Stephen Hawley Martin is a former principal of The Martin Agency, the ad firm that created the GEICO Gecko and "Virginia Is for Lovers." He has ghostwritten dozens of books, has written several dozen under his own name, and has won half a dozen national awards for his work. As an independent ghostwriter, he'll write your book for a lot less than you'd pay another experienced ghostwriter that you'd work with through a big national firm. Not only that, if you want him to, he'll also publish and promote your book.

I'm Stephen Hawley Martin, a former Principal & the Director of Client Plans & Strategy Development for The Martin Agency. I'm the author of half a dozen business management books and I've helped a dozen or so other business leaders write and publish books that showcase their expertise and bring them business as well as the recognition they deserve.
I Help Founders, Consultants, and Business Leaders Turn Their Expertise into Authority-Building Business Books
Turn your expertise into an authority-building book—without writing it yourself
You know you should have a book. Not as a vanity project—but as a serious business asset—something that builds authority, attracts clients, brings you speaking engagements, and positions you as the go-to expert in your space.
The problem? You don’t have the time—or the desire—to spend the next two years wrestling with a manuscript. That’s where I come in. Meet with me once a week for an hour via Zoom, and you'll have a published book in just a few months.
What I Do
I help founders, consultants, executives, and experts publish clear, compelling business books that:
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Establish authority in their market
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Support premium offers, speaking, or visibility
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Sound exactly like them—just sharper
I don’t just “write books.” I help you clarify your ideas, structure them for impact, and turn them into a book that works for your business.
Why Work With Me
Most ghostwriters are good writers, but very few understand business books from the inside out. I’ve:
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Written and published six business books under my own name
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Ghostwritten multiple business books for clients
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Lived through the hard parts: positioning, structure, clarity, and market fit
That means I don’t just help you finish a book—I help you avoid the common mistakes that make business books forgettable, confusing, or ineffective. You get:
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Strategic guidance, not just prose
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A book shaped around your goals, not generic advice
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A professional process that respects your time
Who This Is For:
This service is a good fit if you are:
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A founder, consultant, or executive with real expertise
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Clear that the book supports a larger business or authority goal
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Willing to collaborate through interviews and feedback
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Looking for a high-quality result, not the cheapest option
This is not a fit if:
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You just want to “tell your story” with no business purpose
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You want to outsource everything with zero involvement
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You’re shopping primarily on price
The Process:
1. Positioning & Concept Development
We define what the book is for: audience, promise, angle, and how it fits into your business.
2. Detailed Outline
A chapter-by-chapter structure designed for clarity, flow, and reader impact.
3. Interviews (You Talk, I Do the Heavy Lifting)
Recorded conversations where I extract your ideas, frameworks, stories, and voice.
4. Writing & Assembly
I draft the full manuscript—typically 40,000–60,000 words—written in your voice.
5. Revision & Refinement
One full revision pass to sharpen ideas, tighten language, and ensure alignment.
6. Publishing Guidance
High-level guidance for next steps (I can publish your book or help you self-publishing it).
What You Get
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A complete, polished business book manuscript
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Clear positioning and structure
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A professional, efficient experience
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A book you’re proud to put your name on
Investment
Business Book Ghostwriting projects start at $15,000.
Final pricing depends on scope, length, and complexity.
Most projects run 3–4 months from kickoff to final manuscript.
How to Get Started
The first step is a short conversation to see if we’re a fit. We’ll talk about:
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Your business goals for the book
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Your audience and positioning
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Timeline and scope
If it makes sense to move forward, I’ll outline the process and next steps.


