Working with a Ghostwriter on a Technical Subject

Working with a ghostwriter on a technical subject is not as daunting as it sounds. There are plenty of ghostwriters who are versed in advanced business, science, mathematics, and humanities. Below is a step-by-step guide to helping you work with your writer to create the technical book of your dreams.

Step One: Find the right ghostwriter. Of course, this is step one for any project, but a technical subject can be much more challenging than a memoir or an autobiography. Look for a ghostwriter who has experience and an education in your field. Gauge both the ghostwriter’s interest in your subject and his or her familiarity with the concepts you’ll be discussing. Unless your work is so groundbreaking that no one has ever heard of it, you’ll want to find a writer who is comfortable with the basics of your field.

Step Two: Choose an audience. Before you even get started on the book, you’ll need to decide who you want your readers to be. The beauty of ghostwriters is that they are chameleons, able to adapt raw materials to almost any type of book you desire. Decide whether you want your book to reach an audience of your peers, a scientific community, the general public, or another group entirely. It is important to shape the rest of the project around your intended readers.

Step Three: Create an outline. Using your materials and the advice of your writer, put together an outline of how you’d like the ghostwriter to proceed. The complexity of your outline depends on your schedule and your ghostwriter’s familiarity with your subject. Nonetheless, you’ll want to give your writer a guide through your materials to help him or her shape the book.

Step Four: Hand over your materials. As always, the more relevant material you can provide your writer, the better your book will be. Try not to overwhelm your writer with stacks of briefs, essays, and findings, but do give him or her all the materials you think are necessary to complete your book. In this stage, organization is key—using a color-coding system or something along those lines can help your writer sort through your materials and use them correctly and efficiently.

Step Five: Communicate. Be on hand via phone or e-mail to answer your ghostwriter’s questions. Technical subjects can be … well … technical, and no matter how educated your intended audience is, you want your message to be as clear and correct as possible. Help guide your writer toward the book you want and the content that best suits your topic. If the two of you work together closely, you will be more likely to have a comprehensive and well-written book.

Step Six: Revise carefully. Technical subjects often rely on data, statistics, and the work of other experts. Be sure that everything you and your writer include in the book is accurate and properly cited. Because you are the expert in your particular topic, you are the one who can give the best critiques and complete the most thorough revisions.

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Editing a Ghostwritten Manuscript: Part Two

The manuscript has been written, money has exchanged hands, and now you have a 400-page book and only an inkling of what to do next. If you’re lucky enough to have a publisher, the next steps are quite simple: turn the manuscript over to your editor and wait for his or her revisions.

If, however, you’re self-publishing or going another route, who will edit your ghostwritten manuscript? The good news is you have no shortage of options. Let’s work through a few common scenarios to see which path is right for you.

Scenario A: Working with a Publishing Services Firm

Let’s say you are working with a company that will help bring your book to life and you met your ghostwriter through said company. Don’t stop utilizing their resources now! Talk with your representative at the firm and ask about editing options. Odds are they also provide editing services or can put you in touch with a freelance editor to copyedit and/or proofread your manuscript.

Scenario B: Self-Publishing

If you are taking this project on all on your own, your ghostwriter may be your best bet at finding an editor. Ask him or her for recommendations. In some cases, ghostwriters work for companies that specialize in writing and editing, and they can direct you to a colleague.

Scenario C: Looking for a Publisher

You may not have a book deal yet, but now that you have a manuscript, you’re on the hunt for an agent and a publisher. I suggest being up front with whomever you speak with and telling him or her that the book has been ghostwritten. Don’t worry that publishers are afraid of taking on authors or books that have used a ghostwriter—it happens all the time.

The final question in your mind may be: “What do I do when I get edits back from any and all of the aforementioned sources?” If the edits are minor and you feel you are able to take care of them yourself, go for it. However, if the manuscript needs major revisions, you may want to get in touch with your writer for some help. Carrying a consistent tone and style throughout a book is important, and your original ghostwriter will be able to rework the draft better than someone less familiar with the writing. Besides, maintaining a relationship with your writer is always a good idea—who knows when the next book idea will come along!

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How Long Does It Take to Ghostwrite a Book?

Many authors want to know how soon a ghostwriter will have their book ready. Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy answer to that question. Each project is unique and thus takes a different amount of time. However, you can pinpoint a few factors that will speed up or slow down the writing of your book. I even came up with a handy acronym—PACE. Preparedness, availability, complexity, and expectations.

1.     Preparedness. Say you have all of your notes, audiotapes, files, interviews, case studies, and outlines ready and raring to go (properly organized and synthesized of course). If so, you’re a ghostwriter’s dream—they can immediately get to work on writing your book. But if you’re struggling to put together your layout and materials when you hire your writer, it may take some time for the two of you to collect and work through the information that you have.

2.     Availability. This goes for both parties. The more often that you and your ghostwriter can connect, the faster the book will come to fruition. But if you are a busy executive or your writer is juggling several projects at once, expect a slower turnaround time. Try to email, meet, or talk on the phone at least once a week to check in on the status of the book.

3.     Complexity. By nature, some books are straightforward and others can be Pandora’s boxes of intricacy. It stands to reason that the more complex your book, the longer it will take to write. To help expedite the process, look at your project and your materials as if you were a stranger to them, like your writer will be at first. Try to anticipate possible questions, tricky spots in the narrative, or confusing parts of your concept. The better you understand your book, the more helpful you will be to your writer.

4.     Expectations. Ghostwriters are happy to work with a deadline in mind, but try not to place them under the gun. Expecting a perfect, polished manuscript in a month simply isn’t reasonable. In any situation, you will want to give your writer at least 3 – 6 months to complete the project. This time frame gives you two enough time to get to know one another, transfer materials, and go through at least two drafts of the book. Don’t fall for the ghostwriting services that promise you a completed book in 90 days—even if you get your book back in that time frame, it is unlikely that you’ll be happy with the final product.

Some authors spend years slaving over manuscripts, while others are able to write 100,000 words in a month. Project goals and deadlines are important, but keep in mind that it is not the physical book that is important, but the words on the page. The more time and care you spend working with your writer to get your draft to its best possible state, the more successful your book will be.

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Editing a Ghostwritten Manuscript

Your ghostwriter has just finished the first draft of your book, and now it is time for you to review the manuscript. Follow our guide below to make sure your writer has hit the mark and to guide your revisions.

1.     Does the writing sound like you?

a.     Yes: Excellent! Gold star for your writer.

b.     No: Point out passages that do and do not sound quite right. Specific examples of word choice, tone, and style will help your writer get a better sense for how to revise.

2.     Is the writing truthful and factually correct?

a.     Yes, everything is based on my experiences or research: Great. Make sure to avoid any unnecessary fabrication.

b.     No, some parts were embellished: Be wary of passing off exaggerated stories as your own. Remember what happened to the A Million Little Pieces guy? Stick to the truth and nothing but the truth unless you’re writing fiction.

3.     Did the writer hit the key points of your narrative or idea?

a.     Yes: Good news. Make sure the big points are present and prominent.

b.     No: If you think any key items are missing, let your writer know. It can also help to pinpoint a chapter or section where you think the missing pieces should be included.

4.     Do you like the book?

a.     Yes: You should. If all has gone according to plan, you and your writer have worked together on the project and your input has been put to good use.

b.     No: Perhaps you don’t hate it, but you’re just not happy with the first draft. Be honest with you writer, and explain why you aren’t in love with the manuscript. This is your book, and you should be proud and enthusiastic to be the author.

If you are able to answer yes to all of those questions, the rest of the revisions will be easy. Pay attention to the details (such as diction—if you’ve never said obsequious in your life, don’t put it in the book) as well as the overall flow of the book. Honest, detailed feedback is the best kind, and you and your ghostwriter can work your way to an even better second draft.

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Ghostwriters and Fiction: Can They Mix?

I’ve heard people ask, “Can a ghostwriter help me write a fictional story?” Yes, a ghostwriter can help you write a fictional story. The operative word there being help.

You see, the truth is, fiction writing can be tricky. Characters evolve as you go, plot points change, and sometimes the guy you thought would be the hero is actually the villain. Now imagine that you’ve been hired to write someone else’s story, one that they’ve conjured up in their head and one that still doesn’t have an ending. Sounds a bit like mind reading, doesn’t it?

Unlike non-fiction, which is supposed to be at least loosely based in fact, fiction is all a product of the author’s imagination. If you, the author, hire a ghostwriter and say, “Look, I’ve got this great idea for a fantasy novel…” he’ll probably cut you off right there. For many ghostwriters, writing fiction is too hard and too personal to do for a client. The issues of authorship and credit get so much more complex, and it can become hard to tell who has created what.

That being said, ghostwriters and fiction are not quite as bad as oil and water: they can mix. Rumor has it that from time to time James Patterson writes a detailed outline of a book, then hands it off to a writer who has a knack for his style and tone to write the first draft. How else could the man be turning out a book or two a month?

What I’m trying to say is that it’s not a lost cause. There are plenty of ghostwriters who will help you with a fiction project, but you will have to plan accordingly. Most fiction ghostwriters will require a thorough layout of your story, complete with characters, places, plots, themes, symbols, motifs…you get the picture. There needs to be more than just a spark for the novel in your head—your writer will need all the nitty-gritty details to get the story right.

You will also have to be prepared to work hand-in-hand with your writer to make sure the novel is turning out the way you want it to. Remember that you are placing a creation of your imagination in the hands of another person, and asking them to develop it and mold it to your specifications. That’s a pretty tall order. Try not to get frustrated if your writer changes things here or there or suggests a new direction for a character. If you want complete control over your manuscript, you might want to consider working on your own.

Be very careful when selecting your ghostwriter—make sure you two have compatible book tastes and will work well together even when you’re not in agreement. Your project won’t succeed unless you two can work past differences and keep moving forward. In the end you will have to decide if the story is one that needs a helping hand, or if it is a one-man project.

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Case Study: The Business Professional

Working with a ghostwriter can be an easy and practical way for business professionals to create a book. Many people don’t have time to write, or feel they express themselves better in speech than in writing. Such situations are not atypical, and explain why so many business professionals, celebrities, and political figures choose to work with a ghostwriter.

Dr. Kay Potetz is a management consultant and has been conducting seminars since the early 1980s. Her qualifications include 25 years of management and administrative experience, a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a Ph.D. She published her ghostwritten book, Take It Back: The Personal Power You Give Away Each Day in June 2012.

Her book, based on articles and seminars she conducted, helps readers find confidence and ease in all aspects day-to-day life. The Amazon reviewers say that the book is “written in a way that everyone can relate to,” which is another benefit of working with a ghostwriter. If your writer is a good one, he or she can synthesize a great deal of information and materials into a very helpful and interesting few hundred pages. Even scientific or jargon-heavy subjects can be made reader friendly when written the right way.

I spoke with Dr. Potetz to get her take on working with a ghostwriter. She provided us with some feedback about her experiences.

1. Why did you decide to work with a ghostwriter?

Dr. Potetz: Over ten years I’d written a number of articles that had been published and I needed someone to put them together in book form for me.

2. What were some of the benefits of working with ghostwriter?

Dr. Potetz: It was better than I anticipated. My writer kept all of her deadlines and provided me with excellent work. Also, she was quite amenable to any changes I wanted.

3. Who should consider using a ghostwriter?

Dr. Potetz: Anybody with limited writing time.

To learn more about Dr. Potetz and her book, Take It Back: The Personal Power You Give Away Each Day, visit her website at www.drkkp.com. 

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Working with a Ghostwriter Long-Distance

It is not uncommon to have a long-distance relationship with your ghostwriter. In fact, some authors and writers never even meet face-to-face. For some, it isn’t always necessary to spend a great deal of time with a writer, especially if you are working on a research-heavy or fairly straightforward book. (However, if you’re writing a memoir, face-to-face meetings are a must.) Many people prefer to conduct business via e-mail or phone calls; still others view technology as a barrier. No matter your preference, there can be challenges that result from working in separate spheres. Following the tips in this blog can help make the project run a bit more smoothly.

Communicate: The first tenet of a good working relationship is communication. If you and your ghostwriter can’t meet in person, your e-mails and phone calls become even more important. Both you and your writer should respond promptly to each other and in a detailed fashion. Always make your thoughts and requests clear and make sure your writer follows through. Below are a few ways to keep the lines of communication open:

·                  Set up weekly or biweekly phone calls. A talk on the phone can be more productive than exchanging e-mails or texts and is much more personal.

·                  Create status reports. Both you and the ghostwriter can keep each other updated on where you are in the project.

·                  Save e-mails. This way, you can always refer to conversations and maybe find a hidden gem or two.

·                 Try Skyping. Using Skype or Google Chat can serve as a virtual introduction and is the next best thing to meeting in person.

Reciprocate: If your ghostwriter is doing great work and staying on schedule (or, better yet, getting things done early), return the favor. Turn your work around quickly, offer thorough feedback, and pitch in any way you can. Your ghostwriter is trying to please a client, but both of you are working to foster a strong working relationship and creative collaboration team.

Relocate: OK, not really. But even if you live in L.A. and your writer works in New York City, do try to arrange at least one time to meet in person. You are trusting your ghostwriter with your book, and both of you deserve to meet and greet each other properly. Besides, a ghostwriter can get a better feel for you and your style of speech (and, thus, writing) when you two spend time together. If the distance is vast and you can meet only once, that’s all right. You will both feel good about making the acquaintance and will likely work together better as a result.

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