About Stephen Palmer

Professional Nonfiction Book Ghostwriter Since 2006

I didn’t plan to become a writer. Writing always came naturally to me—so naturally I didn’t even think of it as a skill. It was just how my brain worked.

In 2006, I started attending financial education seminars for Garrett Gunderson’s company. I loved what I was learning and volunteered to write for them for free. For six months I wrote newsletters and weekly emails just because I wanted to learn.

Then Garrett asked me to write a book for him. That book was Killing Sacred Cows, and it became a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Businessweek, and Amazon bestseller within months, and has since sold over 100,000 copies. It launched my career.

Since then, my work has been almost entirely referral-based. Clients finish their book, tell other authors about me, and my next project appears.

What Drives My Work

Most of my clients are intuitives—people with deep, hard-won insight or a gift they’ve never had to articulate.

When something comes naturally to you, it’s often difficult to explain.

That’s where I come in.

I call myself a “Genius Whisperer” because my clients typically have some form of genius that comes so intuitively to them that they don’t know how to teach it. My job is to extract what’s intuitive to you and make it explicit for readers who don’t think the way you do.

I break down complex ideas step by step, structure them clearly, and write them in a way that feels natural to you and accessible to everyone else.

It’s not just about producing a great book. It’s about helping you articulate your genius so it scales, and so you can build credibility, influence, and revenue from it.

What It’s Like to Work With Me

I’m not a flatterer. I’m not here to tell you what you want to hear. I’m here to tell you what you need to hear to create a world-class book.

My clients would tell you I’m direct—sometimes even abrasive—but always honest. You don’t hire me to be your advocate; you hire me to be your reader’s advocate.

That means I’ll challenge your assumptions, push for clarity, and point out anything that doesn’t serve your reader.

If you take things personally, you’ll have a hard time at first. But if you value truth and excellence, we’ll get along great.

Once we start working together, you’ll see that my bluntness comes from care. I want your book to be the best thing you’ve ever put your name on—and I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.

That’s why most of my clients become lifelong friends. We go deep. We spend months in the trenches together.

And by the time your book is done, there’s mutual respect that lasts long after it’s published.

What Makes Me Different

A Lifetime of Books

I’ve had my nose in a book since I was five years old. Reading isn’t just what I do—it’s how I think.

I’ve read widely and relentlessly my entire life, across disciplines from philosophy to psychology to finance. Books are my native language.

A Classical Mind and a Marketer’s Instinct

My liberal arts education taught me how to think, not what to think.

My background as an entrepreneur and marketer taught me how ideas reach people—and sell.

That combination means every book I write is more than words on paper. It’s a strategic, revenue-producing business asset designed to build your credibility, grow your audience, and generate income long after publication.

Dependability and Follow-Through

When clients hire me, they’re trusting me with more than a manuscript — they’re trusting me with their name, their reputation, and their life’s work. I take that seriously.

Once I commit to a project, I’m relentless about finishing it on time and at the highest standard. There’s no ghosting, no missed deadlines, no excuses.

You’ll always know exactly where your project stands, and you’ll never have to wonder whether it’s being handled with care.

Outside the Office

When I’m not writing, you’ll find me listening to music, at the gym shooting basketball three-pointers, watching NBA games, or out surfskating.

I discovered surfskating during COVID. I fell in love and started a YouTube channel called Surfskate Love where I teach beginners how to choose boards, learn technique, and customize their setups.

Most importantly, I’m a dad and a grandpa. I have four kids and two granddaughters, and family time is the anchor that keeps me balanced.

Ready to Talk?

I don’t just write books for my clients. I help them create income-producing, reputation-building business assets that make a difference—in their lives, their audiences’ lives, and their bottom line.

If that’s the kind of book you want to create, let’s talk.

Schedule a Call