctoring, where I take your book and revise it, and any combination of doctoring and ghostwriting, can often cost MORE as it's more time consuming! Please keep this in mind before inviting me to quote for your job. Thank you and I look forward to helping you! :)

Your ideas, my expertise. Tell the story only YOU can with help from a pro. I am the author of 11 novels (Random House, Sourcebooks, Harlequin), mostly YA paranormal romance, dystopian, thriller/suspense, and dark contemporary. However, I am experienced in writing all fiction, including adult (thriller, mystery, steamy romance, etc), young adult, mid-grade and more. I've been nominated for a Romance Writers Association of America RITA in YA fiction. I write quickly and on deadline for numerous satisfied clients.

My main specialty is novels-- all I do is fiction! I've worked with several NYT and USAT bestselling authors to help them fill out their stable of self-published titles. I pride myself on getting "your" style and seamlessly adapting to it. I can write like Nora Roberts or Stephen King. Whatever your style, I can pull it off. I work quickly and can usually finish a GOOD 50k-word novel in 1 month, based on your outline.

If you are a writer, struggling to get traditionally published, I can help. Wondering if you have to sell your soul to attract an agent? Let me take a look at your query letter or book and give you an honest assessment as to why agents have passed you by. Written yourself into a corner? I am a born plot-whisperer who loves to brainstorm and help you find your way out. I offer coaching services, including full-novel critiques and developmental edits, as well as query critiques and career advice. I am proud that I have my name in the acknowledgments of dozens of traditionally published novels, and I would consider it an honor to help you reach your dream of publishing your novel.

The last thing you need to know about me is that I'm not a diva. This is business, and I don't deal in "special." When you contract with me, you can rest assured I will deliver what you want, when you want it. I want us to have fun together, too. I love writing and put my passion and excitement into every word, because I want you to love the process and your finished book. I can't wait to work with you!



Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Cozy Mysteries
Dystopian
Horror
Middle Grade
Psychological Thriller
Romance
Women's Fiction
Young Adult

Awards

  • RWA - RITA Nominated
  • Scholastic Book Club Selection
  • VOYA - Starred Review
  • ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers List

Work experience

Novelist and Ghostwriter

Self-employed
June, 2009 – Present (almost 14 years)

Writer

Portfolio (15 selected works)

Alone

Cyn Balog

This must-read for lovers of Stephen King's The Shining will leave readers breathless as Seda and her family find themselves at the mercy of a murderer in an isolated and snowbound hotel. Get ready for what Kirkus calls "A bloody, wonderfully creepy scare ride." When her mom inherits an old, crumbling mansion, Seda's almost excited to spend the summer there. The grounds are beautiful and it's ... read more

This must-read for lovers of Stephen King's The Shining will leave readers breathless as Seda and her family find themselves at the mercy of a murderer in an isolated and snowbound hotel. Get ready for what Kirkus calls "A bloody, wonderfully creepy scare ride." When her mom inherits an old, crumbling mansion, Seda's almost excited to spend the summer there. The grounds are beautiful and it's ... read more

Unnatural Deeds

Cyn Balog

Called "a PG-13 version of Gone Girl" by Kirkus, Unnatural Deeds is a novel of infatuation and obsession with an electrifying ending that readers won't see coming."Victoria Zell doesn't fit in, not that she cares what anyone thinks. She and her homeschooled boyfriend, Andrew, are inseparable. All they need is each other. That is, until Zachary Zimmerman joins her homeroom. Within an hour of me... read more

Called "a PG-13 version of Gone Girl" by Kirkus, Unnatural Deeds is a novel of infatuation and obsession with an electrifying ending that readers won't see coming."Victoria Zell doesn't fit in, not that she cares what anyone thinks. She and her homeschooled boyfriend, Andrew, are inseparable. All they need is each other. That is, until Zachary Zimmerman joins her homeroom. Within an hour of me... read more

That Night

Cyn Balog

The perfect teen thriller for readers of One of Us Is Lying and The Darkest Corners!Some secrets are best left buried...It's been a year since Hailey's boyfriend Declan died, and Hailey is still far from okay. She's lost almost all her friends, her grades are falling, and she pretty much lives wrapped up in bed. Everyone says Declan's death was a suicide-after all, his father's gun was found n... read more

The perfect teen thriller for readers of One of Us Is Lying and The Darkest Corners!Some secrets are best left buried...It's been a year since Hailey's boyfriend Declan died, and Hailey is still far from okay. She's lost almost all her friends, her grades are falling, and she pretty much lives wrapped up in bed. Everyone says Declan's death was a suicide-after all, his father's gun was found n... read more

Sleepless

Cyn Balog

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest. But he can't deny that he feels something ... read more

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest. But he can't deny that he feels something ... read more

Touched

Cyn Balog

Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work.But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn an... read more

Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work.But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn an... read more

Fairy Tale

Cyn Balog

A captivating and witty dark fantasy that will have girls lusting after it.Morgan Sparks has always known that she and her boyfriend, Cam, are made for each other. But when Cam’s cousin Pip comes to stay with the family, Cam seems depressed. Finally Cam confesses to Morgan what’s going on: Cam is a fairy. The night he was born, fairies came down and switched him with a healthy human boy. Nobod... read more

A captivating and witty dark fantasy that will have girls lusting after it.Morgan Sparks has always known that she and her boyfriend, Cam, are made for each other. But when Cam’s cousin Pip comes to stay with the family, Cam seems depressed. Finally Cam confesses to Morgan what’s going on: Cam is a fairy. The night he was born, fairies came down and switched him with a healthy human boy. Nobod... read more

Drowned

Nichola Reilly

Coe is one of the few remaining teenagers on the island of Tides. Deformed and weak, she is constantly reminded that in a world where dry land dwindles at every high tide, she is not welcome. The only bright spot in her harsh and difficult life is the strong, capable Tiam—but love has long ago been forgotten by her society. The only priority is survival. Until the day their King falls ill, lea... read more

Coe is one of the few remaining teenagers on the island of Tides. Deformed and weak, she is constantly reminded that in a world where dry land dwindles at every high tide, she is not welcome. The only bright spot in her harsh and difficult life is the strong, capable Tiam—but love has long ago been forgotten by her society. The only priority is survival. Until the day their King falls ill, lea... read more

Dead River

Cyn Balog

My friends and I are spending prom weekend at a remote wooded cabin on the Dead. The Dead River. I thought it was going to be just us.I was wrong. Nothing is what it seems in this creepy paranormal thriller by Cyn Balog.

My friends and I are spending prom weekend at a remote wooded cabin on the Dead. The Dead River. I thought it was going to be just us.I was wrong. Nothing is what it seems in this creepy paranormal thriller by Cyn Balog.

Starstruck

Cyn Balog

Gwendolyn "Dough" Reilly doesn't think she has much going for her--she carries a few extra pounds, her family struggles with their small bakery in a town full of millionaires, and the other kids at her New Jersey high school don't seem to know that she exists. Thank the stars for her longtime boyfriend, Philip P. Wishman--or "Wish." He moved away to California three years ago, when they were 1... read more

Gwendolyn "Dough" Reilly doesn't think she has much going for her--she carries a few extra pounds, her family struggles with their small bakery in a town full of millionaires, and the other kids at her New Jersey high school don't seem to know that she exists. Thank the stars for her longtime boyfriend, Philip P. Wishman--or "Wish." He moved away to California three years ago, when they were 1... read more

Hot Water

Callie Sparks

Cicily Chase can't stand the idea of spending her last summer before college in a cramped office. But that's exactly where she'll be, as summer intern at a stuffy investment firm.Caden Williams is brilliant, gorgeous, and much older. Not to mention that he's Cicily's boss, and very, very taken. A relationship between them can't happen. But some things are simply unavoidable. Soon, they're both... read more

Cicily Chase can't stand the idea of spending her last summer before college in a cramped office. But that's exactly where she'll be, as summer intern at a stuffy investment firm.Caden Williams is brilliant, gorgeous, and much older. Not to mention that he's Cicily's boss, and very, very taken. A relationship between them can't happen. But some things are simply unavoidable. Soon, they're both... read more

Playing with Fire

Callie Sparks

At 22, Alex Bliss is the first female who might be able to break the glass ceiling that’s been firmly in place at Williams and Williams, and she isn’t about to give that up. Not with an autistic brother and a disabled mother to care for. But the man who has been appointed to teach her the ropes isn’t just a chauvinistic jerk . . . he’s much, much worse, and only she knows it.Rhys Bradley doesn... read more

At 22, Alex Bliss is the first female who might be able to break the glass ceiling that’s been firmly in place at Williams and Williams, and she isn’t about to give that up. Not with an autistic brother and a disabled mother to care for. But the man who has been appointed to teach her the ropes isn’t just a chauvinistic jerk . . . he’s much, much worse, and only she knows it.Rhys Bradley doesn... read more

Down to Earth

Callie Sparks

Is there no such thing as a match made in Heaven?Cicily and Caden are made for each other. Even if they’re the only ones who know it.Caden is busy in the City, working on building his family’s investment business, while Cicily is now off at her first semester at college in New Jersey. Nobody seems to think they stand a chance. So when thrill-seeking Cicily gets involved with a group of college... read more

Is there no such thing as a match made in Heaven?Cicily and Caden are made for each other. Even if they’re the only ones who know it.Caden is busy in the City, working on building his family’s investment business, while Cicily is now off at her first semester at college in New Jersey. Nobody seems to think they stand a chance. So when thrill-seeking Cicily gets involved with a group of college... read more

Up in the Air

Callie Sparks

Sometimes the best things in life are unplanned . . .The last thing Hannah Bliss wants to do this weekend is go to her perfect aunt Alex’s engagement party. She’d rather get high. Hole up in her bedroom, turn on her webcam and make some money.After losing the love of his life to cancer, Sean McIntire will not get involved with anyone else, ever again. So when he accompanies his friend Cicily t... read more

Sometimes the best things in life are unplanned . . .The last thing Hannah Bliss wants to do this weekend is go to her perfect aunt Alex’s engagement party. She’d rather get high. Hole up in her bedroom, turn on her webcam and make some money.After losing the love of his life to cancer, Sean McIntire will not get involved with anyone else, ever again. So when he accompanies his friend Cicily t... read more

Lost Cause

Callie Sparks

“It doesn’t matter how many times I tell them I’m fine. They don’t believe anyone can possibly go through what I’ve gone through and come out okay. And the more they tell me that, the more I’m starting to think they’re right.”Shy, awkward Noah Templeton will always be the stuff of water cooler gossip now. Ever since that fateful day when he was thirteen, when he and his stepmother disappeared ... read more

“It doesn’t matter how many times I tell them I’m fine. They don’t believe anyone can possibly go through what I’ve gone through and come out okay. And the more they tell me that, the more I’m starting to think they’re right.”Shy, awkward Noah Templeton will always be the stuff of water cooler gossip now. Ever since that fateful day when he was thirteen, when he and his stepmother disappeared ... read more

Cyn has 13 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Sarah Reasons
Amazing work and finished the project early! Will definitely work with her again!

Sarah Reasons, January 2023

Cyn Balog
It was so great working with you Sarah! Love your ideas and know readers will, too. I keep thinking about the world you created and am so excited to pick up my own copy when it comes out!

Reply from Cyn Balog


Heather Young
All my thoughts of working with Cyn are beyond great. She takes what I give her and makes it into something magical. Something I can’t put down myself. Looking forward to continuing to work with her as the years go on.

Heather Young, January 2023

Cyn Balog
As always, I love working with you too, Heather, and can’t wait to hear more of your ideas!

Reply from Cyn Balog


Heather Young
I love working with Cyn. I’ve been working with her for almost a year now and I plan on continuing for years to come. She really knows how to make a stomper story line flourish and become a compelling story. I love reading what she produces for me it’s always so fun and exciting. Every book we complete together just gets better and better.

Heather Young, August 2022

Cyn Balog
Thank you Heather! The pleasure is all mine. I love your stories and can't wait to work with you on the next installments!

Reply from Cyn Balog


Hitesh Gupta
Extremely professional and yet humble human being. An expert in novel writing, she helped me in taking my manuscript to next level. Would recommend her definitely.

Hitesh Gupta, July 2022


Rupert Knowles
Cyn is an excellent writer and did a fantastic job on my middle-grade horror book. I would definitely recommend her!

Rupert Knowles, June 2022

Cyn Balog
Thank you, Rupert! It was a thrill to work with you and I loved your twisted and fun ideas, so I hope we get the chance to work together again soon!

Reply from Cyn Balog

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