Member Spotlight: Emily Liao
How did you land your first book ghostwriting project?
In 2021, I plunged into a quarter-life crisis. I handed in my resignation from my job at an AI start-up, packed my life into a suitcase, and boarded a flight to Lisbon. I had no plan other than to see more of the world and figure out how I wanted to exist. In the meantime, I took on a patchwork of writing assignments, from thought leadership articles to travel destination copy. Back then, writing was simply a stopgap to buy myself some thinking time.
One day, I received an enquiry from a client looking for a ghostwriter for a legacy memoir. The problem was that they wanted to see samples of my work, and I didn’t think my dry business copy and my dissertation evaluating the theory of international law through the lens of Albert Camus’ œuvre would cut it. The only creative work I could offer lay buried in a USB drive: an embarrassing selection of angsty short stories from my teenage years. With nothing to lose, I sent over a piece. Somehow, it was enough, and I got the gig.
My client turned out to be one of the most remarkable individuals I’d ever met. I spent hours interviewing him and capturing his life story on paper. It was the most rewarding job I’d ever done, and the family was so pleased with the work that they unexpectedly gave me a bonus. This encouragement offered me the confidence to start asking the right questions. Was this something people did full-time? Was there a demand for the service? Could this actually be a career?
Short answer: yes. So off I went, into the weird and wonderful world of ghostwriting.
What is your favorite type of project or client?
My ideal client is a natural mentor, because most great books offer mentorship in some form or another. This is best achieved when the author cares more about providing meaningful wisdom and benefit to the reader than satisfying their own ego. They are committed to the process and understand that the project requires deep collaboration, creative input, and iterative refinement.
Currently, I am particularly enamoured with the business memoir: story-led, with lessons woven throughout the narrative. However, I’ve worked with people from all walks of life, from CEOs to political refugees, and each project has been immensely rewarding. I welcome the opportunity to work with anyone who has a compelling story, a solid ‘why’ for writing their book, and something valuable to add to the existing literature.
What’s your favorite question to ask clients during an interview?
“Why?” Or: “What did that mean to you?” My favourite questions aren’t the conversation starters but the follow-ups. My job is to dig deep, unearth the rawness of experience that makes writing so human, and reach the “I’ve never told this to anyone before” point. This requires knowing when to push further in uncomfortable spots and when to stay silent and listen; when to gently steer the client back on track and when to let them wander down a tangent, because that’s where the most valuable pieces of the puzzle are hiding.
My brain is never so switched on as when I’m in interview mode. I approach conversations with clients from a place of deep curiosity, not just as a writer but as a reader. I’m always thinking: what else would the audience want to know? How can I make this more vivid? What’s missing? It’s a process of actively listening while drawing connections between topics and themes so that I can ask the right questions.
Often, I write books in completely unfamiliar fields, which is ideal since my clients typically aren’t writing for other experts but for laypeople. If I don’t understand something, the intended audience probably won’t either, so I’m never shy about asking for clarification.
What are the best parts of this career?
Oh, there are so many perks.
Lately, I’ve been viewing my career through the lens of big-picture and small-picture fulfilment. Big-picture, I believe I am adding genuine value to the world by helping my clients share stories that resonate with readers who have experienced similar situations. I like to think of these as small antidotes to loneliness. Small-picture, I love the day-to-day work: talking to people, brainstorming, and working hard to bring ideas to life.
From a lifestyle perspective, my job offers a level of autonomy unimaginable in many other fields. I appreciate the freedom to choose my own projects, while enjoying the flexibility to travel and work remotely. This allows me to build the career and life I want, and it’s incredible motivation to keep learning, challenging myself, and growing as a person.
The cherry on top, though, is the people I get to meet along the way. I spend much of my time with incredible clients at the top of their game, while witnessing the personal satisfaction that the process provides (which can be even more rewarding than seeing their book published). Simultaneously, I’m building a network of ghostwriters and industry professionals who provide a daily source of inspiration and a strong sense of community.
What’s one thing clients might be surprised to know about you?
I’m quite reserved when it comes to sharing my private life, so there are probably a few surprises. One might be that I recently qualified as a yoga teacher, a step I took to deepen my understanding of a practice I engage in every single day. I find that yoga has great synergy with writing; both incorporate a sense of flow and encourage clarity and connection through movement.
People may also be surprised to learn that much of my best thinking happens on the mat; it’s often where complex ideas and frameworks reach their clearest distillation. I believe every ghostwriter needs an activity distinct from writing, whatever it may be, that helps them snap out of tunnel vision and see the bigger picture.
How can people reach you?
They can reach me via email at emily@memoirist.co.uk or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilytheghost/
