When you’re on the hunt for a good ghostwriter, it can help
to look for certain traits and habits. Because ghostwriters cannot always
provide samples from the books they’ve worked on, you should try to find a
writer who is (1) interested, (2) punctual, and (3) busy.
1. Interested: This may seem like a no-brainer, but there
are ways to tell whether a ghostwriter is interested in your book or in your
money (I even wrote a blog about it). Does the writer ask insightful questions
about the project? Does he or she have experience in your field? Does the
writer have good suggestions to improve the book and make it more marketable?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’ve found a ghostwriter who
truly cares.
2. Punctual: In the business of books, time is of the
essence. The content of your book may be time sensitive, or you may want the
publication to coincide with an anniversary or an event. A ghostwriter who
responds to e-mails and calls promptly, turns over research or samples on
schedule, and keeps you up-to-date as possible is a keeper. While writing is a
creative art, it is also a profession. A good ghostwriter can balance
inspiration and a timetable in a practical, businesslike manner.
3. Busy: This trait may not seem as obvious—why would you
look for someone who can’t devote all of his or her time to you and your
project? To be frank: because they’re good. Even though ghostwriting has long
been a hush-hush business, word gets around about who is good and who is not. A
busy ghostwriter is a popular ghostwriter (read: talented) and is worth
pursuing. This is not to say that a writer without another current client isn’t
a good writer—lulls happen to everyone. But a busy schedule is the next best
thing to a recommendation from your fellow (published) authors.
There are a lot of factors that will make or break the
author/ghostwriter relationship, and we will explore all of these in past and
future posts. You will need to decide what style and personality suit you and
your project, but we can guide you toward the right choice. By looking for
interested, punctual, and busy writers, you can be assured that you are on your
way to success.
Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project
Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project
Great post, Jerrold.
ReplyDeleteI would add another factor and that is that the ghostwriter asks good questions.
The kinds of question that you ask reveal a lot about how you think and, if I may be so blunt, if you think.
I ask my prospects a number of key questions before I accept the work. I want to make sure that I understand exactly what they want, and I want to be certain that I'm a good fit for the work before I ask for the order.
I think that there are a number of solopreneurs who will say almost anything to get the work.
It's incumbent on prospects, therefore, to listen to the questions that they are asked before awarding the contract.