Andrea Lard| writer, Editor & writing coach

Andrea Lard is a professional writer, ghostwriter, writing coach, and book editor for clients around the world. She earned Best Selling International Author in 2015. She specializes in writing nonfiction in business, social issues, economics, health/wellness, coaching, and current events. Andrea will edit fiction and nonfiction. Her favorite genres and literary fiction, coming of age, historical fiction, suspense, and light romance. She holds a graduate degree in corporate leadership, an under graduate degree in behavioral science and is a member of the Editorial Freelance Association. 

Andrea's Story

I have always enjoyed research, reading, and writing. I have a masters degree, two undergraduate degrees, an associates degree paired with several licenses and certifications to prove it! I love being given a subject to research and write about. However, I never considered the option as a full time career. It was more of a hobby unless I was writing for a class.

One day, several years ago, I set on a mission to see if I could have my name on a best seller list. I had no idea what I was doing. I reached out to a publisher and they were more than happy to get me there—for a price. Unfortunately, I did not realize how embarrassing that experience would be. I did not understand the process or the consequences of what was about to happen. 

I hit the best seller list on Amazon in the US, Australia, and Europe. But it seemed I had made a bargain with a genie in a lamp. The book was a collaboration with other authors and my part in it was terrible. I learned it did not take much to become a best seller. I also learned that being a best seller did not have teeth in many cases. So, I went back to my corner—back to reality—and licked my wounds. I continued to write and worked to improve my craft.

Eventually, I made a few more attempts but never pulled the trigger. I have two . . . maybe three books sitting on my computer unfinished. They are not fun, fantasy novels . . . they are research heavy and factual. I check in on them, read them, make some modifications and then let them sit. I guess I am fearful they are never finished, and frankly, no one but my mother would pick any of them up and read them. So they collect dust. The life of the perfectionist!

At some point, I found something people WILL read is blog posts, articles and social media blips. So this gave me an outlet to write and that I did! I have blogged on and off for over a decade now. I have actually deleted more blog posts than most people write in a lifetime. And most of this writing revolved around real estate because . . . well, my real job was in real estate sales. 

While I love writing about real estate trends and doing market research . . . after a while, I needed to write about other things. So, I would blog about recipes, family, business, children, almost anything else. Yet, I felt that I often could not justify spending the time on it.

In 2018, our twins turned eighteen and my husband began to dream about retirement . . . and moving. I told him I needed a five year plan to decide what I wanted to do in his retirement (he is older and was not ready!). I figured now is the time! So, I began freelance writing and editing. After all, I had written and turned in more papers than any person should in a lifetime. My research and writing had been critiqued and graded for two decades. I have been a mentor, a coach, a motivational speaker, and educated in instructional design. 

So I started off slow and easy. I started on Fiverr and offered CHEAP editing and writing services. I took some online classes to improve my skillset. During 2020, with the pandemic, writing kept me sane, busy, and brought some joy. It gave me breathing room to really commit. So, I started writing and editing on a regular basis for others. I am still not sure how I grew a client base—it is all a blur. But, I can say that I now write and edit daily for paying clients around the world.

I have written, ghostwritten, and edited several published books now with Amazon best seller status. The feedback has been nothing but positive and I am loving it!