Let’s Collaborate
Ghostwriting
I work with the brightest content experts and business leaders to develop their brilliant ideas into brilliant books.
If you have a story or big idea you’d like to see out in the world, reach out!
For business leaders, writing a book with me can help you build your platform, get speaking gigs, and drive business. For healthcare and mental health professionals, a book can extend your reach and allow your work to help far more people than you could ever see one-on-one.
Over the past 25 years I’ve worked as an editor, author, and ghostwriter with Big 5 publishers, helping shape books that translate expertise into compelling narratives for a wide audience.
If that sounds like the kind of partnership you’re looking for, get in touch.
References, titles, and writing samples available. Click here to read testimonials from a few authors who have worked with me..
Book Editing
I provide developmental editing, substantive editing, and editorial assessments for authors pursuing traditional publication, preparing to self- or hybrid-publish, and publishers looking for experienced editorial support.
From picture books and middle grade to fiction and nonfiction for adults, I help shape manuscripts into clearer, stronger, more engaging books.
My editorial specialties include:
Developmental editing. Partnering with you to develop your idea and produce a focused first draft.
Substantive editing. Editing for content, organization, and flow. Honing the focus, including clarifying the audience and purpose.
Editorial assessment. A big-picture evaluation of your manuscript, with detailed feedback on structure, story, pacing, clarity, and reader experience—and a clear roadmap for revision.
General editing. Including documents, pamphlets, newsletters, Web content, and more.
Send me that messy draft, and let's start a journey.
Book Coaching
You don’t need a cheerleader or an “accountability partner.”
You need someone who understands how books get made—and what makes them succeed.
I work with content experts who want to build books with structure, clarity, strong voice, and a viable publishing path. If you’re a sharp thinker with big ideas, a book coaching partnership with me may be the right next step for you.
With 25 years in publishing—as an editor, author, and ghostwriter for major houses—I bring both creative muscle and industry perspective. My job is to help you shape your book into something that can hold up in the marketplace.
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Structure first.
Most manuscripts struggle at the structural level. We’ll nail that down early in the process.Reader experience is the lens.
At every stage, I’m asking: What is the reader thinking right now? Where do they lean in? When are they skimming? What do they need?Publishing strategy informs structure.
Traditional, hybrid, or independent—the path informs the plan. We’ll consider that up front. -
1. Book Architecture & Positioning
For idea-stage or early-draft authors.
We define:
The reader
The core promise
Structural blueprint
Publishing path
Drafting plan that works for you
Includes two in-depth calls, review of up to 5,000 words, and a detailed editorial memo with next steps.
Investment: Typically $1,500–$2,500.
2. Draft Development Coaching
For authors actively writing.
An ongoing editorial partnership focused on structure, authority, clarity, and momentum.
Includes:
Feedback on up to 6,000 words per month
One 45-minute strategy call
Focused email access
Minimum three-month commitment.
Investment: $1,250 per month.
Book Proposal Development
Do you want a traditional publishing deal for your nonfiction book? You’re going to need a book proposal.
A strong proposal demonstrates:
A clear and compelling idea
A defined audience
A distinctive position within the existing market
Your authority to write the book
Your ability to actually deliver the book you’re promising
That’s where I come in. I help experts shape their ideas into proposals that agents and editors can take seriously.
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Proposal Coaching and Development
For authors who want to write the proposal themselves but want strategic guidance and strong editorial shaping.
This work may include:
Refining the concept and positioning
Building a clear chapter outline
Strengthening proposal sections
Editing and sharpening sample chapters
Typical investment: $3,500–$8,000, depending on scope.
Full Proposal Development
For authors who want deeper collaboration, including significant writing support.
I work closely with you to draft the proposal or substantially collaborate on key sections and sample chapters.
Typical investment: $10,000–$12,000.
At this level, the collaboration begins to resemble the early stages of ghostwriting. And in some cases, authors who develop a proposal with me decide to continue the partnership if the book sells. When that happens, I typically offer continuation pricing on the ghostwriting engagement, since much of the architectural work has already been done during the proposal phase.
Finding an Agent
Once the proposal is complete, the next step is usually literary representation.
I can assist with:
Identifying appropriate agents
Query letter strategy
Submission approach and positioning
This work is typically handled as a separate engagement once the proposal is finished.
No one can guarantee representation, of course. But a strong proposal dramatically improves the odds of getting serious attention.
Success Stories
“I was nervous about putting my life’s work into a book, to say the least, but Eric quickly gave me confidence with his calm, deliberate style and his ability to quickly grasp the subject matter and my voice. He did the same for my co-author, seamlessly accommodating our different schedules and working styles and braiding our voices into a single clean narrative. Because the subject of our book, donor conception, is as deeply complex as it is fraught with emotion, it required a deft touch, and Eric threaded the needle perfectly. My publisher obviously agreed, because my editor had virtually no edits. Plus, Eric is funny, approachable, and super easy to work with. I recommend him highly.”
— Lisa Schuman, LCSW, coauthor of Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception
Let’s Work Together
If you’re interested in collaborating with me, I’d love to learn about your project. Get in touch and let’s talk about it!