Working with Alexandra Franzen: Services, Selected Projects, and Next Steps

I’m an award-winning editor, writer, and book coach.

I help clients create bestselling books that change readers’ lives.

I specialize in nonfiction and am known for inspirational books that create a positive ripple in the world.

Clients often call me their “book doula” or “writing partner,” and say, “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

My clients’ books have:

• Been on The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Los Angeles Times bestseller lists, and in The Washington Book Review.
• Earned praise from New York Times bestselling authors like Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Mike Michalowicz, and Netflix host Ramit Sethi.
• Won awards, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Instructional Literary Work and the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards.
• Gotten visibility on Good Morning America, in Forbes, and beyond.

I take on a small number of projects each year.

Each project is unique and may include a combination of consulting, editing, co-writing or ghostwriting, research, and other services—depending on the client’s needs.

In addition to working with clients, I’ve written 10 books, journals, and card decks of my own, collaborating with top publishers like Penguin Random House and Hachette. I’m also the co-founder of an independent bookstore called One Idea Books & Gifts.

I deleted all of my social media accounts 10 years ago and bring a calm, simple, refreshing approach to writing and life.

My clients are leading voices in fields like psychology, personal finance, parenting, relationships, business, leadership, and more.

They have important ideas and stories to share, but most have never written a book before.

They’re also extremely busy—running businesses, leading teams, traveling to speak on stages, and raising kids—and often wonder, “How am I going to get this book done with everything else I have going on?”

When we work together, my top goals are:

• Ensure your manuscript is delivered to your publisher on time—or early.
• Help you create a manuscript that’s so strong, your publisher says, “This is in fantastic shape! We recommend a few revisions, but not many.”
• Support you in producing a book readers love—and that you’re proud to put your name on.

Each client relationship is unique. Some clients want me to support them as a ghostwriter, while others want editing, coaching, or a blend of all three.

Our first step is to meet and discuss your project.

From there, I can build a quote outlining my proposed services and fee.

The majority of my clients want all (or most) of the following services:

• Review your book outline and find opportunities to make it even stronger.
• Create a detailed plan for each chapter (opening story, big idea, lessons to bring across, closing story, etc.) so that all chapters have a consistent flow.
• Interview the author to pull out material we can include in the book.
• Review the author’s existing content (podcast episodes, videos, courses, etc.) to find concepts we can re-purpose.
• Find gripping stories that make the book exciting to read—stories from history, pop culture, or the author’s life.
• Provide developmental editing with an eye to structure, pacing, and creating a book that readers can’t put down.
• Do line editing to polish every sentence for clarity and impact.
• Research to find studies/data to create a more persuasive book.
• Fact-check to ensure everything stated is accurate.
• Gather a group of test readers who review the manuscript and give valuable input.
• Do revisions based on feedback from test readers and the author’s publisher.
• Run a plagiarism check for peace of mind, ensuring nothing in the manuscript was accidentally copy-pasted from another creator or from AI.
• Advise on the title, cover design, interior layout, and other parts of the process.
• Write copy for the book launch, including a book description for the author’s website, Amazon, and other retail sites.
• Announce the book to my mailing list of 10,000+ readers to boost pre-orders.
• Provide emotional support to move past perfectionism and overwhelm—and remember why this book matters.

As part of the package, each client is invited to attend a…

• Complimentary writing retreat in Hawaii.
• I provide luxurious accommodation, meals, coaching, and a serene atmosphere where you can focus on the book for an entire week—with zero distractions.
• Don’t want to leave home? We can do a virtual retreat.

The Psychology of Maturity by Dr. Sasha Heinz (Simon & Schuster, 2027 release)

• Why do so many adults behave like teenagers—or toddlers?
• Dr. Heinz explains what it means to be a mature, fully-functioning adult—according to science—why some people struggle to get there, and what we can do about this.
• Includes new research conducted in partnership with Harvard and Tufts University.

Heart-Centered Connections: Seven Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive by Dr. Niki Elliott (Page Two, 2026 release)

• Based on groundbreaking research with over 1,000 child-serving professionals, including school principals, teachers, foster care program directors, and social workers.

Ambitious Mother: From Surviving to Thriving in Your Career and at Home by Dr. Anne Welsh (Bloomsbury, 2026 release)

• A licensed therapist and mom of four offers guidance for overwhelmed moms who are juggling work and kids.
• Includes a foreword by Robin Arzón, Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton.

Rich Relationships: Create a Million-Dollar Network For Your Business by Selena Soo (Self-published)

• Hit #10 on the USA Today Bestseller List and #3 on The Los Angeles Times nonfiction list.
• Winner: Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal in Non-Fiction Marketing.

Unicorn Team: The Nine Leadership Types You Need To Launch Your Big Ideas With Speed And Success by Jen Kem (Hay House Business)

• USA Today National Bestseller.
• Endorsed by Seth Godin, Nicole Walters, Farnoosh Torabi, Mike Michalowicz, Sally Hogshead, and many other influential voices.

We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power by Rachel Rodgers (HarperCollins Leadership)

• More than 200,000 copies sold. Wall Street Journal Bestseller.
• Named one of Audible’s “Top Audiobooks of the Year.”

Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, and Opportunity for Black Women in America by Karen Arrington (Turner)

• Winner: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Instructional Literary Work.

Bare: A 7-Week Program to Transform Your Body, Get More Energy, Feel Amazing, and Become the Bravest, Most Unstoppable Version of You by Susan Hyatt (BenBella Books)

• Mentioned in The Washington Book Review, Booklist, and Parade.

Glad to Be Human: Adventures in Optimism by Irene O’Garden (Turner)

• Praised by Elizabeth Gilbert. Featuring a Pushcart Prize-winning essay.

“Alex, I cannot even express how grateful I am to be working with you. This book is my most significant contribution to the world—and you made it happen. You’re truly in a league of your own, and I feel like you’re an angel in my life. I seriously cannot thank you enough!”
—Selena Soo, author, Rich Relationships

“Special thanks to my writing coach Alexandra Franzen. From the first draft, to the final version, you brought calm and encouraging energy and helped me bring this project over the finish line. Writing a book while also running a women’s health clinic, managing a team, serving clients, and raising kids is not easy, but you kept me on track with my deadlines. I honestly don’t know how I could’ve done this without you!”
—Dr. Corina Dunlap, author, Hormone Powered

“I hired Alex to help create my first book. I had 20 years worth of notes, ideas, and recipes but putting it all together felt overwhelming. Alex helped to shape everything into a book that’s educational and also inspiring, funny, and easy to read. I put ‘write a book’ on my vision board and now, with Alex’s help … my vision is a reality.”
—Dr. Nicolette Richer, author, Eat Real to Heal

“At a meeting at Random House—with Franzen to my right—I told my publishing power-team, ‘If anything, uh, happens to me, Alexandra can finish writing the book.’ I trust her that much. And I know her talent that well.”
—Danielle LaPorte, author, The Desire Map and The Fire Starter Sessions

“I just have to tell you… I was going through the book this morning. The edits you made were so bang on, so beautiful, so exactly right. You took the esoteric ideas from my brain and gave everything such clarity so that readers can grasp these concepts easily. I want to thank you for the highest quality work. I’m so thankful.”
—Spenser Brassard, author, Fertile Ground

“Your exceptional work has me doing cartwheels with excitement! You truly are extraordinary and consistently exceed my expectations. I am immensely grateful.”
—Karen Arrington, author, Your Next Level Life

“Alex is more than just an editor or writer. She’s an artist who unleashes your inner artist, too. If you’re fortunate enough to get on Alex’s calendar, do it.”
—Susan Hyatt, author, Bare

Interested in working together? Email alexandra@alexandrafranzen.com and mention your book topic, goals, and ideal timeline.

• I’ll provide a quote outlining my proposed services and fee.
• After reviewing the quote, the next step is a small test project—usually one chapter—to ensure we have strong creative chemistry and feel confident we can create an exceptional book together.
• After doing the test project, we’ll both decide if we want to move forward with the full manuscript.
• Most likely, we will work together for 6 to 12 months. Possibly longer or shorter, depending on the project.
• Projects typically range from $50,000 to $100,000 depending on scope.
• Most clients pay in a series of monthly installments.

Reach out to start the conversation. Thank you!