SERVICES
Ghostwriting
Have a book you want to write but no time to do it? Have knowledge to share or a story to tell but aren't confident on the page? I partner with you to write for you, to your exact audience, in your voice. A hands-off approach to your book-in-hand moment.
Developmental Editing
Have an existing manuscript draft that needs a professional eye, organizational assessment, content vetting, or a structural lift? I honestly assess the strengths and opportunities in your manuscript and provide direction and coaching to help your book make the biggest impact. Feedback from an industry vet goes a long way.
Copy Editing & Proofreading
Have a manuscript or other piece of long-form content that needs a critical eye and a professional polish before the world sees it? I deliver thoughtful, thorough edits so you can move forward with confidence. A fresh set of eyes on your work so you can publish with pride.
Book Coaching & Author Strategy
Wondering if your idea is fully developed enough for a book in the first place? Need clarity around structure and direction before you begin? I work with you to develop the core positioning and high-level outline you need to maximize efficiency before you put pen to paper. No upselling, no more wheel spinning.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Business, Self-Help & Knowledge-Share
Memoir & Pop Culture/Social Commentary
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) & Nonprofit
ABOUT ME
You have a story. I am here to help you tell it.
I am passionate about bringing stories that matter into the world, having served as the ghostwriter for more than 40 bestsellers and the developmental editor for an additional 40+ books.
In well over a decade of doing this work, I've harnessed my background in journalism to ask my clients the right questions, big and small, and to ultimately weave strong narratives in alignment with project goals. I specialize in working with executives, memoirists, and thought leaders and in lifting the human element in every story.
Communication-wise, I believe clarity is kindness and prioritize that approach in all areas of my life, including (and especially) professionally.
In 2020, I published my own bestselling book, More Than a Diagnosis: Stories of Hurdles, Hope, and Possibility from Parents of Children Who Are Differently Abled, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting a nonprofit that assists children who are neuroatypical and their families. My personal work has been published in numerous anthologies and journals including the International Human Rights Arts Foundation, and my essay on mental health was a finalist for the 2019 Conger J. Beasley Jr. Award for Nonfiction and a runner-up for Vanderbilt University’s 2021 Porch Prize for Creative Nonfiction.
TESTIMONIALS
"John Rulin [author of GIFTOLOGY and BEYOND GIFTOLOGY] trusted Jessica with his life’s work.
As you may know, we experienced a deep personal loss while working on this book. It was one of the hardest seasons for our team—professionally and personally. In the midst of it, Jessica stepped in with a rare mix of compassion and clarity. She didn’t flinch. She helped us rethink everything—pivoting our editorial strategy, reordering chapters, cutting what didn’t serve, and speeding up where it mattered most. The decisions were complex. The emotions were high. The deadline was tight (we insisted on releasing by John’s birthday).
Jessica handled it all with care and command.
Yes, she’s got the writing and editing skills. No doubt. But what really set her apart was her ability to connect—to the work and to us. She told the truth with tact. She made hard calls with heart. She helped us deliver a book we’re genuinely proud of… one that honors the mission and John’s legacy.
In a world full of writing partners, Jessica is the one I’d trust."
-Mike Monroe
Digital Strategy Manager
Vector Marketing Corporation
“Jessica is the ultimate professional, and her ability to capture my voice and refine my thoughts was truly amazing. Not only is she an exceptionally gifted writer, she's also an intense listener. Even when we encountered differences in opinion regarding content, I trusted her expert advice, and it significantly enriched the final product. Jessica's patience is commendable, and while she is deeply passionate about her work, it's evident that her clients' satisfaction is her utmost priority. I would highly recommend her.”
-Mathew Foggy, Author & Founder/Principal at the Unpaid Labor Project
“Jessica has been my go-to editor for my last five books. Her meticulous attention to detail and collaborative approach makes the editing process seamless. She’s very talented and reliable, too. I wholeheartedly trust her expertise and highly recommend her services to any author.”
-Chad Willardson, Bestselling Author & Founder/President of Pacific Capital
"The draft I handed Jess was nothing more than a disorganized, 500-page Google document with poorly-written stories about my past that had little to do with each other. We met virtually weekly for months, and at the end of each call, Jess would ask me to elaborate or add more details to certain chapters that lacked depth. While I wrote, Jess would edit the structure of the manuscript, placing the different stories into the right chapters and creating transitions that allowed the stories to flow together. After the structure of the book was created, Jess tightened up every page, then every paragraph, and eventually every sentence of the manuscript. During our weekly calls, I had to learn to let my ego go, accept criticism, let go of certain stories I was attached to in order to be more concise, analyze my childhood traumas to give more depth to the actions I took in the memoir, and connect the invisible but real dots between the different stages, lessons, failures, and successes of my life. Before I started the editing process, I thought it would be a painful experience. Jess was so good at asking questions, making suggestions, and explaining her decisions, the process was difficult but never painful. I can be stubborn at times, but Jess had a way of explaining the necessary changes in a way that was so convincing and nurturing. We had great chemistry from day one. After a few weeks, I began to look forward to our calls. The book is finished and is now being translated into Spanish. I would never have gotten here without the help of Jessica Burdg. I wholeheartedly recommend her as an editor or ghostwriter."
-Shin Fujiyama, Founder of One Thousand Schools & CNN Hero of the Year
“Jessica did a GREAT job shaping, editing, and helping me tell my story. She was caring, compassionate, and supportive through the process. She is a great listener and she feels what she writes. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to work with her.”
-Monica Alexander, Bestselling Author & Executive Director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission
CONTACT ME
Think we might be a fit?
I hope so!
(And if we're not, I'll provide thoughtful referrals. Telling the truth and avoiding upselling is kind of my thing. We're all in this together.)
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation here, send me an email, or fill out the form below.
