Memoir Ghostwriter
You’ve had some unbelievable life adventures, lived through a challenging time, and/or learned some very important lessons.
You’d like to share your experiences and hard-won wisdom in a memoir, but making your manuscript “sing” has turned out to be harder than you thought.
We—memoir ghostwriters Nadine Taylor and Barry Fox—can help you turn your story into a fascinating book written in your unique voice!
We are bestselling professional ghostwriters, authors and editors of dozens of published books, including memoirs such as:
- Diana & Dodi: A Love Story – an eyewitness account of Princess Diana’s last romance and final days.
- The Kay & Bill Doré Story – the wild and inspiring memoir of a rags-to-riches couple who created a $2 billion oil business.
- Daughter of Apartheid – a black woman born to the racist apartheid regime of South Africa, whose father was murdered in the struggle for freedom, shares her views on humanity and forgiveness.
- Morrie: Only in America – the story of a penniless immigrant who became the founder of a U.S. steel company.
- If My Heart Had Wings – a touching WWII true story of a love that defied death.
- Take Off Power – amazing tales from the 40-year career of a commercial airline pilot.
Your adventures—or misadventures—can be the source of a terrific book. Let the memoir ghostwriters help you write it!
Give us a call at (818) 917-5362, or scroll down to the Contact Form and send us an email.
Let’s explore how we can work together!
Special Thanks from Key Clients
“Nadine became a writer, therapist, literary critic, and friend, all rolled into one. Writing the book with Nadine was a wonderful experience that we recommend to all!”
“Barry has an uncanny ability to…make you think more deeply about your life and… to transform your stories, ideas, and feelings into writing that is not only beautiful but highly readable.”
“For years I thought about writing a book as a way to…create some sort of legacy, but always held back because it seemed too complicated and I didn’t know where to start. Working with [Taylor-Fox] became a journey of self-discovery, resulting in a much better book than I ever could have written on my own.”
“Thanks, Nadine, for encouraging me, for keeping me on track, and especially for your friendship. You have made this journey fun.”
“I read the manuscript [Diana & Dodi: A Love Story] and was utterly charmed. You have achieved just the right tone of affection and intimacy—congratulations.”
“…the bonus was that the lengthy discussions about the stories in the book felt like therapy… I missed them once it was over.”
Memoir FAQs
Why should I write a memoir?
There are many great reasons to write a memoir. You may want to:
- share a wonderful life adventure
- inspire others
- spotlight a problem or cause
- entertain others
- teach important lessons
- capture a moment in history
- pass on family history
How can a ghostwriter write my story?
Your memoir ghostwriter will have extended conversations with you to understand your story, style, and voice. Next, she or he will interview your family, friends, or other pertinent people.
Then, utilizing material you’ve already written, information you’ve dictated, and other sources, the ghost will write the manuscript as you would, in your unique voice.
How can a ghostwriter write in my voice?
Experienced memoir ghostwriters are skilled at picking up on the nuances of a client’s voice. They often record their interviews, so they can see exactly how the client speaks, which words and phrases are favored, and so on.
Are a memoir and an autobiography the same thing?
No. A memoir presents a “slice” of your life story—a specific time in your life that offers a glimpse into your heart and mind. An autobiography covers your entire life, from birth to the present, and emphasizes the presentation of the facts.
How do you begin a memoir?
There are many ways to begin a memoir, including:
- Describing a distressing scene from the beginning or end of your life
- Pinpointing the exact moment something went wonderfully right or terribly wrong
- Explaining why you are now writing your life story
- Describing a dilemma you faced—one that summarizes your life
- Presenting your philosophy, in brief
- Letting the readers know what you were thinking as you went into a life-changing situation
- Reciting key facts about yourself, your family, career, schooling, or whatever else the readers need to know
- Leaping right into a cliff hanger—a dramatic moment that doesn’t resolve until later in the book
- Retelling an anecdote illustrating how you did or did not fit in with others
Are there different kinds of memoirs?
Yes. There are many types, including the:
- celebrity memoir
- family memoir
- political memoir
- sports memoir
- military/war memoir
- travel memoir
- transformational memoir
- confessional memoir
- coming-of-age memoir
- food memoir
- business memoir
- immigrant/emigrant memoir
- recovery memoir
…and many more
Do all literary agents represent memoirs?
No. Literary agents specialize in different genres, and while a great many represent memoirs, not all do. Here’s a list of 30+ who do, as of October, 2018.
- Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency – http://aaronpriest.com
- Ayesha Pande Literary – http://pandeliterary.com
- Bent Agency – http://www.thebentagency.com
- Bradford Literary Agency – http://www.bradfordlit.com
- Charlotte Gusay Literary Agency – http://www.gusay.com
- Cowles Agency – http://www.cowlesagency.com/
- Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agents – http://dvagency.com
- Denise Shannon Literary Agency – http://deniseshannonagency.com
- Donadio & Olson – http://donadio.com
- Dystel & Goderich Literary Management – http://www.dystel.com
- Elyse Cheney Literary Associates – http://cheneyassoc.com/
- Fairbank Literary Representation – http://www.fairbankliterary.com
- Fifi Oscard Agency – http://www.fifioscard.com
- Fine Print Literary Management – http://fineprintlit.com
- Fletcher & Company – http://www.fletcherandco.com
- Francis Goldin Literary Agency – http://goldinlit.com
- Georges Brochardt – http://gbagency.com
- Harvey Klinger – http://www.harveyklinger.com
- Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency – http://jvnla.com
- Joelle Delbourgo Associates – http://www.delbourgo.com
- Joy Harris Literary Agency – http://www.joyharrisliterary.com
- Kimberley Cameron & Associates – http://www.kimberleycameron.com
- Levine/Greenberg/Rostan Literary Agency – http://lgrliterary.com
- McCormick Literary – http://mccormicklit.com
- Pinder Lane & Garon-Brooke – http://www.pinderlaneandgaronbrooke.com
- Rees Literary Agency – http://www.reesagency.com
- Richard Henshaw Group – https://richardhenshawgroup.com
- Serendipity Literary Agency – http://www.serendipitylit.com
- Stonesong Literary Agency – http://stonesong.com
- Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency – http://skagency.com
- Transatlantic Agency – http://transatlanticagency.com
- Waxman Leavell Literary Agency – http://www.waxmanleavell.com
- Zoe Pagnamenta Agency – http://www.zpagency.com
Please note that I am not recommending any of these agents, but simply pointing out that they represent memoirs.
Can an average Jane/Joe like me get a memoir published?
Yes, but it’s harder for people who are not well-known to have their memoirs published by major publishers. Publishers prefer writers who are already out on the media circuit, or have already built connections with readers and potential readers. They are, however, willing to take a chance on an unknown if the writing is sparkling and the theme compelling.