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Updated October 2026Book Ghostwriter Directory
Profiles of 12 professional book ghostwriters and 4 established agencies for memoirs, business books and fiction: what each specializes in, the books they’re known for, and who they’re the right fit for.
Quick answer: The best ghostwriter for your book depends on the type of book and who it’s for. Bestselling collaborators such as Hilary Liftin, Lisa Dickey and Mark Dagostino mostly write public-figure memoirs for major publishers. Marcia Layton Turner and MeiMei Fox focus on business and personal growth books. Cyn Balog and Claudia Suzanne write fiction. Agencies such as Gotham Ghostwriters, Scribe Media and Kevin Anderson & Associates match you with a writer and manage the project.
The directory
Ghostwriters and agencies
Filter by specialty, then open a profile for notable books, track record and how to hire.
Hilary Liftin
Celebrity memoirs for Tori Spelling, Miley Cyrus and Teri Hatcher
View profile → Ghostwriter · Los Angeles, CaliforniaLisa Dickey
Memoirs with Jill Biden, Tammy Duckworth, Patrick Swayze and George Stephanopoulos
View profile → Ghostwriter · United StatesMark Dagostino
The Magnolia Story with Chip and Joanna Gaines
View profile → Ghostwriter · Washington StateJoni Rodgers
Celebrity memoirs and her own cancer memoir, Bald in the Land of Big Hair
View profile → Ghostwriter · United KingdomAndrew Crofts
Sold, the true-life bestseller with close to four million copies
View profile → Ghostwriter · United StatesDaniel Paisner
80+ books including 17 NYT bestsellers, and the As Told To ghostwriting podcast
View profile → Ghostwriter · United StatesMeiMei Fox
Two Oprah’s Book List selections, including The Five Invitations
View profile → Ghostwriter · United StatesMarcia Layton Turner
Fast, structured business book ghostwriting for entrepreneurs and executives
View profile → Ghostwriter · New York areaStephanie Krikorian
Self-help books for doctors, actresses and media personalities
View profile → Ghostwriter · San Diego, CaliforniaMike Yorkey
The Every Man’s Battle series, with over 3 million copies in print
View profile → Ghostwriter · United StatesClaudia Suzanne
200+ ghostwritten books across fiction and nonfiction
View profile → Ghostwriter · Quakertown, PennsylvaniaCyn Balog
Fiction-only ghostwriting from a 12-time traditionally published novelist
View profile → Agency · New York, New YorkGotham Ghostwriters
A network of 4,000+ editorial specialists matched to each project
View profile → Agency · Austin, TexasScribe Media
Interview-based ghostwriting plus in-house publishing for business authors
View profile → Agency · New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and LondonKevin Anderson & Associates
One of the largest US ghostwriting firms, covering fiction as well as nonfiction
View profile → Agency · Beverly Hills, California and LondonStoryTerrace
Packaged private memoirs written from interviews, with printed hardcovers
View profile →Browse by specialty
Ghostwriter guides
Memoir Ghostwriters
The memoir ghostwriters behind bestselling life stories, plus life-story services for family memoirs. Specialties, notable books and how to hire.
Business Book Ghostwriters
Business book and thought leadership ghostwriters and agencies, from Marcia Layton Turner to Scribe Media and Gotham. Specialties, books and how to hire.
Fiction Ghostwriters
Fiction ghostwriters who write novels for hire, from fiction-only specialists to firms that take novels. Genres, credits, published rates and how to hire.
Ghostwriting Agencies
Gotham Ghostwriters, Scribe Media, Kevin Anderson & Associates and StoryTerrace compared: what each does, who it suits, pricing and how to vet any agency.
Famous Ghostwriters
Who really wrote Open, Spare, The Magnolia Story and The Autobiography of Malcolm X? The famous ghostwriters behind iconic memoirs, and what they teach anyone hiring one.
Side by side
Compare book ghostwriters at a glance
| Name | Type | Specialties | Known for | Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilary Liftin | Ghostwriter | Memoir, Celebrity & public figures, Self-help & wellness | Celebrity memoirs for Tori Spelling, Miley Cyrus and Teri Hatcher | Los Angeles, California |
| Lisa Dickey | Ghostwriter | Memoir, Celebrity & public figures, Business & thought leadership | Memoirs with Jill Biden, Tammy Duckworth, Patrick Swayze and George Stephanopoulos | Los Angeles, California |
| Mark Dagostino | Ghostwriter | Memoir, Celebrity & public figures, Faith & Christian, Business & thought leadership, Sports | The Magnolia Story with Chip and Joanna Gaines | United States |
| Joni Rodgers | Ghostwriter | Memoir, Celebrity & public figures, Fiction, Self-help & wellness | Celebrity memoirs and her own cancer memoir, Bald in the Land of Big Hair | Washington State |
| Andrew Crofts | Ghostwriter | Memoir, Fiction, Celebrity & public figures | Sold, the true-life bestseller with close to four million copies | United Kingdom |
| Daniel Paisner | Ghostwriter | Memoir, Sports, Business & thought leadership, Celebrity & public figures, Fiction | 80+ books including 17 NYT bestsellers, and the As Told To ghostwriting podcast | United States |
| MeiMei Fox | Ghostwriter | Self-help & wellness, Business & thought leadership, Memoir | Two Oprah’s Book List selections, including The Five Invitations | United States |
| Marcia Layton Turner | Ghostwriter | Business & thought leadership | Fast, structured business book ghostwriting for entrepreneurs and executives | United States |
| Stephanie Krikorian | Ghostwriter | Celebrity & public figures, Self-help & wellness, Memoir | Self-help books for doctors, actresses and media personalities | New York area |
| Mike Yorkey | Ghostwriter | Faith & Christian, Sports, Memoir, Fiction | The Every Man’s Battle series, with over 3 million copies in print | San Diego, California |
| Claudia Suzanne | Ghostwriter | Fiction, Memoir, Business & thought leadership | 200+ ghostwritten books across fiction and nonfiction | United States |
| Cyn Balog | Ghostwriter | Fiction | Fiction-only ghostwriting from a 12-time traditionally published novelist | Quakertown, Pennsylvania |
| Gotham Ghostwriters | Agency | Business & thought leadership, Memoir, Celebrity & public figures, Fiction | A network of 4,000+ editorial specialists matched to each project | New York, New York |
| Scribe Media | Agency | Business & thought leadership, Self-help & wellness | Interview-based ghostwriting plus in-house publishing for business authors | Austin, Texas |
| Kevin Anderson & Associates | Agency | Fiction, Memoir, Business & thought leadership | One of the largest US ghostwriting firms, covering fiction as well as nonfiction | New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and London |
| StoryTerrace | Agency | Memoir, Family & legacy | Packaged private memoirs written from interviews, with printed hardcovers | Beverly Hills, California and London |
Know your book type
Memoir, business, fiction and family legacy books need different skills. Start with writers who specialize in yours.
Match your budget
Bestselling collaborators mostly work on publisher-funded books. Our cost calculator shows what’s realistic.
Vet before you sign
Ask for samples and references, and make sure the contract gives you copyright. Use our vetting checklist.
Straight answers
Ghostwriter directory FAQ
What is a book ghostwriter?
A book ghostwriter writes a book that is published under someone else’s name. They interview the author, research the subject and draft the manuscript in the author’s voice. Some are credited as co-authors (“with” on the cover) and many are not credited at all.
Who are the best known book ghostwriters?
Well known collaborators include Hilary Liftin (celebrity memoir), Lisa Dickey (political and public-life memoir), Mark Dagostino (The Magnolia Story), Daniel Paisner (80+ books), Joni Rodgers and Andrew Crofts. Established agencies include Gotham Ghostwriters, Scribe Media and Kevin Anderson & Associates.
How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter for a book?
Packaged life-story services start around $1,200. Independent ghostwriters commonly charge five figures for a full-length book, and bestselling collaborators often command six figures. Use our cost calculator for an estimate based on your book.
How did you choose the ghostwriters in this directory?
We list professional book ghostwriters and agencies with a verifiable public track record: published books, named collaborations or published credentials. Nobody pays to be listed, and we are not affiliated with anyone in the directory.
Can I hire a famous ghostwriter for a private family memoir?
Usually not. The best known collaborators mostly work on books with publisher advances. For a family memoir, a life-story specialist or an independent memoir writer is the better fit. Our Writer Match Quiz can point you in the right direction.
I’m a ghostwriter. How do I get listed?
Tell us about your work on our For Ghostwriters page. We add writers with a verifiable track record in each update.
How this directory works: profiles are compiled from public sources, including each writer’s own website, publisher pages and press coverage. Nobody pays to be listed and My Book Written is not affiliated with the writers or agencies here. Ghostwriters can request corrections via our contact page or apply to be listed on For Ghostwriters.
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