Got a Book Idea? Five Tips on Finding and Working with a Ghostwriter

In his novel Cat’s Cradle Kurt Vonnegut said, “In this life you get what you pay for.”  Is that true in the arena of book surrogacy?  Absolutely! But for many would-be authors, finding and working with the right ghostwriter is often arduous and frustrating.  Ghostwriting, like counseling, coaching or consulting, doesn’t require a special license.  Anyone can hang out their shingle and claim to be an expert. This means that the quality of the writing and the production of a marketable book can range from one end of the spectrum to the other. For the first time author who believes he or she has a great story to tell, birthing a book with a professional writer involves practical matters that lurk just beneath the surface. 

When these matters are not addressed, issues that come up can derail even the worthiest project, and leave the book in the author’s head, in a desk drawer, or completed but without the appeal it could have had, says Judith Katz of Ghostbooksters, a seasoned writer with 29 ghostwritten or edited books to her credit.

 “So many people don’t find the right writing partner, and don’t do justice to what could have been a great book, whether intended as a marketing tool for their business or a mass market book meant to share a lifetime of lessons learned,” she maintains.

So what should the would-be author look for?  Where can they find leads to ghostwriters, both offline and online?  What kind of questions should they ask?  Here are five tips to help you find the perfect match for your project:

1.      As with most things, personal references are always the best method, if you know someone you trust who worked with a writer for hire or collaborator.  Ask how the experience was.  Ask what it cost and how much time it took and of course what it cost. Read the book and see if you like the style, though your book may be on a different topic or in a different Voice (yours).  Also do an Internet search on the writer.  Read what they have produced.  Then, meet and interview a few different writers who have been recommended.  Is he or she sufficiently familiar with the kind of topic you have in mind?  Do they seem enthusiastic about your subject?  Do they have some knowledge of the book publishing industry so that they can guide you to make your book sufficiently unique and not like other books on the same topic?  Also, don’t hesitate to ask if you can speak to at least a couple of their previous clients about the end result of the book that person wrote with them.  Did it meet their need, goals and expectations?

2.      Trust your gut. See how you feel when you are with the writer. Do you feel a connection, a sense of trust? Is this someone to whom you can tell your greatest secrets and know that he or she will understand? Can they give your experiences and “lessons learned” the larger context needed to make your book compelling, powerful, and unique?

3.      If possible, don’t let cost be the main factor.  Consider what having “PhD” or “MD” following your name is worth.  Much like those professional titles, “author” becomes a part of who you are, and characterizes how others will think of you.  It is a distinction that will follow your name forever.

4.      Money will always be part of it, and sometimes you simply can’t afford the person you want.  Some ghostwriters, especially if they have big books to their credit, whether in their own names or someone else’s, may be quite pricey ($35,000 to $100,000). And there are excellent writers who may be perfectly willing to ghostwrite your book for less.  In the long run, however, even if you need to stretch it a bit financially, quality pays for itself.

5.     Here are some good online resources to help you in your search:

Association of Ghostwriters www.associationofghostwriters.org/

                Ghostwriters International www.ghostwritersinternational.com/

                 International Association of Professional Ghost Writers www.iapgw.org/

                Gotham Ghostwriters www.gothamghostwriters.com/

                Ghostwriters LLC www.ghost-writers.com/

                Ghostwriters Central www.ghostwords.com/

                Ghostwriters Communications www.gwriters.com/

                Arbor Books Ghostwriting and Editing www.arborbooks.com/

                Ghostwriters for Hire www.ghostwritersforhire.com/

                Ghostbooksters www.ghostbooksters.com

Bottom line: be careful. Do your due diligence. As in love, let both your headand gut tell you when you’ve found “the one.”

Media contact:

Judy Katz

Ghostbooksters

212-580-8833