Five Questions to Ask a Potential Ghostwriter

During your initial interview with a potential ghostwriter, both of you will have a lot of questions. While many of those questions will pertain to your specific project, the five questions below should be asked no matter what your book is about.

Question 1: What is your availability?
Some ghostwriters work on more than one project at once, and before you even start discussing your project, you’ll want to know whether the ghostwriter can work on your timetable. Before meeting with a potential writer, draw up a rough schedule and assign dates to important pieces of the ghostwriting process such as interviewing, reviewing materials, drafting, and revising. Most writers need at least three or four months from signing on to a project to having a strong manuscript ready. In some cases, the writing process can take up to a year. Decide when you want to have the manuscript ready, and make sure that time frame works for your material, your personal schedule, and your potential ghostwriter.

Question 2: What kind of experience do you have in my field?
The more experience and education a writer has in your field, the easier it will be for the two of you to craft a book. You won’t need to constantly explain the theories, jargon, or nuances of your topic, and the writer will be able to craft your material into a well-written book that will appeal to your intended audience. If you want to create an innovative new business book, try to find a ghostwriter who has written in the business genre. I should also note that a lack of expertise can be bolstered by interest and enthusiasm. If a writer is willing to go the extra mile to learn everything about your field, direct experience may not be 100 percent necessary.

Question 3: What is your writing approach?
This is a broad question, but you will want a specific answer. It is important to learn whether your writer is very independent or whether he or she will want a great deal of input from you. Does the writer like to check in daily, weekly, or monthly? Does the writer create the entire manuscript in one go or work chapter by chapter? Does the writer like to create many drafts and many revisions? You should pair yourself with a writer whose working style meshes with yours.

Question 4: Why do you think you are a good match for this project?
While the vast majority of ghostwriters are not mercenary wordsmiths, there are a few out there who are. Just because someone can create a pretty turn of phrase does not mean you should hire him or her for your book. Ask a potential ghostwriter why he or she is interested in working with you. You should expect an answer that combines interest in your topic, a love of writing, and enthusiasm for bringing the end product to the audience. If your writer is invested in the process, he or she will be more likely to believe in your book and in you, and the book will be better for it. Even though you will compensate a writer for his or her services, your project can still be a labor of love.

Question 5: How much will it cost?
Yes, this is probably one of the most important questions you can ask. Most ghostwriters work on a project-by-project basis and do not have flat fees for their services. Each book is different, and a good ghostwriter knows that many variables can add or detract time and effort from the project. Go into the interview with a budget in mind, and see what you can do with that money. A more expensive ghostwriter is not always a better ghostwriter, but you will want to be sure to budget for quality work.

Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project

The Value of Constructive Criticism

I’ve often heard clients say that they are afraid of or nervous about giving a ghostwriter criticism and changes. This can happen for a number of reasons: the author doesn’t want to hurt the ghostwriter’s feelings, isn’t comfortable requesting that changes be made, or doesn’t know how to explain the changes he or she would like to see. But withholding your option can have serious consequences. Your writer could continue further and further down a particular writing path that isn’t right for your project. You writer could miss important facts or information. Most importantly, you could end up not being happy with your own book.

Enter constructive criticism. Think of yourself as the editor while your ghostwriter drafts your book. All editors tell their authors that certain parts of a book need to be altered or improved. Your feedback is essential to the success of your project, and—trust me—your ghostwriter can handle making changes. Ghostwriters are professionals; they won’t scream or cry or tear out their hair if you tell them they’ve done something wrong. In fact, they expect to make revisions during the drafting process. They will take your suggestions and alter the writing until it meets your specifications. That, my friend, is a very real part of their job.

Of course, you must treat your ghostwriter with professionalism and respect. If you want to make a change, let your ghostwriter know by bringing the passage or chapter to his or her attention and explaining why it doesn’t work for you. Give specific examples of what you don’t like and equally specific suggestions for changes or new approaches. Simply saying “I don’t like this” won’t help anybody. You are the expert in your field or on your topic, and a ghostwriter is an expert writer, but only by working together can you create a book that contains the presentation and the information you want.

A final note about feedback: don’t focus solely on the negative bits. By all means mark any and all changes you would like to make, but also take note of the things your writer did well or places where he or she improved upon your original ideas. Try to figure out what you like about a particularly good section of the book, and see how you can apply it to a more problematic passage. This method will benefit everyone involved: you’ll feel like less of a downer, your writer will have a better idea of what you like, and your book will reflect all the hard work you two put into it.

Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project