The Life of a Ghostwriter with Matthew Harms

You can tell when a book is written by a real person, because it sounds like a real person. After four months of calls, drafts, and *“ghost doctoring,”* my ghostwriter Matt Harms**, founder of Pen For Hire,**  finally joins me in the studio to talk about what it actually takes to turn messy notes and life stories into a finished manuscript, and why the **best ghostwriting never feels like someone else taking over your voice.** We dig into the nuts and bolts of ghostwriting: how Matt keeps projects moving when clients are busy, how he pulls the right stories out of you with the kind of questions that feel suspiciously therapeutic, and what **“good collaboration” looks like when you’re building trust fast.** We also talk about the reality that most books do not earn back their cost in direct sales, and why that is not the point. **A great nonfiction book can still be your most powerful credibility tool, your clearest philosophy statement, and a way to help one reader at the exact right moment.** AI shows up in a big way too. Matt shares a genuinely exciting use case: AI-assisted illustration for children’s books that can turn families into consistent characters and speed up production. Then we flip to the downside, **why AI writing often reads polished but empty, and why “garbage in, garbage out” still rules.** If you’re thinking about writing a book and wondering whether to hire a ghostwriter, choose a publisher package, or try author coaching, this conversation will help you pick the path that matches your budget, timeline, and goals. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share this with someone sitting on a book idea, and leave a review if it helps. What would you want your book to do for the people who read it? ***Proud to say my book is set to be out by the end of 2026, The title is: The Human Advantage - Genuine Curiosity, Deep Connection and Being Fully Authentic in an AI World.  BIG thanks to Matthew Harms from Pen For Hire!!***  \--- Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show, where we dive into the world of real people, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman! 🎙️ Join us for candid conversations, laughter, and a fresh take on the real world. Get ready to explore the ups and downs of life with a side of humor. From property to personality, we've got it all covered. Tune in, laugh along, and let's get real! 🏡🌟 #TheBradWeismanShow #RealPeopleRealLife  **Credits *-* The music for my podcast was written and performed by Jeff Miller.**