📖 Overview
Daniel Paisner has established himself as one of the most prolific ghostwriters in publishing, with over sixty books to his credit including fourteen New York Times bestsellers. His career spans multiple genres, from memoirs and sports books to business guides and historical accounts.
As a collaborator, Paisner has worked with numerous high-profile figures including Whoopi Goldberg, Serena Williams, and Daymond John. His notable works include "The Girl in the Green Sweater: A Life in Holocaust's Shadow" (2008), "The Power of Broke" (2016), and "Last Man Down" (2002).
Beyond ghostwriting, Paisner is the author of three novels and several works of non-fiction under his own name. He hosts the podcast "As Told To," which explores the craft of ghostwriting through conversations with other collaborative writers.
His work has garnered recognition, including a Quill Award in the Sports category for "Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching the Game!" co-written with Holly Robinson Peete. Paisner holds degrees from Tufts University and Boston University, where he studied English and Journalism respectively.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Paisner's ability as a ghostwriter to capture authentic voices of celebrities and public figures in their autobiographies. Comments highlight how he maintains each subject's personality while creating readable narratives.
Positives:
- Seamless writing that doesn't overshadow the subject
- Strong storytelling structure
- Research thoroughness with biographical details
Negatives:
- Some readers find the writing formulaic across different books
- A few note that emotional moments can feel superficial
- Occasional feedback that books lack depth beyond surface details
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: Average 3.8/5 across ghostwritten works
Amazon: 4.2/5 average customer rating
LibraryThing: 3.7/5 community rating
Reader quote: "Paisner has a gift for maintaining the subject's authentic voice while creating a coherent narrative flow." - Amazon review of Exposing Myself with Geraldo Rivera
The books consistently receive higher ratings when Paisner collaborates with compelling subjects who provide strong source material.
📚 Books by Daniel Paisner
The Girl in the Green Sweater: A Life in Holocaust's Shadow
A Holocaust survival memoir co-written with Krystyna Chiger, detailing her family's 14-month ordeal hiding in the sewers of Lvov, Poland during Nazi occupation.
Every Other Monday A chronicle of former Ohio Governor John Kasich's regular gatherings with friends to discuss faith and life's big questions over two decades.
A Job to Kill For A novel following the story of an interior designer whose professional rivalry leads to murder.
The Ball: Discovering the Object of the Game An exploration of humanity's relationship with balls and spherical objects throughout history and across cultures.
Not Dead & Not for Sale A memoir co-written with Scott Weiland, chronicling the Stone Temple Pilots frontman's career and struggles with addiction.
Mountain Get Out of My Way A life story co-written with Montel Williams, detailing his journey from the inner city to the United States Naval Academy and television success.
Every Other Monday A chronicle of former Ohio Governor John Kasich's regular gatherings with friends to discuss faith and life's big questions over two decades.
A Job to Kill For A novel following the story of an interior designer whose professional rivalry leads to murder.
The Ball: Discovering the Object of the Game An exploration of humanity's relationship with balls and spherical objects throughout history and across cultures.
Not Dead & Not for Sale A memoir co-written with Scott Weiland, chronicling the Stone Temple Pilots frontman's career and struggles with addiction.
Mountain Get Out of My Way A life story co-written with Montel Williams, detailing his journey from the inner city to the United States Naval Academy and television success.
👥 Similar authors
J.R. Moehringer is a ghostwriter and memoirist who collaborates with public figures like Andre Agassi and Prince Harry. His approach to narrative non-fiction and celebrity stories matches Paisner's style of bringing depth to public personalities.
William Novak pioneered celebrity collaboration writing with figures like Lee Iacocca and Nancy Reagan. He established many of the techniques in modern ghostwriting that Paisner later built upon.
David Ritz has written over 50 collaborative autobiographies focusing on entertainment and music industry figures. His mix of high-profile collaborations and ability to capture authentic voices parallels Paisner's method.
Jeanne Marie Laskas writes both independent works and collaborative pieces that dig deep into American culture and personalities. Her narrative style in both journalism and book-length works shares Paisner's focus on detailed storytelling and character development.
Michael D'Antonio works extensively in biography and collaborative writing with business leaders and public figures. His range across multiple genres and ability to adapt voice for different subjects mirrors Paisner's versatility.
William Novak pioneered celebrity collaboration writing with figures like Lee Iacocca and Nancy Reagan. He established many of the techniques in modern ghostwriting that Paisner later built upon.
David Ritz has written over 50 collaborative autobiographies focusing on entertainment and music industry figures. His mix of high-profile collaborations and ability to capture authentic voices parallels Paisner's method.
Jeanne Marie Laskas writes both independent works and collaborative pieces that dig deep into American culture and personalities. Her narrative style in both journalism and book-length works shares Paisner's focus on detailed storytelling and character development.
Michael D'Antonio works extensively in biography and collaborative writing with business leaders and public figures. His range across multiple genres and ability to adapt voice for different subjects mirrors Paisner's versatility.