Doug Wagner

Doug Wagner – Ghostwriter

Simply put, I connect authors and audiences. Nothing's more important than the emotional connection that makes a story unforgettable.

Overview

It sounds obvious that stories need to create a connection with readers, but how many have you read that didn’t quite reach you? That engaged your mind but not your heart? That you’ve totally forgotten by now? Connecting with readers on an emotional level is critical to creating something they’ll remember (it’s just science), and as I’m guessing you’ve noticed, it’s not a common skill. It takes a genuine interest in others, a commitment to human progress, an ego in service to something bigger than itself—in other words, a desire to help.

I’m here to help. To help you help others by sharing your profound experiences or ideas (or both). In your voice and in a way that connects.

It’s not as easy as it sounds. Many first-time authors don’t know what their voice is or should be. It usually isn’t just a matter of writing like you talk—that can get pretty informal. The goal is a voice that captures attention because it sounds authentic and not quite like any other. A voice that reflects your uniqueness. And after 17 years of ghostwriting and coaching and 39 years of editing, I have an ear for voices—the distinctions that make them compelling and bring stories to life.

A unique voice is critical to connecting with readers. Without that, they might as well be talking to ChatGPT. Of all the collaborations I’ve worked on, the one I’m proudest of is a memoir that won the Gold Medal in the inspirational category of the Independent Book Publishers Association’s annual awards. The award confirmed that we’d forged a connection with readers that carried them all the way through the story. We came up with a voice they trusted and opened themselves to, and judging by the testimonials, many of them came away with a new perspective.

That book has gone on to sell more than 100,000 copies, and while much of the credit goes to the author’s promotional efforts, the word-of-mouth sales couldn’t happen if the book hadn’t had an emotional impact on readers and served them in some way. Whether you want to inspire readers to action or to reflection, you need to open that channel. And I can help you do it. I’ve helped scientists, extreme athletes and tough-as-nails businessmen to be vulnerable with readers, and I even helped a guy save his marriage with a love story.

It comes down to relationship-building—between us and between you and the reader—and that takes time and talk. If you want a meaningful book in three months, that’s one thing I can’t help you with. But if you have more time than that, let’s talk.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Semifinalist (one of twenty) in Black Lawrence Press’s 2013 Big Moose Prize competition for unpublished novels.
  • First-round winner in 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition.
  • Member of Scripps Howard Hall of Fame. Won criticism and headline-writing awards in annual competitions of the Associated Press, the Colorado Press Association, Scripps Howard, the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors, the Florida Press Club and the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors.
  • Gold Medal in the inspirational category of the Independent Book Publishers Association 2021 Benjamin Franklin Awards for "HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act at a Time," by Brad Aronson. I was Brad's collaborator.

Work experience

HGTV.com, HGTVRemodels.com

Apr, 2010 — Jul, 2011 (over 1 year)
 Rewrote online content for Scripps Networks websites.

The Editorial Department

Jan, 2010 — Present
 Evaluate, develop, edit, doctor and ghostwrite fiction and nonfiction projects. Proofread all types of projects.

Self-employed

Feb, 2009 — Present
Ghostwrite, co-write and doctor fiction, memoir and nonfiction manuscripts. Develop, edit and evaluate book proposals, memoirs, and fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. Provide coaching for fiction and memoir writers. Write blog posts and online content for clients. Also assist writers in preparing synopses and pitch packages for literary agents.

Rocky Mountain News

Jul, 1993 — Feb, 2009 (over 15 years)
 Wrote bimonthly neighborhood profiles and edited news and feature stories.

Naples (Fla.) Daily News

Mar, 1990 — Jul, 1993 (over 3 years)
 Wrote weekly film reviews and edited local, state, national and international stories.

Portfolio

Popular television host Jeff Corwin takes readers on a gripping journey around the world to meet the animals threatened by extinctionIt's no secret that our planet is in crisis. Environmental threats such as climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and land de... read more
A renowned naturopathic doctor shows you how to get lean and be green while helping to save the planet.Now you can lose weight and be good to the environment, too—without starvation diets, calorie counting, complicated meal plans, or even having to exercise. D... read more
Kit DesLauriers made history by being the first person to ski from the summit of each continent's highest mountain—after climbing it. Centered on her quest to climb and ski the Seven Summits, Higher Love is a hero’s journey, rich with personal insights, life-t... read more
La Maleta

Lozano, Luzdivina

Independently published

Made with Reedsy
The Pinkys On Safari

Tony Frankel

Made with Reedsy
The Dance of Light and Shadow

Stoner, David W.

Made with Reedsy
The Seed

Shiring, Jeff

Do you have confidence, discipline and a sense of purpose? Are you diligent, resilient, tenacious, optimistic and flexible? If so, you’ve definitely got “a little grit in your craw”, as they say in the South. In other words, you have what it takes to succeed! ... read more

Doug has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Joseph A.

Joseph A.

Apr, 2024

Doug delivered clarity of my thoughts, which I suspected needed professional editing, but never foresaw the crystal clear communication he created to connect with my intended readers. I was given back my written thoughts with the breath of air from 15,000 feet peek looking out at the vista. S...
Read more
David P.

David P.

May, 2018

Working with Doug has been a positive experience, and an educational one.
David S.

David S.

Sep, 2017

My collaboration with Doug was both informative and helpful. His professionalism and creative talents are exceptional.
To F.

To F.

Jun, 2017

Enjoyed working with Doug communication was excellent easy going always willing to listen. Good man

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