You and your ghostwriter are eager to get to work, but there are some procedural questions that should be addressed before pen is set to paper. For example:
Who is in charge?
This may seem like a strange question. Obviously, you, the client, will be the boss. And while you will certainly want to make sure that the proper style is utilized and all the information is correct, the ghostwriter should be the ultimate expert on how to write, lay out a chapter and structure the book. Remember: you hired an expert writer who knows how to craft an excellent book. If you don’t trust him or her to do a good job, you either need a new ghostwriter or you need to sit back and let the expert do the job.
How long will it take?
Although it’s difficult to predict exactly when a manuscript will be completed, it’s still important to create a schedule. You should insist that the ghostwriter stick to the schedule – and make sure you stick to it, as well. If you’re tardy in providing information, reading and correcting drafts and otherwise doing your part – and that includes making payments – the project is more likely to fall behind.
How, and how often, will we communicate?
Some people are comfortable handing over their ideas/story and not hearing from the ghostwriter until the manuscript is complete. Others prefer regular communication to keep up with the progress and make suggestions as the manuscript takes shape. Perhaps you’d like to see drafts of the chapters as they are written, have a regular bi-weekly phone call scheduled, and so on. There is no “correct” approach, but it’s important to discuss the level of communication you’d prefer.
What will I get when all is said and done?
Get clear answers from your ghostwriter to the following questions: When the project is complete, what will you have in hand: a rough manuscript? Or a polished manuscript that has been reviewed and corrected by an outside editor? Will pictures and diagrams, if any, be inserted in their proper places? If you’re planning to self-publish, will the text file (and any image files) be acceptable to the self-publishing firms? Discuss all of these issues and more so you aren’t unwittingly left with a business book, health book, memoir, biography or inspirational book that still needs a lot of work.
Are additional services provided?
Will the ghostwriter write your marketing materials, website text, query letters and/or a book proposal for an additional fee? This isn’t necessary, but if you want to maintain the same “voice” throughout, you may wish to find a ghost who is also adept at creating these supporting materials.
Who will actually be doing the writing?
In many cases the answer is obvious, as most ghostwriters are sole proprietors who handle all of their material personally. But ghostwriting firms may assign your work to any ghostwriter on staff, and even individual ghostwriters sometimes pass the work to a silent partner. It’s a good idea to ask, and if it’s important to you, insist that the person you selected is the one who will write your book.
Are there any additional expenses, above and beyond the writing fee?
Who pays for transcribing interviews, travel expenses, copies, and so on? This should be determined ahead of time.
If additional research needs to be done, who will do it?
Sometimes the client provides the book ghostwriter will all of the necessary information. Other times, more research is needed. There may be people to interview, newspaper or professional journal articles to track down, historical data to collect, and so on. For some books, it may be necessary to visit the client’s factory or old neighborhood.
Be sure to address these and other questions before the writing begins, and set down the desired terms in the contract.
Check out these related “Working With a Ghostwriter” articles:
- How Do I Select a Ghost?
- Before to Discuss Before You Begin…
- The Fine Points of Working Together
Nadine Taylor and Barry Fox write, ghostwrite, rewrite and edit books in many genres, including health, business, inspiration/ spirituality and memoirs. Their resume is long and varied but there’s one thing that never changes: They love to work with words, creating books that are clear, compelling and pleasurable to read. If you’re interested in writing a book, editing a book and/or publishing a book, you’ve come to the right place!
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