Ghostwriting & Editing

Do you have a great story?

Have you been told you should write a book?

Do you want to position yourself as an expert in your field?

Send me a brief description of your project, and I’ll let you know if I can help (and point you in the right direction if I can’t)

What's your Story?

3 WAYS TO WRITE YOUR BOOK

Ghostwriting - $$$

Tell me your story. I’ll put it on the page and capture your voice.

TELL YOUR STORY

Developmental editing - $$

You write the book, I edit it. Get fresh eyes on your work and feedback to make it better.

CRAFT YOUR BOOK

Book Coaching - $

We develop an outline and project roadmap. I support you through the writing process.

You got this!

THE GHOSTWRITING PROCESS

Step 1: Outline, Roadmap,
and Positioning

Before we start writing, we develop a roadmap for the project and an outline for the book.
We’ll also talk about audience, positioning, and your goals as an author.

You can use this information to start looking for publishers.

If you’re going the traditional publishing route, I’ll help you create a book proposal.

Step 2: Interviews and First Draft

This is the fun part! Once we have our chapter outline, it’s time to sit down and record the interviews that will become the content of your book.

Then, I brew some coffee and start crafting your first draft!

Using our interviews, I develop a writing style that captures your authentic voice.

When the first 25 pages are ready, I’ll send them to you to make sure we’re on the same page (pun intended). You can use these pages as part of your book proposal.

After a few dozen more coffees, your first draft is ready.

Step 3: Drafts 2 & 3

Hemingway said, “The first draft of anything is sh*t.” Believe it or not, that’s the whole point of a first draft, to just get everything on the page and forget about perfection.

In drafts 2 & 3, we use the raw material from draft 1 to craft your book with the magic of editing.

Then it’s time to prepare for publication!

WHY WORK WITH ME?

Clients have told me I excel at the aspects of writing and editing that can't be taught.
I catch details others miss, and I have an ear for capturing original voices. Having worked with survivors and veterans, I have experience supporting authors with difficult and painful stories to tell.

"I connected with Charlie to get 'rudder steers' (as we say in the Marine Corps) on a draft of my own book.
He has a keen perspective on writing and can identify themes in a work even the author may have overlooked.

He will help you in the organization and structure of your work according to the themes you've worked together to identify.

Finally, he'll be there with you 'in-the-trenches' to assist with the difficult, but necessary work of editing and revising; ensuring you're saying exactly what you want to say, in the best way you can say it.”
— Chris Pavlak,
Author of From Lawyer to Warrior
"Charles has been amazing to work with. He did everything we asked and when the project went beyond our original scope, he came through with no complaints. I fully endorse him and recommend him for writing, editing, ghostwriting, and content marketing. He will be a huge asset to you!"

— Daniel J. Murphy,
Director of Marketing at Privy
“Charlie’s insight into what works and what doesn't is something that can't be taught. He has a natural instinct for spotting elements in a piece of writing that just aren't hitting the mark. More importantly, he knows exactly how to fix them…

His suggestions are always insightful, enhancing the overall quality of the work while respecting the writer's original voice and intent. As a long-form writer, ghostwriter, and mentor, he puts his heart and soul into everything he does.”

— Colin Maguire
Director of Content Strategy at Right Percent

PORTFOLIO

Ghostwriting & Nonfiction

MAKE PEACE OR DIE, A Life of Service, Leadership, and Nightmares
by Charles U. Daly (My father’s memoir, featured on Jocko Podcast).
“Texas Tower #4 vs. the North Atlantic” with Joshua Maloney
PRIVY: The Ecommerce Marketing Handbook
RESILIENT NUTRITION: How to Cope with Extended Periods of Sleep Deprivation (Written for special forces operators and first responders)
KŌKATAT: “The Serenity of an Abandoned Trip”
Developmental Editing

CIVIL: Life After the Foreign Legion by Joel Adam Stuthers
FINEX by Joel Adam Struthers

From Lawyer to Warrior: Failing the Bar, Becoming a Marine, and Finding Meaning By Chris Pavlak
Working anonymously and unattributed, I have helped authors edit their manuscripts into published nonfiction titles, including a couple of bestsellers.
Skills, Certificates, and "Nautical Nonsense"

VEXPOWER: “Make me 205 ads,” performance marketing with AI

HUBSPOT: Inbound marketing, content marketing, HubSpot marketing software
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO: BA in English literature
THE NEW SCHOOL: Screenwriting (certificate)
MISC: Sea survival/ RIB capsize, maritime first aid, L2 powerboat, qualified Lifeboat crew, VHF radio license, “stop the bleed” advanced first aid