Books are the ultimate public relations tool for your business because they
showcase your expertise in a tangible way.
In last month's column,
"Have
Book Proposal, Need Platform," I discussed an author's need for an expert
"platform" to sell a book. This month I will cover how to write a book using a
ghostwriter.
What Is a Ghostwriter?
Ghostwriters can help people who want to write books but don't have the
time, desire or skills. But they can do more than pen a self-published book for
you. Book ghostwriters can also create proposals and pitch your book to agents,
who in turn can help you get noticed by major publishing houses.
What Makes a Ghostwriter Right for You?
Bobbi Dempsey, a
freelance writer and book ghostwriter, suggests you ask the following questions
before hiring a book ghostwriter:
- What books have you written under your own name? This way you can
investigate the individual's writing style.
- What types of books have you ghostwritten? There should be some in your
specialty area.
- What can you help me with? This could include outlines, proposals, book
writing and/or reaching out to agents.
- What publishers have these books sold to? The list should include
publishers you are interested in.
- How do you prefer to work? Does the writer prefer e-mail, phone or voice
transcription, for example?
- How long will this project take you?
- What is your availability for this project? Ask in case the writer is
booked up and you want something done quickly.
How Much Does a Ghostwriter Charge?
For an experienced ghostwriter, expect to pay several thousand dollars for book
proposals and $12,000 and up for the actual writing.
Can Ghostwriters Help Get Your Book Sold Faster?
"Yes," says Peter McGuigan of
Foundry Literary+Media, a
literary agent who specializes in pop culture books.
"We often suggest ghostwriters for authors with a good idea, but who could
use some polishing in their writing."
Will the Ghostwriter's Name Appear on the Book as a Co-Author?
This varies, depending on the ghostwriter and the agreement you have.
"If you are willing to let a ghostwriter use his or her name on the book,
you'll probably get a lower price for the project, since the ghostwriter can
then use that information for promotion purposes," Dempsey says.
What Should a Contract Include?
The contract with a ghostwriter is critical, according to literary agent Marilyn
Allen of Allen
O'Shea Literary Agency. Here is some of the information it should contain:
- Expectations: Who will do what?
- Specific services provided by the ghostwriter: e.g., the proposal,
marketing page, competitive analysis page, author biography, outline, one or
two sample chapters, writing of the entire book, contacting agents, etc.
- Timeline
- Kill fee arrangement
- Whose name or names will be on the book
- Royalty splits, if any
- Book advance splits, if any
Writing a book is an important part of your public relations efforts, and
using a ghostwriter can help make that a reality. But do your homework before
you hire such a writer, and make sure you have a solid understanding of
expectations on both sides.
Who knows? You could soon be on The New York Times' bestseller list.