People often ask me for the steps involved in working with a ghostwriter. I always say that each job is different, because each writing relationship is unique. Having said that, I can pull out a few commonalities to most projects that could help you plan a bit.
Settle on a ghostwriter, sign a contract, and pay them a down payment
Interview ghostwriters until you find the perfect match, someone with whom you can really communicate well, someone who is excited about the project. Look for someone with experience in your genre.
While you don’t need a gardener to write a gardening book, you do want someone with experience in nonfiction writing.
It’s rarely a good idea to pay a ghostwriter the entire fee upfront. It can be a recipe for disaster. The writer will have no motivation to complete the book, or if they do, it likely won’t be done by the pre-determined deadline.
However, your ghostwriter will need to be paid something before they can begin writing (I request 25%). The first segment is always the most time consuming because it includes the outlining and research phase.
Provide your ghostwriter with all the research information
When you realize that you will be working with a ghostwriter, you should begin gathering all your research information and notes together. Think about what your writer will need in order to tell your story (or prepare your business book).
You may be wondering, “But why should I do this work? Aren’t I hiring the ghostwriter to do this for me?”
Sure, you can pay the writer to do all the research, but remember you are the best source for your book’s information! Also, the cost for your ghostwriter will increase substantially if the writer needs to research from scratch. In the long run, it will save you money and time if you can do the bulk of the research for your writer.
Review all the material your ghostwriter sends you in a timely manner.
Your ghostwriter will email you segments of the book on a regular basis. Make sure to read the pieces and provide the writer with detailed feedback. If it is good, tell your ghostwriter why it works. If it isn’t, tell him or her why it doesn’t work.
I always allow one revision per segment. You don’t want to get into a ton of back and forth at this phase, but you do need to guide the project. Remember, the outline has been hammered out by this time, so now you’re just settling on the details and voice of the book.
It is a bad idea to wait until the entire rough draft is written to tell your writer what you think of the book. By then, it may be difficult to change the course of the story.
By the time you get through this initial process, chances are you’ll have a very nearly completed manuscript. Personally, I work and rework the first draft, making minor changes (mostly for flow and consistency) and then request one more set of revisions once I’m satisfied. Often, I get a thumbs up.
Again, no two writing relationships are the same. Each client has different needs and each story is unique, but there are commonalities that you can expect when working with a ghostwriter!
Additional articles you might find helpful:
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Ghostwriter?
There is no “standard” ghostwriting deal
