Seth Kaufman - Ghostwriter
Versatile ghostwriter, fictioneer, editor, coach. 4 Amazon Top 100 and NY Times list books. Memoirs, current events, humor. A fun, fast pro.
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Overview
I am a veteran journalist who has written, reported and edited for many national publications. My freelance writing career has been engaging and varied. I am one of the rare (only?) scribes to write for both the New Yorker and the National Enquirer.
In 2016, I began my collaborative book-writing career. I have written two acclaimed sports memoirs, a tech-industry giant's autobiography, a corporate history, and five books for nationally recognized figures that focus on current events and politics. I also sold a book of humorous music essays that was greeted with rave reviews. Two of my nonfiction hit the Amazon Top 10 and two others hit the Top 40. My novel The King of Pain reached #73 and was called "One of 2012's most enjoyable novels" by the NY Times.
I enjoy collaborating on long-form work. I believe in giving my clients what they want. Sometimes that means helping them figure out just what that is. To do that, I ask questions, listen hard and share my own impressions. These exchanges help define goals and project often crystallize quickly. Then it's time to iterate. Some projects have lots of back-and-forth, others do not. I am happy to conduct interviews and research to flesh out projects. While I am confident in my ability to hone engaging, entertaining copy, I strive to use my author's voice and words whenever possible. The endgame, at the risk of stating the obvious, is to achieve our goals.
Whether a project involves a well-known figure or someone who has flown below the radar, I strive to be discreet, respectful, critically honest and forthright. To that end, there are titles I wrote that I cannot mention here. Such is the life of a ghostwriter.
I look forward to discussing your project with you.
Testimonials
“I had an eight-week window to write the story of my life and expose the bogus allegations against me. Seth was a total professional. He did the scouting work, helped me gameplan and delivered a book that truly captured my journey -- from the beat-the-odds triumphs to the bewildering, misguided legal events that nearly destroyed my life to the amazing relationships that have sustained me.” —Rick Pitino, Pitino, My Story
“Seth Kaufman’s voice rings loud and true in the pages of this book — all literary praise goes to him.” — Brig. Gen. Robert Spalding, Stealth War: How China Took Over While America’s Elite Slept
In 2016, I began my collaborative book-writing career. I have written two acclaimed sports memoirs, a tech-industry giant's autobiography, a corporate history, and five books for nationally recognized figures that focus on current events and politics. I also sold a book of humorous music essays that was greeted with rave reviews. Two of my nonfiction hit the Amazon Top 10 and two others hit the Top 40. My novel The King of Pain reached #73 and was called "One of 2012's most enjoyable novels" by the NY Times.
I enjoy collaborating on long-form work. I believe in giving my clients what they want. Sometimes that means helping them figure out just what that is. To do that, I ask questions, listen hard and share my own impressions. These exchanges help define goals and project often crystallize quickly. Then it's time to iterate. Some projects have lots of back-and-forth, others do not. I am happy to conduct interviews and research to flesh out projects. While I am confident in my ability to hone engaging, entertaining copy, I strive to use my author's voice and words whenever possible. The endgame, at the risk of stating the obvious, is to achieve our goals.
Whether a project involves a well-known figure or someone who has flown below the radar, I strive to be discreet, respectful, critically honest and forthright. To that end, there are titles I wrote that I cannot mention here. Such is the life of a ghostwriter.
I look forward to discussing your project with you.
Testimonials
“I had an eight-week window to write the story of my life and expose the bogus allegations against me. Seth was a total professional. He did the scouting work, helped me gameplan and delivered a book that truly captured my journey -- from the beat-the-odds triumphs to the bewildering, misguided legal events that nearly destroyed my life to the amazing relationships that have sustained me.” —Rick Pitino, Pitino, My Story
“Seth Kaufman — the Craftsman — had the patience of Job in forcing me to produce and structure the book.” — Norman Anderson, Vision: Our Strategic Infrastructure Roadmap Forward
“Seth Kaufman’s vision and creativity were critical in shaping Eat My Schwartz from a germ of an idea to a full-fledged book. His guidance helped us sell the proposal. And his writing helped craft a memoir that one football scribe called ‘easily, one of the most unique and well-done books about NFL life I’ve ever read.’ We couldn’t be more proud of that. Seth is an All-Pro collaborator.” — Geoff Schwartz, Eat My Schwartz
“Seth Kaufman’s voice rings loud and true in the pages of this book — all literary praise goes to him.” — Brig. Gen. Robert Spalding, Stealth War: How China Took Over While America’s Elite Slept
Services
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Entertainment
Political Science & Current Affairs
Fiction
Humor & Comedy
Literary Fiction
Women's Fiction
Work experience
Contributing Writer
Time Interactive (Now Meredith Interactive)
December, 2014
–
Present
(about 8 years)
Write tech and business articles for the New York Stock Exchange, as well as personal finance articles for a number of banking publications.
Writer-in-Chief
Self-employed
May, 2016
–
Present
(over 6 years)
Portfolio (10 selected works)
Stealth War: How China Took Over While America's Elite Slept
Robert Spalding
China expert Robert Spalding reveals the shocking success China has had infiltrating American institutions and compromising our national security.The media often suggest that Russia poses the greatest threat to America's national security, but the real danger lies farther east. While those in power have been distracted and disorderly, China has waged a six-front war on America's economy, milit... read more
The Seductive Lady Vanessa of Manhattanshire: A Novel
Kaufman, Seth
Doom Guy: Life in First Person
Romero, John
The King of Pain: A novel with stories
Seth Kaufman
"One of 2012's most enjoyable novels." --Neil Genzlinger, The New York Times"This is a dark, sharp, very funny novel about imprisonment, torture and the dangerous pleasures of stories." --Zoe Heller, Notes on a ScandalA riotously funny portrait of an out-of-control entertainment mogul and a dazzlingly original look at incarceration, The King of Pain is part George Sanders, part Italo Calvino, ... read more
Eat My Schwartz: Our Story of NFL Football, Food, Family, and Faith
Geoff Schwartz, Mitch Schwartz, Seth Kaufman
Geoff and Mitchell Schwartz are the NFL’s most improbable pair of offensive linemen. They started their football careers late, not playing a down of organized football until they joined their low-key high school program. Despite all that, they wound up at top-tier college programs and became the first Jewish brothers in the league since 1923.In Eat My Schwartz, Geoff and Mitch talk about the t... read more
Pitino: My Story
Rick Pitino
On September 26, 2017, the biggest recruiting scandal in college basketball history sent shock waves through the world of sports. Caught up in a massive FBI and NCAA investigation―and the intense media spotlight―was Rick Pitino, the Louisville Cardinals’ Hall of Fame coach. Here, from Pitino himself, comes the real story of the ongoing case and the hard truth about how college hoops has been p... read more
VISION
Norman F. Anderson, Seth Kaufman
With his signature straightforward candor, Washington D.C. infrastructure guru Norman F. Anderson unleashes a fascinating, nation-saving plan for the future that is rooted in two questions: What will the U.S. look like in 2030, and what do we want it to look like? Anderson's analysis is driven by the crisis facing America as the cornerstones of society — vast, fast highways; power stations; an... read more
The Horseshoe Virus
Bob Worsley
From former Arizona state senator Bob Worsley comes a groundbreaking book that sheds disturbing light on the history of anti-immigration movements in America Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070—known to be one of the most sweeping and strict anti-immigration state laws passed in the United States—caused tremendous upheaval in Bob Worsley’s religious community in Mesa, Arizona. Deeply troubled by the bl... read more
Nuns with Guns
Seth Kaufman
“A smart, witty and engrossing satire! Kaufman is a wonderfully sharp-eyed observer of modern American lunacies." —Zoë Heller, Notes on a Scandal"The year’s best new reality show concept is actually a book... It's as hilarious as it sounds!"—RadarOnLine.com"Rick is a charismatic antihero bolstered by credible side characters, and in the midst of Kaufman’s sardonic humor, there rings out an ear... read more
A provocative, entertaining but ultimately serious examination of rock's most essential questions: Beatles or Stones? Which is the best air guitar to play? Does Rush suck? And what is the meaning of Billy Joel? Metaphysical Graffiti is a book for music fans, humor fans, and, if a meaningful ontological category, fans of philosophy too. It is a provocative, inflammatory, hilarious, but ultimate... read more
Seth has 5 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Seth is a gifted wordsmith. I give my highest recommendation. Thank you.
Andrew west, July 2022
Being new to Reedsy, I had several extremely qualified writers offer to help. I decided to go with my gut and chose Seth. He took on the project of writing my overview for my book proposal, found a theme I didn't even notice myself, and was able to nail what I wanted to write but couldn't, quickly. Seth is a thinker and was able to synthesize a lot of information accurately and go beyond the s...
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Nichole Crawford, May 2022
It was so pleasant to work with Seth. He genuinely cares for his clients. Seth is diligent, goal-oriented and strives to deliver the best possible work. He will go above and beyond to ensure that the client is happy and does it with a lot of patience. If I have a new project, I will definitely hire Seth again. Highly recommend him!
Jamila Musayeva, October 2021
Working with Seth was a delight. Although this project was difficult for me on many levels, Seth's attitude, professionalism, skill, and interest made this so enjoyable. I'm actually sad that our work is coming to an end! I highly recommend Seth as a collaborator. This has been such a rewarding experience.
Joanna Cross, December 2020
On time, very good writer. Got everything I wanted. Creative and well written!
Would like to work with him again in the future.
Phil T, November 2019
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