PLAN ON HIRING A GHOSTWRITER? HERE’S WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW TO WRITE YOUR BOOK
If you planto hire a ghostwriterfor your book, you’re in good company.
While no onehas specific numbers because of the confidentiality involved with ghostwriting,people estimate that 50% to 90% of all nonfiction books on the bestseller’slist are ghostwritten. And that doesn’t count the number of fiction books andmemoirs penned by ghosts.
Why do somany people hire professionals to write their books? Aside from theobvious—they just don’t have the time to spend months writing a book—it’s alsoabout the end product. Not everyone can write a quality book, and that’s why somany people turn to professional ghosts.
If hiring aghostwriter is in your future, here are some of the things your new ghost needsto know about you and your book.
What Is YourBook’s Message?
Every bookhas a message. It might be some special knowledge the author has and wants topass along. Or, it could be the telling of a family history so generations downthe line understand the past.
Some bookscontain a motivational message that stems from a trying time or tragedy. Yourghost needs to understand the central message of your book to understand how tobest approach it.
Why Are YouWriting a Book?
People writebooks for all kinds of reasons, and if your ghost understands yours, it willhelp create a book that fits into your vision.
For example,if you’re writing a book to drive customers to your business, the ghost willapproach it a certain way. But if you’re writing a memoirto create a legacy for future generations, the writer will approach it in anentirely different way.
What Is Your Unique Position?
Yourghostwriter will need to know about books on the market that are similar—and whatyours will offer that’s different.
For example,if you’re writing a book about how you overcame severe obstacles to start asuccessful company, what is different about your story than the other books onthe market with the same theme?
Who Is YourAudience?
Before yousay that everyone will enjoy your book, know that it’s probably not true. Mostsuccessful books have a focused audience and ghostwriters understand this.
Talk to themabout who your target reader is so they can gear the book towards that type ofperson.
What Is YourBook’s Voice?
What kind oftone do you want for your book?
Some booksare written in an academic voice while others use a conversational style. Somebooks are humorous while others elicit strong emotions.
Talk to yourghost about the right tone for your book.
Do You Wantto Be Challenged?
A goodghostwriter will play devil’s advocate and challenge some of your assumptions.This will make your book better because it allows you to see things fromanother’s point of view.
But noteveryone is okay with being challenged—let your ghostwriter know upfront if youdon’t want their input.
What Is YourSchedule?
Writingbooks take time, and the ghost will need to interview you for hours to extractall the information they need to write your book.
Talk to themabout your availability and how much time they can expect to spend with you.This may require some negotiation on both ends.
How Much DoYou Want to Spend?
It’simportant to talk to the ghostwriter about your budget before you start theproject. Ghostwriter fees vary according to the type of book being written, thelength, and the ghost’s experience.
Let themknow upfront what you have budgeted for the project and this will open up theconversation. Keep in mind that you should include things like a cover and thecost of editing in your budget.
Have YouStarted Writing?
For manypeople, the decision to hire a ghostwriter comes after they attempt to writethe book themselves. If you’ve already started the book, let your ghost know.It’s a good idea to share your draft with them because it may give them insightinto the direction you want them to take.
If you’vewritten a rough draft of the book, but need help polishing it and making itpublishable, the ghost can help with that, too. They can turn your rough draftinto a polished final product.
WhatMaterials Can You Provide?
Anymaterials you’ve collected for the book will help the ghostwriter. Forinstance, if you’ve begun researching the topic, share that data with them. Ifyou’ve made a list of the key incidents you want to include in the book, besure to give that to the ghost.
Some of theother materials that may prove useful to the ghostwriter are diaries,transcripts or videos of interviews you’ve given, websites that talk about youor your topic, articles or blog posts you’ve written dealing with the subject,or news stories about your or your cause.
What Are YourExpectations?
Ghostwritersare used to working in various ways, depending on the client, and you shouldinform the writer of your preference. Let them know if you plan to be heavilyinvolved in the process or if you want them to write the book and show it toyou at the end.
Forinstance, some clients like to outline and create the book together at thebeginning of the process, while others prefer to be interviewed, and then thenthe writer take over the process.
Do You Have anEditor?
Publishedbooks should be error-free and that means your book will need to go through theeditingprocess. Even a book written by a professional needs another pair of eyes on itbefore it’s published.
Someghostwriters offer in-house editing (by another person), but others don’t. Talkto your ghost about whether they offer the service or if you need to arrangefor an outside editor.
What is YourPublication Date?
Yourghostwriter will need to know your publishing schedule so they can arrangetheir schedule to meet the deadline.
Forinstance, if you’re writing a book to hand out at your next speakingengagement, let the ghost know about the deadline.
Or, if you wantto write a memoir and give it as a Christmas gift to the family next year, makesure they understand your intentions
What Is YourVision?
Do you wantto create a book that can be beautifully displayed on a coffee table? Or will itbe the standard 200-page print book?
Let yourghost know what you envision for your book.
Also, Remember,the length of your book will affect the price—the more words there are, thehigher the price. Most nonfiction books range from 40,000 -50,000 words.
Do You Havea Publisher?
Once your book is completed, you have two options when it comes to getting it published. You can go with a traditional publisher, which will likely require a book proposal and an agent. Or you can publish the book yourself.
Yourghostwriter may have ideas about which option is better for you, although mostdon’t typically participate in the publishing process.
Good CommunicationEquals a Great Book
When hiringa ghostwriter, it’s important to think of them as part of your team. When youpartner with a ghostwriter, you both have the same goal in mind: creating agreat book.
And the moreyou communicate with the ghost and share your ideas, the more information theywill have to create the book you envision.
