Liz Heflin has been passionate about writing since preschool and never wavered in her pursuit of that dream. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in creative writing, graduating magna cum laude and with merit. In 2006, she officially launched her freelance writing consultancy.
After spending many years in content marketing and content strategy, Liz transitioned to full-book ghostwriting. She is now the director and principal writer of Heflin Media Group, a nonfiction ghostwriting agency (https://www.heflinmedia.com/).
In addition to her ghostwriting work, Liz creates resources for fellow freelance writers, including e-books and courses. She also runs the Inkwell (https://www.lizheflin.com/inkwell-community), a subscription-based community designed exclusively for freelance writers.
Beyond her professional life, Liz has been with her husband for over twenty years. They have one child and a very large, very hairy dog. Thanks to the flexibility of freelancing, they have lived in four different countries—USA, South Korea, England, and Spain.
A passionate traveler, Liz has visited more than forty countries across all seven continents, including Antarctica. She is also an avid reader and a dedicated home cook.
Tell us about your life before the venture/leading up to your venture.
For my entire professional career, I’ve been a freelance writer. I’ve always been my own boss and run my own company, but about three years ago, I realized there was something lacking in my business.
I believe a truly sustainable, rewarding career requires three pieces to align: financial stability, passion and interests, and skill set.
I had financial stability and was using my skill set in my content marketing consultancy, but it wasn’t where my passion was.
I’d always loved more creative-minded writing, and I decided to make a focused pivot to full-book nonfiction ghostwriting. I’m so glad I did. My earning potential has never been higher. I’m doing work I find rewarding and challenging (in the best way), and I’m playing to my strongest skill set.
Running the Inkwell community for freelance writers has also brought so much joy and purpose into my work. Freelance has made many incredible things possible for me (more time with my child, travel, autonomy, schedule freedom, unlimited income potential), and I’m thrilled to help other writers harness those benefits as well.
Tell us something about your organization. What is it about, and how is it helpful for people?
Heflin Media Group is a nonfiction full-book ghostwriting agency. We help high achievers (executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, entertainers) get their stories on paper.
Books are incredible tools. They can generate revenue channels for you, build your authority in your field, and help you share your insight and wisdom with the world. But writing a full book requires an incredible amount of technical writing ability and marketing and publishing know-how. (And that’s to say nothing of the time, motivation, and accountability needed.)
Working with a ghostwriter is a way to help bring your amazing knowledge and story into the world in the most polished, successful, and effective way possible.
What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture?
Several of the books I’ve contributed to have gone on to become Amazon best-sellers, and my ghostwriting clients have used those books to leverage incredible opportunities. They’ve done everything from winning lucrative speaking engagements to earning high-ticket clients for their core businesses.
How has your life changed because of your venture?
Freelance has improved basically every aspect of my life. I get to wake up every morning loving what I do, and I recognize that’s an incredible privilege not many people get.
Freelance has given my family and me the flexibility and financial runway to travel and experience more of the world. But more than anything, it’s allowed me to be a present mom while also building this business that I care so much about.
I can’t imagine doing anything else!
What are you working on right now?
I recently signed a new book contract deal, so that will keep me busy for about half of 2025.
I’m also launching a multi-month coaching program for freelance writers designed to help a small core of students increase their freelancing income. That kicks off in February.
The Inkwell community is also hosting a virtual conference for freelance writers in May.
Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
It is possible to wake up every day loving what you do. To increase your earning potential while still having the mental, physical, and emotional bandwidth for everything else in your life.
Running your own business isn’t easy, but when you find that intersection of money, skills, and passion, it can carry you through any challenge.
