The Ghostwriting Process
BY LAURA COLLEGE
ED. NOTE: Want to be in the market as a ghostwriter? Here’s a piece that’ll help your prospective clients know what’s generally involved in working with one.
I am often asked how the ghostwriting process actually works. What comes first? How does the book progress? Do you have a specific schedule? Although I am only one ghostwriter, I would imagine that all of them work differently. However, for all of you out there who are considering hiring a ghostwriter, this is essentially how the process works.
The Ghostwriting Process Step #1: Consultation
Your ghostwriter should ask to speak with you on the phone to have an initial consultation. During this 15-20 minute conversation, he or she will ask you various questions about the manuscript. How long should it be? What is the subject or genre? Will there be any research involved? This consultation is meant to give the ghostwriter a basic understanding of what you are looking for.
Feel free to ask as many questions as you’d like during the consultation, but answer the ghostwriter’s questions as well. This should give you both a general idea of how well you will work with each other in the future.
The Ghostwriting Process Step #2: Agreement
Once you and your ghostwriter have talked about the proposed project, it is time to make the agreement. Most ghostwriters, myself included, have a standard contract that we use for each and every project. The only specifications are the price and the deadline, which you and your ghostwriter will have to negotiate.
A word to the wise, however: Most ghostwriters will not do much in the way of negotiation. The price is set by the ghostwriter’s experience and skills, and if you can’t afford to pay the asking price, you’re better off finding another writer. And as far as deadlines go, your ghostwriter will finish your manuscript as quickly as he or she possibly can. It is rare that we can pinpoint an exact date of completion.
Once you have solidified the terms, you should both sign the contract and keep a copy for your records.
The Ghostwriting Process Step #3: Research
Once the ghostwriting process has officially started, it will be time to compile all of the necessary research. This must either be provided by you (the client) or performed by the ghostwriter. You will typically pay a lower price if you are able to provide the bulk of the research to your ghostwriter.
Obviously, non-fiction ghostwriting will require substantially more research than fiction ghostwriting, though novels often require a fair bit of planning. If no research is required at all, skip ahead to the next step.
The Ghostwriting Process Step #4: Outline/Planning
Some ghostwriters (and writers in general) outline, while others don’t. I personally abhor the entire outlining process, and I never do it. If my clients offer me an outline from which to work, I won’t say no to it, but I’ve never been inclined to plan out my books in that fashion.
That said, however, planning in general is an integral part of the ghostwriting process. For example, if your ghostwriter is penning a fiction novel, he or she will want to know if you have any specifications with regard to:
- Plot Sequence
- Characters (i.e., names, physical descriptions, etc.)
- Setting (i.e., city or town, winter or summer, etc.)
- Pace
- Length
- Point of View (i.e., first person omniscient, third person, etc.)
- Tense
- Anything Else
Most ghostwriters will allow you to specify as much as you want about the novel. If you know exactly how Chapter One, Chapter Two and all of the rest of the chapters will progress, feel free to give those details to your ghostwriter.
The Ghostwriting Process Step #5: First Draft
Different ghostwriters handle the first draft in different ways. Some will write the entire first draft of the script with absolutely no input from their clients, then ask the client to review it when they are finished. Others, such as myself, will submit the first draft in small increments so that you can monitor the progress. If you have a preference, be sure to tell your ghostwriter.
Depending upon how your ghostwriter works, the first draft could take three weeks or it could take three months. Some first drafts might take up to a year with certain ghostwriters. I typically finish the first draft of a fiction manuscript within two months, then spend the subsequent month with revisions.
The Ghostwriting Process Step #6: Revisions
If your ghostwriter is worth his or her salt, free revisions will be included in the price of the manuscript. However, don’t expect to be afforded unlimited revisions. The standard is 3-5 revisions per chapter, as long as the revisions don’t significantly alter the course of the plot. For example, if your ghostwriter finishes the entire novel and you decide you want it to be set in New York City rather than San Diego, your ghostwriter is probably going to charge you for those changes.
The Ghostwriting Process Step #7: Final Draft
Once you have requested all of the revisions and made your peace with the manuscript, your ghostwriter will conduct a final read-through and make any grammatical or syntactical revisions. You will then be provided with the final draft (usually electronically, unless specified otherwise) and you can enjoy your manuscript!
Laura J. College is a professional ghostwriter with more than 10 years of experience writing fiction and non-fiction manuscripts. Her work can be found all over the Internet, and she is currently accepting ghostwriting clients. Check out her website.
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One Response to “The Ghostwriting Process”
By Amanda Evans on Oct 26, 2006 | Reply
I agree with you here that every ghostwriter is different and so too is the way that they work. For me personally I work with my clients creating quality website content and sales orientated materials. Most of my clients are affiliates that are selling products and their content needs to be different from all the other websites selling the same products.
I normally discuss via e-mail the amount of pages required, keywords that should be used, word count, etc before beginning any project. My fees are based on the word count per page but if possible I do try to give my clients the best possible price. Clients that have been with me for some time often get discounts for large amounts of work.
For me personally, I feel that the key to my success is communication. I am always in contact with my clients updating them on progress. I send work as it is completed even if this means one webpage or one article at a time. This way my clients get to see exactly what I am doing each step of the way and they can also provide imput if necessary.
I have heard about occasions where a client has given a project for 50 articles with a completion time of 3 weeks and not heard anything until the deadline arrives. At this stage they receive all 50 articles in one batch. Ok so the articles might be perfect but what if they are not. It may take the client up to three days to go through all the articles and then if revisions are required it make take another week for the project to end. Payment is then delayed until revisions have been completed.
Ghostwriters and writers in general rely on their payments, so I really do feel that keeping in contact with clients and submitting work as you go along can ensure prompt payment at the end of the project.
I am also a firm believer in invoicing my clients at the end of each project. I don’t expect to be paid in advance and prefer to wait until all the work has been finished and my client is fully satisfied.
My approach works for me and keeps me very busy. Your approach may be different but the important thing to remember is communicate with your potential clients before hand and see what they would like you to do.
Wishing all writers great success.
Amanda.