Overview
I'm a freelance ghostwriter, author, journalist and publisher.
I've ghosted, authored or co-written 21 non-fiction books, covering a variety of genres - from true crime to inspirational real life memoirs, celebrity autobiographies and biographies.
I have provided the voice for a Hollywood actress, an Olympic gold medallist, a bomb disposal expert, a former world champion boxer, a woman who survived a mother from hell, an undercover cop, a Miami-based money launderer and a woman who lives with an inoperable brain tumour.
As a completely independent writer, I am regularly approached by ordinary people looking to find publishers for their extraordinary stories. I have agented three books myself and found publishers without a third-party, while on other occasions I have used an agent to help secure a publisher. I have also co-authored and self-published a hard-backed book into the high street.
No two projects are the same, but with each I endeavour to write as true to the subject's voice as possible, while delivering a clean and edited manuscript that book buyers will want to read.
I can help with any or every stage of the book writing process:
- Developing a full proposal
- Finding a publisher
- Writing, editing and delivering the manuscript
- Helping secure national publicity on publication
My philosophy is simple - good stories find their audience.
Having confidence in a ghostwriter is crucial to a project's success and I'm happy to answer any questions or advise how best to get a project off the ground.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Entertainment
Music
Political Science & Current Affairs
True Crime
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Work experience
Self-employed
Jul, 2011 —
Present
Freelance ghostwriter and journalist since 2011.
Examples of previous ghostwriting projects include:
Into The Bear Pit - Craig Whyte (Arena Sport, 2020)
The autobiography of the former Rangers FC owner became an instant Amazon #1 bestseller on its publication.
Against My Will - Sophie Crockett (HarperCollins, 2020)
‘Asperger’s made me a prisoner in my own home. When I finally entered the real world, evil was waiting.’
A shocking true account of one girl’s harrowing journey to survival.
Barrie: How a Rescue Dog and Her Owner Saved Each Other - Sean Laidlaw (Coronet, 2019)
Was asked by the publisher to work with former bomb disposal expert Sean on his touching story of how he rescued a puppy from the rubble in Syria and bring in back to the UK. Ghosted final five chapters so manuscript could be delivered on time.
Hope and a Hockey Stick - Sam Quek (White Owl, 2018)
Commissioned by Olympic gold medal winning hockey player-turned TV personality Sam to ghost her memoir. Was long-listed for the Telegraph Sports Autobiography of the Year 2019.
All The Money In The World - John Pearson (William Collins, 2017)
Was a pleasure to assist John Pearson in writing a new epilogue for this latest film tie-in edition of his best-selling biography on the Getty family.
John Virgo - Say Goodnight JV: My Autobiography (John Blake, 2017)
Approached by the publisher to ghost the memoir of popular former snooker star, entertainer and commentator John Virgo, charting his rise from humble beginnings in Salford to one of the top players in the world.
Nigel Benn - The Dark Destroyer (John Blake, 2017)
Commissioned by the publisher to work with former world boxing champ Nigel on an updated edition of his autobiography. Provided five new chapters for the 2017 edition.
John Pearson - The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins (William Collins, 2015)
Commissioned by William Collins to assist with an author's postscript for a new edition to tie in with the release of the film Legend.
Collette Elliott - Unforgivable (Penguin, 2014)
For years, Collette Elliott’s only outlet from her mother’s violence was writing down her experiences, however traumatic. After a landmark case against social workers who failed to protect her she contacted a press agency who put her in touch with me. I developed a proposal and attracted interest from Penguin directly. I helped shape Collette's remarkable diaries and her story was published in April 2014. Serialised in the Sunday Times, the book was a top ten bestseller and has sold over 30,000 copies and published in two overseas territories.
Ross Slater - True Lies (John Blake, 2014)
After interviewing Ross for a newspaper article, I developed a proposal and, with help from the Andrew Lownie Press Agency, attracted interest from John Blake. I ghosted Ross's story and True Lies was published in March 2014. It was serialised by the Sunday People.
Teena Lyons - The Complete Guide to Ghostwriting (Thistle, 2014)
Along with other ghostwriters, contributed tips and anecdotes to this comprehensive guide to the profession.
Christian Plowman - Crossing The Line (Mainstream, 2013)
After an initial introduction through a news agency, I developed a proposal, which was acquired by Mainstream Publishing. I took Christian's self-penned chapters and developed the manuscript that became Crossing The Line. I also helped with the serialisation, which appeared in The Sun.
Emily Lloyd - Wish I Was There (John Blake, 2013)
After interviewing the actress and former golden girl of British cinema Emily for a newspaper we worked together to develop a proposal for her memoirs, which were acquired by John Blake Publishing through the Andrew Lownie Literary Agency. Following a series of interviews, I ghosted her book and assisted with publicity with extracts appearing in the Mail on Sunday’s Event magazine and conducting an interview with Emily that appeared in the Sunday People.
Ken Rijock - The Laundry Man (Viking, 2012)
Commissioned directly by Viking to ghost the astonishing story of Kenneth Rijock, a Miami-based money launderer caught between the Mob and Colombian drug dealers. On publication, I assisted with publicity with an extract placed in the Mail on Sunday’s magazine.
I have also been commissioned directly by publishers to write biographies of Leonardo DiCaprio and Calvin Harris and co-authored and self-published a biography of Rita Ora in 2015.
As a journalist, I regularly adapt books for serialisation in newspapers and ghost articles and interviews for publication in the press. Happy to help with short and long articles.
News of the World
Mar, 2007 —
Jul, 2011
(over 4 years)
Books editor for the country's biggest selling newspaper, securing serialisations, adapting books for the paper, interviewing authors.
News of the World/New York Post
Jan, 1998 —
Mar, 2007
(about 9 years)
Journalist, covering news, features, politics and investigations.
Reported on world news events including the legacy of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine and the aftermath of the World Trade Centre terrorist attacks while on secondment for the New York Post.
Portfolio
Famous for his hilarious impersonations of snooker's biggest stars, JV is a household name thanks to his razor-sharp BBC Snooker commentary and the much-loved quiz show Big Break.A fascinating insight into British sporting life, taking readers from John's chil... read more
Sam Quek is mainly known for her starring role in the 2016 Olympic gold medal winning hockey team. This was the first time a British ladies team had won gold, but what is much less known is that Sam’s rise to the top of her spot was far from easy.Sam missed ou... read more
Barrie was rescued from the rubble by Bomb disposal expert and former soldier Sean Laidlaw. He gradually gained her trust and they soon became inseparable. When Sean's contract to Syria was not renewed and he could not return to her, he raised the funds to bri... read more
‘Asperger’s made me a prisoner in my own home. When I finally entered the real world, evil was waiting.’A shocking true account of one girl’s harrowing journey to survival.Sophie Crockett spent most of her childhood suffering from crippling anxiety. Diagnosed ... read more
From being the most dominant club in Scottish football history, Rangers F.C., one of the most famous and powerful names in British sport, was sold to venture capitalist Craig Whyte in 2011 . . . for £1.When Whyte walked through the gates at Ibrox, the club was... read more
Stone in My Shoe
When ex-soldier and police officer Ross Slater took on a close protection security job he got more than he bargained for. His job was to provide security for leading members of Greenpeace. But when he mentioned his new career to contacts in Special Branch they... read more
'I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD' That was the cry from Leonardo DiCaprio as he stood astride the bow in Titanic - the movie that would go on to smash all records, raking in a whopping GBP1.1 billion worldwide. Now, few Hollywood movers and shakers would dispute tha... read more
When Emily Lloyd burst onto the movie scene as a teenager, she was hailed as the next Marilyn Monroe. Her stunning performance as precocious Lynda Mansell in David Leland's Wish You Were Here thrust her into the spotlight, winning her, among other awards, a BA... read more
Crossing the Line As he rose through the ranks of various departments of the Metropolitan Police, the author dreamt of being an undercover cop. When he finally achieved his ambition, becoming one an elite group of officers, the reality of covert work turned hi... read more
He's made $100 million, is the hottest DJ in the world and has worked with the pop royalty - but who is Calvin Harris? And how did he go from stacking shelves in his local supermarket to such astonishing global success? He's come a long way from making music i... read more
The FIRST and ONLY proper biography of Rita Ora. Jam-packed with exclusive revelations and fresh insight from people who have known and loved Rita for her entire life. She's the hottest pop star in Britain, with four number one singles, a number one album. She... read more
Known to his fans as the Dark Destroyer, all of his first 22 professional fights ended with him knocking out his opponents - half of them before the first round was over. In this book, Nigel Benn tells it like it is. From the grim days he spent in the army in ... read more
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