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David C.

David C.

Manuscript Ghostwriter | Non-Fiction & Fiction Book Editor

★★★ Returning to Upwork with Immediate Autumn 2026 Availability for 1 New Full-Length Manuscript or Comprehensive Edit ★★★ With over 35 years of professional experience as an independent, award-winning ghostwriter and developmental editor, I specialize in transforming complex concepts into highly successful, universally appealing manuscripts. Having successfully completed over 50 projects on Upwork with a flawless 100% Job Success Score, I deliver elite-level execution for serious authors. Whether you need an 80,000-word book written from scratch or a high-level developmental polish, I adapt seamlessly to your vision. My Core Specialties Include: Fiction: Novels, Historical Fiction, Romance, and Americana. Non-Fiction & Memoirs: Biographies, cultural conflicts, and high-stakes "whistleblower" books. Editorial Services: Premium copyediting, structural proofreading, and developmental advisory. I handle your story with absolute confidentiality, elite professionalism, and the deep narrative structure required to engage modern readers. “It was a pleasure working with David. I highly recommend David for your project needs.” — Kyle Let’s bring your manuscript to life. I take hourly or fixed-price contracts. Click "Invite to Job" to discuss your project timeline and milestones. A truly captivating book requires more than good grammar—it requires a deep, psychological understanding of human nature. Holding a B.A. from New York University (University Honors Scholar) and a Master’s Degree from Penn State, my academic background spans human development, Freudian psychology, and persuasive writing. Furthermore, my 20-year career as a family therapist gives me a unique, empathetic ability to unpack family dynamics, capture the collective meaning behind ordinary lives, and transform a life well-lived into an epic hero’s journey. As a professional ghostwriter, my portfolio includes multiple Amazon and Barnes & Noble best-sellers, featuring: Memoirs & Biographies: Over 14 completed (including a recent months-long Amazon best-seller about escaping communist terrorism). Fiction & Novels: 8 Romance, 5 Historical Dramas, and 8 Crime/Legal Thrillers (including top-tier dystopian fantasy and epic family dramas). How We Will Work Together: For complex manuscripts and memoirs, we begin with structured phone consultations to establish voice, themes, and clarity. From there, I seamlessly synthesize your rough drafts, audio files, interview transcripts, and notes into a highly professional, commercially viable book. Let’s turn your vision into a best-seller. Click "Invite to Job" to schedule our initial consultation. ★★★ Open for Developmental Editing, Line Editing, & Structural Proofreading ★★★ If you have a rough manuscript, a tangled subplot, or a brilliant concept that is stuck at a crossroads, you do not just need a proofreader—you need an expert structural strategist. Beyond my work as an author, I am an experienced Project Manager, Editor, and Writing Coach. I have spearheaded and supervised elite editorial teams to bring complex manuscripts across the finish line spanning genres from fiction and social sciences to church history, art, and cultural affairs. My Editorial Focus Areas: Developmental Editing: Fixing pacing, untangling subplots, and deepening character arcs.Line Editing & Tone: Transforming flat scenes into magnetic, emotionally resonant prose. Structural Proofreading: Eradicating continuity errors and polishing grammar while preserving your unique voice. Whether you are a new writer needing a seasoned coach to guide your structure, or an established author needing a firm, professional eye to polish an 80,000-word draft, I provide the efficient, high-level resources your project deserves. “David is definitely someone you want to have writing [or editing] your book! Many thanks to him for helping to make my novel so wonderfully complex.” — Nelson Let’s polish your manuscript until it is market-ready. Click "Invite to Job" to share your draft details.

🇺🇸Palisades, United States$54/hr100% JSS4.99 (48)Since Dec 2015

Earnings and projects

MRR
$124

Last 6 months ÷ 6

World#129,270 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#17,722 / 62.1k
Revenue, last 30 days
$630

Last 6 months: $742

World#56,768 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#7,726 / 62.1k
Total earnings
$70k

Billed in all: $70k

World#56,878 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#10,817 / 62.1k
Per project
$1.3k

$742 in the last 6 months

World#105,361 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#17,925 / 62.1k
Projects, last 6 months
1
0% fixed100% hourly
World#128,092 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#16,472 / 62.1k
Projects in all
54

Across 57 contracts

72% fixed28% hourly
World#56,667 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#8,640 / 62.1k

Earnings, last 30 days

$70k+$630 earned in the last 30 daysBilled in all, before Upwork's fee · drag across the chart to see what was earned in any stretch
$69.0k$69.5k$70.0k$70.5kOct 8Oct 23Nov 7

Skill rankings: Top 21% in Article Writing

Ranked by MRR among everyone on Upwork with the skill.

  1. #27Family84 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #9Top 32%
  2. #46Biography Writing220 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #23Top 21%
  3. #63Personal Development255 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #16Top 25%
  4. #64Memoir Writing152 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #34Top 42%
  5. #74Science Fiction227 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #35Top 33%
  6. #98Romance Writing257 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #40Top 38%
  7. #106Novel Writing302 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #33Top 35%
  8. #198Nonfiction711 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #99Top 28%