top of page
Copying Down

What's Your Story?

Testimonials

Alison is not only a great writer but also a very well organised, smart colleague and a source of information you can always rely on. She knows how to turn your raw communications in attractive reading material. In short, Alison is a talented, hard-working and great co-worker with a sense of humor who can be counted on.

- CAMILLE DE REDE, SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS, EU AGENCY

Alison and I partnered together this past year to write my first book, Karmic Selling: Earning Business by Earning Trust. Our book has earned #1 best seller status on Amazon in 3 categories so far and it is only available for preorder at this time... You can't go wrong with Alison as your partner.

- STAN GWIZDAK, CEO & BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Alison is marvelously adept at gently guiding her authors, asking intelligent, investigative questions while deeply listening to their answers - not just what they say, but how they say it - and then capturing that unique cadence and style on the page while weaving in her own art of clean, clear, engaging writing.

- KRISTIN HACKLER, DIRECTOR OF BOOK ARCHITECTURE, FORBES BOOKS
Testimonials
Biography

Your Storytelling Partner

Hi, I'm Alison! A communications professional with nearly 15 years of experience, I got my start in the industry working as a communications and media relations manager for the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, before starting my own company, ASK-Communications.

 

Much of my work focuses on ghostwriting book manuscripts for entrepreneurs and executives. I've worked on more than 20 manuscripts, including multiple Amazon bestsellers, and regularly collaborate with high-profile publishers like Forbes Books.

I focus largely on healthcare, having written for physicians, patient advocates, and pharma execs, among others. Beyond healthcare, my clients have ranged from defense innovation contractors to engineers and attorneys. I enjoy the challenge of taking complex topics and distilling them into engaging communications.

 

I hold a Bachelor's in English from McGill University, a Master's in Comparative Literature from the Freie Uni in Berlin, and a Professional Writing Certificate from Georgetown University. You can view my full education and professional history on my C.V.​​​​

Alison Kilian headshot_edited.jpg
I am a member of the Author's Guild and the Association of Ghostwriters—click below to view my profiles. I am also a member of the Austrian Guild for Marketing and Communications Professionals (WKO).

Recent Projects

Due to the discrete nature of ghostwriting, I cannot share the bulk of my work publicly. However, some of my author partners have generously acknowledged our collaboration, for which I am deeply grateful. Additional samples and references are available upon request. I also encourage you to visit my LinkedIn to view testimonials there. Some recent projects:

Stan Gwizdak's Karmic Selling: Earning Business by Earning Trust (Advantage Media, 2024) earned a 2024 Reader's Favorite accolade in the marketing category and was designated an Editor's Pick by Publishers Weekly's BookLife vertical. It also got bestseller status in three Amazon categories! Check it out.

From the acknowledgements of Stan's book:
"I had the best ghostwriter ever in Alison Kilian. Her partnership made this book engaging and enjoyable to read. I am forever grateful and forever your friend, Alison"

Thank you for the generous words, Stan!

Chip Higgins's The Bizzics Way: Powering Your Small Business to Maximum Momentum (Forbes Books, 2024) was selected for a featured presentation on BookBub and is a contender for the 2025 Andy Awards, which recognize exceptional collaboration between ghostwriters and authors. It currently has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Check it out.

From the acknowledgements of Chip's book:
"And finally for my writing partner, Alison Kilian, whose extraordinary gifts made the conceptual tangible and whose friendship and encouragement got me to the finish line."

Thank you for the generous words, Chip!

Recent Projects
FAQ

FAQ

If you've made it this far, you're probably thinking about writing a book—but you've got some questions. Understandable! A book is a big commitment. I've addressed some common queries below. I'm also happy to answer questions in a free introductory call. You can book 30 minutes with me using this Calendly link.

Q: Why would I write a book?

A: A book gives credibility, establishes your authority in your field, and works as a lead magnet. It can be used to generate PR, land speaking engagements, and connect with new audience. You can also adapt a book for other purposes, like speeches, blogs, and podcasts (to name just a few ideas). As an added bonus, you also get to tell people at dinner parties, "I wrote a book!"

Q: Why should I work with a ghostwriter?

A: You have an amazing book idea and valuable expertise to share. Great. But getting that idea and expertise down on the page in an engaging, cohesive way that will captivate your readership is a big task. A ghostwriter has the experience and skills to craft a compelling narrative that will connect with others in a meaningful way.

Q: Is it problematic to hire a ghostwriter?

A: Nope—this is not like cheating on an exam! Ghostwriters have a longstanding history in the publishing world. Many of us work directly with literary agents and publishers. In fact, some of your favorite books were likely ghostwritten. This blog post from the amazing Kristin Hackler, Director of Book Architecture at Advantage Media, publisher of Forbes Books, has a roundup of famously ghostwritten works, from the Nancy Drew series to celebrity memoirs.

Q: Can I read your work?

A: Due to the discrete nature of ghostwriting, I can only share my work when the author has given me explicit permission to do so. I have provided links to a few instances in which this is the case in the recent projects section of this website. You can also view testimonials from editors, authors, and publishing professionals who have worked with me on my LinkedIn profile.

Q: How does the process work?

​A: Every book is unique, so the process may differ depending on your needs. In general, it looks something like this:

(1.) Free Intro Call

We schedule a 30-minute intro call to determine your needs—book planning, book coaching, book ghostwriting, or book editing. By the end of the Intro Call, you will know what kind of service is right for you. If I am not the best fit for your project, I can help you find a pro through my network of publishing contacts. If you decide you want to work with me, the next step is the...

(2.) Strategy Session/Book Roadmap

The strategy session goes deeper into the purpose and content of your book. Who is the target audience? What are your goals? Once I understand what success looks like for your book, we develop a Book Roadmap. This is a chapter-by-chapter outline for your book, covering core topics and key messages, organized in a cohesive way according to an overarching narrative. By the end of the strategy session, you will have your Book Roadmap in hand. You can use it as a guide to write the book yourself, bring it to another ghostwriter, or—if we are a good fit and you want to keep working with me—as the basis for a partnership with me.

(3.) Writing Your Book

With the Book Roadmap as a guide, I write your manuscript, chapter by chapter. Typically, we talk through one chapter per week on a 90-minute Zoom call. The basic process: We talk; I write; you review; I revise as needed. We start with the introduction and first chapter. Once those are finalized, I proceed to deliver the rest of the manuscript in thirds, allowing for a review-and-revise stage for each third delivered.

 

Q: What's this going to cost me?

Here's what to expect price-wise, according to the service provided:

  • Intro Call: Free! I love helping people tell their stories and part of that is getting them off on the right foot, with accurate information and reputable connections. The 30-minute intro call is no cost, no obligation.

  • Strategy Session/Book Roadmap : $750 to $1250. The strategy session sets the foundation for your book. This fee includes two hours of discussion over Zoom plus the Book Roadmap, a comprehensive chapter-by-chapter outline of your book. You can use the Book Roadmap to write the book yourself, bring it to another ghostwriter, or, if you want to move ahead with me as your ghostwriter, we can use it as we craft your manuscript together. Note that if you choose to move ahead with me as your ghostwriter, the cost of the strategy session will be deducted from the book ghostwriting fee.

  • Book Ghostwriting: If you want me to ghostwrite your book, fees range from $25,000 to $75,000. Why such a huge range? A lot of factors influence ghostwriting costs, including: length of the manuscript, complexity of the subject matter, external research required, and additional interview needs (for example, if you want to include input from other experts in your field).

Blog

The ASK-Communications Blog

All things storytelling. Click the image below to read.

Ready to tell your story?

Click below to book a free 30-minute consultation.

LOGO_ASK_COMMUNICATIONS_2.png
Let's connect:

© 2025 Alison Kilian

Website Terms & Conditions

bottom of page