Ghostwriting
Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away where you can live happily unaware of the hazards and conundrums associated with locating a ghostwriter, it is pretty straight forward to hire one.
In theory simply go online to a social media site or use a search engine with the word “ghostwriter.” Responses will flood in and with some taps on a keyboard and a phone call or text, you will have a ghost. Done deal. Good to go.
Not so fast. Hypothetical actions often don’t work in our practical world, including finding a ghostwriter who fits your specific needs and wants.
Honestly? I’m often the third ghostwriter clients interview. I appreciate that since it means there’s a solid comparison.
Ghostwriting horror stories truly ruffle my feathers, like when “Mr. S,” a self-made entrepreneur in the entertainment industry explained that he’d hired a long-time pal who wrote for television. The friend said, “Listen, S, I know all about you so let me write your autobiography.”
When a mutual colleague of Mr. S’s heard that the older Southern gentleman had paid enough to the ghostwriter to buy a string of vintage Corvettes only to get 100-pages of twaddle, I was contacted. Mr. S’s reputation and memory would have been tarnished forever with that first version. The risqué stories might have worked in the 1980’s however they were not appropriate for the gentleman Mr. S had become.
Fast forward. After reading the lewd version and in our first meeting I shared the good news with Mr. S. “Please relax. The book I’ll ghost for you will be appropriate and make your achievements and philosophies shine, yet not in a boastful way.” Then I had to explain, “The previously ghosted manuscript is usable.”
Mr. S already realized that.
Once the published book arrived at Mr. S’s home, he called and in his usual gruff way, that hid a softie, he said, “Hold on before I tell you what I think because Mrs. S wants to talk with you.” A well-bred lady with a lyrical Mississippi accent, Mrs. S thanked me and asked me to call her by her first name. (I was told that this is a huge deal in their social circle.) Then the following day, one of the adult grandkids, a future leader in his own right, called me, “Gramps never told me stories about what happen to him in the war, never how he worked three jobs to get through college and never how he’d been shunned because of our religion. I can’t thank you enough. This book is a blessing as I now know him so much better.”
It would be great to tell you this experience with Mr. S was a one-off and how some self-styled ghosts never would let that happen. Not true. Hence, one of my goals as a ghost is to educate.
As you begin the process to find a ghostwriter that matches your needs, personality and desires, keep in mind there’s no licensing in the ghostwriting business, regardless of what some fancy, printed certificate from whatever program the ghost wants to share. Any Tom, Mick or Terry can create a website, print business cards and call him/herself a ghost. I am unhappy to say there are scammers in publishing, posing as ghosts, who do not provide reputable services.
Therefore, check references, read some writing the ghost has created and conduct interviews. That means performing due diligence, which Webster defines as: a comprehensive appraisal of a business undertaken by a prospective buyer, especially to establish its assets and liabilities and evaluate its potential.
I’m often asked, “Who hires a ghost?”
Anyone who longs to craft a professionally prepared book hires a ghost if they don’t want to spend years honing the craft of writing and publishing. Specializing in autobiographies, memoirs and biographies, I’ve written for incredible people who have never stepped into any limelight, creating books that are certain to become heirlooms. Just-for-the-family books are some of my favorites to write for my clients, whom I call authors, as they create a printed treasure forever.
I’ve written for celebrities, entrepreneurs, fitness and medical experts and business leaders and I’ve written for the family of a fallen hero and a famous fine artist. It’s estimated that 60 percent to 80 percent of nonfiction books are ghosted and more and more novels are ghosted today. I have experience in ghostwriting fiction and nonfiction.
As you’re seeking a ghost, select one who understands that their success depends on the quality of the finished work. It should reflect you. I believe a ghost should be invisible to the reader. Yes, an agent or publisher perhaps close family members will know I’ve ghosted your book, but it should be your voice that is clear on the page.
What about confidentiality? I promise not to divulge or to discuss our conversations, my research for your book or our work together without permission. Unlike some ghosts, I never boast about previous clients. More so, I’m highly selective about the people I work with. My clients often come through referrals or after consultations. At the appropriate time, references and writing samples are offered.
What is my ghosting specialty? Memoirs, life stories and biographies. It thrills me to translate your life stories into the amazing words that describe you. I thrive when gathering your stories and creating written memories guaranteed to last forever and to be shared from one generation to the next.
Your goals are my goals. I work hard to make the process easy for you. I have ghosted more than 100 published books and know what it takes to complete each project to exceed my clients’ satisfaction. Should you choose to self-publish or want to work with a literary agent, I have extensive experience in these areas as well.
Each client receives my highest professional attention, whether they work and live on Main Street or Wall Street.
Is your next step to click on contact for an appointment to talk with me? I hope so. I’ll review the process, we’ll talk about your hopes and desires about for the book you imagine and discuss the budget. I am looking forward to meeting you and helping you create your book.