10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Ghostwriter
I'm finding that one of the unexpected bonuses of experiencing a RIF is that it's given me a chance to think about what I want to do next. As I said last post, I'm keeping my options open. I haven't made any decisions yet. Maybe I'll find a full-time job I'm excited about. Maybe I'll take on a part-time position that gives me the opportunity to freelance and ghostwrite on the side. Or maybe I'll return to ghostwriting and freelancing full-time.
The plethora of options is exciting, and sometimes overwhelming. And that's life, right? Lots of choices, lots of options to consider, and, at the moment, lots of time to ponder them all.
I just sent a response to a potential client who found me online. She has a compelling book idea, and I'm excited about the chance to work with her. But I also realize that she's probably reaching out to a number of potential ghosts. That's smart. This post is for her, and for other people who want to become authors but lack the time or ability to do so.
Before you hire a ghost, ask questions like:
1. How many books have you ghostwritten?
Be wary of ghosts who only have a few credits to their names. You want an experienced ghost who has ghosted books before--in general, the more, the better.
2. How many publishers have you worked with?
The more publishers a ghost has worked with, the better. Every editor and every house is different, so a ghost who has worked with different ones has more experience pleasing different editors--and meeting their requirements--than someone with less experience.
3. Have you worked with authors who have chosen POD, or print-on-demand, publishers?
Many authors decide to use POD publishers instead of pursuing traditional publishers. If that's the case, hire a ghost who has worked with clients who chose that route.
4. How much do you charge?
I've seen a trend (disturbing to a ghost like myself) of clients wanting to pay as little as possible for a book. Well, you get what you pay for. Depending on the scope of work, experienced ghosts may charge in the range of $20,000 to $50,000+ to ghostwrite a book. If you think you'll find someone who will do it for significantly less than that (and forget about working for a "share of royalties" or some other nebulous promise), you can expect less-than-professional work.
5. Can you show me samples of published work?
While your voice is unique and a talented ghost will capture it, you want to see samples of his published work.
6. What's your background? Have you written about the subject of my book before?
One of the reasons I ghost books about health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, and psychology is because I've been writing about those subjects for more than 20 years. As a result, I have a deep background in these topics, and as a former ACE-certified personal trainer and I know much more about fitness than the average writer. If you're writing a book about real estate, you want a ghostwriter who knows what "comps" and "curb appeal" mean. If your book is a memoir, you want a ghost who specializes in true-life stories. And if you're writing a cookbook, you may want a ghost who has experience developing recipes or meal plans.
7. How do you typically work with clients?
Some ghosts like to spend a lot of time on the phone with clients; others (like me) work almost exclusively via email. In general, the more phone time and back and forth, the more your ghostwriter will charge. Make sure to ask how the ghostwriter typically works with clients, and consider whether that jibes with how you want to proceed.
8. Can I see your ghostwriting contract?
An experienced ghostwriter will have a standard contract; make sure you read it carefully before you sign and pay a retainer.
9. What kind of work can you perform for me?
In some cases, you may provide all of the material your ghostwriter needs to write your book. In others, you may want your ghost to do background research, conduct interviews, and do other work in addition to writing. If that's the case, you'll want a ghostwriter who has a journalism or freelancing background. If your ghost can conduct independent research for you, that will save you time in the long run.
10. Can you give me the names of former clients?
An experienced ghost should have satisfied clients who will recommend him or her. (At this point in my career, 95 percent of my ghosting work comes from personal referrals.) If you're planning to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a book, it's worth it to vet your potential ghost. If you're not happy with what you learn, continue your search for the right ghost for your project.
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