Former White House speechwriter currently serving elite executive clients for Forbes Books and Gotham Ghostwriters. I specialize in ghostwriting, speechwriting, and brand storytelling for ambitious corporate executives and public figures.
Who
I am a motivated Executive Communications Specialist with 20+ years creating and delivering engaging content for diverse audiences on behalf of elite politicians, business executives, public servants, entrepreneurial creatives, and celebrity clientele. Spearheading brand communications for industry leaders, including Forbes, Disney, and Cisco Systems, I have a proven track record building and managing strategic partnerships with a wide range of individuals in business, media, and government. My clients praise me for developing and implementing effective storytelling strategies aligned with organizational values and missions. I am an out-of-the-box thinker committed to facilitating effective communications both internally and externally.
What
I specialize in elite corporate communications, including: ghostwritten trade books, executive memoirs, and keynote speeches. My process is structured and efficient with a focus on concentrating and limiting interview time with busy executives. I’ve earned distinction as one of the fastest writers at Forbes Books (while maintaining top quality), and I excel in delivering powerful, artful, and data-informed messaging for my clients.
Services
Corporate Messaging
01
Trade Books
Company Brochures
Earnings Call Scripts
Shareholder Letters
Social Media Communications
Crisis Messaging
Press Releases
Opinion Editorials
Internal and External Presentations
02
Keynote Speeches
Entertaining / Educational Keynote Speeches
Commercial Video Scripts
Awards Speeches
TED Talks
Talking Points
03
Expert Analysis
Internal Communications Review (Mission Statements, Business Planning, etc.)
Customer-Driven External Messaging Analysis
Corporate Reputation Analysis
04
Data-Informed Solutions
Focus Group Strategy and Testing
Polling Questions and Analysis
Social Media Testing and Feedback
News, Historical, and Academic Research
Fact-checking and Vetting Services
05
Branded Campaigns
Creative Rebrand and Titling Strategies
Social Media Campaigns
Publishing Contacts and Process Consulting
PR and Media Strategy
ABOUT
I was born and raised in the Austin area and moved to California upon earning a full academic scholarship to Stanford University. I completed my bachelor's degree in Public Policy in 2002 and moved directly to Washington, DC, where I worked at the White House as a researcher and speechwriter under the apprenticeship of the senior speechwriters to the President. I was recognized for my contributions to the State of the Union, among other notable speeches delivered by the President, and helped draft remarks for then-National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
In the years following, I gained extensive experience in the private sector, conducting research and crafting corporate messaging for executives in technology (Cisco Systems) and talent management (Wasserman Media Group). I was later hired as a speechwriter for Luntz Global, where I consulted for top executives at Disney, Ernst & Young, the NFL, and many others. I have written speeches independently on behalf of state and national politicians and dynamic business leaders and entertainers in a wide range of industries.
I have refined my writing and editing skill set for the past decade as an independent ghostwriter to several dozen clients in corporate, entertainment, and entrepreneurial circles. For several years, I wrote an opinion column on pop culture issues for Acculturated and the New York Post and oversaw the pop culture vertical for a lifestyle magazine, where I published several dozen articles a week and managed 20 writers on tight deadlines. In addition to ghostwriting, my unique understanding of speechwriting led me to write a book on the topic of awards speeches in Hollywood, privately circulated to Oscar nominees.
In the last five years, I have served as a ghostwriter for elite business clients on behalf of Forbes Books, Gotham Ghostwriters, and various literary agencies. I am also a self-funded entrepreneur and founder of Goggull—my original line of high-drama safety glasses (which I developed after struggling with a rare form of ocular albinism). Please stay posted for the official launch.
Highlighted accomplishments include:
📌 Selected to deliver ghostwriting support for elite clients, including: President George W. Bush, Dr. Condoleezza Rice (National Security Advisor and Secretary of State), Bob Iger (Chairman & CEO of Disney), John Morgridge (Chairman of Cisco Systems), and Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner).
📌 Demonstrated track record editing and ghostwriting a retrospective, 80K-word account of a client's $3.5B company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, writing, line editing, and fact-checking the final manuscript in less than 7 weeks.
📌 Remarkable success ghostwriting an influential book on behalf of a parenting expert, organizing, drafting, editing, and publishing 40K words (based on 20 hours of videos and less than one hour interview time) in under 2 months, earning bestseller status within 24 hours in numerous categories.
In my free time, I am a devoted fan of The Twilight Zone, and I enjoy hiking, film, philosophy, and art.
Currently advising the CEO of a $500-million retail corporation on narrative building and branding considerations for acquisition strategy, earnings calls, and investor relations.
Currently ghostwriting a book about hydrogen energy on behalf of the world's leading hydrogen engineer, capturing the client's voice and story with 100% satisfaction.
Currently offering book coaching to a Presidential appointee on her memoir concerning her heart-wrenching childhood immigrating from Cuba and outstanding public service as part of the team leading the response to 9/11.
Currently writing an historical account of Vargo’s Restaurant, a treasured establishment in Houston from 1965 to 2012, researching historical articles, books, and other records to provide context and verify facts, interviewing family members, former staff members, restaurant authorities, and friends of the restaurant for original stories.
Offering high-level ghostwriting services to various literary agencies and Gotham Ghostwriters' elite network, and engaging in ongoing education, networking, and community efforts to organize the ghostwriting industry.
Ghostwrote a 50K-word book based on co-authors’ experience developing a line of personal care products worth $100M and an emerging product line, researching the history, science, and politics of ingredients in beauty and personal care items, interviewing co-authors over 30 hours.
Ghostwrote a retrospective, 80K-word account of a client's $3.5B company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, writing, line editing, and fact-checking the final manuscript in less than 7 weeks.
Contributed 1K+ hours of interviews, book reviews, and academic research on behalf of a hospitality expert based on life experiences and success in building an events app worth $100M, collaborating closely with the author to consult on the title, subtitle, and graphics; drafted 30K+ words.
Contributed strategic brand consulting for 50K-word book ghostwritten on behalf of an award-winning realtor, edited in collaboration with cross-functional team, coordinated graphics and offline worksheets.
Contributed strategic brand consulting and drafted 30K words on behalf of financial acquisitions expert.
Ghostwrote 2 versions of a 40K-word trade book on behalf of popular social media influencer couple in 3 months with less than 22 hours of interviews.
Authored an original, 30K-word book on language lessons in Hollywood speeches (from the Oscars and Golden Globes), privately circulated among Oscar contenders.
Ghostwrote a decisive co-parenting book on behalf of a parenting expert, organizing, drafting, editing, and finalizing 40K words (based on 20 hours of videos and less one hour interview time) in under 2 months, earning bestseller status within 24 hours in numerous categories.
Wrote speeches and various communications for multiple political campaigns and candidates at the county, state, and national level, including: fundraising letters, one-pagers, mailers, talking points, push cards, stump speeches, keynote speeches, letterhead graphics, candidate bios, email newsletters, press releases, and campaign plans. Managed press engagement, opposition research, staff recruitment, and social media strategy for various candidates.
Managed brand development for internationally renowned voice coach, including website rebrand, press and client inquiries, app development, e-book, press releases, treatments and reality show pitches, and development of new revenue streams.
Wrote weekly/biweekly articles for publication for “Acculturated” and the New York Post on various topics such as cultural appropriation, transgenderism, celebrities, technology, music, television, gaming, religion, politics, and privacy; published articles in the New York Post, including an early analysis of Bill Cosby’s abuse, a discussion of celebrities invading women's personal space, years before #MeToo, in their print and online editions.
Crafted creative messaging strategies on behalf of Dr. Frank Luntz for Fortune 500 executives, brands, celebrities, political organizations, and non-profits, including: Bob Iger (CEO of Disney), James Turley (CEO of Ernst & Young), Roger Goodell (Commissioner of the National Football League), Tom Fanning (CEO of Southern Company), The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, RNC, DNC, ABC Entertainment Group, Merrill Lynch, and more; oversaw focus groups and developed comprehensive, detailed analyses of various communications strategies using data collected from participants in order to resolve clients’ messaging issues.
Researched 500+ speeches for the President and other White House principals, including commencement addresses by Dr. Condoleezza Rice and President Bush, weekly radio, political, and policy addresses, public crises, international speeches, and addresses made to Congress and the public; wrote multiple speeches for midterm fundraisers, including jokes used by President George W. Bush; recognized by POTUS for outstanding contributions to the State of the Union.
Resume Highlights
Unsolicited Feedback
“WOW. I am absolutely blown away by your craftsmanship as a writer. This is by far the most outstanding manuscript I have read since I started working here.”
— Editorial Manager
“It is evident that you have poured your heart and soul into this book, and I don't think the client could have picked a more perfect ghostwriter for such a precious and important task. I already think we have a bestseller on our hands. This story is captivating, inspiring, brilliant, and incredibly informative.”
— Editorial Manager
“All the words of yours I've read in various public ways and in this message suggest that you have a truly legitimate writing talent. A fine, fluent, inhabited narrative voice.”
— Pulitzer Prize Winner
“This is amazing. You totally got it. It’s so much fun. It’s perfect. You nailed it. It’s awesome.”
— Ghostwriting Client
“Crack researcher.”
— Presidential Speechwriter
“Absolutely brilliant book! I love your personal writing style — how you form sentences, paragraphs, concepts — where you weave back and forth between lessons. I actually taught Dale Carnegie classes about 25 years ago and I used to tell people how move between two stories; you completely mastered that! I absolutely love those short paragraphs... wow! Brought a tear to my eye. I’ve read well over 1,000 business books, and this just stands out: it’s so real, so vibrant, so important.”
— Distinguished CEO
“I’m literally speechless. Your work is truly amazing. You completely nailed it. Amazing. Totally amazing. It’s conversational. It’s the right tone. You’ve got my voice 100 percent, and it’s entertaining. You made it a very enjoyable read. Honestly, I was just about to cry. This is amazing. I could not be more pleased.”
— Ghostwriting Client
“Brilliant.”
— Winner, Forbes’ 40 Under 40
“So f*cking smart.”
— Academy Award Winner
“Before our first discussion – the ghost writer interview - I remember being concerned about whether you could maintain a quick pace because of your Goggull business (really great to see you modeling the product in our Zoom meetings; I can’t wait to see these glasses become available and take off!). What a relief and delight that you were willing and able to drive both sides of your professional world. I value this whole experience with you. Thank you!”
— Ghostwriting Client
“Erin, you are top notch. You are one of the most impressive people I have ever met from an intellectual standpoint, but I am even more amazed at your compassionate heart and the humility you walk in.”
— Editorial Manager
“Erin! My goodness, thank you. Looking over this was an a-ha moment - there’s the book! The Editorial Director and I both love how you’ve made this specific topic the central thread, and the way you've structured the various topics around it. You;re right, the titles are clicking into place now, too. I know this project has been a doozy (and we’ve only technically written one chapter!), but I want to reiterate how much we appreciate your push through to build this beautiful plan. You’ve provided such a solid foundation for us to move from.”
— Editorial Manager
“Thank you for absolutely killing it on this project. It is evident you are putting in the time and effort necessary to translate this very technical topic into an impactful story. I’m also glad the client sees that too. He couldn’t have chosen a better partner to write his book. You rock!”
— Editorial Manager
“I couldn’t have done this without the team, especially Erin. She’s really helped me hone in on so many ideas, and it’s been so great to have her as a partner.”
— Ghostwriting Client
“I’m on page 7 and honestly this is some of the best writing I’ve ever read. And I’ve honestly read a lot. You are talented. And the way you’re introducing yourself from all angles is impressive yet in a tone that makes you sound completely humble. Not sure how you pulled that off. And I’m being dead serious.”
— Ghostwriting Colleague
“So, here’s my worry. Erin, you’re going to now become this client’s number one trainer out there, taken on the road and not have time to write books. We need you to write books… I’m making a joke. You really get his philosophy, and you could be a proselytizer.”
— Publishing Executive
“I love it… I love where your mind and head is at – and heart is at, frankly.”
— Ghostwriting Client
“Amazing amazing amazing! Wow Erin, thank you so much… I’m so impressed — so so well done. Incredible is an understatement… how the heck you just pumped that out this evening is mind blowing.”
— Ghostwriting Client
“Can I just pause for a second? You're remarkable. You’re just an incredible person. This is amazing to me. You're just so talented. I'm blown away. You are so good at what you do. I'm really, really appreciative. I'm so happy to work with you. The amount of effort and research and reading and writing that you have pulled off in this period of time is just to me beyond my comprehension. It's a skill set that I absolutely do not have, and I'm just in awe of your capabilities.”
— Ghostwriting Client
“You are fast. Well done.”
— Ghostwriting Colleague