What are the key red flags authors should look out for when approached by a vanity press?

<p>The easiest way to distinguish a scam publisher from a reputable hybrid publisher or self-publisher is PRICE. If a publishing firm quotes a fee of just a few thousand dollars for a service package that includes everything from copy editing, cover design, and layout to marketing and publicity—o...

What are alternative ways to provide credit for a ghostwriter?

<p>Over the past 22 years, I’ve ghostwritten more than 40 books, and have received co-authorship credit for only one. In that case, I received a “with” credit. In other words, the book cover says “By [client name]” “with [my name].” In every other book, I’m named in the acknowledgements section a...

What are the most effective ways for prospective clients to assess whether a ghostwriter can capture their unique voice?

<p>Having failed the Vulcan mind-meld certification course, I know only one way to capture an author’s voice. Interviews. Lots of them. Here’s what I tell every prospect … As a ghostwriter, I will spend lots of time interviewing you. And thanks to these interviews, I’ll acquire much of the book's...

Peter Gerardo, Ghostwriter in Salisbury, Maryland, USA

Overview

I'm a seasoned journalist (former New York Times reporter) and ghostwriter with 42 years of experience.

I’ve ghostwritten more than 40 books, as well as hundreds of thought leadership articles, on a wide range of topics. My specialties are books and articles about business and innovation, leadership, and self-help.

Recent books include: "Digital Customer Success," written for the CEO and CCO of the leading Customer Success software maker, and published by John Wiley & Sons in May 2024; “Demystifying Corporate America,” a business memoir written for a Citigroup executive; and “ALIEN Thinking: The Unconventional Path to Breakthrough Ideas,” written for an academic team from IMD Business School and published by Hachette Book Group in 2021.

Ghostwritten articles have appeared in The New York Times, CMSWire, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, MIT-Sloan Management Review, and TechCrunch.

When you hire me, you're not simply hiring a skilled researcher, interviewer, and ghostwriter, but a creative problem-solver and strategist who knows how to achieve your larger goals by artfully conveying the right messages to the right target audiences.