Rachel Kranz, a prolific ghostwriter, co-author of many books and author of the novel Leaps of Faith (published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux in 2000), died yesterday.
Many of Kranz's ghostwritten and co-authored books were bestsellers and included nonfiction, memoir, popular psychology/culture, diet and health. The authors she worked with included Robyn O'Brien, Jane Jenkins and Janet Hirshenson, John Demartini, Woody Woodward, Stephen Hinshaw, John Hunter, Malaak Compton-Rock, Robin Stern, Dr. Ben Lynch, Raphael Kellman, Amy Myers, Frank Lipman, Deanna Minich, JJ Virgin, Marcelle Pick, Henry Emmons and Ann Louise Gittleman.
Kranz was also a playwright; a journalist in print, radio and video; and a warm and caring friend to the authors, editors and agents she worked with. She was revered for her ability to deliver spot-on manuscripts with very short deadlines.