Authors can have a groundbreaking idea, the expertise, and the vision, but not the time. They know a book is their path to authority. Logically speaking, a ghostwriter is indeed a viable solution.
But when they navigate contracts, pricing, and promises, they realize the process is not about hiring a typist. Rather, it is about entering a tactful and deeply personal relationship (partnership) of sorts. Suddenly, the conventional advice no longer feels sufficient.
The internet is indeed loaded with a plethora of tips on why authors should hire a ghostwriter. However, only a handful of resources tell them what really goes on behind the scenes. No one discusses the profound emotional vulnerability that is needed in transferring life’s work to another person’s pen and the critical red flags in a contract that can potentially sink the project.
Alternatively, it also questions how to manage the collaborative process to ensure the author’s voice is the voice that ultimately shines through.
How can authors tackle the issue?
This blog post will serve as a brief guide that cuts through the polished marketing copy. It gives authors the candid and practical advice they require. Unspoken truths, needed due diligence, and collaborative secrets will be revealed that can transform their writing journey into a seamless and successful one.
Hiring a ghostwriter is an authentic process
Those who wish to hire a ghostwriter should understand that ghostwriting is far from inauthentic. The process of ghostwriting a book usually involves deep engagement by the author. Indeed, someone else sits down and does the work of putting the words on the page. Yet the process requires a high level of intellectual involvement from all parties involved.
Whenever an author ghostwrites a book, they strive to embody their voice through that writer. The ghostwriters go over hundreds of pages of interview scripts, looking for the needed patterns to piece together ideas.
These writers build on the genius of their clients. Though they receive the initial words but they are co-creators of sorts. This is reflected in their work. They might not get the credit, but they do earn the monetary reward by saving their clients more than 300 hours of actual writing time.
Qualities required in a ghostwriter
Whether authors are hiring a ghostwriter for a book, a speech, or the next product launch, they need to check the following factors:
Expertise in format
A LinkedIn or web content ghostwriter can’t be of any help in structuring a compelling book. It is wise to see relevant samples and results.
Does the writer have the needed creative depth?
Writers with a background in screenwriting, fiction, or memoir usually bring in the needed narrative structure. They also bring in the required emotional resonance, which technical writers cannot match.
The required voice-matching skills
A proper ghostwriter can sound like the author (in written terms). A great ghostwriter embodies the author’s voice on the page. Authors should look for the one who can easily adapt to their tone instead of writing.
The process’s clarity is also important
Authors certainly desire a professional ghostwriter who has a proper and clear workflow. Those who hire a ghostwriter for a memoir use a two-step outline process, like macro themes and then a detailed chapter structure. They then deliver weekly drafts with in-built feedback loops.
Where can authors find a worthwhile ghostwriter?
Authors looking to hire a ghostwriter can begin their search on Google. Some can be found there.
But that is a raw source. Posting the job on the open internet to a wide community is risky. Authors either find a good writer, a mediocre writer, or a really bad one. They will also get their inboxes spammed with applications from people who have never written anything close to what the author needs.
Here are some effective resources for finding a suitable writer:
- A curated writing job board: This is where high-caliber freelancers are found. A job can be submitted there, and authors can reach talent who charge hourly between $30 and $300. This depends on their expertise, too.
- Referrals from trusted peers and sources: This works in industries such as tech, publishing or VC. Word of mouth can go a very long way.
- Specialized ghostwriting companies/agencies: A markup can be expected from these sources.
If their task is specific, then the fit will be a better one. Authors need to specify what kind of writer they truly need. If they need one for a memoir, then they should find one who has worked on a memoir.
How to hire and find a ghostwriter?
While most ghostwriting projects need a unique approach, the process is relatively straightforward. It involves the following steps:
Initial meetings via telephone or video conferencing
Both the client and the ghostwriter are able to meet each other through the ghostwriter company that made the arrangement. This helps both see whether they have the needed chemistry or not to work together.
It is during these conversations that the ghostwriter usually asks many questions. The process helps them understand the project and get the needed overview. This knowledge is needed on the path to hiring a ghostwriter.
Creating a proposal
The ghostwriter sends a project proposal to the author. It should be customized to the specific book instead of being a generic template using a plug-and-play mechanism. Once the author signs the document, the project can proceed.
Developing the book outline
The ghostwriter conducts either one interview or more than one. They can use the phone or video conferencing tools. Both are then transcribed. From them, the writer puts together a book outline going up to ten pages. The client author then revises them. Usually, they will work together on a few drafts until it is just right.
In-person interviews
Over the course of three to five days, the ghostwriter interviews the client and this time for the sake of transcription. It will sometimes result in more than 400 single-spaced pages of transcripts.
Creating an expanded book outline
Once the interviews are complete, the ghostwriter makes an expanded book outline. This can be anywhere, ranging from fifteen to around fifty pages in length. This depends on the book’s complexity. There will again be some to and from before both sides arrive at the final working outline.
Making the book draft
The ghostwriter starts to do their best work, i.e., going into their writing station and emerging once the book draft is complete. They then share it with the client. Such a drafting process can take anywhere from three months to one year.
Going through the author’s revision
Here is where the client gets involved or uninvolved (as per their desire). Most experts who help authors hire a ghostwriter encourage their clients to make the draft their own. They advise them to reword, add more stories, and clarify ideas. Some clients make more than a thousand edits, while some make a few.
Editing and publishing the book
Once the final draft is complete, the manuscript goes through editing and publishing.
The final step
Assuming each thing goes smoothly, the typical turnaround from concept to final draft goes between ten to twelve months. It can, however, take more than a year or less. This depends on the project’s requirements.
Over to You
The process required to hire a ghostwriter should neither be mundane nor excessively complex. Yet in terms of book writing, the ghostwriters should match the author’s voice and tone in the literature.
They also require a good amount of time to analyze the literature to ensure the outcome they deliver is desired by the author. There is hence no need to rush anything in this regard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does hiring a ghostwriter have an emotional toll of sorts?
A: The process of hiring one requires profound vulnerability. The process requires authors to share their deepest expertise, stories, and flaws with a stranger. Successful authors treat writers like a trusted partner and therapist. They know honesty leads to a superior and more original book.
Q: Can authors hire affordable ghostwriters and services just to save money?
A: One should not underestimate the cost of hiring a ghostwriter. Hiring a low-priced one will not yield desired results. They will usually lack the structural or marketing expertise needed to make the book. It leads to the creation of a false economy where authors end up wasting money on unqualified professionals.
Q: What red flag should authors check out in a ghostwriting contract?
A: They should be cautious of ghostwriting services that claim to be the best while offering ghostwriters a percentage of future royalties or copyrights. Authors are purchasing work-for-hire services, so they must retain 100% of the intellectual property and their earnings, too.
Q: How much time will a ghostwriter save the author?
A: Ghostwriters can save authors around 90% of their time and work. The primary time commitment is the initial 20–40 hours of interviewing and content downloading, with periodic draft reviews. The ghostwriters manage more than 400 hours of researching, drafting, and structuring. How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter? The pricing is varied.