Meet Poppie Johnson. New Zealand’s premier ghostwriter. Turn the stories of your life into a legacy. Write a book.

Ghostwriting is a craft. And I’m your artist.

I have no interest in fame. I don’t want my name on the cover. I don’t want anyone to know I exist. I just want to tell great stories.

Like yours.

I write memoirs and micro-tales for people with something to say. I get your story out of your head and on to the page. In your words, in your way.

Memoir ghostwriting

Full-length book. 60-80,000 words.

If you’ve lived, you’ve got a story. And at the end of the day, everything else dissipates. Money gets inherited, houses get sold, and people grow older. Words on a page are the strongest legacy you can leave future generations. They’re a way of capturing not just your story, but your origins, where you came from and what influences have led you along the way. There is a tremendous power in the art of storytelling—not just in capturing the past, but in showing what has been learned so that others may benefit.

Micro tales

Shorter book. Promotional. 25,000-35,000 words.

Coaches, consultants, and business owners, this one’s for you. Tell your origin story. Share your secret sauce and promote your business at the same time. Nope, you’re probably not going to make money from book sales, sorry. But you will grow your following and profile immensely. You will have a book to sell or hand out at speaking engagements. You will share your journey and people will be intrigued and engaged by your authenticity and nouse. And they’ll hire you. And tell their friends. And buy your book for Great Aunt Mabel for Christmas because it’s so damn entertaining.

Etc.

Who’s the ghost?

I’m a writer. I’ve been a teacher, chef, ski patroller, waitress, painter, and labourer. I love the outdoors, running, climbing, mountaineering, and hiking. I’m a bit weird. I say what I think and I’m an introvert at heart who can be the life of the party if the stars align. I started writing stories because I had my own story to tell, and that was tremendously powerful. I write because I love stories, and think that we can all learn from someone’s experiences. But, perhaps most importantly, I also know just how therapeutic the process of writing can be.

The process.

Step one: interview.

If I’m going to write as you, then I need to talk to you and get an idea of your values, your interests, and the essence of not just what you have done, but how you have done it and why you want to tell the story.

This process is pretty intense. It’s also a lot of fun. We will laugh, quite possibly cry, and delve into the past, present, and future along the way.

I will also talk to friends and family members to get some surrounding information. We’ll be great mates by the end of it, and I’ll be able to write in your voice.

Timeframe: two to three months.

Step two: draft.

By this point, you’re probably beginning to feel as though writing a book is lots of talking. I’ll transcribe everything that we have covered and sift through to create an accurate outline.

Once we’re agreed, I’m off and writing. I’ll send through the first chapter or two to make sure we’re on the right track and the voice sounds like you. Then it’s over to me to get my head down and create a manuscript. This stage is one of the longest, and I generally have a milestone at the halfway point to check in on how we’re going.

Timeframe: two to three months.

Step three: publish.

We’ve made it through half of the book so the second half tends to follow on a little quicker, it’s like the final kilometers of a marathon. Then we’re into edits, revision, and a full second draft.

Once we’re happy with the final product, I send the manuscript off to a copyeditor who will proof read, make sure it all flows well, and pick up any errors that we have collectively missed.

After the manuscript is returned, you have a book of publishable quality. I do the writing, not the publishing, but have industry contacts who can guide you through that process either with or without an agent depending on your goals.

That’s it. You’re an author.

Timeframe: three to four months.

Writing a book is one of the most daunting, yet satisfying things a person can undertake. It’s a commitment. It’s confronting. It’s courageous. And I’ll be with you every step of the way. There’s an art to telling a story, even more so when I’m telling it in your voice. I don’t say yes to every client. You need to like me, and I need to like you. A good relationship is the foundation of a successful book. But when we’ve got that, well, look out. The story will be a cracker.