Friday, October 28, 2011

Author Interview: The Friendly Ghostwriter Laura Sherman




Boo! It's Halloween, what better time to introduce you to Ghostwriter Laura Sherman!  I recently had the opportunity to talk with Laura about ghostwriting, chess and her upcoming projects.  So sit back, grab some candy corn and meet Laura the Friendly Ghostwriter:  

What's it like to be a ghostwriter?

As a ghostwriter I get to step into the shoes of my client. It is an amazing
experience!  Ghostwriters get to learn a lot about many areas. I write fiction and
nonfiction. Both require research and interviewing. Sometimes I
land a job where I am already an expert in the field, but more typically I'm
learning from scratch.

What is the best part about ghostwriting?

I like helping my clients make their dream a reality. So many people really
want to have their books in print, but don't know how to write (or don't
have the time to write). I help them realize their goal. That is a powerful
motivator.

Since most clients don't know what to do with a finished manuscript, I often
help them find a publishing option and then work with them to market their
books.

You have two books coming out shortly, Chess is Child's Play and Joshua's
Missing Peace. Let's talk chess first.

Chess Is Child'sPlay is a book that I wrote with Bill Kilpatrick. It is
based on my experience teaching young children to play chess. When I had my
own children I realized that I could teach them early. Very early!

I taught my son to play chess at age four and I went on to teach his
classmates. I then founded Your Chess Coach and began teaching 30-50
children of all ages a semester to play.

Bill and I then took these techniques and put them down in a very easy to
understand way, so that any parent, of any skill level could teach their
young child. Even parents who have never seen a chess set can learn to play
and teach their children through Chess Is Child's Play.

My hope is to get many families teaching their children, before they start
school, giving them the amazing life benefits you get from learning chess.
It is also my dream to see every school teach chess at least once a week, as
part of the math program.

If schools did this we'd see a rise in the IQ of our next generation. You'd
also see increased self-confidence, patience, focus and a host of other
Laura Sherman
benefits. 

You must be quite a chess player!

I studied chess for many years, playing in tournaments around the country. My highest national rating gave me the honor of being the top 35th woman player in the US.


Joshua's Missing Peace is a book you are co-authoring. Can you tell me about
that?

Joshua's Missing Peace is a true story that I ghostwrote with Lori Suthar.
Her six-year-old son had been misdiagnosed and put on heavy psychiatric
drugs. These drugs made everything worse.

Lori, being the dedicated mother she is, searched for answers. She finally
discovered that her son had an extreme version of strep throat called Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Once she got the proper treatment (which started with antibiotics), she noticed an immediate change.

Joshua is doing well now and is eager to tell his story so that other
children don't have to suffer what he went through.

When Lori approached me to write her story I was thrilled. This book will
save lives. Most people know someone who probably suffers from PANDAS and it has a cure.

What turns Laura on?

What turns me on his helping people. I love to help others! I am often asked
how to break into ghostwriting, so I recently expanded my business to offer
coaching. I not only coach on writing, but on the business end.

I want to encourage writers to write!

For more information about Laura, her services, her upcoming books and PANDAS, click on the links throughout the text. 

www.LauraSherman.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chessischildsplay
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurasherman

26 comments:

Julia Rachel Barrett said...

What an excellent profession! How fun!

Kelly Stone Gamble said...

I agree, Julia. I think it would be fun to learn about new things and help people write their stories.

Erica Lucke Dean said...

I love that you saved this for Halloween weekend. Somehow being a "ghost" writer seems way more fun in October!

Laura Sherman said...

It is such an honor that you choose to interview me.

Does anyone has any questions for me? I'd be happy to answer them.

Julia, I love what I do!

Erica, it's funny that you say that! Recently I met someone and told them that I was a ghostwriter. He gave me a very puzzled look and then said, "What made you decide to focus on writing stories about ghosts?"

YMSchwartz said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I find what you do, and have done, fascinating.
Looking forward to more blogging!
Ciao for now,
YMSchwartz

anne magi said...

Wow. "Joshua's Missing Peace" sounds like a heartwrenching story. As a mother of two, I know how difficult it can be when ANY problem comes up with your child. But to have a child mis-diagnosed and put on heavy drugs--I can't even imagine what she must have gone through. I can't wait to read the book. Where can I find it?

Tony C. from HH said...

Nice! I never knew you were in the top 35 at chess. That's something to be proud of, on top of helping others!

Laura Sherman said...

Dear Anne,

Thank you so much for your interest! I'm a mother of three. It is heartwrenching!

What happened to this family happens to others, so I was driven to see her story told, offering hope and solutions.

The book will be available soon! Check back through my site: www.LauraSherman.com/books. I'll be accepting pre-orders soon!

Thank you!

Laura Sherman said...

Hi, Tony!

That is very kind of you to say. Thank you!

I can't wait for Chess Is Child's Play to come out. So many people think you have to be a genius to play chess, but the secret is that anyone can play. :-)

Laura Sherman said...

YM, I am quite fortunate that I love what I do. Thank you for taking the time to write in!

Suzanne Shumaker said...

I'm so impressed that you taught preschoolers to play chess. I have always been intimidated by that game and had no idea little kids could learn! Great interview Kelly and Laura.

Jean said...

What a great interview! I'm looking forward to hearing more from Laura Sherman - in addition to being a mentor, colleague and friend!

Laura Sherman said...

Suzanne, Thank you! Chess Is Child's Play takes all the intimidation out of the learning process. We make it easy and fun!

Some children can learn as early as two, but almost always by four any child can play a full game. If you want to see something fun, check out this little video of my 5 year old teaching my 2 year old to play. This was three years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIaW0jCNKMc

Thanks for writing in!

Laura Sherman said...

Jean, You are very kind! I can't wait to see your book in print. I'll be first in line for an autograph!

Michael Gonzalez said...

Wow! Great interview! Congrats on being one of the top 35th women players in chess! I love your answer on what is the best part of ghostwriting! You are awesome indeed! Keep it up!

Laura Sherman said...

Thank you, Michael!

PJ Zafra said...

Ghostwriting sounds like a fun job thanks to you Laura! You really are a great help to people who need one! When you started ghostwriting, did you have any inspiration whom you look up too?

Mandy Wildman said...

What a great interview - looking forward to reading your upcoming books!

Laura Sherman said...

Dear PJ,

It is wonderfully rewarding to help others achieve their goals! Plus I get paid to write, which is amazing. I am quite fortunate.

I look up to many people. My inspiration has always been artists who are able to make a living through their art. I believe that artists contribute a lot to our society!

Dear Mandy,

Thank you for your kind words!

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