GET PUBLISHED WITH A GHOSTWRITER

Authors hire ghostwriters to write their books, features, white papers, blogs and so on for them.??There are plenty of reasons for an author to hire a ghostwriter.

If you want the kudos of having a publication out there with your name on it but don’t have the time or expertise to write it, hire a ghostwriter.??

This ghostwriting lark has been going on for centuries.?It’s never been a secret, although the practice still seems to raise an eyebrow or two among those who are new to writing for publication.??Think about it … our top, hunter ancestors relied on creatives to daub the next day's grocery list all over the cave walls.??Monks dedicated their lives to writing other people’s sacred texts and left lovely little messages about themselves and gossip in the margins.

It takes years of crafting expertise, knowledge and publishing success for a ghostwriter to write in another's voice - especially when it comes to fiction.

HOW DO GHOSTWRITERS DO IT?

Ghostwriters are not telepathic.?We can’t see into your mind and relive your memories with you, regardless of how spookily ‘on-point’ we might seem at times.

Rather, we’re empathic grafters.?We’re trained to listen well, to place ourselves in your shoes as you’re reliving a memory.?We add our own life experiences and those we’ve learned from elsewhere to yours even as you tell it.

Here are some of my favourite phrases I hear on a ghostwriting briefing:

“We’re so in-sync!”

“How did you know that’s how I felt?”

“YES!!?Those were EXACTLY my words!”

All of these phrases come up regularly in brieftakes between clients and good writers.??But there’s something important that you should bear in mind before you hire a ghostwriter:

After that heady, romantic brieftake, YOU have responsibilities, too.

YOUR PART OF THE GHOSTWRITING PROCESS

Above all, the GHOSTWRITER’S MAIN QUESTION before taking on your project is this:

“Will you commit to regular, open and honest communication with me, giving me all the information I need?”

Without that commitment, our road together is going to be short.?Time and effort in the project is your responsibility, too.

When you hire a ghostwriter, be realistic.?You can’t expect someone to magic up the goods at the wave of a wand.?It’s a collaboration of honoured, diarised conversations, swift answers to requests for specific information, respectful adherence to deadlines and respect for signed conditions of payment.

If you can’t commit to the ghostwriting process, then the other option is to write it yourself and hire an editor afterwards instead.?You can always write it section by section as you progress at your own pace, however long it may take, having your editor to take on your manuscript as you go.??

QUESTIONS YOUR GHOSTWRITER WILL ASK YOU

In the briefing, your ghostwriter will focus on several points whether your book is fiction or non-fiction.??Usually, they’ll include:

• Your narrative: what happened, where, when, to whom, and why?
• Do you have a story for me to tell? To sell?
• How are you narrating the story?: nervously, happily, bitterly, deceptively, rolling about laughing? (Yes, we read body language as well as the black and white stuff)
• Who’s your target market? You might be surprised to find that you have more than one.
• Where should we start and end your story for the utmost intrigue?
• Who are your main characters, how should we develop them and how should they speak?
• Where should we add drama?
• How long will it take realistically to complete your project?
• If so, do we help you self-publish or try the traditional route?
• Are you serious about seeing this through, and will you be co-operative?

It’s a great idea to ask for help in developing and writing your book if you lack time or experience.??Remember, though - you still need to commit to spending time on your collaborative project.??This is about establishing a relationship, not delegating an entire task.??

Happy scribbling!

Jo C