Michael Graubart Levin

Michael Levin
Levin (left) in 2024
Levin (left) in 2024
Born (1958-08-08) August 8, 1958
OccupationAuthor
Education
Years active1985–present
Children4
Website
meaningbooks.com

Michael Levin (born August 8, 1958) is an American author and ghostwriter whose work has appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.[1] With Levin's career spanning more than 35 years, he has written, edited, and co-written over 1000 books.[2]

Early life and education

Levin graduated from Amherst College in 1980, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Ancient Greek. After graduating from Amherst, he studied for one year at Yeshivat HaMivtar in Jerusalem, Israel. He went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 1985, where he published an article in the Columbia Journal of Law and Social Problems.

Career

Levin began his career teaching writing classes in Back Bay, Boston. He taught writing at University of California, Los Angeles and New York University.

Ghostwriting and Publishing

Forbes reported that some of Levin’s clients have used their books to support consulting businesses, manage financial advisory practices, secure speaking engagements, and obtain television and film opportunities with major media companies.[3]

On January 20, 2012, Michael appeared as a guest entrepreneur on the ABC Television show Shark Tank.[4]

In January 2024, he spoke at the “Gathering of the Ghosts” conference in New York City, where he was quoted in The Wall Street Journal offering advice to ghostwriters.[5]

Speaking and publications

As a co-writer, Levin has published books with:

In the sports world, his clients own teams in Major League Baseball, the NFL, and the NBA, and his athlete clients have won the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, and the World Series.

Levin's books have received positive reviews in The New York Times,[6][7] the Los Angeles Times,[8] the New Yorker,[9] People Magazine,[10][11] the Washington Post,[12] The San Francisco Chronicle,[13] Library Journal,[14] the Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune,[15] and other leading publications.

Media and podcast appearances

Levin has been featured on Good Morning America and BBC World News. He has contributed to Forbes.com, Jerusalem Post, the New York Daily News, HuffPost, and FoxNews.com, where some of his pieces have attracted more than one million readers.

He has also been a guest on multiple podcasts discussing books, publishing, and ghostwriting, including those hosted by Dan Jamal,[16] Roger Knecht,[17] Lori Brooks,[18] Adam Koos,[19] Tom Corson-Knowles,[20] John Laurito,[21] and Lexi Ruffell.[22] In the UK, he was interviewed by Jane Baylor.[23]

Levin has authored more than 100 books for financial advisors, wealth managers, and hedge funds. He has contributed to consultation websites on the topic of financial advisors publishing books.[24]

Stage works

Levin wrote and performed a one-man show, The Mom Show (now titled Jenny Loves Me), first in Boston and then in New York City, between 2021 and 2024.[25]

In September 2025, Levin's original musical Sober Songs premiered Off-Broadway at Theatre Row in Times Square.[26] Directed by Chris Mackin, the production follows six young adults in recovery and their sponsor, Cap. Levin wrote the music, script, and lyrics for the show, which features twenty-four songs across rock, folk, country, pop, jazz, and blues.[27]

The production drew praise from several theatre outlets, describing it as "a darkly comic, emotionally charged new musical,"[28] while also highlighting the balance of “sharp humor and raw vulnerability” and Levin's versatility across musical styles.[27]

Articles

Levin is a regular contributor to Worth.com on ghostwriting.[29] He has also written for The Boston Globe’s Ideas section[30][31] and TheHill.com on political topics.[32]

Books

  • Levin, Michael (1985). Journey to Tradition: The Odyssey of a Born-Again Jew. Jersey City: Ktav Pub Inc. pp. 352 pages. ISBN 0-88125-093-7.
  • Levin, Michael (1988). The Socratic Method. New York City: Ivy Books. pp. s. ISBN 0-8041-0376-3.
  • Levin, Michael (1990). Settling the Score. New York City: Ivy Books. pp. s. ISBN 0-8041-0632-0.
  • Levin, Michael (1994). Alive and Kicking. New York City: St. Martins Mass Market Paper. pp. s. ISBN 0-312-95305-4.
  • Levin, Michael (1997). What Every Jew Needs to Know About God. Jersey City: Ktav Pub Inc. pp. 148 pages. ISBN 0-88125-537-8.
  • Levin, Michael (1997). Janine and Alex, Alex and Janine. New York City: Putnam/Berkley. pp. 256 pages. ISBN 0-425-16042-4.
  • Levin, Michael (1997). Sam and Derek, Derek and Sam. New York City: Putnam/Berkley. pp. 256 pages. ISBN 0-425-16041-6.
  • Levin, Michael (2003). Complete Idiot's Guide to Your Civil Liberties. New York City: Alpha. pp. 352 pages. ISBN 0-02-864473-5.
  • Levin, Michael (2011). Gutenberg to Google: The Rise and Fall of Books. Dallas: Brown Books. pp. s.
  • Levin, Michael, Pannell, Jack (2017). Lunch Money Can't Shoot. New York City: Morgan James Fiction. p. 147. ISBN 978-1683501107.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Neesly, Carey (2013). Welcome Home Mama and Boris: How a Sister's Love Saved a Fallen Soldier's Beloved Dogs. New York City: Reader's Digest. p. 224. ISBN 978-1621451150.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Druck, Ken (2012). The Real Rules of Life: Balancing Life's Terms with Your Own. Carlsbad: Hay House. p. 211. ISBN 978-1401939717.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Myers, Chris (2012). NASCAR Nation: How Racing's Values Mirror America's. New York City: Random House. p. 240. ISBN 978-0771061189.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Oliphant, David (2012). When All Else Fails, Sell!: How Learning to Sell Can Change Your Life. New York City: Reader's Digest Books. p. 160. ISBN 978-1606524299.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Summerall, Pat (2010). Giants: What I Learned About Life from Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry. John Wiley & Sons. p. 256. ISBN 978-0470611593.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Hennings, Chad (2010). Rules of Engagement: Finding Faith and Purpose in a Disconnected World. Nashville: FaithWords. p. 208. ISBN 9780446545396.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Bragman, Howard (2009). Wheres My Fifteen Minutes?: Get Your Company, Your Cause, Or Yourself The Recognition You Deserve. New York City: Penguin/Portfolio Books. p. 268. ISBN 978-1591842361.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Abraham, Jay (2009). The Sticking Point Solution: 9 Ways to Move Your Business from Stagnation to Stunning Growth In Tough Economic Times. New York City: Vanguard Press. p. 272. ISBN 978-1593155100.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Garcia, Joaquin (2008). Making Jack Falcone: An Undercover FBI Agent Takes Down a Mafia Family. New York City: Touchstone. p. 272. ISBN 978-1416551638.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Winfield, Dave (2007). Dropping the Ball: Baseball's Troubles and How We Can and Must Solve Them. New York City: Scribner. p. 224. ISBN 978-1416534488.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Christie, Doug, Christie, Jackie (2007). No Ordinary Love: A True Story of Marriage and Basketball!. Infinite Love Publishing. p. 153. ISBN 978-0979482700.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Bryant, John (2002). Banking on Our Future: A Program for Teaching You and Your Kids about Money. Boston: Beacon Press. p. 168. ISBN 0807047171.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Levin, Michael, Harrelson, Angela (2022). Lift Your Voice: How My Nephew George Floyd's Murder Changed The World with Angela Harrelson (George Floyd's aunt). New York: Post Hill Press. p. 208. ISBN 1637583370.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[33]
  • Levin, Michael (2024). The Meaning of Your Life: Writing a Book About What Matters Most to You. New York: Meaning Company. p. 190. ISBN 9798990719903.

References

  1. ^ Yahoo News Article referencing Levin's NYT Bestselling author status. Retrieved on 10-16-2011.
  2. ^ Garron (2024-02-21). "The No-So-Secret Life of Ghostwriters". Words Normalize Behavior. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  3. ^ Breen, Amanda (2024-09-23). "How to Start a Ghostwriting Business and Earn $100k Per Book". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  4. ^ ABC.com Archived 2012-01-24 at the Wayback Machine Link to "Shark Tank" Week 1. Retrieved on 30 January 2012.
  5. ^ Shine, Jacqui. "Want to Earn Six Figures as a Writer? Try Ghostwriting". WSJ. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  6. ^ NYTimes.com Review of The Socratic Method by Scott Turow. Retrieved on 10-23-2011.
  7. ^ Patrick, Vincent. Review of Alive and Kicking, by Michael Levin. "The Ill-Gotten Gaineses." The New York Times Book Review. March 21, 1993: 7.
  8. ^ Stabiner, Karen. Review of Alive and Kicking, by Michael Levin. The Los Angeles Times (1993): 6.
  9. ^ Books, The New Yorker. March 7, 1988: p. 123.
  10. ^ Kaufman, Joanne. Review of The Socratic Method, by Michael Levin. "Pages." People: Picks & Pans. March 3, 1988.
  11. ^ Unknown. Review of The Socratic Method, by Michael Levin. People: Critics' Choice. May 23, 1988.
  12. ^ Mead, Chris. Review of The Socratic Method, by Michael Levin. The Washington Post. December 22, 1987: C4.
  13. ^ Holt, Patricia. Review of The Socratic Method, by Michael Levin. "Clever Lampoon of Law School." The San Francisco Chronicle. December 24, 1987: E6.
  14. ^ Smothers, Joyce. Review of Alive and Kicking, by Michael Levin. Library Journal. February 15, 1993: 193.
  15. ^ Polsby, Daniel D. Review of The Socratic Method, by Michael Levin. " 'The Socratic Method' raises questions about law school." The Chicago Tribune. December 13, 1987: 6.
  16. ^ Write Your Book in a Flash with Dan Janal (2024-02-12). Unveiling the Art of Ghostwriting: Insights from Michael Levin, Seasoned Book Strategist – Part 1. Retrieved 2025-03-09 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ Universal Accounting (2024-08-28). Write to Win: The Power of Ghostwriting and Self-Publishing w/ Michael Levin. Retrieved 2025-03-09 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ Lori Brooks (2023-12-28). Embracing Entrepreneurship and the Journey of a Ghostwriter with Michael Levin. Retrieved 2025-03-09 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ Koos, Adam (2024-05-16). Behind the Pages: Mastering Business Influence with Ghostwriter Extraordinaire, Michael Levin. Retrieved 2025-03-09 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ Tom Corson-Knowles (2016-05-18). On Writing Bestselling Nonfiction Books with Ghostwriter Michael Levin | PPP76. Retrieved 2025-03-09 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ Tomorrow's Leader (2022-11-22). #334 - The POPPY Principle With Ghostwriter Michael Levin. Retrieved 2025-03-09 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ Development, PodBean. "How to Write Your Own Book to Use as a Marketing & Thought Leadership Tool with Michael Levin | Business Choreography". bizchoreo.podbean.com. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  23. ^ Jane Bayler (2024-05-21). Unlocking Your Authority: The Power of Publishing Your Own Book - With Michael Levin. Retrieved 2025-03-09 – via YouTube.
  24. ^ Levin, Michael (2023-11-27). "How Financial Advisors Can Write And Publish Their Own Book". Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  25. ^ "Jenny Loves Me!". Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  26. ^ "Sober Songs". Building for the Arts. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  27. ^ a b Donovan, Deirdre (10 September 2025). "Sober Songs". OffOffOnline.
  28. ^ Marinelli, Tony (12 September 2025). "Sober Songs". TheaterScene.net.
  29. ^ "Michael Levin". Worth. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  30. ^ "On coming in (almost) last in the Boston Marathon - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  31. ^ "Beethoven's Ninth as its composer intended - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  32. ^ "All Latest Michael Levin News".
  33. ^ "Lift Your Voice: How My Nephew George Floyd's Murder Changed The World". Retrieved 2025-03-09.