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Author / ghostwriter
JONI RODGERS
CV
Joni Rodgers is a critically acclaimed novelist, #1 NYT bestselling ghostwriter, and EGOT collaborator who's worked with Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winners, cultural change agents, style icons, and everyday people living extraordinary lives. Known industry-wide for her top-drawer talent, dedication to deadline, and holistic collaborative style, Joni specializes in high-end memoirs and literary fiction.
my story
I've been a voracious lover of books all my life. I grew up performing in a family bluegrass/gospel band, reading constantly as we traveled hither and yon playing state fairs, high school auditoriums, and music festivals. I majored in theater in college and spent my 20s busking on street corners, working as an old-school late-night DJ, and doing voiceovers. Between 1980 and 1994, my voice was heard on over 3,000 radio and television commercials. My only consistent occupation was book nerd.
In 1994, when my kids were 5 and 7, I was diagnosed with blood cancer. Treatment was brutal. Writing was my life raft. I used the chemo downtime to write my first two novels, Crazy for Trying (about an old-school late-night DJ) and Sugarland (a modern retelling of the Psyche/Eros myth). Both were published by small, prestigious literary presses and got decent reviews. I followed up with my first bestseller Bald in the Land of Big Hair (HarperCollins, 2001), a memoir about my experience as a young mom with cancer. (Spoiler Alert: I lived!)
The success of Bald in the Land of Big Hair sparked a syndicated newspaper column, major magazine pieces, and invitations to participate in high-profile book projects. The collaborative magic of ghostwriting took me back to my creative roots in theater and music, and I loved it. I still do. At it for twenty+ years, I've collaborated on thirty+ memoirs and novels. Ghost life is complicated and not for everyone, but I find it endlessly fascinating. I love sharing my knowledge and supporting fellow writers via my Ghostwriting Masterclass and AMA Office Hours.
I live on the beach in Washington State with artist Gary Rodgers, my husband of 40+ years. I'm still a giant book nerd; reading and writing are my compulsion and privilege. Life is beautiful, and I'm grateful.
If you'd like to reach out to me about a book project, contact the fabulous Agent C: Cindi Davis-Andress at PB Talent in Houston.
Hope all is well and groovy in your world ~
Joni Rodgers
Me circa 1966...but really still me.
Photo credit: Mom
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
“Joni Rodgers lives, loves, and writes without a safety net... a mix of Molly Ivins' blowsy wit and Anna Quindlen's suburban logic.”
NEW YORK TIMES
“Breathtaking candor...and a steady supply of wisecracks.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“Rodgers' strength is her knack for realistic characters and a womanly wise laugh-through-tears appreciation of life.”
Artist Statement
As a novelist, memoirist, and collaborator, I’m dedicated to storytelling that makes an impact and provokes thought. If I’m not the right messenger for the moment, I can, as a collaborator, carry water for the messenger whose moment is at hand. This work brings me huge joy. My goal is to empower my client's voice and convey that joy to We the Reader.
LONDON DAILY MAIL
“Thoroughly enjoyable, idiosyncratic, and funny... an uplifting celebration of life.”
SOUTHERN LIVING
“This talented author knows how to bring pen and ink people to flesh and blood fulfillment.”
HOUSTON PRESS
“Think Jane Eyre with rock and roll.”
Kudos from Critics
Starred KIRKUS Review for Paris Hilton's Paris: The Memoir
“Tender and triumphant…furiously candid…a master class in owning your story.”
Starred KIRKUS Review for Don Lemon's This is the Fire
“A vital book for these times…puts 2020 in context and gives it the language to sing a quietly outraged song.”
Blue Ink Reviews on Howard Tate Scott's Rascal on the Run
“Southern wit, family drama, and courtroom hijinks… Fans of Southern historical fiction are sure to love this insightful, unforgettable debut.”
Kudos from Clients
Bona Fides
Working Relationships
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