Leslie Hinson
I’ve had a lot of jobs. Like… a lot. I’ve done everything from tuning pianos to being a bank teller. Trust me, you don’t want to read the whole list. Some, like bartending, I didn’t do for long. Others, like teaching yoga, I still do. It was hard to find the thing I wanted to do, not because I bore easily, but because I like too many things.
I’ve always enjoyed writing fiction. I enjoy it so much that I got an MFA in fiction from Sewanee, University of the South. During that program, I applied for a ghostwriting job and got it. Suddenly I was writing books for other people, either about their expertise or about their lives, and I realized I may have found the only career that could keep me interested for the long term.
When people ask me about ghostwriting, my face lights up the same way it does when I describe a trip to Paris. I’m enamored with the process of learning what someone has to say and helping them say it in a way that makes them proud. I’ve had the privilege of learning from actual geniuses in their fields. I’ve held space for people as they recounted traumatic memories. In every instance, I’ve felt a deep desire to help the author get to the point where they can hold their book in their hands. For some it is cathartic, for others it’s just a really fun milestone. Either way, I’m honored to be a part of it.
- You are clear on your idea, but you may not have the A) time or B) skill to organize it into a book. (No shame. Almost no one does. And even those who can have editors!)
- You want to write a story with a narrative arc.
- You’re interested in writing an emotionally intelligent story.
- You take scheduled appointments seriously. I do!
- You’re willing to do the work. I’m a writer, not a mindreader. I can only produce content around what you’ve told me.
- You understand at least a bit about a creative process. It can be shocking at first to see your words on the page when you haven’t written them. Sometimes they’re good. Sometimes they’re just okay. And sometimes you won’t like them at all. That’s what revisions are for. I do my best work when I also feel comfortable with you, and when you don’t expect me to be a magician. Writing is an iterative process, which I find to be fun.
- You are generally a reasonable person. This process is often emotionally demanding, so be prepared to have some big feelings about it. I especially appreciate clients who are good at handling their emotions
My #1 favorite genre is “emotionally intelligent memoir.” I love people who know themselves, and I love to help people connect the dots between their life events and the person they are becoming.
Entrepreneurs tend to be incredibly self-aware, and I enjoy working with them. As long as your book encourages others to treat people kindly, I’m in!
I love knowledge-share books as well. My college nickname was “Fun Fact” so you can help me become insufferable by passionately teaching me about your subject for 20+ hours of interviews.
Even if your story isn’t a memoir or knowledge-share, I enjoy ghostwriting anything with a narrative arc.
But, to save us all some time, here is what I do not write:
- “Wellness” books, particularly about diets or supplements. This is a broad category though, and I will consider your book as long as weight loss and/or pseudoscience are not central themes. I would gladly work on anything meditation-related or in the vein of stress reduction.
- Any book that demonizes or disparages a group based on race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, or anything of the like.
- Animal violence of any kind.
- Self-help. A self-help book is written with the intention to instruct its readers on solving personal problems. I don’t read this genre and wouldn’t feel comfortable writing it. The exception here is when a memoir has a lesson to teach about growth or overcoming obstacles. If your book is motivational, inspirational and based on your story, I would love to work with you.
Imagine a new weird mole pops up on your arm, and you do the diligent thing and make an appointment with a dermatologist. You’re sitting on the crinkly paper in the examination room, hoping the doctor’s professional opinion is that the mole won’t kill you.
When you roll up your sleeve to show the doctor your mole, his face contorts into a disgusted scowl. “Eww!” he says, and calls a nurse to come look.
You’re humiliated. How could this doctor be disgusted by a mole? He has to have seen worse, right?
This is exactly how some authors assume their ghostwriter is going to act in response to their stories. And, truth be told, this is how some editors (who could use to brush up their bedside manner) respond to first drafts.
I believe that the best work comes from a mixture of safety and pressure. No, I’m not going to coddle you. But I will create a safe space for you to show me who you are and tell me what you have to share. If you’re an editing client, believe me, I’ve written a clunky sentence too.
I’m a very empathetic person. (Often to a fault, to be honest.) I find it easy to put myself in your shoes and feel what you felt at a certain point in your story. I do not shy away from writing emotionally heavy material. Oftentimes authors find the process of writing a memoir to be cathartic and healing, and I love to be a part of that.
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