What services do you provide?
Each project consists of a custom package of services based on the client's needs. I can guide and assist you through the entire process from developing an idea through delivery of a manuscript and promotion of your finished work. This might include preparation of a concept memo to attract agents, the crafting of a formal proposal for publishers, the complete research and writing of a book length manuscript, and the creation of promotional materials such as speeches, blog entries, press releases and op-ed columns.
Can you edit my completed manuscript?
I'm happy to help you get an existing manuscript in the best condition possible for sale or publication. This might involve a copy edit focusing solely on language, a line edit concentrating on content and organization, a revision making suggested minor adjustments, or a rewrite if a major change is required. I'm also happy to provide a quick assessment of a manuscript and provide a diagnosis of how much work and of what type is needed.
Do you provide coaching?
If you're looking for advice, input and guidance, rather than hands on ghostwriting, I can provide you with ongoing coaching to help you write your own book. This generally involves regular hour long telephone conversations and follow up editing sessions.
How would we work together?
For speed and convenience sake, most of our communications will take place over the telephone or electronically. However, if we find we work better together in person, that can be arranged. I've worked on books that involved only two face to face meetings, and others that involved weekly, in person sessions. Most projects involve at least four face to face sessions, often clustered at the beginning and end of a project, sometimes in tandem with agent, editor and publisher meetings.
How much of the writing will you do?
As much as needs to be done for us to produce a high quality professional manuscript, ready for publication. I've researched and written complete books based on an author's strategic input, and I've also provided coaching and editing for authors who prefer to craft their own books. The most common process is that after having a planning conversation I independently prepare a draft chapter. We then have a conversation based on that draft and I revise the chapter. We then move on to the next chapter and work our way through the entire book.
Will anyone know I used a ghost?
Credit is part of the discussion we'll have when drafting a contract. Your agent, editor and publisher will want and need to know about my role in the process, but it need not be made public. Ghostwriters can be given some form of overt cover credit, such as "and" or "with," or they can subtly be mentioned in the acknowledgements.
How much do you charge?
Since each project is unique, fees vary and terms are negotiable. Typically, in a traditional publishing project, I charge a flat fee to prepare a concept memo to attract agents, and another flat fee to prepare a complete book proposal. From that point on we split monies 50/50, after you are compensated for the monies already spent on the memo and proposal. My 50 percent comes out of the advance monies provided by the publisher. Your 50 percent comes out of royalties after the advance is met by sales. Once you've received payments equal to the funds I've received, we split further monies 50/50. In self publishing projects I usually charge a flat fee, paid 50 percent in advance and 50 percent on completion. For editing and coaching projects I charge an hourly fee of $100. I also charge for extraordinary expenses incurred, such as the purchase of research materials, and travel to meetings.
What's the traditional publishing process?
There are five steps in the traditional process.
- Prepare a concept memo used to entice agents
- Prepare a proposal, with the agent's input, to entice editors
- Research and write the manuscript and revise to your own specifications
- Revise the manuscript to the editor's specifications
- Promote the book on your own and with the publisher's help*
- Up front payment for concept memo
- Up front payment for proposal (less fee for writing memo)
- Advance from publisher (less fees for memo and proposal)
- All royalties up to the total amount of monies already paid
- Once royalty payments equal monies paid to ghostwriter, subsequent royalties are split 50/50
What are the pros and cons of traditional publishing?
The traditional publishing process has three advantages:
- A greater potential to break even or make money;
- A greater potential to get mainstream media interest; and
- The book will have a higher perceived status among insiders.
- It takes a minimum of 18 months from start to finish;
- You'll have to cede some control over the book's content; and
- You'll have to cede total control over the book's design and the timing of publication.
What's the self publishing process?
There are four steps in the self publishing process.
- Prepare an outline
- Research and write the manuscript to your own specifications
- Produce the book on your own
- Promote the book on your own*
- Up front payment (50%) for taking on project
- Final payment (50%) upon completion
- All monies earned from sales of books
What are the pros and cons of self publishing?
The self publishing process has four advantages:
- You're guaranteed to end up with a finished book;
- You'll have total control over the book's content;
- You'll have total control over the book's design and the timing of publication; and
- There will be a shorter time frame from conception to production.
- You have to assume production and distribution costs;
- You have to assume all publicity and marketing costs;
- The book will have a lower perceived status among insiders; and
- All your upfront costs are out of pocket.
Should I look for a publisher or self publish?
Publishing is in a transitionary period. There are fewer and fewer physical outlets for the sale of printed books. Traditional trade book publishers are frequently most interested in nonfiction authors' marketing "platforms." They're primarily looking for authors who have an already existing potential customer base, and are relying on authors to do most of the marketing themselves. At the same time, technology has given authors the ability to produce and distribute high quality physical and eBooks on their own. The rise of tablet computers and eReader devices has resulted in dramatic increases in the sale of eBooks in a variety of formats and at a different price points. As these trends continue, the status of self published works, in both eBook and print on demand formats, improves relative to traditionally published books. To the general public there's now no difference in status between the two paths. For many authors today, the preferred approach is to follow the traditional path first, and then shift to the self publishing path if necessary.
Do I need my own agent?
Realistically, if you're going to purse the traditional publishing process you need an agent. Proposals presented by agents get serious consideration from publishers, while unrepresented submissions are usually given scant attention. Good agents know which editors and houses would be interested in which proposals. Reputable literary agents charge 15% and earn their money only upon the sale of the book to a publisher. They will negotiate the terms of the publishing contract, handle advance and royalty payments from the publisher, and serve as an intermediary between author and publisher if necessary.
While I have my own agent, he represents my interests. You would need your own agent to represent your interests. This won't create an adversarial arrangement. It simply allows financial and legal issues and discussions to be kept separate from the writing process.
If you opt to pursue the self publishing route you won't need an agent.
While I have my own agent, he represents my interests. You would need your own agent to represent your interests. This won't create an adversarial arrangement. It simply allows financial and legal issues and discussions to be kept separate from the writing process.
If you opt to pursue the self publishing route you won't need an agent.
Can you help me find an agent?
Yes. The first step in the traditional publishing path would be for us to work together to develop a memo written to entice agents to take you on as a client. Once we've completed the memo I will develop a list of target agents, culled from the many with whom I've worked. I will then approach candidates with the memo.
Will I need to hire a publicist?
If you're working with a traditional publisher you'll be assigned an in-house publicist. The time and effort he or she spends marketing your book will be directly proportional to the size of the advance the publisher paid. If you are already an expert self marketer you may not need to hire your own publicist. However, if you're not an experienced self marketer, or don't have the time to adequately promote your book, it makes sense to hire a professional to either take on the whole marketing effort of a self published project, or to supplement the in house marketing efforts of a traditional publisher.
Can you help me find a publicist?
I've worked with many book publicists, both independent professionals and agencies. I'll be able to help you decide on an overall strategy and then introduce you to a number of candidates best suited to execute that approach. If you have an agent, he or she will also be able to provide names.
Can you help me market my book?
I'm happy to help you draft speeches, write blog entries, and craft op-ed pieces and columns. However, either you or your publicist will need to make the actual approaches to media outlets, publications, and organizations.
How long will it take?
If you follow the traditional path, it will likely take at least 18 months from the moment we craft the concept memo to the appearance of books on the shelves. Of course, if a project is unusually timely that can be cut dramatically.
If you follow the self publishing path, the timing will be entirely based on your schedule and my availability.
If you follow the self publishing path, the timing will be entirely based on your schedule and my availability.