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How to Become An Author (& Start Your Writing Career in 10 Simple Steps)

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Look, I’ve been a writer almost longer than I remember doing ANYTHING else. It’s just part of me. It is, however, a part of me that I nurtured profusely. Great writers aren’t born; they train. 10,000 hours for expertise and I’ve done that many times over.

So, when you sit down to write your book and launch your writing career – who wouldn’t want to learn from someone who’s seen success and done it before. Expert guidance smoothes the process, strengthens your craft and navigates the challenging or tricky bits so you don’t give up but instead produce a bestseller of your very own.

Attending a book writing retreat with a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter can be an incredible opportunity for writers to improve their craft and take their writing to the next level. Here are some reasons why writers should consider attending such a retreat:

1. Learn from a successful writer

A NYT bestselling ghostwriter has already succeeded in the writing industry and can offer valuable insights into the writing process, publishing, and book marketing. Attending a writing retreat with such a writer can help you learn from their experiences and gain knowledge that can be applied to your own writing.

2. Get personalized feedback

Writing can be a solitary pursuit, and it can be challenging to get feedback on your work. By attending a writing retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a professional writer who can offer personalized feedback on your writing, help you identify areas for improvement, and provide guidance on how to make your writing stronger.

3. Focus on your writing

Attending a writing retreat can be an excellent way to get away from the distractions of everyday life and focus on your writing. With no interruptions, you can immerse yourself in your work and make significant progress on your book.

4. Connect with other writers

Writing can be a lonely pursuit, but attending a writing retreat can help you connect with other writers who share your passion for writing. You can share your experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from each other.

5. Gain inspiration

Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery to get the creative juices flowing. Attending a writing retreat can provide the inspiration you need to get started on a new project or finish an existing one.

This year, I’m hosting x5 Book Writing Retreats across the globe (New Zealand, Australia, x2 Canada, Mexico). Come! Learn from a successful writer (*ahem*), get personalized feedback, focus on your writing, connect with other writers, and gain inspiration.

Crystal Adair-Benning

Crystal Adair-Benning is a 4x New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and book coach. Thirty years in publishing, more than 200 authors coached, and books that have gone to number one in twelve countries. She became a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter at fifteen, paid in dog food. She writes business memoir and expert nonfiction, coaches authors through the Word Magic Method, and runs Createcation writing retreats. She does not use AI to write, and will tell you so at length.

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Crystal Adair-Benning

Crystal Adair-Benning is a 4× NYT Bestselling Ghostwriter, Book Coach, and Publishing Strategist for authors who want to build authority and grow their business through books. Splitting her time between Vancouver Island, Canada and New Zealand, serving the USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand markets, she specializes in ghostwriting, developmental editing, and book coaching for business and memoir authors. Crystal is the creator of Createcation™, immersive writing retreat experiences globally designed to accelerate your book project. Whether you're ready to hire a ghostwriter or work with a book coach, she combines strategic publishing expertise with a human-centred approach that prioritizes your vision and timeline.

✦ Free · Friday 25 September · Virtual Espresso Createcation. 45 seats, because I’m turning 45. Grab a seat
Word Magic
FREE · ONE PAGE · FOUR MINUTES

You’ve told more people about this book than you’ve written pages of it.

These are the 3 questions I ask before I agree to write anyone’s book. The authors who can answer them finish. The ones who can’t spend 2 years writing the wrong book for a reader who was never going to turn up.

Four minutes, and you’ll know who yours is for, what it does for them, and the thing you know so well you’ve stopped noticing nobody else does.

The newsletter is publishing, what I’m actually working on, and the bits nobody says out loud. No six-part win-back sequence if you leave.