Balancing Your Schedule: How Busy Is Too Busy?

In the world of freelancing, one of the often-cited cardinal rules is “Never turn down a job.” This mind-set is a necessity for some writers; jobs can be few and far between, but bills and your mortgage are not. Staying busy and taking on projects seem like surefire ways to make a freelance career work. But quantity does not always mean quality.

Let’s start with ghostwriting projects. How many should you have going at one time? Most writers prefer to work on only one or two; this helps them focus on the book at hand and not spread themselves too thin. Sticking to one or two projects means you can devote the appropriate amount of time to your manuscripts without having to pull all-nighters. Furthermore, being selective about your work means you can pick the projects that interest you instead of saying yes to every subpar proposal that comes your way.

Clients also like to be the center of your writing universe during a project and often feel more at ease when they know you aren’t too busy to meet their needs. Some potential clients will also wait until you are available if they know you are good and come well recommended. The best way to ensure you’re on the good side of word of mouth? Do excellent work that isn’t rushed or cheapened by a too-packed schedule.

Of course, some writers can juggle three, four, or even five books at a time. Each project is different and will require a certain amount of time and effort. If you already have two books on your plate and are approached by another potential client, be sure your schedule can support the added work. How soon would you need to have a manuscript ready? How much will the author be doing or providing? Biting off more than you can chew may mean you don’t have the time to do your best.

Now, if you have one ghostwriting project in the works, that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything else. Many ghostwriters also work as freelance copyeditors or proofreaders or serve in other writing or editorial roles. For anyone, the key to loving what you do and never being bored is diversity. Having a few small side projects can help you gain new clients, earn some extra cash, and stay sane during the (sometimes tedious) ghostwriting process.

Each writer will have a different threshold for how much is too much, but maintaining a full schedule will help maximize your career. Find your own balance of ghostwriting and other projects by trial and error. Start slow and add projects as you become more comfortable and confident in your ability to plan your time and work.

Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project.

It's just an ebook! Should I hire a ghostwriter?

If you’re looking at publishing a digital-first or digital-only book, do you still need a ghostwriter? Well, ask yourself this: if you were publishing a print book, would you want to hire a professional writer?

These days, we shouldn’t differentiate between print and electronic as “better” or “worse.” Some statistics say as many as one in four Americans owns and uses an e-reader, so don’t think that your e-book doesn’t have to be just as good as a print edition, because it does have to be as good—if not better. Thanks to the ease of self-publishing, the e-market is more heavily saturated than print, and you and your ghostwriter will need to work even harder to make a splash. Luckily, many writers are familiar with publishing digitally, and all you two will need to do is work together to come up with a plan to make your book work.

Before you even hire a ghostwriter, decide what kind of e-book you will want to create and thus what e-reader platforms you’ll reach. Using things such as color or interactivity can limit the types of devices on which your e-book will run. You’ll also want to talk to potential ghostwriters about their experience with e-books to see how much they can help you in the process.

If you are creating a standard, or “vanilla,” e-book (no bells and whistles such as video or audio), then there are few if any differences in the ghostwriting process. No matter how you skin it, you’ll need a solidly researched, well-written manuscript. And for a straight-text e-book, you don’t need much else.

Should you decide to add the aforementioned bells and whistles, you and your ghostwriter will need to come up with a plan. How will you denote where a specific image, video, or sound clip will go? Will your writer help you in the conversion process? You will also need to get the rights and proper permissions for any extra materials you use, and you will probably want to have some kind of QA process to make sure the hyperlinks land on the proper webpages and your videos don’t cut out in the middle. Of course, many of those items can be handled by professional e-book conversion companies, so you may need to involve multiple resources in the creation of your book.

To return to our original question, should you hire a ghostwriter for an e-book project? My answer is yes. If you’re thinking about working with a ghostwriter, odds are you need or want one, and the format of your book shouldn’t influence your decision.

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Interviewing Tips for the Ghostwriter

On this blog, we’ve talked about what a writer should look for when hiring a ghostwriter. But what should you—the ghostwriter—look for when you’re being interviewed? We’ve made a list of some of the hot-button items that will help you get the most out of your projects.

1. Is the project interesting? Obvious as it seems, this question is sometimes overlooked by writers, especially those new to the field. Is the subject matter something you feel passionate about, are knowledgeable in, or want to share with the world? Is the material or spin fresh and innovative? If you are bored by the pitch, you’ll probably be bored by the project. And while we can’t always have the books of our dreams, it is important to be interested and invested in any project you take on.

2. What’s the time table like? Scheduling a ghostwriting project goes both ways. If your potential client wants to have a book written in 90 days and will be out of the country and out of touch for 80 of those days, you may want to let this project pass. Some clients will have an urgent deadline or unreasonable expectations and you won’t be able to talk them into a more practical schedule. On the other hand, many clients are flexible and willing to meet you halfway. Look for those that fall into the latter category, and be sure your schedule and theirs will be met.

3. How much work needs to be done? Are you going to be starting from scratch, an outline, or a set of case studies, or will you be working off prepared materials? You’ll need to factor in the amount of work in order to decide how much time you’ll need to complete the project. See whether your client expects to have materials ready for you or whether he or she will be giving you pieces along the way. In some cases, you may be expected to do everything on your own.

4. How will your client contribute? Some clients are very hands-off during the ghostwriting process while others want to be there every step of the way. Try to get an idea of how much this particular client will want to do, and also gauge how much you will need from him or her. The two of you should be able to find a happy medium.

5. Are you two a good match? Managing your client is just as important as managing your writing. The project will go smoothly if you two have compatible working styles (or can compensate for your differences), each go in with similar expectations, and genuinely respect each other. There’s no sense in working for a belligerent client or someone who is perfectly nice but won’t help you get the job done.

6. How will the client handle the delicate points of your collaboration? This last question is especially relevant if you are working as a freelancer with a total stranger. How do you know the client will pay and pay on time? Will you get any kind of attribution for your work? Can you use the client as a reference? The best way to ensure that you get yeses to all of those questions is to have a plan in mind before you even talk to the client. Tell him or her about your standard operating procedure—perhaps you get paid an advance and then collect the rest at the end of the project or you want to use this project as a résumé builder. Be upfront and honest with your writer in the early stages to be sure you get what you need.

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Ghostwriting and the Traveling Executive

Creating a book can be tricky at the best of times, but what if your job required lots of time and travel? How will you be able to fit in reviewing chapters, coordinating with your ghostwriter, and supplying materials? As always, the secret to success is organization. This means organization of your projects, your priorities, and your personal time.

When you first hire your ghostwriter, let him or her know that you travel frequently and will sometimes be in and out of communication. Provide your known travel plans for the foreseeable future and note when you will be completely off the grid. This will give your ghostwriter a good idea of when and how you can be reached.

Next, try to create a schedule with your writer based on your travels. If you know you'll have some downtime or a long plane ride in a few weeks, that would be a good time for your writer to send you the first couple of chapters. And once your writer gets started on the project, you two can nail down the schedule on the basis of your availability and the ghostwriter's need for feedback. You should be prepared to set aside a good chunk of time at the beginning and end of the ghostwriting process, but be sure to stay involved during the middle portion to ensure a great final product.

Try to set aside some time each week to check in with your writer via phone or e-mail. Give your writer advance notice, saying, "On Thursday afternoon, I will be devoting several hours to the book. You can expect a call/e-mail from me, and I will complete X task." Tasks can be anything from catching up on ghostwriter queries to sending edits. Even if you've hired an autonomous ghostwriter who can handle the bulk of the project without your input, you'll still want to keep in touch.

For many execs, publishing a book is a very time-sensitive matter. You may be creating a corporate anniversary project, an in-demand memoir, or a groundbreaking business book. Your ghostwriter will understand these time constraints. However, you should also be able to take some time out of your schedule for this book. Your involvement, no matter the subject of the book, is key to creating a finished product that you and your readers will enjoy.

Each project is different, so my best advice is simply to be organized and stay in touch with your writer. You two will create a schedule and a system that works well for both of you. Check out some of the other entries on this site for tips on how to communicate with ghostwriters, prepare your materials, and make a realistic timetable for your project.

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Reviewing Ghostwriter Samples: What to Look For

You’ve found a few promising ghostwriters, and now you’re up against the task of weeding through their writing samples. How do you know what to look for, especially if they haven’t written a book quite like yours? Below are a few obvious and not-so-obvious elements to keep an eye out for when reviewing ghostwriter samples.

Correct Spelling and Grammar

This one is a no-brainer. But also look for certain trends (e.g., serial commas) that you like, as well as competency with your chosen style, whether that’s CMS, AP, or something different.

Word Choice and Phrasing

Keeping in mind that the ghostwriter was likely trying to reproduce the style of the author, look for certain turns of phrase, sentence structures, and other elements that you find appealing. Although most ghostwriters will do their best to mimic the voice of the author, their own personal voices will come through in the writing as well.

Use of Jargon, Stats, and Other Info

Does the writer make even the most technical information clear and interesting for readers of various levels? If so, that’s a good sign. No matter the subject of your book, it should appeal to the broadest possible audience—after all, the whole point of writing a book is that someone else will read it! Good ghostwriters can tackle complex subjects and create text that accurately and clearly represents data and pertinent information.

Familiarity with the Topic

This is especially important if you get a chance to review a sample from a book in your field. You’ll want evidence that the writer is comfortable with the topic and uses the necessary terms properly. Even brief samples can give you an idea of how much a writer knows (or has learned) about a particular subject.

Tone and Talent

Does the sample make you want to read more, despite less than thrilling subject matter? Is the writing presented in a straightforward and interesting manner? I often encourage authors to go with a writer who writes well rather than one who is simply well educated. Part of the ghostwriting process is the mutual exchange of information, and it is very rare that a ghostwriter is an expert or professional in the same field as the author. Ghostwriters are smart people, and even if you choose a writer with little experience in, say, business books, that doesn’t mean he or she won’t turn out a beautifully written book. Go with your gut—if you think a writer is talented and you are willing to give direction, you two can be a good match.

Finally, remember that ghostwriters are only as good as their authors. Even the greatest writer can do only so much with an author who is not fully committed to the project or who supplies only minimal material and direction, and sometimes this shows in the finished product. Feel free to ask writers for details on their projects—in some cases that info will be confidential, but they can always tell you what helps them work best. Use that new knowledge to be the best author you can be and to choose the ghostwriter who is best suited to you.

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Niche Writers Versus Generalist Writers: Which Is Best for My Project?

This is a question you will want to answer early in your search for a ghostwriter. I’ve put together a brief quiz (below) to help you determine whether a niche writer or a generalist writer will be best for you and your book.

1.     What is the topic of your book?

a.     It is a very focused topic in an academic field.

b.     It is a business book.

c.     It is a memoir/biography.

2.      What kind of materials will you be incorporating into your book?

a.     heavy research and statistics and perhaps material from scholarly articles

b.     some research and statistics but also practical advice and information

c.     personal documents, memories, and experiences

3.     Who is your intended audience?

a.     other professionals in my field

b.     working professionals looking to better an aspect of their lives, careers, or businesses

c.     anyone who wants to hear the story, though I do have a certain group of readers in mind

4.     Will the average reader (with a college education) understand the bulk of your book?

a.     It seems unlikely; much of the book is targeted toward a select group in my field.

b.     Yes, though I intend for my book to be educational.

c.     Yes, I think many people will enjoy learning from and about my life (or the life of the person I am writing about).

5.     What is the level of complexity of your book in terms of jargon and concepts?

a.     High: knowledge of specific language, terms, and theories is necessary to understand my work.

b.     Medium: my book builds upon previous works and theories, but I will take great care to explain unfamiliar terms or concepts.

c.     Low: I want my text to be easily readable, and the beauty of the prose is important to me.

Mostly As: It sounds like you are working on a complex, scholarly book, and I’d suggest working with a niche writer. You’ll want a writer who is familiar with your topic or field so that you two can do your subject justice. Be sure to provide as much information in as straightforward a manner as you can, especially when you’re getting started on the project. This will help your ghostwriter learn and allow you two to put your information into a strong text.

Mostly Bs: You could work with either a niche writer or a generalist writer. Your book seems flexible in terms of complexity, and even a writer outside of your field would be able to put together a well-written book that would appeal to readers. Of course, a niche writer may be able to improve further with his or her background knowledge on the topic. The more challenging or specific your topic, the more strongly you should consider finding a niche writer.

Mostly Cs: A generalist writer would be a great fit. Ghostwriters, by profession, have to have strong writing skills and the ability to turn out strong prose and compelling narratives. If you want to find a niche writer, you may do so—there are some writers who specialize in memoirs, biographies, and the like. As long as you find someone whose writing you like and whose working style meshes with yours, you should be good to go.


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Before You Hire a Ghostwriter, Ask Yourself...Am I an Ideal Client?

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about how you can find the perfect ghostwriter, but the interview process goes both ways. When you’re interviewing your potential ghostwriters, they are also interviewing you. And many ghostwriters are in high demand and have the ability to pick and choose their projects. So what do ghostwriters look for in an ideal client?

A clear vision. Your vision for your book doesn’t have to be set in stone (in fact, it could be problematic if it is), but you should have a good idea of what you want to see in the final product. Depending on your genre, map out your thoughts in terms of tone, style, and even layout (e.g., bulleted lists, tables, sections, etc.). When you go in for the interview with your ghostwriter, you might even want to put together a sample chapter (it doesn’t have to be perfect) that you can show your writer to give him or her an idea of how the book will flow.

Organization. Are most or all of your materials in one place and in some kind of order? If so, you’re golden. Many ghostwriters plan to do extra research when working on a project, but it certainly helps to have as much (organized) information available as possible.

A realistic schedule. In past blogs, we’ve talked about how long it takes to ghostwrite a book and do it right. Some websites advertise with slogans such as “We’ll write your book in 30 days!” but very few good ghostwriters can provide that kind of turnaround time. Give your writer as much time as possible—ideally four or more months—so he or she can create the best possible product.

Availability. You may be a busy executive, a celebrity, or even a world traveler. But during the book-writing process, your ghostwriter will want to have access to you. If your calendar is completely hectic for the next six months, maybe now is not the right time to do your book. Ghostwriters can work very autonomously, but you will want to be available and involved to make sure you are happy with your book.

Good feedback. Good feedback is not always positive feedback, but it should always be constructive. Ghostwriters look for clients who communicate quickly, concisely, and respectfully. Providing good feedback on everything from minor questions to the final manuscript will make the working relationship between you and your writer that much more enjoyable and effective.

Compatibility. Just as you want a writer who suits you, so, too, will a ghostwriter look for a client with whom he or she is compatible. You two should match up in terms of working style, communication, and personality. If you have certain weaknesses that may hamper the progress of the book, look for a writer who balances you out. You and your ghostwriter are a team, and you should create the best team that you can.

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