What I Learned Ghostwriting a Memoir: Part Three
Time to dive into?the logistical side of things—covering topics like payment plans, contracts, and scheduling. These aren’t the most glamorous aspects of ghostwriting, but they’re essential. So, let’s get into it!
Talk About Money Early (Embrace the Uncomfy)
Talking about money can feel awkward, but it’s absolutely necessary.
You have to address payment before you get too deep into the process.
Now, that doesn’t mean you need to come into the first meeting with all the details worked out. But it’s good to set some guidelines early on.
If you’re just starting out, here’s a tip: offer to do an initial outline or a sample of work for free. Say something like, "Let’s spend an hour together on a potential outline, and see if it’s a good fit." This shows your client two things:
This also gives you a chance to figure out if you want to work with them—memoir ghostwriting is a long and intensive process, and you need to be sure it's the right fit for both sides.
The Contract: It’s More Than a Signature
When I ghostwrote my client’s memoir, I didn’t create a written contract. And while I trusted him, and he trusted me, I learned the hard way that a contract isn’t just about legalities—it’s about clear communication.
A contract helps outline exactly what you’re offering and what you expect from your client.?
Get specific: how many words, how many hours per week (if you’re charging hourly), and articulate a clear payment plan. It’s like a form of insurance that keeps both sides aligned and minimizes surprises.
Pricing Ghostwriting: Know Your Worth
Ghostwriting a memoir takes way more time and effort than you might anticipate.
The best piece of advice I received before pricing this project was to ask for a sum that actually reflects the work that’s going into it. Don’t undersell yourself.
For me, this project took an entire year, and while it was intimidating to present a large number up front, I knew the work would require it.
When I spoke to my client, we discussed his budget, and we found a compromise that, to be honest, was beyond my wildest dreams.
It still blows my mind that I got paid to do a project I cared so much about.
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Overcommunicate (Almost to the Extreme)
Overcommunicate with your clients—especially about payments. In almost every email, I’d include a breakdown of what had already been paid, what was due, and what invoices were still to come. Even without a formal contract, this acted as a written record of what was expected from both sides.
The Business Side of Things
Ghostwriting isn’t all about the writing; there’s a business side too.
I had to set up a business number here in Ontario, and with the help of an accountant friend, I registered as a sole proprietorship. If you’re just starting out, you only need to charge GST/HST if you expect to earn over $30,000 CAD in one calendar year (but consult an accountant if you're unsure!).
You Need Your Editors
Remember, your client hired you because you are the creative one. In my case, I’d write a chapter or a section and send it over for feedback. But, the only notes I ever got from my client were minor details—misspelled names or incorrect song lyrics. I didn’t get creative feedback like, "I don’t like how you phrased that."
This doesn’t mean I’m the perfect writer (far from it). It just means my client wasn’t a writer and didn’t know how to give creative feedback. That’s where finding editors or fellow writers for critical input becomes crucial.
What’s Next?
That wraps up the logistics! Next time, we’ll talk about a big topic in the writing world: the query letter.
If you’re ghostwriting or working on a long-term project, how do you handle the logistical side of things? What’s worked for you, and what hasn’t?
Let’s chat about it in the comments!
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6 个月Shukri Ahmed some valuable insight right here from an awesome resource ?Adina Samuelss