Who knew?
As I made plans to become a fulltime freelance writer, I read many books on the art of freelancing and how best to prepare for it. I was and am a Peter Bowerman disciple as I devoured his "Well-Fed" series books. So, as I began to follow the steps outlined in his book, I stumbled upon another local writer looking to subcontract a Ghostwriter. The client was interested in having a book written about his family and didn't have the writing skills necessary to do the book. Hence, he was willing and able to pay someone with some writing talent to write it for him. Hmmmmm, I didn't remember ghostwriting being mentioned in any of the books I had read previously. Sure! Why Not? The client wanted a fictional feel to it with a bit of suspense added to the plot. I knew I could do a great job, because I had just had a fictional thriller published. By the time it was said and done, I was getting paid some really great money and was enjoying every second of the job. Who knew Ghostwriting could be so lucrative? Certainly not me!
Do Ghostwriters only write biographies and memoirs?
No, ghostwriters write any type of document where the author claims writing credit and the true writer of the document is unknown. Haven't you ever wondered how a popular author can crank out so many novels in one year? More than likely, they are using a staple of Ghostwriters. These type of writers can write more than biographies and memoirs. In essence, they can write anything you may need, such as dissertations, fiction, non-fiction, articles, short stories, newsletters etc. where the true author is concealed.
How Do I Hire a Reputable Ghostwriter?
Good question. For the sake of example, let's suppose that you want your life story written. Perhaps you have had some family issues or a troubled time in your life that is concerning you. A good Ghostwriter will talk to you about these issues and offer possible solutions. One solution is to have the author's name as a pseudonym. Perhaps fictionalize parts of the book and so on. A good ghostwriter should be able to communicate effectively with the client and also offer a contract and confidentiality agreement. They should also have references or client testimonials along with writing samples that you can review. The bottom line is that the client should feel comfortable working with the Ghostwriter. If you don't keep searching...you will find someone that will resonate with you and your ideas.
What should be included in a Ghostwriting Contract?
There are a few components that are key: The cost of the book should be outlined in detail, how much of a retainer do they need to get started, will they bill each month or wait until the book is complete to bill? The client should have the opportunity to request a certain number of revisions which should be detailed in the contract. They should also have a time frame of how long the ghostwriting should take. BEWARE: Do NOT pay a Ghostwriter upfront for services. It is customary to either bill monthly, or pay 50% upfront and then the remainder when the project is complete. Anyone that pressures a client to pay 100% upfront should continue looking for another Ghostwriter.
So, next time you need a voice, hire a Ghostwriter, you'll be glad you did.
Taryn Simpson is a fulltime Ghostwriter and author with her own writing company, Simpson-E Publishing. She has written for many clients and has enjoyed comparisons to Agatha Christie and John Grisham. To learn more about her Ghostwriting services, please go to http://www.Simpson-EPublishing.com
Source: www.ezinearticles.com
