FAQ: Will a ghostwritten book sound like me?

The short answer: yes. The slightly longer answer: yes—but better.

If there were a class called Ghostwriting 101 (and perhaps there is), the first lesson on the first day would be an exercise in writing voice. All good ghostwriters are masters of understanding the nuances that differentiate one writer from another. They will pick up on your particular idioms and turns of phrase, as well as the overall tone to be carried throughout the book. Your ghostwriter’s job is to learn as much as possible about how you speak and write and then to emulate that in the book.

Before the first word hits the page, the ghostwriter should have a thorough understanding of both your voice and your style. The more you speak with the ghostwriter, the more he or she will learn from the way you talk, write, and present a message. Each e-mail, phone call, and draft will build that understanding and make your book stronger. From the beginning of the project to the end, you and your ghostwriter should be in constant contact. This is to assure not only the accuracy of the book but also its authenticity. In order for the book to sound like you, the ghostwriter must get to know you as well as possible.

Another way to help your ghostwriter is to provide him or her with writing samples. These samples can be drafts of chapters for the book or articles or essays you have written on different topics. When you go through these samples, you can direct your ghostwriter by marking passages that match the style you are looking to emulate in your book.

If you are not comfortable with your writing skills, you can also give examples from other books in your field and explain how you are similar to or different from that author. Even recordings (video or audio) can help guide your writer. So, for instance, if you are giving a seminar or a speech, be sure to get your writer a copy so he or she can continue to study your personal voice.

In the end, your book will have the benefit of showcasing your voice and style as well as the ghostwriter’s expertise. That’s why we say that the book can sound like you but better. By working together, you and your ghostwriter can create a book that surpasses each of your individual abilities, and that book will be infinitely more successful.

Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project