Our marketplace selection criteria means we only accept 5% of the publishing professionals who apply, and you can feel comfortable recommending any book editor or marketer on our platform to authors. This can also help you build a network with other professionals, who are more likely to recommend your services whenever they find themselves in similar situations.ĭon't have a network of fellow publishing pros yet? Luckily, Reedsy has done the hard work for you. The author will appreciate your honesty and integrity, and you get to focus on projects where you can shine. Referring them to other professionals instead of hawking your own services (and risk doing a poor job) is a good way to build a reputation for excellence and professionalism. Often I'm approached by somebody who asks for a ghostwriter, but when we delve deeper, we find that what they need is a mentor or writing consultant, or even a developmental editor. This has happened to award-winning ghost Nicola Cassidy on several occasions: Sometimes you discover that you’ve been approached by an author who is actually looking for something other than ghostwriting, or that they need additional services after your part of the collaboration is finished. Refer the author to other professionals when needed Pointing them towards resources on how to market a book and getting the word out can be one good way to set expectations and remind your authors that writing is only half the battle.ģ. The most you can guarantee is a well-polished manuscript, and from there, it’s in the author’s hands. In short, don’t make any promises you can’t keep about bestsellers or literary prizes. Acting as a guide to publishing for your client is part of the job description. But you also want clients to have a sense of reality.” Sometimes, the publishing market can be fickle, and even a well-written book by the best ghostwriter in the world is not always a straight ticket to success. Set realistic expectationsĪnother part of guiding clients is making sure that they have realistic expectations for what a ghost can do for them.įor Seth Kaufman, a ghostwriter who is well-versed in writing bestsellers, setting expectations is key to a happy collaboration, but he also notes that this can be a tricky topic: “As a ghost, you want work and you want your client to succeed. Determining this before you start saves you a lot of potential trouble in the long run. Some clients have a rough manuscript and just want you to bridge the gaps. Some clients want you to write every single word for them, either because they feel like they don’t have the necessary skills to translate their ideas into writing, or because they don’t have the time (or inclination). This often involves NDA’s and a hefty dose of discretion. “Deep ghosting” is when it’s an absolute top secret that the author didn’t write the book themselves. Going “full ghost” refers to being part of the whole process, from developing their idea and deciding on a structure, to writing and editing. Ghostwriting terminologyĪ slightly antiquated term that falls somewhere between editing and rewriting manuscripts that are in need of some resuscitation, or guiding authors as they write largely on their own. There are, for instance, many types or ‘levels’ of ghostwriting with many different names, so make sure the terminology is clear. It’s in both your own and your client’s interest that you spend some time guiding them about what the process will look like and what services they might need, so have a conversation before you agree to take on their project to assess their needs and make sure you’re a good fit. It’s great if your client already knows what they want, but you’ll also get a fair share of requests from authors who understandably know very little about the process. Find out what services your clients actually need Here are a few things you can do to point your clients in the right direction: 1. Acting as a guide to publishing and ghostwriting is an important part of the job. Some authors who want to hire you as a ghostwriter may not know what type of services they’re looking for or what you can do for them. Are you an author looking for tips on how to hire a ghostwriter ? Look no further - Reedsy has some of the top ghostwriters in the industry.
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