Have you got a book in you?

If you’re thinking of writing a book — or you’re fed up with people telling you that you should — the chances are you’ve lived a full and interesting life.

You’ve got lots of stories to tell and you’ve probably shared some of them.
But you’ve never told the full story.

You might have built a successful business, changed lives, and left your mark on the world but do the people closest to you really know what drives you?

Do you know yourself?

I collaborate with you to write your story, whether it’s your:

— Life Story;
— Family Story;
— or Company Story.

I’m a number one bestselling ghostwriter and I work with good people with great stories to tell.

If you’re like most business leaders, the thought of sharing personal stories about the journey you’ve been on makes you cringe.

But have you ever thought about writing a book just for you, your family and friends, and future generations?

Reflecting on your legacy and documenting your journey is a way to ensure that your values, lessons, and stories endure long after you’re gone.

“Telling your story is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself and for future generations” — Tony Quinn

I’ve helped hundreds of people tell their stories.

The process is simple.
I chat with you as well as family, friends, business partners, and senior management, if required.

Through thoughtful conversations and lots of questions, we collaborate to capture the pivotal moments and big turning points on your journey.

Yes, I want to hear your anecdotes and the highlights of your life but I also encourage people to dig a little deeper and reflect on what they’ve learned about themselves and life along the way.

I don’t just write your story for you; I help you discover it.

If you’re reading this, you’ve already done the hard work:

— You’ve lived a life full of stories;
— You’ve had highs and lows;
— You’ve tried and failed, won and lost, and survived to tell the tale.

Trying to figure out what stories to share and what stories to leave out can be overwhelming.

That’s where I come in.

Based on our conversations, I translate your wins and losses, expertise and values, philosophies and passion into a timeless and precious legacy for your family or company.

It’s all written in your voice to capture your personality on the page. My goal is for people to feel as if you’re speaking directly to them when they read your book.

Read more about the process and pricing here.

Working with a ghostwriter makes writing a book in a few months a realistic goal for most people.

If you can block out a couple of hours a week for our conversation and a couple of hours to read and review the chapters I send after our weekly catchup, you’ll be surprised at how quickly it all comes together.

I typically recommend one interview per week for up to two hours.

We can meet in person or chat via Zoom. I’m from Ireland originally but I’ve lived in New Zealand for 20 years and I’ve worked with people in NZ, Australia, Dubai, Germany, Ireland and the US.

If you’ve got a book in you, I can help you write it.

One of the privileges of working as a ghostwriter for good people with great stories to tell is the opportunity to hear the secrets of their success.

In 2015, I was lucky enough to work as a ghostwriter on Tony Quinn’s book Zero to 60. The book went to No.1 on the NZ non-fiction bestsellers list and received over 130 four and five-star reviews on Amazon.

Working with Tony on his first book was special. He had recently sold his V.I.P. petfood company in Australia for $410 million and invested some of his hard earned cash on Highlands Motorport Park in Cromwell, Central Otago.

The first book tells the story of his journey from a wooden caravan in Aberdeen to the peak of his powers in business and motorsport.

In 2023, Tony pitched the idea of a second book to me.

So much has happened to him over the last few years and the revised edition, Zero to 60 and Beyond, which was published in October 2024, reveals a much more vulnerable Tony Quinn.

In Zero to 60 and Beyond, Tony shares some of the secrets to his success in business and his philosophy on what makes for a good life.

He also reflects on the break up of his marriage, the death of his daughter from cancer, and the horrific car crash in 2022 that left him fighting for his life.

Here’s an excerpt from Zero to 60 and Beyond.

“The accident highlighted the fact I’m getting old and Mother Nature is going to beat me. Mother Nature beats all of us. She always wins and we’re fighting a losing battle.

I still think I’m young until I look in the mirror. Despite the fact that my body is failing me and my hair is receding at a rate of knots, I still think that I can achieve things, go places and live a full and interesting life.

The reality is I can’t do what I used to do and it’s annoying. It’s frustrating for everybody my age. I might have the time and money to go and do things that I want to do, but I have to listen to my body. I have to watch what I eat and try to do some exercise while all the time I’m losing my balance and my eyesight is going and different parts of my body hurt at different times. Most of all, I’m annoyed that it’s all coming to an end.

I’ve no regrets, but then most people don’t. If you ask people what they would change if they could live their life all over again, most people — even if they’ve had a shite life and clearly haven’t played their cards well — will tell you they wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve heard people say that and thought to myself, ‘F**k me. I’d change a lot if I were you!’

I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing. For someone who started out with nothing, I’ve had a great life. It would be greedy of me to say it could have been better.

I’ve had my share of bad days. Everybody has, but it’s how you cope with the bad days that’s important.”

Here are some of other book projects I’ve collaborated with clients on:

— An autobiography for a New Zealand business and technology icon that will be published in 2025;
— A company history for a purpose-led entrepreneur to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the security/technology company he built;
— A coffee-table style book to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of a tourism and recreation business;
— The life story of a former politician and MP.

Here are the steps involved in turning your dream of writing your book into a reality:

— Introductory meeting;
— Agree on scope, timeframe and budget for your book;
— Research and planning;
— Interviews;
— Transcribe interviews and write your book;
— Review and editing;
— Final manuscript delivered;
— Publishing advice and support, if required. (Cost TBC. This fee is not included in the book writing rate).

The first step is to chat on the phone, jump on a Zoom call, or preferably organise a face-to-face meeting to discuss your book.

This is a no-strings-attached, obligation free opportunity for you to tell me about your hopes and dreams for your book.

I’ll answer any questions you have about the ghostwriting process and I’ll give you a ballpark timeframe and cost for your book.

Everyone has a story to tell.

I’d love to help you get your story out of your head and onto the page.