Gotham Ghostwriters
Gotham Ghostwriters is a New York-based ghostwriting agency founded in 2008 that matches C-suite executives, public figures, and Fortune 100 enterprises with a curated network of 4,000+ vetted writers for books, speeches, and thought leadership content.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Gotham Ghostwriters does
Gotham Ghostwriters is a New York-based private ghostwriting agency founded in 2008 by Dan Gerstein, a former congressional speechwriter. The company operates a curated matchmaking and project management model rather than a software platform: it maintains a vetted network of 4,000+ professional writers — including Pulitzer Prize winners, NYT bestselling authors, and speechwriters who have served the last five U.S. presidents — and connects them with clients through a structured four-step process (consultation, intake, chemistry-based matching, and execution). Its core products span bookwriting (nonfiction and fiction), editorial services, speechwriting, and thought leadership content, serving Fortune 100 enterprises (GE, IBM, Pepsi, Citi, McKinsey, PwC), C-suite executives and former CEOs, politicians, nonprofit committees, and individual creators. Project fees range from $30,000 for entry-level nonfiction to $475,000+ for ultra-elite collaborations; Gotham charges a $12,000 search-and-placement retainer plus a 15% commission on the deal paid by the writer. The company claims 1,000+ successful author-ghostwriter collaborations across 18 years, and cites a 96% client satisfaction rate with ghostwritten books generating roughly 4x the gross profit of non-ghostwritten books per its 2024 Business Book ROI Study. The company's growth vectors include Gotham Ghostmasters (a 2024-launched education program with online courses and coaching), the annual Gathering of the Ghosts conference, and the Andy Awards for Nonfiction Book Collaboration co-presented with ASJA. There is no proprietary AI/ML technology stack; AI is positioned as a research and process-assistance tool used by writers, with Gotham acting as industry researcher and standards-setter via its AI and the Writing Profession study and AI Guidelines for Ghostwriting.
Gotham Ghostwriters firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gotham Ghostwriters
- Legal name
- Gotham Ghostwriters
- Website
- https://gothamghostwriters.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Gotham Ghostwriters is a New York-based ghostwriting agency founded in 2008 that matches C-suite executives, public figures, and Fortune 100 enterprises with a curated network of 4,000+ vetted writers for books, speeches, and thought leadership content.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gotham Ghostwriters industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Ghostwriting and Writing Services
- NAICS
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115), Document Preparation Services (561410)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ghostwriting & Collaborative Writing Services (MPAJAJAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Manuscript Development Services (Coaching, Developmental Editing) (MPAJAJAF), Online & Hybrid Creative Writing Workshops (EDAMAMAL)
Keywords
Where Gotham Ghostwriters is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Gotham Ghostwriters business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ghostwriting project fees: Gotham Ghostwriters brokers ghostwriting collaborations between clients (CEOs, thought leaders, public figures) and vetted professional writers. The company charges a search and placement retainer fee of $12,000 to initiate the matching process, then commissions the writing deal at 15%, which is paid by the writer (not the client). Full book ghostwriting fees range from $30,000 to $475,000+ depending on writer caliber and project complexity. This is the primary revenue stream.
- Gotham Ghostmasters professional development: Gotham runs Gotham Ghostmasters, a professional development program for aspiring and working ghostwriters, offering online courses (Ghostmasters 101, Ghostmasters 201), coaching, and conferences. Course registration fees generate supplementary revenue.
- Gathering of the Ghosts conference: The company co-hosts an annual conference (Gathering of the Ghosts) with ticket prices up to $799 per attendee, generating event revenue and reinforcing its thought leadership position in the ghostwriting industry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Entry-Level Ghostwriting: $30,000–$60,000 for full-length nonfiction book |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Mid-Market Ghostwriting: $60,000–$150,000 for full-length nonfiction book |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Elite Ghostwriting: $180,000–$300,000+ for full-length nonfiction book |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Ultra-Elite Ghostwriting: $475,000+ for full-length nonfiction book |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Book Proposal: $15,000–$25,000 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Op-Ed / Article (1,000–2,000 words): $1,500–$7,500 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | White Paper / Long-Form Article: $3,000–$10,000 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Thought Leadership Retainer: $2,500–$20,000/month |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Conference Keynote Speech: $10,000–$55,000+ |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Short / Ceremonial Speech: $1,500–$5,000 |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Search and Placement Fee: $12,000 retainer |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Gotham Ghostwriters product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gotham Ghostwriters is a curated ghostwriting agency that brokers writing collaborations between high-profile clients and a vetted network of 4,000+ professional writers. It provides full-service bookwriting (nonfiction and fiction), editorial services, speechwriting, and thought leadership content, charging a $12,000 search-and-placement retainer and a 15% commission on the underlying writing deal. Supporting offerings include the Ghostmasters professional development program for writers and the annual Gathering of the Ghosts conference.
Product overview
Gotham Ghostwriters operates as a ghostwriting agency offering a portfolio of professional writing services centered on bookwriting (nonfiction and fiction), editorial services, speechwriting, and thought leadership content. The core offering is a matchmaking service connecting clients with over 4,000 vetted ghostwriters across diverse specialties. Supporting the core service are professional development programs (Gotham Ghostmasters with online courses and coaching), annual industry events (Gathering of the Ghosts conference), industry awards (The Andy Awards), and proprietary research studies (AI and the Writing Profession Study, Business Book ROI Study) that position the company as a thought leader in the ghostwriting industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gotham Ghostmasters: A professional development program for ghostwriters launched in 2024, offering online courses, coaching, conferences, and events.
Products and services
- Bookwriting Services End-to-end nonfiction book ghostwriting including coaching and positioning, manuscript development, book proposals, and book doctoring; serves first-time authors through Fortune 500 CEOs with projects priced $30,000-$475,000+ over 6-18 months.
- Creative Writing Services Fiction and creative writing services covering novels, children's books, screenplays, scripts, monologues, humor writing, and comedy; includes developmental editing, book doctoring, and publication guidance led by the Creative Writing Program.
- Editorial Services Editorial services for book development including conceptualization, developmental editing, book doctoring, and book coaching; covers business, memoir, literary, and commercial fiction genres.
- Speechwriting Services Professional speechwriting including speeches, message development, event scripts, keynote addresses, TED-style talks, and executive coaching and training; conference keynote speeches priced $10,000-$55,000+ and short/ceremonial speeches $1,500-$5,000.
- Thought Leadership Services Thought leadership content creation including white papers, blog posts, CEO presentations, reports, digital content, and company newsletters; available via monthly retainer ($2,500-$20,000/month) or unit-priced deliverables such as op-eds and white papers.
- Gotham Ghostmasters Professional Development Program Online professional development program for ghostwriters featuring courses (Ghostmasters 101, Ghostmasters 201), coaching, and conferences; generates supplementary revenue via course registration fees.
- Gathering of the Ghosts Conference Annual conference for professional ghostwriters featuring panels, workshops, and networking opportunities; co-hosted with the Association of Ghostwriters, with tickets priced up to $799 per attendee.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ghostwritten books generated median gross profit of $92,500 — roughly 4x the overall median of $11,350 for all books in the Business Book ROI Study.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Gotham Ghostwriters
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Gotham Ghostwriters technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Gotham Ghostwriters partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Kevin Anderson & AssociatesminorKevin Anderson & Associates sponsored the Gathering of the Ghosts 2025 conference, including breakfast and networking events. Becka Oliver, Director of Talent at Kevin Anderson & Associates, served as a panel moderator at the conference.
- Amplify Publishing GroupminorAmplify Publishing Group sponsored the Gathering of the Ghosts 2025 conference, including conference WiFi. Naren Aryal, CEO/Publisher of Amplify, participated as a panelist.
- Ideapress PublishingminorIdeapress Publishing co-sponsored lunch at the Gathering of the Ghosts 2025 conference. Founder Rohit Bhargava delivered a 60-second networking masterclass during the lunch break.
- Non-Obvious CompanyminorNon-Obvious Company co-sponsored lunch at the Gathering of the Ghosts 2025 conference with Ideapress Publishing.
- The Limitless CompanyminorThe Limitless Company co-sponsored lunch at the Gathering of the Ghosts 2025 conference.
- Krupp AgencyminorKrupp Agency co-sponsored lunch at the Gathering of the Ghosts 2025 conference.
- EndeavorinkminorEndeavorink sponsored refreshments at the Gathering of the Ghosts 2025 conference. Katya Fishman, Founder/Business Coach at Endeavorink, participated as a panelist.
- PubvendominorPubvendo sponsored refreshments at the Gathering of the Ghosts 2025 conference.
- Amplify Publishing GroupminorAmplify Publishing Group co-commissioned the 2024 Business Book ROI Study with Gotham Ghostwriters, Smith Publicity, and Thought Leadership Leverage, working with author and former Forrester SVP Josh Bernoff. Amplify also sponsors the Gathering of the Ghosts conference.
- Thought Leadership LeverageminorThought Leadership Leverage co-commissioned the 2024 Business Book ROI Study with Gotham Ghostwriters, Amplify Publishing Group, and Smith Publicity, working with author and former Forrester SVP Josh Bernoff. TLL COO Bill Sherman and Dr. AJ Marsden co-designed the survey instrument.
- Smith PublicityminorSmith Publicity co-commissioned the 2024 Business Book ROI Study alongside Gotham Ghostwriters, Amplify Publishing Group, and Thought Leadership Leverage. Smith Publicity is a book marketing and PR agency.
- American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)coreASJA co-presents the Andy Awards for Nonfiction Book Collaboration with Gotham Ghostwriters — the only awards program specifically for book collaborations. Both organizations collaborate to bring ghostwriting recognition and visibility to the industry, with both author and ghostwriter required to jointly submit for consideration.
- Association of GhostwriterscoreGotham Ghostwriters co-presents the Gathering of the Ghosts annual conference with the Association of Ghostwriters. Both organizations are dedicated to elevating the professional ghostwriting industry, providing education, networking, and recognition for ghostwriters.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Gotham Ghostwriters competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gotham Ghostwriters social profiles
Digital presenceGotham Ghostwriters financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gotham Ghostwriters leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Gotham Ghostwriters funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gotham Ghostwriters M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gotham Ghostwriters
What does Gotham Ghostwriters do?
Gotham Ghostwriters is a curated ghostwriting agency that brokers writing collaborations between high-profile clients and a vetted network of 4,000+ professional writers. It provides full-service bookwriting (nonfiction and fiction), editorial services, speechwriting, and thought leadership content, charging a $12,000 search-and-placement retainer and a 15% commission on the underlying writing deal. Supporting offerings include the Ghostmasters professional development program for writers and the annual Gathering of the Ghosts conference.
Is Gotham Ghostwriters a public or private company?
Gotham Ghostwriters is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Gotham Ghostwriters founded?
Gotham Ghostwriters was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Gotham Ghostwriters based?
Gotham Ghostwriters is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Gotham Ghostwriters make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ghostwriting project fees are the primary driver. The others are gotham Ghostmasters professional development and gathering of the Ghosts conference.
Does Gotham Ghostwriters have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gotham Ghostwriters.
What industry is Gotham Ghostwriters in?
Gotham Ghostwriters's product category is Professional Ghostwriting and Writing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAJAI, Ghostwriting & Collaborative Writing Services, with a secondary code of MPAJAJAF, Manuscript Development Services (Coaching, Developmental Editing). Its NAICS code is 7115 and its SIC code is 2741.