Write My Story - Six Steps to Find and Hire a Ghost Writer for Your Book

It is a jungle out there on the internet, or maybe I should write 'in here' on the internet, and the important focus of getting your story written is to successfully hire the best you can find for the best price you can get.

Success in this process is about finding a ghostwriter who will deliver your results with the least hassle. Whereas there are things in life we cannot perfectly predict (such as who will bow out of a project mid-stream), there are primary considerations we can make with a view to getting the best from our search efforts.

1.    Identify the ghostwriter; what can they do? This, I think, is the simplest stage of successfully hiring a ghostwriter. It is comparable to the good old portfolio that artists use; it either pleases you or it doesn't. If it does not exist, then how can you even tell what you are getting into?

A ghostwriter, who is serious about selling their services online, ought to have an online presence. That is their 'portfolio'. Quick test: when you Google their name, can you get samples of their work to read? The topic of their personal writing is not important; what you are checking them out for is grammar, spelling, presentation of ideas, and command of the language.

If you are looking at work from a ghostwriter who claims they are a regular writer of their own work, but has a blog last updated in 2007, you could be looking at trouble. It is possible that they have moved on and you may be taking them back to a business they are no longer interested in. Therefore, tread carefully with them. 

2.    Initiate a conversation; if their portfolio is there and you like what you see, talk with them. To initiate such a conversation with me for example is only a click away.
------------

Discuss Your Book Requirements with Ghostwriter Paula

If you would like to discuss your book Project with me, please write a direct email to Ghostwriter Paula here


Note: the message link will take you to a secure third party page to protect my email from spammers. I will respond from my direct email and we can thereafter communicate directly.

PSS: This is NOT a subscription. I will not use your email for any other purpose other than to communicate directly with you. You are not subscribing to a newsletter or a regular bulletin. 

3.    Negotiate the contract; talk about what you want done and your expectations. This is a little like the dating game and one of you has to go first. Usually it will be you because you have the details of your vision. Once the ghostwriter knows what you want, then they will tell you if they can do your work or not. Therefore, do not be shy to tell them precisely what you want done.

4.    Watch their 'response culture'; do they get back to you on time? This is a tricky one especially on the internet because sometimes it's impossible to tell where on earth a ghostwriter is. If the individual is on a different time zone, you may get a seemingly delayed response. The way around that is to ask where they are and then calculate their time zone. I have a beautiful clock on my desktop that allows me to clock into my clients' time zone. That way I can tell when to reasonably expect their response.

The response culture of a ghostwriter is critical. One of the most common problems of working with ghostwriters is failed deadlines and undelivered work. Delayed responses (once you have eliminated the time zone factor) especially at this negotiation stage could be an indicator of a tardy worker.

5.    Draft the contract; ascertain the details you have discussed reflect in print. The negotiation stage could go on anywhere between hours to weeks, but it is all up to you. However long it takes put the final parameters in writing, have the ghostwriter sign, and send them your signed edition too. If the ghostwriter is in the business, they will help you. Most of us have some agreement already in place. Once signed both ways, it confirms your mutual acceptance of the terms. 

6.    Put up the initial payment and send your materials. This is a 'which comes first the chicken or the egg' kind of situation. Basically, based on your negotiations this far, this will flow in natural sequence. Nevertheless, do not anticipate much work if the agreed initial payment has not been made. 

7.    Communicate, communicate, communicate… Keep the lines of communication open and both of you should be happy at the end of the project.

To your successfully ghost written book!

Cheers!
------------

Discuss Your Book Desires with Ghostwriter Paula

If you would like to discuss your book Project with me, please send a direct email to Ghostwriter Paula here

Note: the message link will take you to a secure third party page to protect my email from spammers. I will respond from my direct email and we can thereafter communicate directly.

PSS: This is NOT a subscription. I will not use your email for any other purpose other than to communicate directly with you. You are not subscribing to a newsletter or a regular bulletin. 
------------

More information: answers to frequent author questions
•    The most efficient way to author your own book
•    Ten tips to a successfully completed ghostwriter project