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Bernadette Murphy Simply More — New York Times Bestseller

Let's Get to Work.

New York Times Bestselling Collaborator • Ghostwriter

Do you have a story you're struggling to turn into a page-turner? Maybe even a New York Times bestseller? Let Bernadette Murphy help you realize your narrative dreams.

How It Works:
Bernadette has passion and a proven record for nurturing other people's stories and shaping them, from the most bare-bones concept to the polished, printed page. As a graduate-level creative writing professor, a bestselling author and book critic, she brings experience and stewardship to turn your idea into a can't-put-it-down narrative that grabs prospective agents, editors, and readers from page one. Working with her generally falls into one of three categories.

Developmental Editing/Book Doctoring: She helps you see clearly your book's potential and achieve it. You do the majority of the writing with Bernadette guiding you every step of the way.

Book Proposal Writing: She takes your idea and turns it into a matchless and captivating proposal to gain the attention of agents and top-notch editors.

Book Collaboration/Ghostwriting: She interviews you and those whose stories are part of your narrative, and then crafts a fully constructed, ready-for-copyedit manuscript for publication.

Work with Me Read Testimonials

The Word on the Street

The Word on the Street

Cynthia Erivo — Simply More

Bernadette Murphy painstakingly helped me craft messages and get to the heart of what I wanted to share.

Cynthia Erivo

Minka Kelly — Tell Me Everything

Heart-stopping debut with gratitude and humility, immensely moving.

Publisher's Weekly

Bernadette spent countless hours with me, holding my hand through the entire process of writing my memoir.

Minka Kelly

Named one of "the best celebrity memoir of the year."

Harper's Bazaar

Hell in Boots

Very well written and uplifting story of overcoming difficult obstacles.

Sports Illustrated

On Hell in Boots

Beneath the Tamarind Tree

Bernadette Murphy, you were my editorial rock throughout this journey, asking questions and challenging me to write with more honesty and heart. Every author would be lucky to have you pushing them on.

Best Nonfiction 2019

Kirkus Review

Brad Ryan book cover

Her collaborative approach and expertise made all the difference. She kept me on track without compromising my voice.

Brad Ryan

Daniela Gerson book cover

With wisdom and rapid edits, she brought this book forth from the rabbit holes of my mind.

Daniela Gerson

Glen Van Peski book cover

Without her professionalism, creativity, persistence, and agility, this book never would have come to fruition.

Glen Van Peski

She has an uncanny ability to translate an author's voice to the page and make complicated subject matter accessible.

Mauro DiPreta

SVP & Executive Editor, William Morrow

Nothing is more valuable than those who do this well. Bernadette is a professional of the highest level.

Byrd Leavell

United Talent Agency (UTA), Book Department

I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust book cover

Bernadette helped enormously in weaving the threads of our stories together and made the process comprehensible.

Valerie Gilpeer & Emily Grodin

Co-authors, I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust: A Memoir of Autism and Hope

We Are Bridges book cover

I am eternally grateful for your teachings, books, and the kindness you've shown me and so many others.

Cassandra Lane

Author, We Are Bridges: A Memoir (Louise Meriwether First Book Prize Winner)

One of the most conscientious writers with whom I've worked. She always goes above and beyond.

Madeleine Morel

Literary Agent & Founder, 2M Communications Ltd

Thank you for the fantastic work. You played an essential role in the process.

Jessica Sindler

Editor, HarperCollins

Kids & Cocktails Don't Mix book cover

After reading my essay, she told me: 'This is a book.' She was with me every step as I wrote it.

Heather Haldeman

Author, Kids & Cocktails Don't Mix: A Memoir (Apprentice House Books)

What Pretty Gets You book cover

Feedback was useful and pointed. I became a better first draft writer because of her instruction.

Chandra Hoffman

Author, What Pretty Gets You

Utah!: A Novel book cover

She has a keen eye for story structure and the unique vision to bring underlying themes to the surface.

Levi Rogers

Author, Utah!: A Novel

Fireflies book cover

She gave me the courage to hold onto pieces of my story. Bernadette's supportive guidance were my first real steps as a writer.

Heather Gordon Young

Author, Fireflies: Finding Light in a Dark World

Malawi's Sisters book cover

She asked pointed questions and gently nudged me forward when I was floundering. A joy to work with!

Melanie Hatter

Author, Malawi's Sisters (Kimbilio National Fiction Prize, judged by Edwidge Danticat)

Collaborative, insightful, and looking to bring out the best in her authors. A true partner.

Michael Palgon

Literary Agent, The Palgon Company

She embodies the best combination of ease, enthusiasm, professionalism, and fun!

JL Stermer

Literary Agent, New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.

Gun, Needle, Spoon book cover

She pushed me to dig deeper and instilled a much-needed sense of myself as a writer.

Patrick O'Neil

Author, Gun, Needle, Spoon: A Memoir

The Speech Teacher's Handbook book cover

Thank you for editing the handbook and providing creative insight for the work.

Molly Dresner

Author, The Speech Teacher's Handbook

For each project, she found exactly the right voice and tone. Her love of writing shows on every page.

Bonnie Nadell

Literary Agent, Hill Nadell Literary Agency

Deeply attuned to language and revision, able to keep one eye on narrative and one on sentence-by-sentence building.

Dan Smentanka

VP & Editor In Chief, Counterpoint Press


Collaboration

Work with Me

Working with me is truly a collaborative process and the costs involved vary as we determine how best to bring your dream book to reality.


Developmental Editing / Book Doctoring

Is your manuscript compulsively engaging from page one, clearly organized in a way that lures a reader in, with no omissions or bogged-down, confusing sections? To help you achieve that goal, I will read your work and provide detailed feedback including suggestions for revisions and restructuring. As needed, I will read subsequent drafts and make comments, ensuring your narrative gets stronger with each pass.

With developmental editing and book doctoring, you do the majority of the writing while I guide you, creating a narrative structure, and showing you ways to strengthen your prose and storytelling technique. The costs will depend on your skill set as a writer and how well conceived your project is.

Cost: Contact for price quote
Edited manuscript pages

Book Proposal Writing

To submit your book to agents in order to land a book contract, you'll need a proposal. Typically, a proposal contains a comprehensive overview outlining the scope of the book, one or two of the most engaging chapters as samples of the writing, and a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of what exactly the book will cover and how.

This is a detailed 10,000–15,000-word blueprint of what you intend to deliver, including your biography, endorsements, and the ways in which your book is unique. A book proposal is what makes publishers want to sign your project. To draft your proposal, I will interview you, conduct research, and develop the needed elements, including a section on marketing and audience, as well as a query letter to agents or publishers.

Cost: $15,000–$20,000
Timeline: Approximately three months
Typewriter

Collaborative Writer / Ghostwriter

To write your book in your own words and voice, I will interview you to learn the basics of your story, target your ideal audience, then work with you to develop an outline. From that point, I will conduct research, including 20 to 40 hours of interviews, and then draft the chapters according to the agreed-upon outline.

You and I will go through a series of revisions to make sure the message, timbre, and voice is exactly what you envisioned. When this process is complete, we'll have a fully realized manuscript ready to submit to a publisher or copyeditor.

Cost: Generally starting at $100,000
Timeline: Six to nine months

Ready to Talk?

Submit below to schedule a free consultation and learn more.