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GHOSTWRITER & DEVELOPMENTAL EDITOR

Your expertise.
Your story.
Ghostwritten in your voice.

Strategic ghostwriting for CEOs, executives, and thought leaders who have the ideas. And the authority. Just not the time. Your voice. Your story. Your name on the cover.

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Rachel Arterberry, ghostwriter and developmental editor
500+
Manuscripts edited & improved
Forbes Books
Active ghostwriter
15+
Years with these same authors
What you came here for

Four ways to put the book into your name

Each engagement begins with a discovery call and ends with your name on a manuscript you are proud to ship.

GHOSTWRITING

You're a CEO with a book to write

For coaches, founders, consultants, executives, and subject-matter experts who know the book is in there and need someone to help them put it on paper — without losing their voice.

  • 8–14 weekly interviews that pull the story out of you
  • A manuscript that reads like you on your best, smartest day
  • Unlimited revisions until you and Rachel agree the voice is yours
You walk away with: A publishable manuscript, ready for Forbes Books, hybrid press, or self-publish — whatever route fits your goals.
Book Ghostwriting →
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

You're an expert with a draft that won't land

For authors who already have a manuscript — draft, partial, or in progress — who need a senior editorial eye on structure, pacing, and what's actually being said.

  • Margin notes plus a 10–20 page editorial letter on voice, structure, argument, and pacing
  • A revised outline or chapter map you'll use for the next revision
  • One 60-minute follow-up call to walk through the hardest notes
You walk away with: A manuscript with a real spine — ready for copy or line editing, not stuck in a loop you can't break.
Book Developmental Editing →
STRATEGY

You're a consultant whose method deserves a hardcover

For first-time authors, memoirists, and mid-career experts who want a thinking partner to map the book concept, define the reader, and build a realistic publishing plan before the writing begins.

  • 4–6 sessions over 6–10 weeks (90 min each)
  • Positioning statement, reader profile, and chapter framework
  • Publishing path recommendation with timing and budget context
You walk away with: Confidence that the project will actually ship — book proposal, skeletal outline, and a publishing editor's eye on the whole plan.
Apply for Manuscript Strategy →
TEAMS · NONPROFITS · ORGANIZATIONS

You're a company ready for a real book, not a committee

For executive teams, brands, and nonprofits launching a thought-leadership book or collective memoir and needing one operator to run interviews, ghostwrite chapters across contributors, and shepherd the manuscript to publication. Rachel leads similar projects through her work with multi-author book publishers and editorial programs for thought-leadership firms.

  • Project management across multiple contributors or chapters
  • Editorial consistency across author voices
  • Clear timelines, deliverables, and a single point of contact
You walk away with: A unified book that holds together even when written by committee — and a process your team can repeat.
Start an Organizational Project →
Every engagement looks like this

Rachel writes you a one-page plan — scope, timeline, deliverable — before any invoice sends. You approve first. No surprises once the work starts. You are never wondering who's actually doing this work.

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The process

How the work begins

Three honest conversations, one written plan, then the work.

1

Discovery call (20 min)

We talk about the book that's been in your head. You leave the call with a clear next step, even if Rachel isn't it.

2

Proposal & scope

Rachel writes a one-page plan: scope, timeline, deliverable. You approve before any invoice sends.

3

Interviews → drafts → manuscript

Weekly interviews, draft delivery, revisions, handoff to publication. Rachel's editorial oversight stays hands-on through delivery. You never wonder who's actually doing this work.

Client stories

What Clients Say

“Rachel Arterberry provided very professional and expert services on my project. Her communication was always timely. The work she did was invaluable. It was so nice having a true expert to help in all the various elements. I can highly recommend Rachel for any important writing project.”
— Phil Liaboe
“Rachel is a true professional. She is able to capture your thoughts and eloquently express them through her writing. What a gift! It was a great pleasure to work with her.”
— Malina M.
“Rachel is so incredible. She always brings my vision to life with her magical hands. I can't ask for a better ghostwriter. Her responses are quick and I really appreciate her ability to create exactly what I need. Just Awesome! Will continue to do business.”
— Chris H.
As Seen & Trusted In
Forbes BooksActive ghostwriter
StoryTerraceSenior ghostwriter
Authors On MissionAngel writer
Marquis Who's WhoSenior ghostwriter
Mindset ConnectionFeatured podcast guest

500+ manuscripts · Forbes Books · StoryTerrace · Certified Life Coach · 15+ years. Author of God Was Holding My Hand (Inspiring Voices, 2012).

Every client I work with has the same problem: they want the book they already have in their head.

Book a 20-minute discovery call. You'll leave with a clearer picture of the book, even if Rachel isn't the right fit.

Book a Discovery Call

Reading Rachel's calendar in real time  ·  1-click booking  ·  No invoice before proposal

Or email Rachel directly → rachel@makingawaywriting.com

Rachel Arterberry, ghostwriter and developmental editor
15+
Years experience
About Rachel

Two decades in business. One book at a time.

Ghostwriter & Developmental Editor

I write the books that busy leaders don't have time to write, in your voice, on your timeline. After 15+ years helping authors find their words, I've learned that the best books aren't written in isolation. They're built through honest conversation, patient listening, and a deep respect for the person behind the ideas.

My clients are executives, consultants, coaches, and thought leaders who have expertise worth sharing and stories worth telling, they just need a trusted partner to help them say it right.

500+Manuscripts edited
Forbes Books Contributor
Association of Ghostwriters
My story

How I Got Here

I spent twenty years in international operations management before I wrote my first book. Then, in 2012, my husband faced a serious medical crisis, and I sat beside him and wrote his story so our children would have something true to hold on to. That book, God Was Holding My Hand, taught me what writing actually does: it gives form to the things people most need to say.

What started as one story became a vocation. I realized that helping someone articulate their experience, finding the precise words for something they've lived through but never quite been able to say, was the most meaningful work I could imagine.

"The best books aren't written alone. They're built through honest conversation, patient listening, and a deep respect for the person behind the ideas."

Today I run a small, intentional practice. Not an agency. A partner. Every manuscript I touch gets my full attention, from the first interview to the final page. Because the authors I work with have spent years earning the expertise that belongs inside this book, and they deserve a writer who treats it that way.

How I work
Voice First
I study how you speak, write, and tell stories. The manuscript sounds like you, only sharper.
Confidentiality
Your name is on the cover. Mine isn't. That's the whole point, and a promise I take seriously.
Honest Collaboration
I'll tell you when something isn't working. Good ghostwriting needs trust, and trust needs honesty.
Small Client Roster
I work with a limited number of clients at a time, not because I have to, but because your project deserves my full attention.
Who I work with

I Work Best With...

Leaders who know what they want to say, they just need the right partner to help them say it.

CEOs & Executives

Leaders who want to establish authority, share hard-won wisdom, or leave a lasting legacy in their industry.

Coaches & Consultants

Practitioners who want to turn their methodology into a book that opens doors and establishes them as the go-to authority.

Thought Leaders & Speakers

Educators, speakers, and industry experts who want their ideas to reach further than a conference stage or LinkedIn post allows.

Ready to Tell Your Story?

Let's have a 30-minute conversation about your book, and whether we're the right fit.

Book a Discovery Call
Services

How I Help You Become a Published Author

From first idea to finished book — the editorial support you need at every stage.

Executive Ghostwriting

I capture your voice and ideas through in-depth interviews, then craft a manuscript that sounds authentically you — your expertise, your story, your name on the cover.

What's included
  • Full manuscript creation (book-length)
  • Interview-based voice-matching process
  • Business books, memoirs & leadership titles
  • Complete confidentiality — your name only
  • Regular check-ins and draft reviews
  • Final polished manuscript ready to publish

Developmental Editing

Big-picture feedback on structure, narrative arc, and flow to transform your existing draft into a polished, publishable manuscript.

What's included
  • Full structural analysis of your manuscript
  • Chapter-by-chapter organization feedback
  • Narrative arc and pacing assessment
  • Voice and tone consistency review
  • Detailed written editorial notes
  • Follow-up call to discuss revisions

Author Platform Strategy

Position yourself as the go-to expert in your field with strategic content, LinkedIn series, and thought leadership planning before, during, and after launch.

What's included
  • Content strategy & editorial calendar
  • LinkedIn thought leadership series
  • Speaker topic development
  • Brand positioning framework
  • Book launch content strategy
  • Ongoing content partnership options
The journey

My Process

A clear path from your first idea to your finished, published book.

1

Discovery Call

A free 30-minute conversation. We talk about your book, your audience, and your goals — and decide whether we're a good fit.

2

Custom Proposal

I map out your full project: scope, timeline, investment, and process — customized to your book and your schedule.

3

Writing & Collaboration

We work together through interviews, drafts, and revisions — with regular check-ins to keep everything on track.

4

Publication Support

From final manuscript to published book — I help you navigate your options and get your work into the world.

Ready to Start Your Book?

Let's talk about your project. The first conversation is always free.

Book a Discovery Call
Read my work

My Writing Is My Portfolio

As a ghostwriter, my clients' books stay confidential — that's the whole point. But here's what I can share: my own thinking, in my own words. Every article below shows you how I write, how I build an argument, and whether my voice is a fit for yours.

Get in touch

Ready to Write Your Book?

I'd love to hear about the book you've been thinking about.

Book a Discovery Call

Schedule a free 30-minute call to discuss your book idea and see if we're a good fit. No sales pitch — just an honest conversation about your project.

Schedule Your Call →

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Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to write a book?
Most ghostwriting projects take 6–12 months depending on scope and complexity. Some shorter books or faster-paced projects can be completed in 3–4 months. We'll map out a realistic timeline in your custom proposal.
How much does ghostwriting cost?
Investment varies based on book length, research required, and timeline. Every project gets a custom proposal after our discovery call — there are no one-size-fits-all packages here.
Will the book sound like me?
Absolutely. Capturing your authentic voice is the most important part of the process. I study how you speak, read your existing writing, and interview you extensively before writing a single word.
Is ghostwriting ethical?
Yes — and it's more common than most people realize. Many bestselling business books, memoirs, and leadership titles are written with a ghostwriter. The ideas, expertise, and story are entirely yours. I'm here to help you say it well.
Will anyone know you wrote my book?
Only you. Confidentiality is a non-negotiable part of how I work. Every project includes a non-disclosure agreement, and I take that commitment seriously.
What if I already have a draft?
Developmental editing might be the better fit. I can work with whatever you have — a rough draft, an outline, or just a collection of ideas — and help you shape it into a finished, publishable manuscript.