Ghostwriter / Developmental Editor for Short Nonfiction Book on Mindsets

I am looking for an experienced nonfiction ghostwriter/developmental editor to help me complete and polish Book 1 of a larger "treatise" (Book 2) that I wrote at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and yogic wisdom. That Book 2 is titled "The Four Mindsets Revolution" (pls search online to know more), and has received early forewords from faculty at Harvard and Yale. Early beta reviews of that book has led to this Book 1. This current draft of Book 1 is approximately 40,000 words across 10 chapters. I have used aviation/cockpit metaphor to make the four mindset framework accessible to the general public. It follows four recurring characters through four common autopilot patterns: • The Fighter • The Optimizer • The Martyr • The Escapist These patterns are later reframed as four healthy inner capacities: • The Defender • The Negotiator • The Giver • The Yogi The reader journey moves from recognizing the "autopilot" mode, to understanding inner patterns, to learning practical tools such as emotional awareness, pausing, switching mindsets, sitting in the Witnessing space, and practicing Karma Yoga (skillful and mindful action) in daily life. I am not looking for someone to rewrite the book into a generic self-help voice. I need someone who can elevate a warm, reflective, spiritually grounded tone while making the manuscript more human, polished, and publishable. What I Need Help With: The manuscript already has a strong structure and a complete draft. I need help with: 1. Strengthen the book’s overall arc, chapter flow, pacing, emotional resonance, and reader transformation. 2. Expand or rewrite parts that feel too compressed, conceptual, or repetitive. 3. Make the writing sound natural, human, warm, and elegant without losing clarity or depth. 4. Add or improve lived examples, character scenes, transitions, and inject emotion where needed. Ideal Candidate You may be a great fit if you have experience with some combination of: • Nonfiction ghostwriting • Developmental editing • Self-help / personal growth books • Psychology-informed writing • Spirituality, yoga, mindfulness, Vedanta, Bhagavad Gita • Memoir-style nonfiction or transformational storytelling • Writing for educated professionals who are spiritually curious but not necessarily religious What I Am Not Looking For Please do not apply if your approach is mainly: • AI-generated rewriting (in fact, any evidence of AI-tone will immediately void this contract) • Generic motivational writing • Heavy-handed “self-help guru” language • Academic writing that feels dense or abstract • Copyediting only, without developmental insight Application Instructions To apply, please include the following: 1. Tell me about 2–3 similar books, manuscripts, or projects you have worked on. Include links or samples if available. 2. Explain why your background, voice, and editorial instincts make you a strong fit for this specific book. 3. Based on the description above, what do you think is the biggest challenge in making this kind of book work for a general reader? 4. Please share your availability, preferred way of working, estimated timeline, and whether you prefer hourly or fixed-price milestones. 5. Will you consent to signing an NDA? Possible Deliverables Depending on fit, this project may include: • Full manuscript developmental review • Chapter-by-chapter editorial memo • Rewriting selected chapters or sections • Polishing the manuscript for publication Project Stage The manuscript is already drafted. I am now looking for the right partner to help elevate it from a strong draft into a polished, publishable short nonfiction book. Budget Open to hourly or fixed-price proposals. Please suggest the structure you think is best based on your experience. Suggested first milestone Milestone 1: Paid Editorial Sample The shortlisted candidate(s) to review 1 chapter and provide: • A 1–2 page editorial memo • Edits/comments on the chapter • A recommendation on what the book/chapter needs most