Ghostwriter · Developmental editor · Novel coach

Let’s write your story, together.

I’m David Ridd, a writer and editor in Raleigh, North Carolina. I ghostwrite nonfiction for founders, CEOs, athletes, and veterans, edit manuscripts, and coach novelists from the first page through to the finished book. My newest book, In Your Corner, written with MMA coach Javier Mendez, comes out October 22, 2026.

David Ridd, smiling, in a grey henley with a city skyline out of focus behind him
David Ridd · Raleigh, NC
2017
Writing professionally since
6
Books ghostwritten or co-authored
1,000+
Client projects delivered
5.0
Average rating across 300+ reviews

Clients and publications Acer · Funko · MyHeritage · PIXL VISN · LiteracyPlanet · Unfold Learning Design · Fortuna Admissions · Entrepreneur · Employee Benefit News · DaddiLife · Til Valhalla Project · Center for Practical AI

Out October 22, 2026

the book.

Hardcover of In Your Corner by Javier Mendez: a black cover with the letters IYC in white and the title in gold

In Your Corner

Train Your Mind Like a Fighter to Face Life Like a Champion

Javier Mendez with David Ridd

Foreword by Khabib Nurmagomedov · Orbita Media

Javier Mendez founded the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San José, California, coaching and cornering for MMA icons like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Daniel Cormier, and Cain Velasquez. In Your Corner is part memoir, part mindset book, because Javier’s goal wasn’t to write a book about fighting, but to show what fighting taught him about pressure, preparation, and the people in his corner. We built it together, from hours of recorded interviews through round after round of edits, and we couldn’t be more excited to share these stories.

Ghostwriting

Now booking · One spot left for 2026

Your book, in your voice. Memoir, business, leadership, mindset, or the self-help guide only you could write. I handle interviews, research, structure, and every draft.

Book projects from $15,000

Apply for the spot

Developmental editing

A full read of your manuscript and a plan for the next draft. You get an editorial letter on structure, pacing, character, and argument, plus notes in the margins.

Developmental edits from $2,000

What you get

Novel coaching

For the novel you keep starting. We meet on a schedule, you send pages, and I send back feedback that is specific enough to act on.

$100 per hour-long session

How sessions work

Let’s talk

Every book starts with a conversation.

Tell me about your project. Whether just starting out or late in the game, I’m here to help.