How to write a best-selling business book.
WANT YOUR BUSINESS BOOK WRITTEN BUT DON'T HAVE TIME?
Hire a ghost-writer to do it for you.
Bernadette Schwerdt has written three best-selling business books and is the 'go-to' ghost-writer for successful business owners who want to write their business biography, memoir or motivational book.
Here’s what Bernadette has written,
ghost-written or book coached:
Testimonial from Gabby Leibovich, Founder Catch.com
Testimonial from Amy Miocevich, Author of 'The Very Good Marketing Guide'
Testimonial from Kobi Simmat, 'How to build a business others want to buy'
Multiple 5-star book reviews:
“Fantastic read - If you are an entrepreneur, READ THIS BOOK".
“100% Mandatory for any budding Australian Entrepreneur".
“I couldn’t put it down and read right through to 2:30am to finish”.
“Hands down the best business book I’ve read”.
BERNADETTE SCHWERDT // Ghost-writer
My career spans 30 years in media, marketing, the arts and technology. As the founder of four successful companies, author of three bestselling business books, and the creator of two educational institutions, I bring a range of eclectic skills, experiences and networks to all those I work with.
A few words from clients:
Still #1 after three months!
Firstly, we would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Bernadette Schwerdt, our ghost-writer, for all her help in making this book possible. Thank you for sitting with us for hundreds of hours, for helping us sift through the 200,000+ words we’ve written over the years, and for guiding us through the writing and publishing process that enabled us to find our voice, shape the narrative, and craft the stories that make up this book.
GABBY LEIBOVICH // Co-Founder of Catch.com, Menulog & Scoopon
I am immensely grateful for her expertise and commitment.
I was delighted with the whole process from start to finish. It exceeded my expectations and was truly a fantastic experience. I'm filled with excitement for others to read my book.
Working with Bernadette was a wise decision. She challenged my thinking and helped me communicate my ideas effectively, especially to those who weren't familiar with my work. I can confidently say that I couldn't have accomplished this on my own. The gap between having ideas in my head and bringing them to life in book form was vast, and Bernadette bridged that gap effortlessly.
Trust is crucial in such a collaborative process, and Bernadette earned my trust completely. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking to bring their ideas to life through writing.
AMY MIOCEVICH // Author of 'The Very Good Marketing Guide'
This book would not be the success it is without you.
Thank you, Bernadette Schwerdt, for the time, effort and support you have put into helping bring my business story to life. Over countless conversations, hundreds of emails, and thousands of words, you have helped me distil a rollicking and rowdy life into a book that I hope will be of value to many others. From when we first met, I knew you were the right person to help me tell my story, and my trust and instinct has been rewarded. Thank you for guiding me through this journey and for providing me with an outstanding learning experience.
STEPHEN HUNT // Owner, Hunt Hospitality
She's the best!
Bernadette is a publishing, writing, and storytelling insider who helped me write my debut book, a memoir published by Pan Macmillan. I approached her years back about the writing process and asked for her advice. Using examples from writing two of her own best selling business books, she gave me tips on not just building a book, but the encouragement to pursue what she knew would be a life-changing endeavour.
MARK WALES // SAS Solder, Contestant on Survivor, Author of the book 'Survivor, Life in the SAS'
Her advice was instrumental.
Bernadette's advice was instrumental in guiding me to successfully complete my first business book. She is very giving with her time and open to sharing her experiences. She has a genuine desire to see others succeed. She's very giving.
STEVE TIGHE // Futurist and author of 'Rethinking Strategy'
She gave me the confidence to publish my book.
Bernadette is a wealth of information regarding writing and publishing. Through strategic questioning, she helped me clarify the purpose, structure and ‘hook’ of the book which gave me the direction I needed to get started and saved me so much time. She helped me realise my vision was realistic (not crazy!) and gave me the confidence and impetus for me to publish my book. I highly recommend her!
DONNA CAMERON // Author of 'Colour, the secret to creating a sustainable wardrobe'
Why you should work with a ghost-writer
Writing a book takes countless hours - I know, I've written 3 best-selling business books now.
My latest book, Catch of the Decade (ghost-written for Gabby & Hezi Leibovich) went straight to #1 on Booktopia's Best-seller list for Business books 3 days after launch.
How to Build an Online Business and Secrets of Online Entrepreneurs ranked in the Top 100 Business Books of 2016 and 2017.
With major contacts in the publishing industry, I will not only bring your story to life, but guide you through the entire process from conception to publishing.
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The benefits of choosing me as your
ghost-writer
Deep business knowledge and experience
With a Business Degree (in Marketing),
I have built successful businesses, have wide knowledge of the entrepreneurial sector and startup mindset, deep relationships with Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, and I'm able to understand communicate complex business topics simply and quickly.
Mentoring and support
I will write your book proposal, help you submit it to the publishers, advocate for you at publisher meetings, help you assess best suppliers to work with eg publicists etc, guide you through the entire process – from concept to completion, (including the important post-publishing/ promotional stage) and ‘hold your hand’ throughout the journey.
Introductions to valuable contacts
I am able to introduce you to publishers, book publicists, speaker bureaus, editors of large business publications, TV producers, speaking opportunities etc.
Experienced marketer and advertising copywriter
I am able to write the book through a marketing ‘lens’ so that the book delivers specific business outcomes, and am able to write copy that is fast-paced, punchy and grabs attention.
Get instant access to
Top 10 tips for writing a best-selling business book.
A ghost-writer essentially becomes you - your voice, your story, your words. So it's vital you choose a ghost-writer you connect with.
Top 10 tips for...
Writing a
best-selling business book.
Check out a sample of my writing from my best selling books
The writing process
Here is my writing process:
- 1Research – I’ll spend time with you in person/on Zoom to document your timeline, uncover the stories, create the storytelling arc and get clarity on the type of book you want. You can supplement that with any written content you have already created.
- 2Write – I’ll write the book, based on the material generated in the Research phase.
- 3Review – I’ll submit the content for your review, you read it, make comments and I’ll amend.
Once completed, I'll help you submit it to the publishers for their editing/production process.
It then gets printed, becomes a bestseller and the rest, as they say, is history!
The next steps
If you're ready to get started, book a complimentary 30-minute Discovery Call to see how a ghost-writer can help you write your business book.
Email me at info@copyschool.com or phone 0419 891 932.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once we get started, I will submit the chapters to you for review before starting the next chapter. That gives us time to assess it, for you to ensure you’re happy with the writing style/tone and gives us time to change the direction if we need to. I recommend you think of the book in terms of sections or chapters.
My take is that you want to get this done as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
The best route would be to get a contract with a commercial publisher like Wiley or similar. I can introduce you to the commissioning editor there as I have worked with her on my last 3 books.
Having a ghost-writer attached to the project won’t seal the deal but it will make it more attractive to them as they know me, know the quality of my work and know they’ll receive a finished manuscript that is pretty much ready to go.
To secure a Wiley contract, you will need a book proposal. If you engage me as your ghost-writer, I can write that for you, help you negotiate the deal, attend all meetings with you and guide you throughout.
If you go down the self-publishing path, the printing company will take care of that printing/production/distribution process for you as well. I can refer you to a few good self-publishers if Wiley don’t work out.
Irrespective of who publishes the book, I will shepherd you throughout the entire process, so you know exactly what’s happening at all times. Even after the book is published, I will assist you with any promotional help that I can. My goal is to help you create a book you are proud of so that you can happily promote it to the world.
When we get started, expect to meet (either online or via Zoom) at least 8 times during the first 2 months so I can learn more about you. Please allow approximately 5 months for the writing process.
For example:
- Allow 2 months for the briefing process.
- Allow 2 months for the writing process.
- Allow 1 month for the editing process.
* Allow 4 – 5 months for the production process which is taken care of by your publisher.
For all intents and purposes, the book is by you, with your name as the sole author on the cover.
I am able to write quickly and to a specific brief, able to change style/tone for the job at hand, adept at creating a specific ‘voice’ for the author that showcases the author’s true nature.
Once we've had a Discovery Call, you will receive a proposal with an outline of the costs involved in your ghost-writing project. Email me at info@copyschool.com or call 0419891932
© 2023, Bernadette Schwerdt