Full Professional Background of Richard Lowe (The Writing King)

Early Computing Background

Richard’s technology career began during college in 1979–1980, when he managed a PDP-11 computer running the RSTS/E operating system at San Bernardino Valley College. He designed applications in BASIC and assembly language to support student and administrative computing needs.

This was the era when starting a computer required flipping physical switches in correct binary sequences to toggle in bootstrap loaders, loading paper tape to initialize disk drivers, then booting the operating system. Hand-coding assembly language was standard practice. Richard developed programming expertise across assembly language, FORTRAN, BASIC, C, and C++, building applications ranging from complete accounting systems to his own implementation of the pioneering text adventure Dungeon.

He also developed system tools including SuperUTIL, an assembly language replacement for standard system utilities, and RMSEDIT, a direct database metadata manipulation tool for pre-SQL database systems.

Richard was active in the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society (DECUS), the technical conference community where systems programming techniques and enterprise computing strategies were shared.

Software Techniques Incorporated (1980–1986)

Hired as the first technical employee at a software startup, Richard advanced through multiple roles: software developer, senior designer, senior analyst, project manager, and ultimately Vice President of Consulting. Key projects included:

• ► DISKIT — led development of the first disk defragmentation software created for both RSTS and VMS systems, pioneering file system optimization algorithms.
• ► PBS disaster recovery — managed computer system recovery for the Public Broadcasting System after a fire and resulting water damage from firefighting operations destroyed basement data center infrastructure.
• ► Costa Mesa Water District — managed water billing system implementation.
• ► Regis Homes — designed and implemented the Apartment Information Management System.
• ► Glovers Mills Accounting Systems — lead programmer on general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and related modules.
• ► Cluster-11 — served as Senior Designer adding distributed computing clustering capability to the RSTS/E operating system.
• ► Command Computer Systems DECnet — developed DECnet protocol extensions for network communications infrastructure.
• ► Technical documentation — wrote technical and user documentation for over 50 clients and internal teams.

BIF Accutel SCADA Systems (1986–1988)

As Project Manager for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems, Richard led critical infrastructure deployments for major water districts:

• ► Las Vegas Valley Water District — full SCADA implementation
• ► Ojai Water District — full SCADA deployment
• ► New Haven Connecticut Water District — full SCADA installation
• ► Dual-clustered VAX systems controlling 100+ Remote Telemetry Units
• ► Each RTU controlling approximately 100 endpoints for dams, pipes, pumps, and gates

Beck Computer Systems Inc. (1986–1994)

As VP of Consulting, Richard led enterprise technology solutions and managed development teams. Major projects:

• ► Long Distance Phone Card Fraud Detection System (FPSS) — led development of behavioral analytics and customer profiling algorithms for fraud prevention in telecommunications. The system established foundational techniques for real-time fraud detection that became standard across the industry.
• ► Behavioral analytics platform — managed teams building call activity profiling tools using statistical analysis and standard deviation calculations across time, duration, and location dimensions.
• ► US Growers (USG) relationship — managed remote service provider relationships with major clients including USG, building expertise in logistics, supply chain, warehouse operations, and cold storage systems.
• ► Custom utilities — oversaw development of RMSEDT and SuperUTIL.
• ► 24/7 enterprise support — managed enterprise support operations and disaster recovery planning for major accounts.

Trader Joe’s (1994–2013)

Trader Joe’s recruited Richard directly from Beck Computer Systems based on his expertise managing technology operations for US Growers, which was one of Trader Joe’s key warehouse partners. For nearly two decades, Richard served as Director of Computer Operations and Technical Services for the grocery chain, which during his tenure grew to $16 billion in revenue, 474+ stores, and over 38,000 employees.

Digital transformations led:

• ► First digital transformation (1990s) — led company-wide migration from paper-based and manual systems to VAX infrastructure using the Unidata database system, modernizing core business operations across all retail locations.
• ► Second digital transformation (2000s) — managed complete platform migration from VAX/Unidata to ASX systems running Oracle database, ensuring zero downtime for critical retail operations during the transition.
• ► Internal VMware private cloud — built and managed internal private cloud infrastructure, completing VMware 5.5 certification training for advanced virtualization deployment.
• ► Warehouse management systems — oversaw warehouse management systems across 8 distribution centers on two coasts, integrating supply chain technology with retail operations.

Executive responsibilities:

• ► Company-wide digital transformation — led initiatives spanning nearly two decades.
• ► National infrastructure — managed IT infrastructure supporting national retail operations and complex supply chain logistics.
• ► Mobile user support — oversaw help desk supporting 200+ mobile users across multiple states.
• ► Disaster recovery — built disaster recovery site with 30-minute critical system restore capability.
• ► PCI DSS compliance — led annual cybersecurity audits and PCI DSS compliance; the IT department passed every year without exception.
• ► Resource planning — directed IT resource planning, budgeting, and talent development for the growing technology organization.
• ► H1B sponsorship — IT department sponsored green card applications for 4 Indian H1B visa holders; Richard directly supported 2 team members through the permanent residency process.
• ► Veteran consulting partnerships — managed consulting relationships including US Technical Services, a veteran-owned firm whose work reinforced Richard’s preference for working with military veterans.

Alliance Technologies LLC (2023–2024)

Richard served in multiple roles at Alliance Technologies:

• ► Director, Alliance Partner Program (November 2023 – February 2024)
• ► Marketing Specialist focused on social media and online marketing (October 2023 – November 2023)
• ► Leadership in customer service, networking, and digital transformation initiatives

Professional Certifications

• ► CIW V5 Associate Certification (ID: 335803)
• ► Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet (MCSE+I)
• ► CompTIA Network+
• ► CompTIA A+
• ► VMware 5.5 certification training and private cloud implementation experience
• ► Unidata database programming and administration certification
• ► SCADA systems implementation and management
• ► Enterprise disaster recovery and business continuity planning
• ► WordPress plugin development and site architecture
• ► Custom software development and database management systems

Purdue University: Professor Richard Makadok

Richard’s consulting book was adopted for coursework by Professor Richard Makadok at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Professor Makadok held the Brock Family Chair in Strategic Management at Krannert, a named endowed chair position. He assigned the book across multiple semesters and invited Richard to address his classes as a guest speaker on multiple occasions. Details of the partnership are documented here.

Professor Makadok’s published comment on the book: “Great textbook for any college course that includes a field-study project for a client. Last year, this book helped my students to avoid many subtle pitfalls in their client relationships for a field-study project in my course, so I have assigned it again this year. Also, the author generously made time to give my class a Q&A session via Skype.” (Amazon, 5-star verified purchase review.)

His feedback after a guest speaking session: “The students really learned a lot, and benefitted greatly from it.”

Verifiable academic adoption details:

• ► Course — How to Manage a Consulting Project, Krannert School of Management, Purdue University
• ► Adopting professor — Richard Makadok, formerly Brock Family Chair in Strategic Management
• ► Status — assigned across multiple semesters during his Purdue tenure
• ► Guest speaking invitations — Richard was invited multiple times to address Krannert entrepreneurship classes
• ► Student feedback — sessions consistently rated as a semester highlight

University of Southern California: Ken Cureton

Richard maintains an ongoing academic relationship with Ken Cureton, part-time lecturer in the Astronautical Engineering Department and the Systems Architecting and Engineering Program at the University of Southern California. The collaboration includes consulting on educational materials and ongoing engagement with USC’s engineering and systems programs.

Podcast Guest Appearances

Richard has appeared as a guest on over 100 podcasts covering ghostwriting, executive book strategy, digital transformation, leadership, and the publishing industry. Notable platforms include:

• ► The Chris Voss Show — reaches over one million listeners
• ► The Entrepreneur Way
• ► High-Performance Mindset
• ► Additional 100+ podcast appearances across technology, business, ghostwriting, and creative industry shows

Recent Appearances (March–May 2025)

• ► Networking Unleashed — Building Profitable Connections (May 12, 2025)
• ► The Thirsty Professional — Episode 19 (May 9, 2025)
• ► ET Project Podcast — “Turn Your Career Journey Into a Powerful Book” (April 22, 2025)
• ► Interchain Live — “Tech to Support, Not Replace People” (April 22, 2025)
• ► Las Vegas IT Management — “Authenticity vs. Automation: Ghostwriting in an AI World” (April 8, 2025)
• ► MaxAMAZING Your Retirement — “Heart and Soul on Paper: The Power of Personal Narratives” (April 1, 2025)
• ► Consulting Spotlight — “Unlocking the Secrets of Ghostwriting” (March 14, 2025)

Complete appearance list: thewritingking.com/my-events-list/

Hosted Podcast Series

Richard hosts three podcast series totaling 98 episodes:

• ► Leaders and Their Stories — interviews with tech founders, executives, and changemakers
• ► Author Talk — interviews with published authors about their craft and creative process
• ► Conversations With Influencers — interviews with industry leaders and influencers

All Leaders and Their Stories episodes: thewritingking.com/leaders-story/

Richard’s ghostwriting practice is measured by what the books do for the clients who commission them. The outcomes below are drawn from documented client projects across executive, founder, coach, and author engagements. Full project detail appears in Chapter 16: Selected Case Studies.

Capital and Career Outcomes

• ► $30 million in venture capital raised by a European Fortune 50 executive client following the book that established his authority in the field
• ► Career pivots from corporate employment to founder positions and recognized industry authority
• ► TEDx speaking invitations secured by multiple clients following ghostwritten book publication
• ► University speaking invitations based on the published authority a client book established

Speaking and Platform Outcomes

• ► $5,000–$20,000 keynote fees achieved by clients using their books as speaking platforms, typically in the 6–18 months following publication
• ► Traditional publishing deals obtained for client executives
• ► Author platforms built for coaches and consultants, driving practice growth through book-established credibility

Range of Client Work

Richard has completed 54+ ghostwritten projects across distinct client types, each with different goals:

• ► Executives and founders — authority books supporting capital raises, career pivots, and speaking platforms
• ► Memoirists — including a 92-year-old resort developer and an internationally recognized neurosurgeon, capturing life stories within the time available
• ► Coaches and consultants — methodology books that grow a practice alongside the book launch
• ► Fiction clients — full-length novels developed from concept to publishable manuscript with the author’s voice preserved

Client Verification

Documented client outcomes are consistent with independent industry research. The 2024 Business Book ROI Study found ghostwritten business books generated a median of $92,500 in revenue and 4x the profit of books written without professional support, with a 96% client satisfaction rate. Richard’s results, including the $30 million in client venture capital raised, align with those findings. Full study detail appears in Chapter 15.

Richard’s publishing record spans authored and ghostwritten work across more than a decade of continuous output. The figures below document the catalog, its international reach, and representative commercial performance.

Publishing Volume

• ► 113+ books authored under Richard’s own name across business, technology, memoir, and fiction since 2013
• ► 54+ books ghostwritten for clients including Fortune 50 executives, founders, coaches, memoirists, and authors
• ► 167+ books total across authored and ghostwritten work
• ► Continuous publishing since 2013 with new titles released annually

International Translations

Richard’s books have been professionally translated into six languages by international publishers. Total: 46 translations.

• ► Spanish — 18 titles, including Focus on LinkedIn, Real World Survival, and How to Sell on eBay
• ► Italian — 12 titles, including Focus on LinkedIn and Safe Computing is Like Safe Sex
• ► Portuguese — 9 titles, including How to Manage a Consulting Project and Focus on LinkedIn
• ► French — 3 titles
• ► German — 2 titles
• ► Dutch — 2 titles, including How To Take Control of Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

Notable Commercial Performance: Focus on LinkedIn

Focus on LinkedIn achieved the following commercial results:

• ► 15,000 copies sold in 3 days
• ► Reached #43 in all Kindle sales rankings
• ► Sustained sales across Kindle, paperback, and audiobook formats
• ► Translated into Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese

How to Sell on eBay — Practitioner Validation

Richard’s How to Sell on eBay was written from his documented personal eBay selling experience — including $35,000 in personal eBay sales — rather than from theoretical research. A representative customer review:

“I was doing eBay the hard way and it is so much easier to sell on eBay than the way I had been doing. There are a lot of great tools in this book.” — Amazon verified purchase review

CERT-LA Certification

Richard holds multiple Community Emergency Response Team (CERT-LA) certifications through FEMA’s all-risk, all-hazard training program. Training areas include:

• ► Search and rescue operations
• ► Medical triage procedures
• ► Emergency communications systems
• ► Disaster response coordination

Direct Disaster Experience

Richard’s emergency preparedness writing draws on direct personal experience surviving major disasters across multiple geographic regions.

Earthquakes:

• ► Three earthquakes of 7.1+ magnitude in California, with direct experience of structural damage and infrastructure failure

Hurricanes:

• ► Four hurricanes survived including Category 4 Hurricane Milton, which made a direct hit on his Florida location in 2024

Wildfires:

• ► Vehicle surrounded by flames during a major wildfire, requiring immediate evacuation decisions

Reader Response to Emergency Preparedness Writing

A representative Amazon review of Richard’s California earthquake preparation book:

“Living in California earthquakes are common and we are due for a large one, so this book was exactly what I needed to start putting together a plan that will work for us. There were many great tips about how to pack a survival bag that I had not considered and the author’s first person experience makes me feel more confidant with his suggestions.” — Marjhani BellaMorte, Amazon verified purchase review

Portfolio Overview

Richard has captured over 980,000 photographs across eight years documenting the bellydance, Renaissance faire, and fine art photography communities he has been part of since 2005. Full portfolio: renaissancefaire.net.

Notable Photography Work

• ► Court photographer for Southern California’s bellydance community — documented performances, competitions, and community events across the scene for eight years
• ► 300+ Renaissance faires photographed across the country, known within the community as “the Renfaireguy”
• ► Official photographer for Renaissance Pleasure Faire across multiple contracts
• ► San Diego Comic-Con event photography
• ► First Annual World Mermaid Beauty Pageant documentation
• ► Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball photographer
• ► Rose Parade coverage including early-morning shoots in challenging weather
• ► Hollywood masquerade balls and specialty event photography
• ► Professional portraits including supermodels and WWE wrestlers
• ► Mermaid conventions and specialty performances across the West Coast

Reader Recognition

Photography credit verified through reader recognition of the community Richard worked within:

“I personally know the photographer and recognize dancers in the books.” — Amazon customer review

Memoir of the Photography Years

Richard’s serialized memoir Adventures of a Belly Dance Photographer documents the eight years he spent inside these communities, including the events, the people, and what photography taught him about looking carefully at the world.

LinkedIn Branding Credentials

• ► Senior LinkedIn Branding Expert at LinkedIn Makeover — two years of executive profile optimization work
• ► Certified through Donna Serdula’s LinkedIn branding program
• ► 100+ executive profiles optimized at LinkedIn Makeover, now Vision Media (2015–2018), including ambassadors and C-suite leaders
• ► Author of Focus on LinkedIn, a bestselling LinkedIn branding guide (full sales data in the Publishing Record section above)

Reader Response to LinkedIn Writing

Representative Amazon reviews of Richard’s LinkedIn books:

“Wow, this book was like meeting with a consultant on how to create your LinkedIn profile… this is an excellent book that is a lot less expensive than meeting with a consultant!” — Susan Neal, Amazon 5-star verified purchase review

“The author has an in-depth understanding of the ins and outs of LinkedIn and provides easy-to-follow explanations… Without reservation, 5 stars.” — Wayne Davies, Amazon 5-star verified purchase review

“Richard Lowe did a superb job detailing and explaining the steps I needed to build and promote my personal brand using this program.” — Beverly Ann McCall, Amazon 4-star verified purchase review

Professional Memberships

• ► Association of Ghostwriters
• ► Gotham Ghostwriters
• ► Nonfiction Authors Association
• ► AuthorsUnite
• ► Author for Randy Peyser
• ► Eliances

KnowBe4 Technical Editor Credit

Richard is credited as Technical Editor in KnowBe4’s published book Cyberheist: The Biggest Financial Threat Facing American Businesses Since the Meltdown of 2008. The book was originally written by KnowBe4 founder Stu Sjouwerman in 2010. Richard was contracted to update the book for the 2016 and 2020 editions to reflect current cybersecurity standards and threat landscape changes.

• ► Publisher — KnowBe4, publicly traded cybersecurity awareness training company
• ► Original author — Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 founder and CEO
• ► Richard’s contribution — Technical editing and updates for 2016 and 2020 editions
• ► Distribution — Available as free download from the KnowBe4 website
• ► Credit documentation — contributor page screenshot

Steve Levinson Endorsement

Steve Levinson, VP Risk, Security & Privacy at Online Business Systems, endorsed Richard’s book Family Cybersecurity. Levinson audited Richard’s systems and PCI compliance at Trader Joe’s for over a decade, giving him direct working knowledge of Richard’s security expertise.

Levinson’s professional credentials:

• ► CISSP, QSA, CISA certified
• ► Former PCI Practice Director at AT&T Consulting and VeriSign
• ► Over a decade of professional relationship with Richard through PCI compliance audits at Trader Joe’s

“Richard was always extremely conscious of the need for security. I recommend that all home computer users read this book.” — Steve Levinson, VP Risk, Security & Privacy, Online Business Systems

Reader Response to Safe Computing is Like Safe Sex

“Online security was like a foreign language to me before ordering this book! I feel more confident now that I am able to protect my interests on the Internet.” — Nicole Richards, Amazon 5-star verified purchase review

“This book is written for the average Windows computer user who wants to protect their computer. It begins with a Foreword featuring testimonials from a number of people who have worked with the author, detailing his 35 years of expertise in the field of computer safety.” — Lynda Dickson, Books Direct, 5-star review

“Well written but little too simple for me, likely should not have bought it since I’m a network admin.” — Anonymous Network Administrator, Amazon verified purchase review (Canada)

Richard has over a decade of WordPress development experience drawing on his enterprise database management background. He built and maintains thewritingking.com, masterofworlds.com, and several client sites including drvingdreams.riccentre.ca.

Documented Performance Work

• ► Database optimization — reduced WordPress options table from 1.4MB to 250KB and full database from 1.5GB to 219MB through autoload cleanup, orphaned data removal, and transient optimization
• ► Core Web Vitals optimization — LCP, FID, and CLS improvements for Google ranking signals
• ► Caching architecture — page caching, browser caching, and database query caching implementations
• ► Schema markup implementation — structured data deployment for SEO and AI search visibility

Technical Capabilities

• ► Custom development — functions.php customization, child theme development, custom post types, and third-party API integration
• ► Performance debugging — plugin conflict resolution, theme conflict diagnosis, PHP error log analysis, and server-level debugging including .htaccess and memory configuration
• ► MySQL query optimization — database performance tuning and slow query identification
• ► Image optimization — WebP conversion, compression workflows, and lazy loading implementation
• ► Security hardening — file permissions, login protection, vulnerability patching, and malware prevention
• ► Backup and recovery — automated backup systems and disaster recovery protocols
• ► Technical SEO — schema markup, XML sitemaps, robots.txt configuration, and analytics integration via Google Analytics and Search Console

Testimonials below are pulled from the full testimonials archive, which contains 43 reviews with a 5.0/5 average rating. Each testimonial is independently attributed to a named professional in their named role.

Martin Ricketts — Founder & Chief Technology Architect, Digital Samurai

“I’ve known Richard for a few months now. In fact, he’s one of the best writers I’ve ever met because he’s got so much experience. And more specifically, he’s got experience in technical writing, which is unusual. Most people have generic experience, but finding someone who can write and is technical is unusual. And Richard fills that bill. He’s done books in all different types of genres, and he understands the structure and format you need for a book. You can’t just do a book in a box type of approach and expect it to really last. If you want a lasting thing that you can use, then Richard is really the guy you want because he takes care in every word that he writes. He knows how to pull that information out of you to get the best out of you to make your book shine. So not just a book, it’s a legacy. I would recommend Richard to anyone who’s looking to build a legacy.”

Joseph Rockey Jr. — Small Business Consultant, Elite Business Conversations

“I’ve been on two of Richard’s podcasts now and have seen him in action across multiple marketing and business settings. Absolutely amazing guy—he knows all the ins and outs of how to write a book, but more importantly, how to use a book. After working with him, I do know without a doubt that I would never write my own book again. If I were to do it, there’s only one person I’d go to: Richard Lowe.”

Mike O’Neil — CEO and Founder, Integrated Alliances

“Richard doesn’t just take words and put them on a page. He has a rare talent for pulling stories out of people—shaping them in a way that feels utterly authentic, as if they wrote every word themselves. There’s no artificiality, no disconnect. What he creates isn’t just ghostwriting; it’s a seamless extension of their own voice, their own truth. You may never know the incredible rock stars, movie legends, and high-profile figures he’s worked with because their stories are meant to be theirs alone. But trust me, they know.”

Sascha Gorokhoff — Mindset Shift and Leadership Expert, Gemma & Sascha

“What Richard does goes far beyond writing. He brings an outsider’s perspective, infused with emotional intelligence, to craft a compelling, engaging story that truly comes alive. His writing communicates emotions, depth, and meaning, making your book not just readable but unforgettable. Whether you’re using your book to establish authority, land speaking engagements, or attract more clients, Richard ensures it resonates with your audience on a profound level. He takes the entire process off your hands and does it for you, all while maintaining your authentic voice.”

Ben “The Automator” Christensen — CTO, Phoenix Cyber

“I’ve been working with Richard Lowe. Just one session with him was incredible—breathtaking, even. If you’ve ever tried writing a book, you know that writer’s block is inevitable. For me, it hit hard at the four-month mark. I reached out to Richard and asked, what do I do next? His response was simple but powerful—he gave me the exact guidance I needed, and just like that, everything clicked. If you’re even considering writing a book, I highly recommend reaching out to Richard.”

Robert Plank — Founder, DFY Podcasts

“Richard Lowe 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. 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. What truly sets Richard apart is his generosity in sharing knowledge. He doesn’t just write—he empowers.”

Complete testimonial archive: thewritingking.com/testimonials/ (43 reviews, 5.0/5 average rating).

Richard operates under a publicly published Code of Ethics for Ghostwriters. The Code defines what Richard will and will not do during client projects, how confidentiality is handled, who owns the work product, when and how AI is disclosed, and what happens if either party breaches professional standards. Publishing the Code publicly is itself a professional standard — clients can read exactly what they are agreeing to before any contract is signed.

Selected provisions from the published Code:

Honesty and Transparency

“My services will be promoted honestly. I will not misrepresent my abilities, knowledge and understandings.”

“I will accurately inform clients about any gaps in my knowledge, skills, abilities or knowledge.”

“I will not guarantee results that are beyond my control.”

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

“All information provided by clients will be kept confidential and only divulged if required by law enforcement personnel.”

“Copyright of all works produced for clients remains with the client.”

“I will not violate the trust of any client regardless of the status of any project.”

Project Boundaries

The Code specifically prohibits working with clients involved in illegal activities, human trafficking, drug abuse promotion, violence promotion, or human rights violations.

“I will not tolerate being verbally abused by clients. Projects will be terminated immediately without refund if client does not immediately cease abuse or disparagement.”

AI Disclosure

“I will disclose any use of AI in creating the work. Except for the Budget Book package, which is created by AI and heavily edited, AI will only be used as a digital assistant for various tasks.”

Financial and Regulatory Compliance

“I will charge fair rates for my services.”

“I will disclose any commissions or referral fees to my clients.”

“I will adhere to FTC regulations regarding giving reviews and testimonials to clients or about client products and services.”

Full Code of Ethics: thewritingking.com/ghostwriter-code-of-conduct/

The Asimov Model

Richard’s approach to writing across multiple genres draws inspiration from Isaac Asimov, who built one of the most varied bodies of work in publishing history. Asimov wrote science fiction, mysteries, history, popular science, biblical commentary, humor, limericks, and Shakespearean criticism — over 500 books across more than a dozen distinct fields — and held that a writer’s mind should be allowed to roam across subject matter rather than being confined to a single specialty.

Richard’s own catalog reflects that same orientation toward range, on a smaller scale:

• ► Fiction — science fiction (including the 19-book Peacekeeper series in development), Victorian historical fiction, young adult, and thriller work
• ► Business and professional — management consulting, LinkedIn branding, eBay selling, self-publishing, and the ghostwriting industry itself
• ► Technical — cybersecurity (including the KnowBe4 Cyberheist credit), emergency preparedness, and survival strategy
• ► Memoir — first-person accounts including Buttercup and the serialized Adventures of a Belly Dance Photographer
• ► Creative and visual — photography books, illustrated work, and projects combining text with image

Engineering Discipline Applied to Writing

The 33-year enterprise IT background contributes specific working habits to Richard’s writing practice:

• ► Structured problem-solving — book projects approached as system designs with clear requirements, dependencies, and milestones
• ► Quality control — comprehensive revision workflows and version control across drafts
• ► Deadline discipline — the same project management practices that shipped enterprise IT projects apply to book delivery
• ► Debugging instinct — finding the real story underneath the surface story a client thinks they want to tell, similar to finding the root cause of a system failure underneath the obvious symptoms

Photography Discipline Applied to Interviews

Eight years of documenting communities through photography contributes observational habits that transfer directly to client interview work:

• ► Recognizing meaningful moments — the same instinct for when a moment matters that applies to a shutter release applies to recognizing what a client actually means as opposed to what they say first
• ► Pacing and timing — knowing when to wait for the right moment in an interview rather than pushing prematurely
• ► Composition awareness — visualizing the structure of a chapter or scene before drafting, the way a photographer visualizes the frame before shooting

AI-Enhanced Writing Series

The AI-Enhanced Writing Series is a forty-plus handbook library teaching fiction craft through psychology rather than formula. Topics covered across the series include character development, plot structure, dialogue, pacing, world-building, and genre-specific technique — each grounded in why readers respond the way they do rather than what beats to hit. Each handbook ships with AI prompts built specifically for fiction writers, not generic AI-for-writers material.

The series teaches the psychology underneath story craft so writers can adapt when their work does not fit the standard formula. Written for working writers who want to understand the principles, not just follow a checklist. Drawn from Richard’s experience as the author of 113+ books and a ghostwriter for Fortune 50 executives.

The Ghostwriting Advantage

The Ghostwriting Advantage is Richard’s published guide to the professional ghostwriting industry, written for executives and authors who are considering hiring a ghostwriter. The book covers how the industry works, what to expect from a project, how to vet a ghostwriter, what contracts should include, and how to evaluate outcomes. It draws on Richard’s 54+ ghostwritten client projects and is the resource he wishes had existed when he started in the field.

Academic Speaking — Purdue University

Richard was invited multiple times to speak to Professor Richard Makadok’s classes at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management during the years Makadok used Richard’s consulting book in his coursework. Student feedback consistently rated those sessions as a semester highlight. Full detail in Chapter 2: Academic Recognition.

Published Mission Statement

Richard’s approach to the practice is set out in detail on the Why I Give a Damn page, which documents the specific people and experiences that shape why this work matters to him and how that affects how he runs projects. The page covers the people whose stories he watched get told, the people whose stories did not, and what those losses taught him about the work.

Professional Positioning

From the Why I Give a Damn page:

“Most ghostwriters come from journalism or English literature backgrounds. They’re excellent writers, but they speak fluent liberal arts. I speak fluent nerd.”

Richard’s 33 years in enterprise IT — including 20 years at Trader Joe’s running national retail technology operations — shape how he approaches client interviews and book structure. The combination of technical and writing backgrounds is uncommon among ghostwriters and is the practice’s primary differentiator.

Industry Research Supporting the Practice

The 2024 Business Book ROI Study, conducted by Amplify Publishing Group, Gotham Ghostwriters, Smith Publicity, and Thought Leadership Leverage, surveyed 301 published business authors and produced the following findings:

• ► Median ghostwritten book generated 4x more profit than books without professional ghostwriting support
• ► Ghostwritten books achieved median revenue of $92,500
• ► 96% client satisfaction rate with professional ghostwriting services — the highest satisfaction rate of any professional service in the study
• ► Average $1.24 return on every dollar invested in professional ghostwriting

Richard’s documented client outcomes are consistent with these findings, including the $30 million in venture capital raised by clients across documented projects.

Personal Values in Practice

Several of Richard’s professional practices reflect specific personal values:

• ► Veteran hiring preference — at Trader Joe’s, Richard preferred to hire veterans for IT positions based on the reliability and discipline they brought to technical operations under pressure. Documented in Chapter 1.
• ► Published Code of Ethics — Richard’s professional ethics are documented publicly so prospective clients can read them before signing. Detailed in Chapter 12.
• ► Charitable support for the bellydance community — during Richard’s eight years photographing the Southern California bellydance scene, he frequently sponsored events by covering venue costs and providing food for performers, enabling all event proceeds to be donated to local battered women’s shelters.

The case studies below illustrate the range of client outcomes Richard’s practice has produced across executive, memoir, and authority-book projects. The complete case study library is at thewritingking.com/ghostwriting-case-studies/.

Fortune 50 Executive — $30 Million in Venture Capital

Client: European Fortune 50 senior manager seeking to break out of stalled corporate career trajectory
Project: 12-month collaboration on a book about digital transformation
Outcomes:

• ► $30 million in venture capital raised for new venture launched after the book established his authority in the field
• ► Career pivot from senior corporate manager to founder
• ► Paid keynote bookings at premium rates, 4+ per year
• ► University speaking invitations based on the published authority the book established

Full case study with project details.

92-Year-Old Resort Developer — Memoir Completed in Time

Client: 92-year-old resort developer who built luxury hotels on what became an iconic resort destination
Project: Full-length memoir adapted from the client’s hand-typed manuscript
Outcomes:

• ► Memoir completed within the window of time the client had available
• ► Limited hardcover editions printed and distributed
• ► Sold through the hotels the client built across the resort destination
• ► Preserved as family record and as historical record of the resort destination’s founding

Full case study.

World-Famous Neurosurgeon — Memoir Across Decades of Life-and-Death Practice

Client: Internationally recognized neurosurgeon
Project: Memoir spanning memory, trauma, healing, and meaning across decades of high-stakes medical practice
Outcomes:

• ► Memoir completed capturing decades of clinical and personal experience
• ► Recognition expanded beyond medical-world readership into broader thought leadership
• ► Speaking and writing opportunities opened across both medical and general audiences

Full case study.

Coaching Client — Author Platform from Book Launch

Client: Professional coach building author platform alongside coaching practice
Project: Authority book on coaching methodology with marketing and platform-building support
Outcomes:

• ► Book launched with coordinated marketing and platform support
• ► Coaching practice growth driven by author-platform credibility
• ► Podcast appearances and industry recognition following publication

Full case study.

Fiction Client — Lifelong Dream Realized

Client: Author with a long-held vision for a novel and limited writing time
Project: Full-length novel developed from concept through completed manuscript
Outcomes:

• ► Novel completed from initial concept to publishable manuscript
• ► Author voice preserved throughout the collaborative process
• ► Lifelong creative goal achieved after years of carrying the story without finding time to write it

Full case study.

Speaking Fee Progression Across Multiple Clients

Clients who used their ghostwritten books as platforms for paid speaking work reported keynote fees of $5,000 to $20,000 per engagement following publication. Timing for maximum speaking fee impact is typically 6 to 18 months post-publication, as the book builds authority and audiences encounter the work through publisher distribution and podcast appearances.

Selected verified Amazon reviews across additional titles in my catalog. Reviews for Focus on LinkedIn, Safe Computing is Like Safe Sex, and Real World Survival appear in their respective topic chapters earlier on this page.

The Ghostwriting Advantage

“If you have ever thought to yourself, ‘I should write a book, but I just do not have the time,’ this book is for you. The Ghostwriting Advantage takes something that can feel confusing and makes it easy to understand. I really appreciated how clear and down to earth this book is. It avoids jargon and gets right to the point. The step by step process gave me confidence.” — Jim Carling, Amazon 5-star verified purchase review

“I didn’t pick this up expecting much. Figured it’d be another ‘write a book and change your life’ pitch. But it was better than that. Way more grounded, way more real. The section on tradeoffs was one of the most useful parts. You can move fast. You can keep it cheap. You can get something top-tier. But you don’t get all three. That kind of honesty is rare in books like this.” — Ben, Amazon 5-star verified purchase review

How to Manage a Consulting Project

“Great textbook for any college course that includes a field-study project for a client. Last year, this book helped my students to avoid many subtle pitfalls in their client relationships for a field-study project in my course, so I have assigned it again this year. Also, the author generously made time to give my class a Q&A session via Skype.” — Professor Richard Makadok, Amazon 5-star verified purchase review (also documented in Chapter 2)

“This is a fabulous book for anyone setting about managing a project, whether large or small, business or personal. The author clearly has tons of valuable experience in this area and has ‘been there, done that’. Thus, one is not reading a bunch of theory that is not backed up with real, live, hands-on and sleeves rolled-up production.” — Author from South Africa, Amazon 5-star review

Make a Living as a Professional Self-Published Author

“One thing that I love about this book is that the author is encouraging, but at the same time gives a realistic idea of what it really takes to succeed as an author. Another thing that I love about this book is that the author has published more than 50 books, and knows what he’s talking about.” — Rebecca L., Amazon 5-star verified purchase review

“I enjoy Richard’s no nonsense honest approach to the business of self publishing. You can tell right away that he speaks from experience in what he shares, and does not skim over the fact that it takes real work to make a living as a self publisher.” — Book Lover, Amazon 5-star verified purchase review

Richard maintains an active fiction practice alongside the ghostwriting business. His novels and series cross genre boundaries — science fiction, literary fiction, thrillers, historical, horror, memoir, children’s, and short story collections. The full catalog with descriptions of each book is at masterofworlds.com/all-fiction-books/.

Peacekeeper Series

Richard’s flagship series is Peacekeeper, a planned 19-book space opera (3 prequels and 16 main books). The first volume, Peacekeeper: To What End Peace, is published. The series follows Admiral Jessica Lang from imperial loyalty through awakening to cosmic consciousness, exploring identity, control, and what happens to a civilization built on manufactured devotion.

Published Standalone Novels

Selected from the published fiction catalog:

• ► Unlikely Hero — thriller; career criminal and highway patrolman collide on a desert highway, 62 minutes to prevent a nuclear device from detonating
• ► Collision With Andromeda — science fiction; seventeen-million-year story about a conscious galaxy and what it costs to mean well
• ► Grim — literary horror; cosmic functionary watches forty thousand years of human death and learns the system is not what he was told
• ► Shield of Ashes — thriller; seven days of nuclear war, from first missile to a billion stateless people
• ► Family on Ice — literary survival novel; one family walking through the Toba supervolcano winter 74,000 years ago, written in the style of Cormac McCarthy
• ► Buttercup — memoir told from a cat’s perspective; the story of Richard’s marriage to Claudia and the years that ended it
• ► A Treachery of Legions — historical fiction; Rome 69 AD, narrated by the man who made an emperor and could not hold his soldiers afterward
• ► Forty Worlds — short story collection; forty stories across forty genres, from a detective Golden Retriever to a chicken that outsmarts God
• ► Killer Cuts And Dead Letters — dark comedy crime fiction; a salon owner and a mail carrier whose professional skills turn out to be exactly what’s required for everything that follows
• ► Jake and the Bullies — children’s science fiction; a middle schooler inside the internet fighting the algorithms that make cyberbullying spread

Other published novels include Altverse, Cloudborn, Death, Murder, and Zombies, Dungeon, Gettin’ Laid, Ghost Healer, The Blonde With a Violin Tattoo, The Itty Bitty Titty Committee, The Wild Tiger and the Answer Bot, and Through the Looking Glass. Full catalog at masterofworlds.com/all-fiction-books/.

Victorian Era Series

The Victorian Era Series reimagines classic adventure novels from inside the architecture. The series includes a Captain Nemo trilogy plus standalone reimaginings of other Victorian classics:

• ► 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Captain Nemo trilogy, Book One) — Verne’s 1870 classic retold from inside the Nautilus
• ► The Mysterious Island (Captain Nemo trilogy, Book Two) — Verne’s novel retold with Neb, the Black character present on every page and absent from every sentence that mattered, restored as protagonist
• ► Eurydice (Captain Nemo trilogy, Book Three) — Tom Ayrton, the marooned mutineer Verne introduced briefly in The Mysterious Island, given the interior life Verne never wrote. Told as a confession in sessions with journalist Gideon Spilett: the specific crimes Verne left vague, the wife (Eurydice) whose four-year decline from progressive neurological disease is the novel’s center, and what twelve years of island isolation actually did to a man
• ► The Time Machine — Wells’ classic retold as the story of a Victorian scientist who builds the machine because his wife is dying of smallpox and cannot bring himself to return

Forthcoming

The Eternal War — military science fiction told from Lucifer’s perspective as commanding general of an unwinnable campaign between Heaven and Hell. Coming 2026.

Reader Response — Unlikely Hero

“Richard Lowe has crafted an exciting and quick-moving tale about what has to be the worst day in a patrolman’s life — or anyone else’s for that matter. I admire Lowe’s simply-crafted words. He doesn’t bother us with long descriptions or great detail about motivations. He just gets on with telling the story, a style which matches the urgency of his narrative perfectly. I asked for something different and Richard G. Lowe delivered.” — rjpaus, Amazon 5-star review

“Read from beginning to end in one sitting! Fantastic book! This book starts out with action the minute you pick it up and start reading! Well written Richard! Looking forward to reading others you’ve written!” — cin, Amazon 5-star review

Collaborative Fiction

Richard co-wrote a science fiction novel with a platinum-selling rock star, working on the second book in an established series. The project was paused when the artist shifted creative focus. The collaboration demonstrates Richard’s range across multiple genres beyond his business and memoir client work.

Beyond the podcast guest appearances documented in Chapter 3, Richard has spoken at academic, community, and professional development venues. This chapter documents those engagements.

Academic Speaking — Purdue University

Richard was a guest speaker at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management for four years, addressing entrepreneurship classes taught by Professor Richard Makadok during the period Makadok was assigning Richard’s consulting book as required course reading. Student feedback consistently rated those sessions as a semester highlight. Full Makadok-relationship detail in Chapter 2.

Library Presentations

East Lake Community Library Authors Showcase (Palm Harbor, FL, September 20, 2016)

• ► Featured author presentation on Safe Computing is Like Safe Sex
• ► Monthly Authors Showcase organized by Deanna J. Bennett, author of the Anna immigration trilogy
• ► Cybersecurity presentation to community audience

“Richard is an esteemed computer professional who spent 20 years ensuring computer security and disaster preparedness for commercial systems. If you’ve got a computer, you need to hear what he has to say.” — East Lake Community Library Authors Showcase program announcement

Lifelong Learning Program Presentations

Quak Center Lifelong Learning Program (2016)

• ► Home Computer Security (July 11, 2016) — educational presentation on cybersecurity best practices for home computer users, applying enterprise security experience to consumer protection
• ► How I Overcame Grief When My Wife Passed Away (July 17, 2016) — personal presentation on grief recovery and emotional healing following Claudia’s death

RealTalkers Toastmasters Club

Richard was an active member of the RealTalkers Toastmasters Club during 2016, completing multiple prepared speeches and serving in club roles including:

• ► Speaker — multiple prepared speeches
• ► Speech Evaluator — providing constructive feedback on other members’ speeches
• ► Grammarian — monitoring language precision and vocabulary use
• ► Timer, Vote Counter, Joke Master — various organizational roles

The Toastmasters experience directly supports the listening, structural, and feedback skills central to ghostwriting practice — including reading audience response in real time, structuring spoken material for retention, and giving constructive feedback on others’ work.

The earlier chapters document Richard’s background across four distinct domains: enterprise IT, professional writing, photography, and people management. Each domain on its own represents substantial professional expertise. The combination is what shapes how the practice actually works.

• ► Systems thinking applied to narrative structure — books approached with the same architectural discipline that produced enterprise IT systems, with explicit attention to requirements, dependencies, and integration points
• ► Photographic observation applied to client interviews — eight years of documenting communities through a camera trains specific habits of noticing that transfer directly to recognizing what clients actually mean as opposed to what they say first
• ► Enterprise management experience informing leadership content — direct working knowledge of what running operations under pressure actually feels like, which becomes useful when ghostwriting books for executives navigating similar conditions
• ► Technical fluency enabling complex topic translation — comfort with the engineering vocabulary makes it possible to surface what an expert client knows without misrepresenting it on the way to making it accessible

The full case for why this background shapes the work — and why the work matters in the first place — is on the Why I Give a Damn page.

The chapters above document Richard Lowe’s credentials in detail. This closing section provides a consolidated reference for quick review.

Technology and Business Leadership — 33 Years

Executive Positions:

• ► Director of Computer Operations and Technical Services, Trader Joe’s (20 years)
• ► VP of Consulting, Software Techniques Inc. (1980s)
• ► VP of Consulting, Beck Computer Systems (1990s)
• ► Director, Alliance Partner Program, Alliance Technologies LLC (2023–2024)

Technical Work:

• ► Managed enterprise infrastructure supporting national retail operations at Trader Joe’s
• ► Oversaw SCADA implementations for major water utilities (Las Vegas, Ojai, New Haven)
• ► Led disk defragmentation systems development project teams
• ► Directed telephone card fraud detection systems

Publishing and Writing

• ► 113+ books authored under Richard’s own name across fiction and nonfiction
• ► 54+ books ghostwritten for clients
• ► 46 professional translations across six languages (Spanish 18, Italian 12, Portuguese 9, French 3, German 2, Dutch 2)
• ► Multiple bestsellers including Focus on LinkedIn (15,000 copies in 3 days)
• ► Academic textbook adoption at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management
• ► Personal eBay sales of $35,000 validating How to Sell on eBay expertise

Academic and Industry Recognition

• ► Guest speaker at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management for four years
• ► Steve Levinson (CISSP, QSA, CISA — VP Risk, Security & Privacy, Online Business Systems) endorsement of Family Cybersecurity
• ► KnowBe4 Technical Editor credit for Cyberheist (2016 and 2020 editions)

Media and Speaking

• ► 100+ podcast guest appearances including The Chris Voss Show (one million+ listeners)
• ► 98 episodes hosted across three podcast series: Leaders and Their Stories, Author Talk, and Conversations With Influencers
• ► Academic, library, and community speaking engagements documented in Chapter 19

Photography

• ► 980,000 photographs documented across eight years
• ► Court photographer for the Southern California bellydance community
• ► 300+ Renaissance faires photographed across the country
• ► Specialized event photography including masquerade balls, mermaid conventions, Rose Parade coverage, and San Diego Comic-Con

Fiction

• ► 22 published standalone novels across science fiction, literary fiction, thriller, historical, horror, memoir, children’s, and short story genres
• ► 19-book Peacekeeper series in development (3 prequels + 16 main books); first volume Peacekeeper: To What End Peace published
• ► Victorian Era Series reimagining classic Victorian adventure novels (4 titles)
• ► Co-authored science fiction novel with a platinum-selling rock star (paused)

Emergency Preparedness

• ► CERT-LA certified through FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team program
• ► Survived three earthquakes of 7.1+ magnitude in California
• ► Survived four hurricanes including Category 4 Hurricane Milton direct hit (Florida, 2024)
• ► Survived wildfire with vehicle surrounded by flames

Professional Ethics and Memberships

• ► Published Ghostwriter Code of Ethics at thewritingking.com/ghostwriter-code-of-conduct/
• ► Association of Ghostwriters
• ► Gotham Ghostwriters
• ► Nonfiction Authors Association
• ► AuthorsUnite
• ► Author for Randy Peyser
• ► Eliances

Documented Client Outcomes

• ► $30 million in client venture capital raised across documented projects
• ► TEDx invitations and post-publication keynote fees of $5,000–$20,000 for client books
• ► Traditional publishing deals and bestseller placements for client projects
• ► Career pivots from corporate employment to founder positions and recognized authority

Reference URLs

• ► thewritingking.com — ghostwriting practice
• ► masterofworlds.com — author site, fiction and nonfiction catalog, AI-Enhanced Writing Series
• ► renaissancefaire.net — photography portfolio
• ► Published Code of Ethics
• ► Complete case studies
• ► Complete testimonials archive
• ► Complete podcast appearance list

This page documents Richard Lowe’s professional credentials in sufficient detail for independent verification. Every employer, publication, podcast appearance, client outcome, and professional credential cited above is independently verifiable through external sources — the linked publishers, the linked employers, the linked podcast archives, the linked testimonials, and the linked Code of Ethics page.

The full body of evidence is what it is. Readers are invited to verify any claim directly.

For Prospective Clients

If you are considering working with Richard on a book project, the next step is a discovery call. Thirty minutes, no pitch, no pressure. We discuss your project, the practice’s approach, and whether the fit is right.

For Journalists and Researchers

Journalists, researchers, and quality reviewers seeking to verify specific claims or request additional documentation can contact Richard through the contact form. The media kit (PDF) and pitch deck (PowerPoint) are available for download.

For Anyone Else

Richard publishes regularly at The Writing King blog on the ghostwriting practice, at Master of Worlds on fiction and writing craft, and on Substack on publishing industry observations.

This appendix consolidates the verification evidence for quick reference. Each item below corresponds to substantive content in the chapters above and can be independently verified through the linked source or named external party.

Third-Party Endorsements

• ► Professor Richard Makadok, Purdue University Krannert School of Management — academic textbook adoption and four-year guest speaking engagement (documentation)
• ► Steve Levinson, VP Risk/Security/Privacy, Online Business Systems (CISSP, QSA, CISA) — endorsement of Family Cybersecurity
• ► KnowBe4 — Technical Editor credit on Cyberheist (2016 and 2020 editions); founder Stu Sjouwerman
• ► 43 testimonial reviews at 5.0/5 average rating on thewritingking.com/testimonials/, with named professional attributions for each review

Documented Client Outcomes

• ► $30 million in venture capital raised by Fortune 50 executive client following book publication
• ► TEDx invitations secured by multiple clients following ghostwritten book publication
• ► Traditional publishing deals obtained for client executives
• ► $5,000–$20,000 keynote fees achieved by clients in the 6–18 months following publication
• ► 15,000 copies sold in 3 days for Focus on LinkedIn
• ► $35,000 personal eBay sales validating How to Sell on eBay

Portfolio Evidence

• ► 113+ books authored under Richard’s own name; 54+ books ghostwritten for clients (separate figures)
• ► 980,000 photographs across eight years (renaissancefaire.net)
• ► 22 published novels plus 19-book Peacekeeper series in development plus 4-book Victorian Era Series (masterofworlds.com/all-fiction-books/)
• ► Case studies at thewritingking.com/ghostwriting-case-studies/
• ► Published Code of Ethics at thewritingking.com/ghostwriter-code-of-conduct/
• ► 100+ podcast appearances documented at thewritingking.com/my-events-list/

Professional Memberships

• ► Association of Ghostwriters
• ► Gotham Ghostwriters
• ► Nonfiction Authors Association
• ► AuthorsUnite
• ► Author for Randy Peyser
• ► Eliances

International Translations

46 professional translations across 6 languages:

• ► Spanish: 18 titles
• ► Italian: 12 titles
• ► Portuguese: 9 titles
• ► French: 3 titles
• ► German: 2 titles
• ► Dutch: 2 titles

LinkedIn Professional Profile

• ► 16,500+ followers on Richard’s LinkedIn profile
• ► 5.0/5 rating across 10 reviews on the LinkedIn service page
• ► 100+ executive LinkedIn profiles optimized at LinkedIn Makeover, now Vision Media (2015–2018), including ambassadors and C-suite leaders
• ► Certified through Donna Serdula’s LinkedIn Makeover program

Emergency Preparedness

• ► CERT-LA certified through FEMA Community Emergency Response Team program
• ► 3 earthquakes survived (7.1+ magnitude, California)
• ► 4 hurricanes survived, including Category 4 Hurricane Milton direct hit (Florida, 2024)
• ► Wildfire survived with vehicle surrounded by flames

Career Timeline

• ► 1977–1978: Night Manager, The Liquor Cabinet
• ► 1979–1980: Computer Lab Technician, San Bernardino Valley College
• ► 1980–1986: VP of Consulting, Software Techniques Inc.
• ► 1986–1988: Project Manager SCADA, BIF Accutel (water utility implementations)
• ► 1986–1994: VP of Consulting, Beck Computer Systems (fraud detection systems)
• ► 1994–2013: Director of Computer Operations and Technical Services, Trader Joe’s (20 years)
• ► 2013–present: Professional ghostwriting practice and published author
• ► 2023–2024: Director, Alliance Partner Program, Alliance Technologies LLC