The Writer Who Isn’t There: Making a Living as a Ghostwriter
There are some great ideas out there. From the talented movie director who has insights into the inner workings of making a movie, to the scientist who could rock the world with his findings, there are thousands of ideas just waiting to be put down onto paper. Unfortunately many ideas never make it to the written page. Perhaps a person simply doesn’t have the time. They may feel that their writing style isn’t what it should be. Another possibility is that they simply do not enjoy writing. Whatever the case may be, more potential authors are turning to the services of a ghostwriter to help transform their research and ideas into a published work.
What a Ghostwriter Should Do
Working as a ghostwriter can be somewhat counter-intuitive. Most authors strive to find their own unique voice, to make themselves stand out among the many thousands of books available in the market today. Ghostwriters, on the other hand, purposely try to make their writing sound like someone else. After all, the whole idea of a ghostwriter is that the person actually doing the writing is not noticeable, and to make the author shine. A quality ghostwritten book should never give any other impression than that of the author’s voice, his persona, and his ideas. The ghostwriter, by definition, exists in the shadows of the literary world, only truly being recognized by the industry itself.
First and foremost, practice the craft of writing. In a given month, I have ghostwritten on subjects ranging from bacterial infections to the history of the nine iron golf club. I have ghostwritten for authors of young adult books to travel essays about Indonesia. The only way that I could even attempt to cover such a wide array of topics is to have a very solid grasp of the mechanics and nuances of writing in general. Such abilities do not come naturally. They must be learned, practiced, and improved on a daily basis.
While a solid grasp of the mechanics of writing is essential, another important part of the ghostwriting life is the ability to do proper research. Quite a few authors who use ghostwriters come with a stack of papers with notes, and a few CD-ROMs of research that they’ve already conducted. Often this material is in need of more details at best or woefully incomplete at worst. It is up to the ghostwriter to pick up where the potential author left off, filling in various details, confirming quotes, and even re-interviewing people as the need arises.
It is also vital for the ghostwriter to become familiar with the actual author of the book. It is important to acquire copies of their previous work; both published and unpublished, and study them closely. Also take the time to conduct a number of interviews with your client. These interviews and conversations may be some of the most important ways to learn how your client thinks, and therefore would write.
What a Ghostwriter Shouldn’t Do
It is also important to know what a ghostwriter should not do. A ghostwriter should never, ever, under any circumstances guarantee publication. To do so would mean placing the balance of your contract, and therefore your fees on the opinion of another. That being said, it is a good idea to communicate with publishers and editors that would be interested in the project to see if they feel that changes need to be made, or if the market can handle a book on the subject matter right now.
A ghostwriter should not discuss the previous or current authors or projects. While this may seem to be a great way to diminish your marketability, there are ways to show your abilities without going into specifics. This is one reason why you should maintain your own writing during any project. Remember, the whole idea of a ghostwriter is to remain unseen. Once you tell others what you’ve specifically written, that illusion is broken.
Getting Paid: The Mechanics and Necessity of the Contractual Relationship
Of course, making a living as a ghostwriter means that you need to be paid for your efforts. There are a number of different approaches to this subject, but it is important to keep the following things in mind. First, be sure to have an airtight contract with your client, detailing what exactly you are expected to do, when you are expected to deliver it, and how exactly you will be compensated for your efforts. Also be sure to include exactly how disputes will be settled. The majority of contracted projects that I have completed are paid for in a lump sum for the entire project. Twenty percent is required as a deposit, 30% paid after the approval of the draft, and the remaining 50% paid at the time of delivery. I calculate the price itself by either the cost per word. In many cases, a quality ghostwriter can demand anywhere from $1,500 to in excess of $45,000 per project depending on the length, amount of research, and the subsequent edits. Some ghostwriters chose to charge by the hour, pricing out their efforts for an average price of $100.00 per hour.
While each project is unique, the basic framework of working as a ghostwriter is pretty much universal. The first thing that happens is the initial contact with the client, and hopefully the initial hiring. This is where the contract should be negotiated. Remember, it is very important to be as specific as far as what is expected. Here are a few of the items that should be covered in any standard ghostwriting contract:
• Estimated length
• Number of Drafts required
• Whether or not the Drafts will be submitted in installments or complete.
• How many edits and revisions will be offered
• What publishing establishments will be approached with the finalized project
• Type of payment methods accepted
• What the client will provide, such as their notes, research, and availability for interviews
• A confidentiality clause for both parties
• Causes for Termination of the contract
• Procedures for terminating the contract
• An indemnity clause, especially if you are ghost writing non-fiction or a memoir.
• A specific time frame set for each deliverable
Of course, each contract you enter into may have specific details, but it is a very good idea to develop a boilerplate contract that you are comfortable with. It is also vital that you hire an attorney who is familiar with contract law to review it. As a ghostwriter it is your responsibility to make sure your interests are protected.
Once everything is described in a contract, the business relationship begins. It will be a dynamic one, and how it unfolds is really up to the two parties. Some clients will insist on being consulted at every decision, while others only want to be bothered when problems or significant questions arise. However, it is extremely important to provide regular progress updates to the client. Many projects have failed simply because of the lack of communication between the parties.
There will be times, and projects that you simply cannot complete. The reasons are many, and can include everything from a death in the family to an uncooperative client. Personally, I have had a few projects where my client simply stopped returning my phone calls and correspondences in the middle of the project. Another possibility is that the relationship between the two parties can deteriorate into one that simply doesn’t work anymore.
It is in these instances where the contract is so vital. By detailing how and why the contract will be terminated, both parties can make sure that their interests are protected. It is also a reason why I insist on getting paid by an installment method. In the contract, each installment is non-refundable; but if problems arise mid-stream and the contract is nullified, all subsequent invoices are voided, and all material, notes, and writings and rights to it are turned over to the client. It allows me to be compensated for the work that I have done, while preventing me from making a future profit through unscrupulous means.
Above all, it is extremely important to maintain a professional attitude through the entire project. If a mistake is made on your part, admit it readily and do everything you can to make amends within the framework of the contract. One of the best assets that a ghostwriter has is his or her reputation within the writing community. By operating professionally, and ethically, that reputation will remain.
