Do I need a fully developed idea to start?

No. Some clients arrive with a full outline and detailed character bios. Others arrive with just a protagonist, a single scene, or a question they want the book to answer. The interview process builds whatever the client brings into a complete structure with plot, characters, pacing, and ending all worked out before drafting begins. Outlines get pressure-tested for structural problems first. Fragments get developed into a working outline that the client approves before any chapters get written.

Can I be involved in the writing process?

Yes. Some clients review drafts chapter by chapter as the writing happens, reading each chapter within a week of delivery, sending notes, and redirecting voice or pacing if something feels off. Others prefer to stay focused on the big picture between interview sessions and read the manuscript in larger chunks of five or six chapters at a time. Either approach works. The early chapters are where most of the calibration happens. By chapter three or four the client knows whether the voice is right, and corrections at that stage are cheap. By the time the full manuscript is done, the voice and direction have been confirmed all the way through.

Will the book sound like me or like the ghostwriter?

The voice gets worked out near the start of the project. The first interviews are partly about content and partly about how the client actually talks and thinks. The first one or two chapters come back written in what the ghostwriter reads as the client's voice. If something is off, the client identifies what is wrong and the next pass corrects it. The early chapters get iterated until the client reads a draft and confirms it sounds like them. After that, the rest of the book gets written in the voice already approved.

Do you help with publishing?

Yes, in several ways. Some clients self-publish and want guidance on cover design, formatting, distribution, and launch strategy. Others want to query traditional publishers and need a manuscript that holds up to professional review along with help on the query letter and synopsis. Some plan an audiobook from the start and want the manuscript prepared with narration in mind. Richard has personally published over a hundred books through self-publishing and small-press routes, so the territory is familiar. The publishing path gets discussed during the discovery call and refined as the manuscript develops.

How long does it take to write a fiction novel?

Most fiction projects run three to six months from first interview to final manuscript. Shorter or simpler novels finish at the faster end. Longer or more complex novels take longer. Series work runs longer still since each book builds on the last. Client availability matters too. Weekly interviews and quick chapter reviews move the project faster. Limited interview scheduling or review time extends the timeline. The discovery call is where a realistic estimate gets placed against the specific project rather than quoting a template number.

What genres do you write?

Richard writes across multiple genres. His own fiction includes science fiction in the Peacekeeper series and historical fiction in the Victorian series. Ghostwritten work for clients has covered literary fiction, thrillers, mysteries, contemporary romance, and speculative fiction. Projects in genres outside his strong experience get flagged on the discovery call rather than taken on. Some genres benefit from a writer who knows the conventions deeply, and matching that to the project matters more than booking the work.

Ghostwriter for Cybersecurity Leaders Who Know the Material Cold

Q: Is this confidential?

Yes. A nondisclosure agreement covers the project from start to finish. The client's name appears on the book as sole author. The ghostwriter's name does not appear anywhere unless the client chooses to acknowledge him. Clients are not listed on the website or in marketing without explicit written permission. If a prospective client asks for references, no current or past client will be named without prior authorization. The default position on every client is silence, and that holds during the project, after delivery, and indefinitely afterward.

Q: Do I own all the rights to the book?

Yes. The arrangement is work-for-hire, which means the client is the sole copyright holder the moment the manuscript is delivered. The client can publish the book under their own name, sell it, license film or audio rights, adapt it into a series, or do nothing with it. The ghostwriter has no claim on royalties, no claim on derivative rights, and no claim on future earnings from anything the client does with the book. The contract spells this out in writing before any work begins, so there is no ambiguity later about ownership, credit, or future income.

A Book In Your Voice. Accurate Where It Counts. The Authority That Outlasts the Threat Cycle.

The Book That Survives the Threat Cycle

You run security. You’ve handled the incidents, sat in the board meetings, made the calls when the stakes were real. A book in your own voice is where that experience becomes the reference other people cite, instead of one more deck nobody keeps.

CISOs, security founders, and technical executives hire me when they want the book done right by someone who won’t flatten the material. I ran enterprise security for two decades and handled annual PCI compliance at Trader Joe’s. I was the technical editor on Cyberheist for KnowBe4, and I wrote Family Cybersecurity and Sins of the Internet. You won’t spend the engagement explaining what a threat model is.

The work is discreet. Strict NDAs. Your name on the cover, mine nowhere on it unless you decide otherwise. The process fits your schedule, not the other way around.

I’ve authored 113+ books and ghostwritten 54+ more, including thought leadership titles, technical books, and the kind of security writing that has to be accurate or it’s worthless. Whatever you’re trying to say, the work has probably touched something close to it.

Why Writers Hire Me

The Version Only You Can Tell

Here’s what I’ve learned working with technical leaders: the version of your expertise that’s public is built from whatever you’ve had time to publish. A conference talk catches one idea. A vendor panel serves the vendor’s agenda. A quote in a trade article gets cut to fit the writer’s angle. None of it is wrong. None of it is the full depth of what you actually know.

The whole version exists only in your head, twenty or thirty years of decisions, incidents, and hard-won judgment. The work of a book is getting it out before it scatters across old slide decks and dead Slack channels, and getting it down accurately, not dumbed down.

I work in private with CISOs, security founders, and technical executives who’ve decided to put their real thinking on the record instead of leaving it in fragments. I ask the questions that get at what you actually know. I won’t flatten the technical material or fake my way around it, because I ran enterprise security for two decades myself. I write it in your voice, at the depth the subject demands. You stay in control of every word on the page.

Selected Fiction Projects

These are some of the books I've ghostwritten, coached, or developed. Each one came from someone who decided their knowledge was worth getting down right, accurately, in their own voice, at the depth the material deserved. The covers below show what we built together. The names on most of them are the clients', not mine.

What Happens During the Work

Most clients are surprised by what comes out of the interviews. Not the polished talking points, those they’ve given a hundred times. The useful material is the reasoning underneath: why they made a call the textbook would have made differently, the incident that changed how they think, the thing they know is true but have never written down because no one ever asked the right question.

A lot of clients tell me the process did something they didn’t expect. They came in wanting a book. They left with a clearer sense of what they actually know and why it matters. The book is the artifact. The clarity about their own expertise is the side effect.

When the finished manuscript arrives, the reaction is usually quiet. Seeing two decades of judgment laid out as a coherent argument, accurate and in their own voice, lands differently than any conference talk or panel ever did.

Whatever shape your book takes, the goal is the same: get it down accurately, get it down well, and put it in a form that outlasts the next product cycle.

Ready When You Are

You’ve already done the work that would make the book. The decision now is getting it down properly, and choosing who you trust to help you do it.

The process is private and built around your schedule. We talk through the material over a series of structured interviews. I write the chapters between sessions. You review, push back, correct the technical detail. The book moves at your pace. Your name is on the cover. Mine isn’t anywhere unless you decide otherwise.

When the book exists, two decades of expertise lives in a form that’s accurate, that’s yours, and that outlasts the next product cycle. That’s the whole point.

Discovery & Listening

Story Development

Ghostwriting

Final Manuscript

About Richard Lowe

Richard Lowe is a professional ghostwriter and bestselling author. He has authored 113+ books and ghostwritten 54+ more for executives, founders, coaches, and public figures. His clients have used their books to raise over $30 million in venture capital, land a TEDx invitation, and secure deals with traditional publishers. His own book How to Manage a Consulting Project was used as required reading in a course at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management.

His current lead book, The Ghostwriting Advantage, is the comprehensive guide to hiring a ghostwriter. He also authored the bestselling Focus on LinkedIn and the publishing-journey trilogy: Make a Living as a Self-Published Author, Publish Your Book, and Sell Your Books. He served as Technical Editor and Contributing Author on Cyberheist, the cybersecurity book by KnowBe4 founder Stu Sjouwerman. His ongoing series include Enemies of You (nonfiction cultural commentary) and the Victorian fiction series — contemporary reimaginings of classic Victorian science fiction by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.

Before becoming a full-time ghostwriter, Richard spent 33 years in enterprise technology, including 20 years as Director of Computer Operations at Trader Joe’s, where he managed infrastructure across 474+ stores. He hosts three interview podcasts — Leaders and Their Stories, Author Talks, and Conversations With Influencers — totaling 98 episodes, and has appeared as a guest on 100+ podcasts including The Chris Voss Show.

Want to explore all my ghostwriting insights? Visit the Ultimate Ghostwriting hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does cybersecurity ghostwriting work?

The work starts with structured interviews, usually a series of conversations recorded in private over several weeks. I ask the questions, you talk. From those recordings I write the chapters and send them to you for review. You push back, correct the technical detail, request changes. We iterate until each chapter reads in your voice and gets the material right. The book comes together as the interviews progress, not as a single drop at the end.

Will the book sound like me—or like you?

Yes. The voice is yours. I write from your interviews, so the phrasing, the opinions, and the way you explain things come from you, not from a template. The job is to make it read like you on your sharpest day, clear, accurate, and yours, not like marketing copy or a committee-written report.

How long does the process take?

Most books take 4 to 8 months from the first interview to the final manuscript. The variation depends on length, technical complexity, and how much access I have to you for interviews. Shorter timelines are possible when there’s a real deadline driving the project, a conference keynote, a product launch, or a publisher contract with a delivery date. I’ve turned manuscripts around in 90 days when the situation called for it.

Do I own all the rights to the book?

Yes. The arrangement is work-for-hire, which means you are the sole copyright holder the moment the manuscript is delivered. You can publish it under your name, sell it, license film or audio rights, adapt it into a series, or do nothing at all with it. I have no claim on royalties, no claim on derivative rights, no claim on future earnings from anything you do with the book. The contract spells this out in writing before any work begins, so there is no ambiguity later about ownership, credit, or future income.

Can this help my brand or career?

That’s usually why people do it. A book turns scattered expertise into a single credential. It’s what a board reads before they hire you, what a conference pulls from when they pick keynote speakers, and what positions you above competitors who are equally skilled but invisible. The book opens doors that the work alone doesn’t.

Can I publish the book under my own name?

Yes. That’s the point of ghostwriting. The book is yours, published under your name. I don’t take a byline or a cover credit unless you specifically want one. What we build is your book, your authority, your name on the spine.

Is this confidential?

Yes. Strict NDAs are standard, and confidentiality is the default, not the exception. Your name is on the cover. Mine is nowhere on it unless you decide otherwise. Anything sensitive you share in interviews stays between us, and we agree in advance on what does and doesn’t go in the book.

What if I’ve already started writing?

That’s fine, and common. Plenty of clients come with a half-finished draft, a pile of articles, old talks, or notes they never pulled together. I can work from existing material, fix what’s there, or rebuild from scratch, whatever serves the book. You’re not starting over. You’re handing off the part that’s been stuck.

Client Testimonials for Richard Lowe Jr.

If you’re even thinking about having your own book, do yourself a favor and talk with Richard… FIRST!

I’ve worked with him extensively and finding someone matching his knowledge and EXPERIENCE would be hard.

He’s ghostwritten an incredible amount of titles! (48+ books)

On such a variety of subjects!

Plus, authored so many of his own!

Add in his corporate experience, a 33-year-long background in tech and leadership and you’ll know you’re dealing with an EXPERT!

He’s also a great source for rewriting and optimizing your LinkedIn Profile!

Richard comes with my wholehearted, highest recommendation!

Royce Blake

I’ve had the pleasure of translating some books by Richard, I was particularly impressed with Richard’s ability to write interesting, clever books in a simple and very clear style, easy to read, and full of useful tips at the same time. He has outstanding skills in communication, and working with him was a great and pleasant experience.

I highly recommend his books, and I hope in further collaborations on other projects

Sonia Dal Cason

Richard is a professional writer on the highest level. I was trying to write my book but with the help of Richard he made it so easy to work with to get my message across. In the end we have as a result a great sales book to help my clients. I would recommend Richard for everything you consider when you need help writing. Thanks for everything.

Benjamin Brown

I have worked with Richard to help him promote two of his books: “Real World Survival Tips” and “Safe Computing is Like Safe Sex”. He is professional and courteous and displays a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm in his writing. I look forward to working with him again.

Lynda Dickson

Richard Lowe Jr. is a powerhouse in self-publishing, LinkedIn branding, and book marketing. His depth of knowledge and structured approach to writing, coaching, and promotion are unmatched. He has authored 63 books, ghostwritten 52, and optimized over 300 LinkedIn profiles, helping professionals establish credibility and attract opportunities.

One example of his expertise is coaching a Fortune 50 senior VP in France, guiding him through the writing, structuring, and marketing of his book. Richard’s ability to simplify complex ideas and craft compelling narratives makes him an invaluable resource for thought leaders. His methodical approach ensures that every project is strategic, effective, and results-driven.

What truly sets Richard apart is his generosity in sharing knowledge. He doesn’t just write—he empowers. Whether through his books, LinkedIn branding services, or public speaking, he equips professionals with the tools to succeed. He understands that success isn’t just about publishing a book but about building a brand and authority in the industry.

If you need a skilled ghostwriter, book coach, or LinkedIn expert who delivers results, look no further. Richard’s expertise and professionalism make him an indispensable asset to anyone serious about growing their presence.

Robert Plank

Rich is a talented wordsmith, complete professional and a comfortable person to work with. Being a ghostwriter, he really knows how to interview and get to the heart of the story. Rich helped me weave my two disparate talents (professional musician and software consultant) into one coherent tale.

Now that Rich put me through his interview and rewriting process, when people read my profile, my software development talents dovetail perfectly with my musical journey.

It all makes sense! Get help from Richard Lowe, Jr., if you too wish to make sense to the world!

David Victor, Former Guitarist for BOSTON

As an editor, the enjoyment I get out of my job directly correlates with the quality of the writing I have to work with. I’ve collaborated with Richard on his book projects a number of times now and each one has been an absolute pleasure.

His writing is evocative and intelligent, and he has a masterful ability to take stories from life and weave them into revealing, compelling narratives. Plus, he’s an all-around nice person to work with.

Robin Schroffel

Richard was a big help for me with my Linkedin profile. His review and suggestions of my linkedin profile along with his book Focus On Linkedin,I have learned a lot on how I can use my profile to help others find me.

His experience as a writer is a wealth of information on how to communicate to others through writing

Bill Burges

Richard Lowe is a very talented writer who understands the importance of personal branding and SEO. Working as a Senior Branding Specialist at LinkedIn-Makeover.com he creates a unique professional story for each and every client. Richard will help you shine!

Dionne Carrick

Richard Lowe is an amazing writer. As a Branding Specialist, he sits in a unique position. He originally came to me as a client, to help him with his LinkedIn profile. Now, he is a certified Branding Specialist, helping clients brand themselves more effectively on LinkedIn. Richard is a fantastic listener and is able to weave an engaging professional story from a simple conversation.

Having worked in IT, Richard brings a wealth of technical knowledge few writers possess. I am thrilled to have him working with us at LinkedIn-Makeover.com and trust him to take care of our clients.

Donna Serdula

Richard help us get our thoughts down on paper. He is very dedicated to his writing and would be great to work with again.

Matt Fonk

Richard is a quality writer. Every piece of product he delivers is 100% quality! I have never met a writer with such insight as Richard.

Scott Romero

Talk With Richard About Your Novel

Ready to talk about your novel? Book a discovery call. We’ll spend 30 minutes on what you’re writing, what you’ve already tried, and whether the work we’d do together is the right fit. No pitch. No pressure. If we’re not a match, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what kind of help your project actually needs.