When I first embarked on my freelance ghostwriting and book editing career in 2007, the country was on the verge of the Great Recession—though we didn’t realize it at the time. I began by writing website content and nonprofit grant proposals, but by 2009, I had transitioned to full-length books. By then, the recession was officially ending, but its effects were still deeply felt. During that period, the demand for self-help books surged, particularly in two key areas: surviving home foreclosure and building wealth through online businesses. This was the market’s primary focus. One book I worked on, The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco, became an Amazon bestseller and remains successful to this day.
As the economy rebounded, the nonfiction landscape shifted toward personal health. I developed numerous manuscripts centered on diet strategies, intermittent fasting, and healthy eating. Business books also gained traction, particularly those focused on company agility, social media marketing, and leveraging digital data technology. Real estate books moved away from foreclosure survival and instead focused on investment strategies for residential and commercial properties.
With Baby Boomers entering retirement, estate planning books became increasingly popular. I edited many guides on financial preparedness, as well as books exploring unconventional retirement lifestyles—such as one author’s story of selling their home, buying a sailboat, and spending nine months each year cruising the Caribbean. A dream, if you can make it happen!
Another dominant trend was industrial innovation, particularly the necessity for businesses to adapt to disruptive technology. One standout project was The Innovation Mandate: The Growth Secrets of the Best Organizations in the World by Nicholas Webb, which quickly became a bestseller and remains highly relevant.
The Impact of the Pandemic and the Post-Pandemic Shift
During the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace disruptions drove demand for books on stress management, remote work, and leading virtual teams. In the post-pandemic era, attention has shifted toward healthcare. While Wall Street investors celebrate the industry’s profitability, patients and doctors largely express frustration with the system. This has fueled a wave of books exposing its flaws.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has also emerged as a major theme. One of the most compelling books I recently developed explores how governments worldwide are integrating AI to enhance public services—ranging from healthcare information to transportation logistics. Additionally, a book on environmental toxins, covering everything from nanoplastics to fire retardants, was recently acquired by a Big Five publisher based on the nonfiction book proposal I crafted. It’s set for a fall release, a remarkably fast turnaround for a major publisher.
Another rising trend is books on personal stress, which I anticipate will continue growing in popularity. While this is partly tied to political tensions, it’s more about the broader national mood—uncertainty surrounding climate change, energy, human rights, education, and healthcare. In response, people are seeking unconventional solutions. Recently, I edited a book on the kambo healing ritual, an intense practice involving the application of a giant leaf frog’s toxin to small burns on the skin, inducing a powerful purging reaction. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if it works for someone, why not?
No matter the national climate, authors are eager to capture its essence in their books. And I’m always ready to help them bring their ideas to life.
Thomas Hauck – named to the 25 Best Ghostwriter Blogs and Websites in 2025 on Feedspot: https://bloggers.feedspot.com/ghostwriter_blogs/