Books

What I can do for you

I am a writer, ghostwriter, editor and project manager. With a depth of hands-on experience working in every aspect of the creative and production process, from brainstorming editorial and design concepts through to post-publication social media marketing, I can add value to any project.

What I’ve done so far

I have produced over 60 non-fiction books for publishers such as Headline Publishing, Guardian Faber, Bloomsbury, Carlton Books, Opus Media Group and Vision Sports Publishing. My diverse output has spanned super-sized limited edition illustrated books, a dinky series of humorous books, biographies and ghostwritten autobiographies with well-known personalities. For a full list, see Bibliography.

What I write about

My background is in sport, but I’ve produced books on everything from the Indian Ocean tsunami to a humorous history of Britain. My feature-writing, blogs and interviews have encompassed travel, art, design, technology, business and entertainment. In short, I enjoy variety and welcome all non-fiction book proposals.

‘Justyn is a very professional, creative and versatile editorial operator, who is highly likeable to boot. He has delivered some fantastically good work for Headline over the last couple of years. Whether it’s ghostwriting, copy re-writing, copy-editing, proof-reading, fact-checking, picture research, page layout, idea generation or social media strategy, Justyn’s contributions have been invaluable and of a consistently high quality.’

JONATHAN TAYLOR
Publishing Director, Non-Fiction, Headline Publishing Group

Ghostwriting

If someone has an interesting story to share, I will bring it to life on the page in their voice.

My first ghostwriting gig was a diary of the 1997/98 season with Manchester United and England footballers, Gary and Phil Neville, a Sunday Times bestseller. I have since produced many first-person pieces for periodicals, including collaborating with football legend George Best on a monthly opinion column for five years and a one-off article with comedian Eddie Izzard for The Observer.

Ghostwriting demands adaptability to accurately convey the personality, emotions and opinions of your subject. For instance, my cricket books with the ultra-intense Mark Ramprakash and the terminally laid-back Phil ‘Tuffers’ Tufnell respectively demonstrated my ability to adjust my approach and tone as required.

‘Justyn was an unexpected pleasure to work with considering he’s a Man United supporter who knew naff all about cricket when we started! He is easy to talk to and devoted so much time to creating the right atmosphere I was looking for in the book.’

MARK RAMPRAKASH

‘I thank Justyn for his hard work, professionalism and excellent choice of wines to fuel our lengthy sessions. Recalling my past experiences, both good and bad, that had lain dormant somewhere in the back of my mind was very cathartic for me.’

PHIL TUFNELL

Project management

I have an extensive track record of success in leading editorial projects, commissioning writers and creatives, managing budgets from £5,000 to £1million, and overseeing commercial, editorial and creative teams (which, on occasions, have been spread across different continents). I work with in-house and freelance teams to deliver on brief, on time and on budget.

‘Justyn has worked for Vision Sports Publishing as an author, editor and editorial consultant on numerous projects over the last 10 years. He is experienced and accomplished in all of these areas, is an excellent project manager and all-round good egg.’

JIM DREWETT
Editorial Director, Vision Sports Publishing

Official books

I have worked on a variety of high-profile official publishing projects in association with premium brands. This work has required exceptional communication and organisational skills plus a keen appreciation of brand values. With me, your valued client will be in safe hands.

Illustrated books

I love working with words and pictures. Previous assignments as an archive picture researcher, picture editor, director of photo shoots have sharpened my visual sense. I have proven ability to get the best out of designers and deliver beautifully presented books that equal more than the sum of their parts.

CLIENT FOCUS

In five years (2006-2011) working for Opus Media Group, a publisher of luxury limited edition illustrated books which retailed between £200 and £20,000, I took on executive editor responsibility, dictating editorial and production discipline across the range of titles, editing individual titles, pitching for new business, adapting content for digital formats, I was instrumental in producing websites, advertorials and e-communications to promote this new brand.

‘I had the pleasure of working with Justyn on a number of large-format book projects he edited. No matter how inconceivable the deadline or tight the budget he always managed to propel the project forward to completion. Not just in time and on (or under) budget, but to a standard which greatly exceeded what was expected. And I can’t emphasise that last point enough. Tackling any issues with creative thinking and his astounding work ethic mean that the work Justyn leads always delivers on all levels.’

SIMON KEEPING
Former Art Director, Opus Media Group

‘A work of genius.’

CHARLES SAATCHI
on the United Opus

Consultancy

Attending meetings, joining conference calls, developing social media marketing campaigns or pitching for new business… whatever your creative needs, I am available for hire on an ad hoc basis to offer my advice.

I am often asked by individuals to advise them on fiction and non-fiction book projects they have undertaken. Whether you would like general feedback on a first draft, a forensic copy-edit or advice on how to pitch it to publishers, I will probably be able to help or know someone who can.

Backup

If your project needs extra manpower, I can call upon trusted freelance contributors – writers, designers, photographers, illustrators, etc. – with different specialities to work under my supervision.