Exactly What Do You Do, as a Ghostwriter Danielle?
During the months of March and April I took on more conferences and meetings than usual. Needless to say, the introverted side of me is still in recovery. (Yes, as good at peopling as I am, it’s still exhausting.) Many of the individual conversations I had started with some version of the same question: what exactly do you do again?
As a ghostwriter and storyteller, I spend countless hours helping clients answer this question for their audience. Yet for myself, cue squirrel frozen mid-street, gritted teeth and a little tremor. Why is it so hard to do this for myself?
It’s because I have made a comfortable place to hide in plain sight. But as the adage goes, life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. So here goes nothing and everything (squirrel dive from a tall branch)...
I’m E. Danielle Butler, storytelling collaborator. I’ve written everything from book back summaries to area rug descriptions (because rug aficionados need love too). Newsletters, speeches and op-eds are my jam, especially if they’re about education or leadership. And inspirational and prescriptive nonfiction books are a superpower, particularly when there’s a Black woman creative, community or business leader involved! My personal body of work contains a children’s book series, the Adventures of Zoe and Zachary, and several devotionals.
Most of my days are spent fighting racism, inequity, and injustice through words. While my personal voice is singular, ghostwriting allows me to amplify my activism towards multiple causes in meaningful ways. I have the privilege of supporting some of the smartest leaders on the planet as they lead this work. My job is to assist them in capturing the moment and equip their audience with the tools necessary to take action. It’s hard work. It’s heavy work. It’s necessary work. And I’m honored to serve in this way. (Even on the days when I cuss and fuss about it.)
I took on my first book project in 2009. I still feel fifteen at times so it’s hard to imagine that that book will turn 15 this fall. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating from a writing perspective on more than 15 books. There’s gotta be something about the number 15 right? Between developmental editing, coaching, and publishing support, I’ve worked on at least twice that many in about half the time. And I’ve managed to deliver a few Amazon bestsellers too! USA Today and New York Times bestsellers are on the way!
It has been a privilege to work with a number of independently published authors over the bulk of my writing career. Earlier this year I completed my first project with an author for Thomas Nelson, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. I guess I’m in the big leagues now.
As a ghostwriter, much of my job relies on asking and answering the questions that readers want to know of the authors. Stepping into the light requires doing the same for myself. What questions do you have about the work that I do? Drop me a line. I’d love to answer.