Tag: Other Ghosted Content

Top 3 Reasons Why Smart Companies Hire Technical Ghostwriters

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

Have you ever set up a printer in your home or downloaded software onto your laptop? Perhaps you constructed a jungle gym for your kids or took your blood glucose level with a medical monitor.

If so, you likely benefited from the work of a technical ghostwriter.

Some may only associate the term “ghostwriting” with professionals who draft content on behalf of another individual, often for books and speeches.

Today, the term also extends to writing consultants who draft posts on social media sites for celebrities and company leaders whose relevance can depend on staying current.

Another common type of ghostwriting is for business and technical purposes – on behalf of government agencies, educational institutions, corporations, and entrepreneurs.

The myriad forms of ghostwriting for business may include the drafting of white papers – an authoritative source of information about a topic, product, or service.

It also may include academic case studies, corporate standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals, and other guidelines for internal and external use by non-profit organizations.

It’s simple: Our daily consumer and business lives are eased by substantive, well-written content that translates complex and industry-specific jargon into cohesive, easy-to-understand manuals, user guides, policy and procedure documentation, instructions, and the like.

The Benefits of Hiring a Technical Ghostwriter

#1: You get a professional experienced in drafting compelling copy from complex source materials.

Sure, your subject matter experts (SMEs) understand the ins and outs of your products and services. Heck, they likely developed them!

Yet, these detail-minded people can find it difficult to grasp how to effectively communicate the essential information an end user needs. It takes an individual with specific expertise to create user-friendly copy that is clear, succinct, and quickly understood.

“Companies know their products and services, but they don’t always know how to describe their offerings in a way that the average person will understand,” says Erin Larson, a copywriter with The Writers For Hire (TWFH). “An effective technical writer provides an outsider’s perspective and an ability to translate the technical information from the subject matter expert to the public.”

In addition, SMEs often are skilled at listing the features of a product and not as practiced at describing its benefits for the user.

A solid technical ghostwriter is someone who is capable of distilling that content in a meaningful manner and “someone who, by education, innate ability, or experience, has the capacity to understand what the experts are talking about,” remarks TWFH technical writer Barbara Adams. “Engineers talk like engineers and don’t want to dumb down their conversations to get their point across.”

#2: You get an expert in producing content that effectively targets your customers and other end users.

An experienced technical ghostwriter possesses grammatical and organizational skills for drafting copy that engages people at various comprehension and reading levels.

For example, instructions on setting up a child’s $100 telescope would be quite different from those for a $2,500 Orion model.

And a manual of SOPs involving offshore oil rig operations is quite different from the operations plan for leadership in the event of an oil rig catastrophe.

Technical writers are communications professionals, and their expertise often includes a keen sense of audience targeting and content strategy.

Those offshore workers may prefer a hard-copy manual, while the board of directors probably seeks something simpler, like a Google doc that can be revised quickly and easily.

An adept writer can assess how to effectively market your information to the intended audience and utilize the appropriate delivery mechanisms to do so.

“An outside technical writer, typically, has been exposed to different companies and different technologies, and can therefore bring new perspectives about how to communicate technical topics,” Adams adds.

#3: Hiring a technical ghostwriter can save your company time, money, and headaches.

Outsourcing many types of labor has become common practice – especially for organizations who may benefit from an expert practitioner on an occasional basis.

As TWFH writer Brenda Hazzard asserts, “Outsourcing the writing of blogs, social media, white papers, and proposals is a good option for companies without a dedicated team of professional writers and editors.”

One thing to consider, Hazzard says, is whether to hire a technical writer with specialized, industry expertise or a generalist who has collaborated with various types of projects and industries. “While the former may come with applicable background and experience, the latter may be more objective, and possess a fresher, non-technical perspective.”

Additionally, any experienced contractor will prioritize the project and understands the importance of delivering a high-quality product – on time. After all, being hired for future projects depends on it.

“A subject matter expert within your organization may place the project on a back burner until they find the time to compose something. Plus, a SME’s content probably will need a good editor, someone who possesses a sharp eye for logical flow, grammar, style, and tone,” Hazzard adds.

Keep in mind that many consultants – whether they practice technical writing or another skill – must adeptly collaborate with a diverse array of individuals. They wouldn’t survive long otherwise!

“An effective technical writer is a good listener and a quick study, with the ability to work with various personality types,” Hazzard remarks.

Outsourcing your technical communication to a ghostwriter could be a smart decision for your company. Perhaps, too, it can provide benefits you never realized and, ultimately, help the company’s bottom line.

Copywriter Q&A: Flori Meeks Discusses the Art of the Interview

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

The Writers For Hire (TWFH) team member Flori Meeks began her career in suburban Detroit as a community newspaper reporter. Throughout her impressive 25+ years as a writer, she has taken the skills she developed as a reporter and spun them into a successful career which has included penning everything from blogs and web copy to ghostwriting nonfiction books and autobiographies.

In this installment of Copywriter Q&A, Flori walks us through the art of the interview, and talks about some of the challenges that come with interviewing clients.

TWFH: For what kinds of writing projects do you generally conduct interviews?

FM: Most of the time, I conduct interviews for business clients’ internal articles spotlighting employees and community outreach projects. I also interview people for blogs and for nonfiction book/ghostwriting projects.

TWFH: How do you identify the people who need to be interviewed?

FM: When I’m working on a blog or article, the client usually recommends subject matter experts to interview, or I interview the person the piece is about.

For books, the client almost always is the first person interviewed. From there, I usually get ideas for other people to talk to. Maybe, for an autobiography, I might ask for permission to interview family members, friends, or business colleagues who can share interesting stories. They might provide a valuable perspective or insights that make the book more compelling or insightful.

For a book about business, history, or any kind of subject that requires research, I usually spot potential experts as I read articles and papers about the book’s topic. These are people who are quoted in the articles or wrote about the topic themselves.

In some cases, I’ve also gone to universities’ media relations pages, which sometimes list professors/experts who are willing to be interviewed.

Some services that distribute press releases accept queries from journalists and other researchers who need to connect with experts. I’ve had pretty good results with ProfNet and Newswise.

TWFH: How do you schedule interviews? Do you reach out to people by email? Call them?

When I was a journalist in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I almost always called people to request and schedule interviews. These days, people tend to prefer advance notice before a call, so I email my interview requests — or if the interviewee prefers, I text them.

In some cases, with an interviewee associated with a university, for example, you have to coordinate through a media relations office.

During this process, whether I’m emailing interviewees themselves or an office, I usually include my questions in the email and give the interviewees the option of answering by phone or by email.

For book-related interviews, I sometimes send questions in advance, too, so the interviewee can think about their answers. If the book is relying mostly on the client’s interview answers—that’s usually the case for ghostwritten autobiographies and memoires—we sometimes schedule a series of interviews that might take place weekly or every other week until all of the information is covered.

TWFH: How long does a typical interview take?

FM: For a simple article or blog, the interview usually takes 30 minutes or less. For a longer or more complicated piece, it might take an hour.

For book interviews, if I’m talking with the person the book will be about, two hours per session is usually the ideal amount of time. If the interviewer starts getting tired, or thinking about the other things they need to get done that day, their answers aren’t as well thought out. That said, I’ve done some autobiography interviews that lasted all day, and because the interview subject was passionate about the project, those marathon sessions went very well.

TWFH: How do you come up with questions for your interviews?

FM: The goal is to have the interviewee provide information, insights, or an explanation of something that I, as the writer, can’t provide through research.

So, if I’m talking with a subject matter expert about a technological subject, I’ll ask questions that help me understand the topic (a new gizmo, for example), the key takeaway for readers  (the new gizmo helps keeps widget company workers safer), and how to write about the topic accurately and in a way that will be easy for readers to digest.

For articles that are less technical, maybe a piece about a community outreach project or an employee achievement like completing a marathon, I try to ask questions that encourage the interviewees to reflect on the topic. “What excites you about the new food pantry?” “Why was that experience meaningful to you?”

For a book about someone’s life experiences, The Writers For Hire has developed an extremely detailed list of questions to ask, and I try to build on that, based on what I know about the person we’re writing for. If they were raised by a grandparent, for example, I might add a list of questions to try to better understand that experience and how it impacted them.

TWFH: Do you have a standard method for starting interviews?

FM: Not really, except I make sure they don’t mind if I record our conversation.

TWFH: What are the biggest challenges to conducting interviews, and how do you overcome those challenges?

FM: Well, first of all, it can be challenging sometimes to get subject matter experts to respond to interview requests, which I understand. They have a lot on their plate. In those cases, all you can do is politely follow up until they respond. Sometimes it helps to copy other people from their organization (a marketing person, media relations, other people on their team) so your emails don’t go into bulk mail, and the subject matter expert feels more compelled to respond.

During interviews for autobiographies or business insights books, it can be challenging at times to get people to reflect on the memories or examples they’re sharing. Maybe an executive can tell me about the time their business almost went bankrupt, but they find it more difficult to expand on how that impacted them or the lessons to be learned from that situation. It helps, sometimes, to ask questions about possible outcomes. “Did you change any of your processes after that?” “Did you approach deals differently?” “Have your relationships with team employees changed? How?”

Another challenge can be when interviewees go down rabbit holes or off-topic before providing the answer you need. In those cases, it’s just a matter of respectfully returning them to the topic you were trying to address.

TWFH: I imagine it can be hard to get some people to share deeply personal information. Do you have any tips to help make the interviewees open up?

FM: It depends on the person. Sometimes, if you have a sense of what the interviewee enjoys talking about, you can work in questions about that subject, so they relax and feel more comfortable answering your other questions.

Sometimes, if it’s appropriate, you can share a little about yourself, so the interview is more like a conversation. “When I was raising my children and working, I ran into this situation…What was it like for you?”

But, really, I’ve found the best way to put interviewees at ease and foster a good interview is to be respectful and a good listener. Ask follow-up questions based on what the interviewee is saying. “You said your uncle was your role model. Why? What are some of your favorite memories of him?”

TWFH: Is there anything (or any questions) that should be avoided when doing interviews?

FM: For questions to avoid, I would just use common sense: If something seems unprofessional or too personal for the circumstances, trust your judgment.

As far as things not to do in general, I would try to avoid interrupting the person being interviewed. Also, if you disagree with a point they’re making or with something they did (or didn’t do) in a memory they’re sharing, keep that to yourself. Instead, make sure you understand what they’re saying well enough to write about it — especially if you’re going to be ghostwriting from their perspective.

TWFH: How do you keep track of the information you glean from interviews? Do you take notes while you are interviewing people?

FM: I usually record interviews and take notes as a back-up. It’s something one of my journalism professors strongly encouraged, and it turns out she was right. When I was getting my start as a reporter, I had the opportunity to interview a well-known playwright for a community newspaper. When it was time to write the article, I realized something went wrong with the recording. If I hadn’t taken notes, that would have been a disaster. Recording technology has come a long way since then, but stuff still happens.

TWFH: Is there anything else that you feel is important for people to know about doing interviews?

FM: I think the best interviewers are good listeners. They treat interviewees with respect, and that puts interviewees at ease.

How Much Time Does A Ghostwriter Need to Write A Book?

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

One of the most common questions new and prospective clients ask ghostwriters is how long their book project will take from start to finish.

For clients that pay by the hour, the thought of a project taking six months or longer can be scary.

We interviewed several professional ghostwriters to ask them about their processes and how long ghostwriting takes them.

Most ghostwriters agreed that the interview process takes a significant amount of time up front, with one to two hours spent per page writing and additional time spent editing, revising, and proofreading after that.

Ultimately, though, there really is no simple answer, as each project is different and requires a different time commitment.

Fortunately, professional ghostwriters have processes in place that they use for each project, which can give you a good idea of how much time your specific project would take them.

Factors That Impact Time Spent Ghostwriting

Time Ghostwriting
Photo by JESHOOTS.com from Pexels

No two ghostwriting projects are the same, even if the projects specify the same number of words or chapters. Some factors that can impact the time spent on ghostwriting a book are:

The Initial Meeting

For ghostwriting projects, the initial meeting between the ghostwriter and client can be an extremely important starting point, setting the pace and expectations for the entire project.

According to The Writers For Hire ghostwriter Jennifer Rizzo, the initial meeting with the client is used “to determine whether they have a certain style or tone in mind, or if they need some examples to help nail those things down. That initial meeting is also when we figure out if interviews should be conducted, who needs to be interviewed for the project, and how/when those interviews are going to be done.”

Once the initial meeting is conducted, both the ghostwriter and client should have a better idea of what the scope of the project will entail, which will help to determine how much time should be budgeted.

Size and Scope of the Project

Sizes and types of ghostwriting projects can vary greatly, from short children’s books to a large, multi-book memoir.

The longer the project, the more time you can expect it to take.

Did the Client Provide an Outline or Draft?

Ghostwriting projects all start in different phases.

In some cases, a client will come to the first meeting with an entire first draft of their book already written. Other times, though, all they have is the initial ideas and concepts of what they want their book to look like.

If an outline or a first draft is provided upfront, this could serve as a starting point for the writer.

However, it can also create more editing work before any actual writing occurs. Not all client-created outlines or drafts are what end up getting used, as phone calls and interviews can alter the initial scope.

Interviews

Much of the time spent on ghostwriting, especially with book projects, is in interviews.

If the interview subjects are difficult to get a hold of, this can cause delays. And if multiple interviews are needed or conversations drag on and veer off-topic, it could take longer.

Most of the writers we interviewed noted that between the initial interviews and outline process, it can take a long time before any writing actually gets started.

The Writers For Hire ghostwriter Flori Meeks notes that her process for autobiographies starts after she knows what a client’s goals are.

Meeks says that she will develop questions and start scheduling interviews. “That process continues until I have enough information to recommend a detailed book outline. After finalizing the outline with the client, I write the first chapter, have it edited by another member of our team, and send it to the client to get their feedback.”

Research

The amount of outside, third-party research will vary, based on the topic and project scope.

If you choose to create a book about a historical period or a specific scientific fact, it will likely require more research than a book just about your personal life story.

Writing

Each writer drafts copy at a different pace, but one type of writer does not necessarily offer an advantage over another.

A writer who completes 250 words an hour may need less time in the editing phase than one who writes 500 words an hour since they take more time reviewing the content as they write it.

Editing

Editing is an important part of the process that shouldn’t be overlooked. Rarely is the first draft the one that’s the best.

In fact, most good books go through several rounds of edits before they are ready to be published.

Feedback and Revisions

A ghostwritten book is a client’s story, not the ghostwriter’s. After all, the client is the author. The ghostwriter is just the person who is helping the author get their story on paper.

Because of this, there’s a good chance that there will be some feedback and revisions along the way. This is just part of the process.

However, the more time spent going back and forth, the longer the project will take.

Proofreading

Once the revision process is complete, the document still needs to be proofread before it can be published or otherwise considered finished.

Although it can be time-consuming, proofreading is an essential step in catching style inconsistencies, grammar issues, and typos.

Division of Labor

Clients can be as involved as they want to be with their ghostwriting project.

A client may want to provide a rough draft for the ghostwriter to start with. Or perhaps they just want to hand off the project and see the first draft when it is completed.

And in some cases, clients want to draft certain chapters on their own, while having their ghostwriter draft others.  

There is no wrong way to divide the labor on a ghostwriting project, although the division of labor will impact the amount of time ghostwriters will spend on projects.

Ghostwriting Challenges

Ghostwriters can face many unique challenges compared to other types of professional writers. This can delay a project or cause more time to be spent on the feedback and revision process. Some common challenges include:

  • Difficulty scheduling interviews. Interviews can take time, and clients often have numerous responsibilities to juggle, which can make it difficult to schedule interviews.
  • Not having enough information available. Even with interviews, sometimes it can be difficult to get enough information about the subject. In these cases, ghostwriters often have to do additional research to get the content they need.
  • Lack of sources. Sometimes an assignment requires more sources than the client can provide, and the sources are difficult to find.
  • Insufficient communication. A lack of communication throughout the project can make it difficult to proceed. This can happen when days or weeks pass between responses or reviews of drafts.

Additionally, ghostwriters want to have a good grasp on the subject and the expectations before getting started.

“I’m not a procrastinator but I can be a perfectionist, and I’ll rewrite the intro to something several times before I’m happy with where it’s leading me,” The Writers For Hire’s Barbara Adams says.

The good news is that there are things that clients can do to speed along the ghostwriting process, should that be their goal.

Making themselves available to the ghostwriter for prompt interviews, drafting an outline of sorts that details what is expected, and keeping the lines of communication open can make the entire process faster.

And finally, before starting any ghostwriting project, it is a good idea for the client to discuss the expected timeline with the writer to see if their expectations are realistic.

The Ins and Outs of a Nonfiction Ghostwriting Contract

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

Have you dreamed of seeing a book with your name on it?

Would having a book published under your name help get your speaking engagements or enhance your personal brand? Do you have something important to say but don’t consider yourself a writer? Do you want a record of your family history? Are you considering running for office?

If so, you may have wondered about hiring a ghostwriter.

A ghostwriter is someone who will create content for you that can be published under your name. A ghostwriter can pen anything from the shortest of blog posts to an article for a magazine or a series of books.

Hiring a ghostwriter isn’t complicated, but the question of “what goes in the contract” can be a little daunting.

Just like in any other industry, the contract will be a written record that clarifies objectives and practical matters from the beginning to make sure you get the result you want.

Your contract doesn’t have to be overly complicated, but it does need to clearly set out your expectations, as well as include clauses for termination, payment, and ownership transference.

That’s because having a book ghostwritten for you is like having a home built. Just like a home, your book is a work made for hire, according to your instructions. And just like when building a home, you need to make the most critical decisions before you get your contractors started.

It would be no fun thinking you were going to get a beach bungalow for large family reunions and ending up with a cozy one-bedroom designed for secluded, romantic weekends for two.

So, What Kinds of Things Should Be Included in the Contract for a Ghostwritten Book?

Final Deliverable

The final deliverable is what you are paying for.

The final deliverable is a manuscript.

It is “the content” that can be published under your name.

A ghostwriting contract typically doesn’t include a cover design or interior design or specific formatting for an e-book or print production.

However, many ghostwriters have connections to publishing and design firms that can help with these services.

This is something that should be addressed when discussing the final deliverable.

In the contract’s deliverables section, you’ll want to include a rough description of the book.

The description can include a working title and the genre of your book, for example, “The History of Arctic Oil Exploration.  A collection of nonfiction essays, each essay being the biography of a person of historical significance.”

Your deliverable should also indicate your book’s length.

How long should your book be? Well, it depends on what you want it to accomplish.

Is it a technical manual or textbook of sorts, to establish your authority?

Is it a romance novel as a gift for your beloved?

Is it a self-help book with a number of pages for readers to fill in answers to exercises?

Is it a memoir of a short period in your life or a longer one?

Once the purpose of the book is established, your ghostwriter can advise you on the appropriate length.

In the contract, the length of a book should be stated as a range of words, along with a rough page estimate for clarity.

For example, 20,000 to 30,000 words is about 100 pages.

Finally, whether or not you choose to explicitly state them in the contract, it’s critical to set realistic goals for your manuscript.

As Dr. Angela Lauria, CEO of The Author Incubator says:

I spent 17 years as a ghostwriter and every single book I was hired to write got done. But what I noticed was that very few were happy with the result the book got them. They told me they wanted a book and I believed them. Writing a book has always been easy for me. But I wanted my clients to be happier. That's when I realized the book was actually supposed to be a path to get them something else. They didn't just want a book on the shelf they wanted the book to create something for them.-Dr. Angela Lauria

So, your first task is to get crystal clear on what you want your book to do for you.

Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters notes two common goals:

  1. Your book could position you as a thought leader in business, tech, advocacy, or politics. In this case, your book will serve as the foundation for your authority and help you to secure speaking engagements or sell your services. In some cases the book can be leveraged into workshops and seminars and webinars.
  2. Your book tells a story – a cautionary tale or an inspirational tale to help others. This would include memoir and self-help books.

Remember that book sales rarely make an author wealthy.

You shouldn’t expect to recoup the money you spend on a ghostwriter via book sales.

So, if increased income is the goal, it’s up to you to set goals that will allow you to leverage your book for speaking engagements, or c-suite job offers, or the like.

Services

This part of the contract gets into the nitty gritty.

You may think that the services provided by a ghostwriter would be fairly straightforward.

They write … right?

Yes, but they may (or may not) also proofread, edit, organize, research, and assist with publication of your manuscript.

Expecting your book to be proofread is standard, as are a couple of rounds of edits.

It is also standard that a ghostwriter will fact check easily verifiable claims throughout the book, to ensure accuracy.

A professional ghostwriter with editorial strategy experience will also be able to collaborate with you on determining the “hook for the book” and creating a book outline.

Expect to invest a minimum of 10 to 20 hours of talking time at the beginning of the process to help your ghostwriter to understand your voice and create a structure for your book.

Although proofreading, editing, and organizing may be considered standard, you should still outline these services in the contract to minimize any areas where your expectations could be misaligned.

Then you get to research.

Research is one of the most unpredictable elements of a project so clearly outlined responsibilities on your part and the part of your ghostwriter is crucial.

The subject of the research and the expected amount (in hours) should be specified.

For example, “no more than 30 hours of research total” or “20 hours of research on great white sharks by November 30.”

This way, everyone knows when the work is going beyond the scope of what has been agreed and you can adjust timelines and payments accordingly.

Do interviews need to be done?

If so, you should specify with whom and by when.

If that’s not possible, then you can specify how many hours your ghostwriter will spend tracking down industry experts or celebrities.

In almost all cases, your ghostwriter will also need to interview you.

You should set a number of hours of expected interview time, as well as outline travel expectations and expenses.

Will the ghostwriter need to travel to your home or office?

If so, the number of expected in-person visits should be included, as well as listing of any reimbursable expenses, such as gas or airfare.

Ideally, your ghostwriter should be able to advise you as to how your book might best fit into the market and suggest publishing options.

If you have decided that you will target a traditional publisher rather than self-publish, you may want help with pitching the book to them, and that service can be included in the contract, too.

Your ghostwriter or ghostwriting firm may have helped pitch your book to publishers, but a guarantee that the book will be published will almost never be included in a contract.

Now, one person may not be able to fulfill all these services, so you may want to engage a ghostwriting firm.

Firms can often also assist you with ancillary services such as design, a book website, ebook publishing, and book launch press releases.

Choosing a firm can also help you feel at ease that even sickness or death won’t get in the way of your book getting finished!

”

Ownership

The ownership of the work transfers to you completely and the contract should be crystal clear on that point.

You should have full authority to claim you are the author of the book and may take full credit for it.

Since you are the owner, you will have all rights to the work, including film and audio rights, domestic and foreign.

You should see something like the following in the contract, “All rights, title and interest in the following shall be the sole and exclusive property of Author, including:

(i) All materials, including but not limited to Word files, PowerPoint presentations, tapes, completed manuscript, the completed project and/or other product resulting from this effort;

(ii) The content of the subject matter of the book provided by the author;

(iii) Any ideas, works, documentation or notes conceived related to the book;

(iv) All writings by ghostwriter related to or associated with the book; and

(v) All ghostwriter’s work product related to the Book.”

You may also see something that specifies that you won’t be provided full ownership until the amount agreed upon has been paid to the writer in full.

Confidentiality

You can decide that the ghostwriter’s authorship can never be made public or you can choose to put the writer’s name as a byline on the finished product along with yours.

This fact should be specified in the contract, for example, “the ghostwriter will keep their role in the project confidential. The author is the owner of the manuscript and holds the right to choose the manner and time of disclosure. Permission for the ghostwriter to discuss the project must be given in writing by the author.”

Per your discretion, the ghostwriter could be allowed to provide excerpts of the work they did to potential clients.

Before they do so, that potential client should sign a non-disclosure agreement (referred to as an NDA).

The contract should also specify that you should be told when an excerpt of the work is used in a portfolio.

This protects your position as author of the work.

Protection

There are certain legal protections that you will want to be sure are included in the contract.

In fact, these protections will go both ways.

It’s called “mirror indemnification.”

These clauses in the contract will say that the writer (your ghostwriter or firm) is responsible for anything illegal that they do and you (the author) bear no responsibility for it. And vice versa.

You should be indemnified against any claims and expenses arising from infringement of any copyright or violation of any property rights that may appear in the work.

Likewise, your ghostwriter should be protected from anything scandalous or libelous that you choose to include under your name.

Ghostwriters should warrant that their work “does not infringe any copyright, violate any property rights.”

You should “defend, indemnify, and hold harmless” the other against “claims, suits, costs, damages, and expenses that may be sustained by reason of any scandalous, libelous, or unlawful matter contained or alleged to be contained in the work.”

If you aren’t sure if your content will be considered libelous, consult with an attorney.

Remember that your ghostwriter is not an attorney.

Dan Gerstein notes that this kind of protection was crucial in one particular project that was about a very high-profile controversy where the author was involved in legal issue with the federal government.

Work Schedule

Do you like face-to-face meetings during which you can bounce ideas around with everyone else and leave with a plan of action?

Perhaps your schedule doesn’t allow for that style of working or you find it preferable to receive work from your ghostwriter to look over, take time to consider, and deliver written feedback.

You can discuss with your ghostwriter how you would like the working relationship to be set up and your ghostwriter can sketch out a work plan.

You might include the milestones (with target deadlines expressed as a date range) you agree upon with your ghostwriter.

If you are sure of your desired end date, you can then think backwards with your ghostwriter to agree upon the due dates of the various elements leading up to the finished product (like the first outline and the first draft) to make sure your book is completed by the time you need it.

You could include this work plan in the contract, or it may be something that is less formal but still provides everyone with a comforting structure.

Final Deadline

The expected end date could be a crucial piece of information.

Do you have an event at which you’d like to distribute your finished book, for example? The contract can lay out what happens if things get delayed due to the ghostwriter’s actions.

You might include a clause that sets out a specific amount to be paid to you for each day that expires after the prescribed final deadline.

But remember, the ghostwriter is also entitled to expect you to meet your deadlines.

If you are somehow responsible for preventing the work from being completed, for example by withholding required information or not showing up to a meeting, then your ghostwriter is not responsible for the delay and is still entitled to be paid for the work done up to that point.

Pricing

When negotiating a price, bear in mind that the final fee should take into account all time spent on the project (for example, primary research and interviews), and not just on writing alone.

The contract should indicate the amount the ghostwriter will be paid for their work, when they will receive payment, and how they will be paid.

You can arrange payment in a number of ways.

It’s possible that part of the payment could be paid in the form of royalties (in exchange for a lower upfront fee, the author may share some of the advance and royalties with the ghostwriter).

But that is very rare.

Many ghostwriters will ask for 50% of their fee up front and take the remainder upon completion.

But it is also common for the fee to be paid in installments at the agreed upon milestones, or monthly based on the amount of time spent by the ghostwriter.

Disputes

No matter how carefully one prepares, life still happens, and you may find yourself at odds with your writer.

So, the contract should lay out how disagreements and disputes will be handled.

It’s usually sufficient to include a paragraph stating that any dispute, if it cannot be solved by good faith negotiation between the parties shall be submitted to binding and confidential arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association in a particular state, as follows:

“Any dispute arising from this Agreement shall be submitted to binding and confidential arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association in the state of [state] and county of [county], and any award issued in such arbitration may be entered and enforced as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. The prevailing party in any such arbitration shall be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees and costs.”

If your ghostwriter happens to be working in a different state from where you live or do business, you have a choice of states and you may want to consult an attorney to get advice on which state to go with.

Escape Clauses

A complete ghostwriting contract should include an escape clause that works both ways.

Sometimes, it is best to terminate a project when things aren’t working out and cannot seem to be remedied or re-scoped.

An escape clause should include a predetermined “kill fee” paid to the ghostwriter.

This means that the ghostwriter be fairly compensated for services rendered, even if you are unsatisfied with the results.

The Bottom Line

Your ghostwriting contract sets basic parameters, so you know what to expect for your money.

At the same time, writing a book is a creative process.

It is a collaborative process, so don’t hesitate to be honest about what you want the book to do for you and to nurture your relationship with your ghostwriter.

Disclaimer: (Nothing that appears in this article is intended to serve as legal advice; for that you should contact a duly accredited attorney.)

Diving Headfirst Into Your Family Tree

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

Do you ever wonder about where your ancestors came from, and what struggles they had to endure in their life’s voyage?

The journey of discovering your roots and your family history can be quite fascinating and exciting.

It can also be a daunting and time-consuming task.

A simple Google search will lead you to a vast array of websites, promising to give you the answers to the ever-popular question, “where did I come from?”

But how do you know which websites are actually worth your time (and money)? And once you are on those websites, how can you be sure that the information you are finding is accurate?

How do you know if the history you find is really YOUR family history?

Here is a list of some of the most popular genealogy web sites and our reviews on which make the grade, and which fail to deliver.

Classes

One important thing to keep in mind when diving into your family history research is that there is a definite learning curve. It takes time (and experience) to figure out how and where to locate the information you are seeking.

If you have endless time to dedicate to this task, then learning by trial and error may be the right method for you.

If not, you might want to consider checking out an online class or two, to help you learn the tricks of the trade.

While there are thousands of options out there, here are a few free ones that are a great starting point:

  • YouTube

    Type “genealogy for beginners,” and you will get THOUSANDS of videos with tips on how to start your ancestry research.

  • Family Search Learning Center

    Signing up for a free account on this website will give you access to hundreds of great webinars; many of catered to specific areas of research (Military Records, Colonial Immigration, etc.).

  • Ancestry.com

    Sign up for an ancestry account, you will have access to their instructional videos, which help you learn how to navigate their site and make the most out of your membership.

  • Brigham Young University Independent Study

    Using Adobe Flash Player, the website offers a variety of free online genealogy courses.

Magazines

If ancestry is more than just a passing curiosity for you, a subscription to a genealogy magazine can be a very helpful tool.

Many of these magazines provide insight into different methods of genealogical research, updates on public releases of records, and other valuable information.

Just as there are hundreds of different genealogy websites out there, you will find that there are a large variety of magazines that focus on genealogy and ancestry.

The best magazine for you will really depend on your specific needs, but here are a few that are worth checking out:

  • Family Tree Magazine

    Geared towards more amateur genealogists, this is probably the most well known genealogical magazines out there. It is a fun magazine, full of great personal stories, tips for taking family research trips, and interesting tidbits about different ethnic backgrounds and heritages.

  • National Genealogical Society Quarterly

    This one is a must-have for serious genealogists. The magazine, provided to members of the National Genealogical Society, is chock-full of valuable information, research tips, and up-to-date genealogical news. And, as an added benefit to joining the National Genealogical Society, you will also get access to the plethora of online classes offered by the society.

  • Your Genealogy Today

    Whether you are a novice or a seasoned genealogist, this magazine has something for everyone. The bi-monthly magazine covers everything from DNA research to genealogy tourism.

Hiring a Genealogist

Now, if you are like much of the population and don’t have enough time to invest in really digging deep into your family history, hiring a professional genealogist may be something you’ll want to consider.

Aside from just the time constraints, hiring a professional comes with many other benefits:

  • Experience

    A professional genealogist has experience weeding through thousands of documents and records and is more likely to be able to trace your exact line.

  • Knowledge

    A professional already knows where to find marriage records, locate ship manifestos, and search for military draft cards.

  • Skill

    Most professional genealogists are also very skilled at complex research (which is a necessity, when researching ancestry).

  • Organization

    Sorting through the records of thousands of ancestors takes some serious organizational skills. A professional genealogist knows how to make sense of all that information and compile it in to easy-to-follow reports and diagrams.

Regardless of how you decide to tackle the exciting task of unearthing your family’s history, you are in for a fun ride.

A ride full of fascinating discoveries, beautiful stories, and a new appreciation for how you came to be.

Your Guide To The Family History Interview

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

So, you’ve decided to write a family history book but are not quite sure where to start. Or, maybe you are ghostwriting an autobiography for someone else.

Either way, you’ll want to be sure to include all of the best family stories. If you rely on just your own memory, or that of your subject, specific details can get a little fuzzy.

This is where it pays to interview other family members. Chances are, they will remember those extra details and might even be able to tell you stories that have never been heard before.

But where should you start? And what questions should you ask?

Here is a list of some great questions to get the conversation started. Interviews can frequently last for several hours, so we always recommend recording your interviews with either video or audio, so that you can go back and review the answers at a later time.

It’s also a good idea to have your questions printed out and in front of you during your interview. For easy access to our list of questions, just download this pdf.

Life Events – Childhood

What do you know about your birth?

  • When were you born?
    • What day of the week was it?
    •  Did your parents tell you anything about the day you were born?
  • Where were you born?
  • What name were you given at birth?
    • How was this name chosen?
    • Were you named after anyone?

What are some of your favorite childhood memories?

  • What’s your first, most vivid memory?
    • How old were you?
  • Where did you grow up?
    • What was your home like?
    • How many bedrooms/bathrooms did it have?
    • What was your bedroom like?
  • Can you describe the neighborhood you grew up in?
    • Any specific cultural/language influences in your family or neighborhood?
  • How did your family earn money?
    • Did both of your parents work?
  • What kinds of things did your family spend money on?
  • How many brothers and sisters do you have?          
    • What are their names?
    • When were they born?
    • Were you close?
    • What types of things did you do together? 
    • What memories do you have of each of them from when you were growing up?
  • What were you like as a child?
    • What were some of your favorite foods?
    • What did you do for fun?
    • What were your favorite toys or games?
    • Did you ever have a secret place or a favorite hiding spot?
  • Who were your best friends growing up (in elementary, junior high, and high school)?
  • What kind of clothes did you wear?
  • Did you get an allowance?
    • How much?
    • Did you spend it right away, or save it?
    • What did you buy?
    • What responsibilities did you have at home when you were young?
  • What did you want to be when you grew up?
  • What big world events do you remember from the time you were growing up?
    • What do you remember about those events?
  • What inventions do you most remember?
  • What’s different about growing up today from when you were growing up?

What was school like for you?

  • What kind of school did you go to (in elementary, junior high, and high school)?
    • Were you a good student?
    • What was your favorite subject?
    • Least favorite?
    • Who were some of your favorite teachers and why?
  • Did you have any heroes or role models when you were a child?
  • How did you spend your summer holidays?
    • What were your favorite summer activities?
    • What are some of your favorite memories about summers growing up?
  • When you were a teenager, what did you do for fun?
    • Did you have a favorite spot to “hang out”?
    • What time did you have to be home at night?
    • Did you ever get into any trouble? 
    • Did you ever do anything that you should have gotten in trouble for…but you were never caught?
  • Who was your best friend as a teenager/young adult?        
    • What did you do together?
  • Did you date in high school? 
    • What was it like? 
    • Where did you go? 
    • Were you chaperoned and, if so, by whom? 
    • Any significant romantic moments or dates you remember?
  • Did you go to the prom?
    • With whom did you go? 
  • Did you belong to any groups in school or did you participate in any extracurricular activities or sports?
  • As a young adult, did you have any significant hobbies or interests outside of school?
    • Were you in any clubs or societies? 
  • Were there any particular phrases or styles that were popular when you were a teenager?
    • What did you like to wear?
    • How did your parents feel about the way you talked and what you wore?
  • When did you learn how to drive?
    • Who taught you?
    • What was your first car like?
  • When did you graduate from high school?
    • What was your graduation ceremony like?
    • Did you earn any important honors or medals in school?
    • What dreams and goals did you have for your life when you graduated?
  • Did you apply to college? 
    • What colleges did you apply to/get into? 
    • If you went to college, what was your major? 
    • What was college like?
    • Where did you live while in college?
    • Who were your friends in college?
    • What are some of your best (or worst) college memories?

What were holidays and celebrations like in your house?

  • How did your family celebrate holidays (e.g. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Easter, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July)?  
    • Did lots of relatives get together?
    • What traditions did you have year after year?
    • What food was served?
    • What was the best gift you remember receiving as a child?
Image by Mountain Leon

Life Events – Adulthood

Entering Adulthood

  • How did you decide what you wanted to do with your life?
    • How do you feel about that choice?
  • What was your first job?
    • What did you like or not like about it?
  • What job did you do (or have you done) most of your life?
    • What did you like most about it? Least?
  • What were all of the jobs you had in your lifetime, and what did you like/dislike about each? 
    • Any interesting work-related stories or lessons?
  • What was one (or some) of the biggest adventures you had as an adult? 
    • Did you go on any exciting trips? 
    • Did you ever have a time when you felt you were in danger? 
    • Any time you got into trouble (or thought you might get into trouble and got lucky)?
    • What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited and what was it like?

Love and Marriage

  • How did you meet your spouse?
    • Was it love at first sight?
    • What did you like about him/her?
    • How long did you date before getting engaged?
    • How and when did you get engaged?
  • When did you get married?
    • How old were you?
    • Where did you get married?
    • What was your wedding like?
    • Where did you go on your honeymoon? 
    • Any good honeymoon stories?
  • What was the first big purchase you made with your spouse?
  • What was your first home? 
    • Any stories about buying your first home? 
    • Any other significant moves in your life?
  • What makes your spouse special or unique?
    • How did you know that he/she was “the one”?
  • How many children do you have?
    • What are their names?
      • How did you choose their names?   
    • When were they born?
    • Do you have any stories about the day each was born or significant stories about their first days?
    • What’s your favorite story about each of your children?
    • What is something funny or embarrassing one of your children said at an early age that you’ll never forget?
  • What family traditions did you try to establish?
    • Were these new traditions, or were they passed down from your (or your spouse’s) childhood?
    • What do you remember about holiday celebrations?
    • Is there one holiday memory that stands out for you?
  • Did you take family vacations?
    • How frequently did you travel?
    • What’s the most memorable family vacation you took?
  • How did you feel about raising your children?
    • What was the best part?
    • The hardest part?
  • What makes you proud of your children?
  • How is each of your children similar to or different from you and your spouse?

Identity

  • Do you have any hobbies or special interests?
    • How did these hobbies start?
  • Whom do you trust and depend on?
  • What things are most important to you now? Why?
  • Have you ever had any nicknames as a child or as an adult?
    • Where did they come from?
  • In what ways are you and your mother similar?
    • In what was are you unalike?
  • In what ways are you and your father similar?
    • In what was are you unalike?
  • Do you feel you’re like any of your grandparents?
    • Which grandparents?
    • In what ways are you like them?
  • How are your children like you? Unlike you?
  • What do you think are your best qualities? Your worst?
  • Which do you think you have the most of: talent, intelligence, education, or persistence?
    • How has it helped you in your life?
  • Do you have any special sayings or expressions?
  • What’s your favorite book and why? What’s your favorite movie and why?
    •  Have these changed since you were a young adult?  Why?
  • Who are three people in history you admire most and why?
  • What have been the three biggest news events during your lifetime and why?
  • If you could have three wishes, what would they be?
  • If you won $1 million tomorrow, what would you do with the money?
  • What’s the highest honor you’ve ever received?
  • What’s the most memorable phone call you’ve ever received?
  • What’s the best compliment you ever received?
  • What kinds of things do you enjoy most now?
    • When you were a younger adult?
    • A child?
  • What frightened you when you were a younger adult?
    • A child?
  • What is your most prized physical possession? Why?
  • What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted but still don’t have?
  • What unexpected/random knowledge or skills do you have that people might not expect of you?

Life Interview Questions – The Present, Life Lessons, and Legacies

  • Do you feel differently about yourself now from how you felt when you were younger?
    • In what way(s)?
  • In what ways do you think you have stayed the same throughout life?
    • In what ways have you changed?
  • When you were younger, did you have any expectations about what your life would be like? 
    • Has your life turned out that way? 
  • What do you remember about your 20s? 30s? 40s? 50s? 60s?
    • What events stand out in your mind?
    • How was each age different from the one before it?
    • Were there any birthdays (or ages) that you were less than enthusiastic about? Why?
    • If you could go back to any age, which age would it be and why?
  • How do you feel now about growing old?
    • What’s the hardest thing about growing older?
    • The best thing?
  • How is the world different now from when you were a child?
  • Did you have any expectations at points in your life about what growing older would be like for you?
    • How should a person prepare for old age?
    • Is there anything you wish you’d done differently?
  • What would you like your children and grandchildren to remember about you?
  • What do you look forward to now?
  • Is there anything you have thrown away in your life, that you wish you hadn’t?
    • What was it, and why do you wish you had not thrown it out?
  • What have you held on to that’s important?
    • Why is it important to you?
  • What “junk” have you held on to over the years?
    • Why have you held on to it?
  • Over time, how have you changed the way you look at life/people?
    • In what way(s)?
  • What’s your most cherished family tradition?
    • Why does it mean so much to you?
  • What have you liked best about your life so far?
    • What’s your happiest or proudest moment?
  • What do you feel have been the important successes in your life?
  • What have been your biggest frustrations?
  • What’s the most difficult thing that ever happened to you?
    • How did you deal with it?
  • What do you think the turning points have been in your life?
    • What were you like then?
  • Are there times of your life that you remember more vividly than others?
    • Why do you think that these moments are so memorable?
  • What have been the most influential experiences in your life?
    • How did those experiences help shape you into the person you are today?
  • Describe a person or situation from your childhood that had a profound effect on the way you look at life.
    • In what way did they affect you and your life?
  • If you were writing the story of your life, how would you divide it into chapters?
  • What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you were young?
  • What advice did your grandparents or parents give you that you remember best?
  • Do you have a philosophy of life?
    • What’s your best piece of advice for living a good life?
    • How do you define a “good life” or a “successful life”?
    • Do you think a person needs to first overcome serious setbacks or challenges to be truly successful?
  • In what way is it important to know your limitations in your life or career?
  • If you had the power to solve one and only one problem in the world, what would it be and why?
  • What do you see as your place or purpose in life?
    • How did you come to that conclusion?
  • If you could write a message to each of your children and grandchildren and put it in a time capsule for them to read 20 years from now, what would you write to each?
  • How would you like to be remembered, or what would you like to be remembered for?

The Future

  • What is the best thing about your life now? 
    • What is currently your biggest challenge?
  • What do you hope to do or accomplish in the next five years?
    • How about the next 10 years?
  • What do you look forward to now?
  • If you could have three wishes, what would they be?
  • If you could travel into the future, would you rather see something that specifically relates to you or something that relates to the future of the country in general? Why?

Family History Questions

Can you tell me about your parents?

  • Tell me about your mother’s family and background. 
    • Where was she born?
    • How did she grow up? 
    • Where did she go to school? 
    • Did she ever work?  If so, what did she do?
  • What was your mother like? 
    • How do you think she should be remembered?
  • Can you tell me about your mother’s parents (your maternal grandparents)? 
    • What were their names?
    • When/where were they born?
    • What do you remember about them? 
    • Where did their family come from? 
    • How and where did they meet? 
    • Any interesting stories you remember about them? 
    • How/when did they die?
  • Tell me about your father’s family and background. 
    • Where was he born? 
    • How did he grow up? 
    • Where did he go to school?
    • What kind of work did he do? 
  • What was your father like? 
    • How do you think he should be remembered?
  • Can you tell me about your father’s parents (your paternal grandparents)? 
    • What were their names?
    • When/where were they born?
    • What do you remember about them? 
    • Where did their family come from?
    • How did they meet? 
    • Any interesting stories you remember about them? 
    • How/when did they die?
  • Where did your original surname originate?
    • Do you know the meaning of your family name? 
    • Are there stories about the origins of your family name?
  • How did your parents meet? 
    • Any interesting stories about their courtship or marriage?
    • Did your parents have a good marriage?
  • What was most important to your parents?

How about extended family?

  • Growing up, were you particularly close with any aunts or uncles that you would like to talk about? 
  • What about cousins?
  • What is the funniest/most interesting/most memorable family story you can think of (about your parents or grandparents)?
  • What are some personality traits that are shared by the people in your family?
  • Does your family have any special heirlooms or treasured items that are passed down from generation to generation?
  • Do you own any special recipes from your family?  Or do you have any of your own that are particularly “famous”?

Questions about Specific Family Members

  • How are you related to __?
    • Are you (or were you) close?
  • How would you describe him/her physically?
  • How would you describe his/her personality?
  • What are some stories you remember about him/her? 
    • Are there any specific things or stories that stick out in your mind?
  • Did he/she teach you to do any particular thing?
    • If so, what did he/she teach you?
    • Was he/she a good teacher?
  • When do you remember seeing him/her happy?
    • What do you think makes him/her the happiest?
  • When do you remember seeing him/her sad?
    • What do you think has been his/her greatest heartbreak?
  • Does he/she have any hobbies or interests?
  • Does he/she have any unique talents?
  • What is (or was) his/her relationships with your parents like?
  • Does he/she have any expressions, sayings, or interesting ways of talking?
  • Does he/she have siblings?
    • How does he/she get along with his/her siblings?
    • How does he/she get along with the rest of the family? 
    • Who is he/she closest to in the family? 
    • Do you remember any family tension with anyone?

How to Hire a Ghostwriter

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

There’s a story brewing inside you. Admit it.

Maybe you’ve had the idea for a great adventure tale for years, or maybe you just recently decided to go after a professional goal of getting published. Regardless, the words are there… but you’re just not sure how to form them into the next great work.

Enter the ghostwriter.

A ghostwriter is a professional writer hired to help you create your story. As the name implies, this individual is invisible to the public.

In most cases, authors who work with ghostwriters retain all rights to the intellectual property and income derived from the publication itself. You can choose to acknowledge the ghostwriter or not. Remember, it’s your story. Your ghostwriter is simply helping you tell it.

But because it is your story, it’s a very personal matter. How do you go about selecting the person to share it with?

Start by deciding how much writing you intend to do – and be honest with yourself.

Ghostwriters offer a wide variety of service levels, depending on the author’s expectations. Some authors provide the synopsis, then leave the craft of writing entirely to the ghostwriter. On the other end of the spectrum are the authors who enjoy the writing process and just want the ghostwriter to provide guidance and review.

Each ghostwriter might employ a different strategy, but here are some general steps to expect when creating your story with a ghostwriter.

Step 1. Check out your options.

Ghostwriting services abound. In today’s marketplace, a quick internet search might be your launching point, from which you can narrow down your top candidates. Things to consider might include: The writer’s credentials (what similar works have they ghostwritten?)

  • The writer’s affiliation (are they an independent writer or part of a consortium of multiple writers at your disposal?)
  • The writer’s specialty or unique qualifications (can they understand your niche and help you create a compelling story?

You’ll be spending many, many hours working with your ghostwriting partner – you’ll want to be comfortable with each other. This is key. Remember, your story is very personal (even a financial dossier can stir up feelings if you’re close enough to it). The last thing you want is to share it in discomfort.

Step 2. Sign your contract.

Read the proposal thoroughly, and make sure you understand everything it contains. Of course, your contract needs to include payment details and payment schedule: What amount will you pay, when will you be required to pay, and how will you deliver payment? In addition, you’ll likely want to retain the rights to all intellectual property, so be sure that this spelled out if this is important to you.

Some other important considerations your contract should include:

  • The scope of the project: Is this an article for publication in a trade magazine or an autobiography? Narrowing down the specific nature and desired length of the project will impact everything about your contract.
  • The responsibilities of each party: Who will be writing and researching the details? Your ghostwriter needs to know what you intend to bring to the table, and what tasks are on their plate.
  • The final deliverable: What are you expecting at the end of the project? A simple Word document that you can reproduce as needed is a big difference from a hardcover volume.
  • The final deadline: When do you want it in hand? If you have a specific deadline, you must convey this from the beginning of your relationship so you can set a schedule that works for both of you.
  • The escape clause: Can you (or your ghostwriter) terminate the project if it’s just not right? An escape clause allows either party to end the contract amicably.

Step 3. Hold a kick-off meeting.

Schedule a phone call or online conference to discuss the particulars of your project, and thoroughly cover your expectations of the project. This discussion is vital to the success of the writing partnership.

An initial kick-off is the time to confirm “the little things” like how you’d like to work together with your ghostwriter. (You might prefer regular phone calls or teleconferences, occasional face-to-face meetings, communicating through email. Whatever your preference, be sure to confirm your expectations at the onset.)

But it’s also the time to begin discussing the bigger-picture details. Even if you and your ghostwriter talked extensively about the project before, you still need a kick-off meeting to re-iterate project scope, expectations (yours and your ghostwriter’s), style preferences, tone and voice, your target audience, and especially the main takeaways you’d like your readers to come away with.

Step 4. Convey Your Story.

If your project is a short manuscript, you might not need a personal sit-down. But if your story is better delivered in narrative, or if you have photographs and other visuals you’d like to discuss, a face-to-face meeting is often preferable for show-and-tell.

Even if your selected writing partner is from a different state (or country), you can usually arrange to have your ghostwriter travel to you, and the expenses are typically handled in your contract. If in-person meetings are cost-prohibitive or otherwise unfeasible, there are a variety of live-stream video conferencing apps that are almost as good as the real thing.

Your ghostwriter understands that multiple meetings might be necessary to really get to the meat of your story. These personal interviews are often recorded and transcribed, and the ghostwriter then crafts a detailed outline. You will work together to mold the outline into your vision of the project.

Step 5. Write your story.

Now comes the fun part: Create your story. But this is also a spot where many would-be authors get tripped up. There is A LOT that goes into each publication – before you begin, it’s important to remember that it’s not a short process. Going into your book project with an understanding of the typical timelines will help establish reasonable expectations.

In very general terms, an efficient turnaround time from idea to final draft is around six to 12 months. Of course, each project has its own nuances – some very motivated authors can crank something out in a few months, while other books hit snags that cause several-year delays.

And that’s just the writing portion. The finalized draft then goes through editing, revising, and publishing. If you intend to get it published in a traditional hard-copy format, tack on additional time for layout, design, and printing. An ebook will often be faster, but the design stage is still necessary if you want to give readers more than a fancified Word document.

Ghostwriting often doesn’t include a cover design, interior design, or specific formatting for print production. Keep in mind, though, that many ghostwriters have connections to publishers and design firms that can help with these services. Ask your ghostwriter at the start of the project if they will be able help you navigate the publishing waters when the “heavy lifting” of the story is complete.

Going Behind the Curtain: FAQ on Publishing and the Legal Issues of Hiring a Ghostwriter

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

Every year, dozens of civil lawsuits are filed that included allegations of libel or defamation.

Most of the time, these things are obscure cases that never reach the headlines, but nevertheless cost both plaintiffs and defendants sizable sums for legal fees and court costs.

Some cases, though, such as Jesse Ventura’s case against Chris Kyle’s widow or the suit filed by Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan) against Gawker Media, have gained far more notoriety.

The notoriously litigious nature of the United States leaves many would-be authors with plenty of unanswered questions.

Can I write about living people?

Can I quote songs in my manuscript without inviting a copyright suit?

What about pictures — do I need to get permission to print those?

We field questions like these every day, and we recognize that any author must navigate plenty of legal pitfalls to be successful.

Below we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked legal questions we hear about writing and ghostwriting.

Is the practice of ghostwriting legal?

Yes, absolutely. It’s a great way for leaders and experts to enlist the help of a seasoned writer to help craft and hone their message.

People can’t be great at everything, and while some have fantastic abilities to govern or lead a business, they may not be the most effective at communicating the written word.

At its core, there is some debate as to whether ghostwriting is a form of plagiarism. As David Rothschild, a representative of iThenticate.com, has written, even though ghostwriting is essentially a form of plagiarism, the agreements put in place between authors and ghostwriters provide for the legal consent required for authors to take credit for ghostwritten works.

What items should an author be sure to include in a collaboration agreement with a ghostwriter, to provide legal protection?

This is a complicated question — publishing law constitutes an entire realm of American jurisprudence. However, according to Alan Kaufman, an attorney specializing in publishing law and a former General Counsel to Penguin Books, “one always wants the issues determined upfront in a collaboration agreement, which covers compensation, the grant of rights, late or unsatisfactory delivery, credit, copyright.”

Can a ghostwriter claim that they own the work resulting from our collaboration?

If the issues of credit and copyright are addressed in a collaboration agreement, then a ghostwriter can’t violate that agreement and claim the resulting work. This is why it’s so important that very clear boundaries and expectations be settled upfront.

If structured properly, a collaboration agreement between author and ghostwriter can address all of the above-mentioned items. What’s more, agreements can also include a confidentiality clause or other restrictions against your ghostwriter using any proprietary information that you disclose for their own benefit.

If a ghostwriter, editor, or someone else reviews a book, what keeps them from stealing it?

Per Mr. Kaufman, if you send a work to someone for review, they can’t legally steal it and claim it as their own. “The U.S. Copyright Act states that copyright subsists in whatever is created from the moment of creation. So, copyright protects you.” Most collaboration agreements provide for the author’s ownership of any product resulting from the work of a ghostwriter, meaning that anything a ghostwriter writes while working on the client’s book or article is that client’s property.

These are just some of the legal issues between client and ghostwriter.

In the process of writing, a number of separate considerations need to be made for specific content, including quotes, references, and characterizations.

Here are some of the questions we frequently hear about these more technical aspects of writing, which a professional writer can help to navigate. In today’s world of self-publishing, these concerns are especially relevant.

How can I avoid getting sued if my book or article is about real people?

As many defendants in civil cases will attest, this can be a tricky area to navigate. According to Alan Kaufman, it’s important to understand that “real people are protected in two ways.  First are libel laws, which protect from defamation.  Secondly, private individuals are protected by the laws of privacy.” If a book might be controversial, an author can always have it reviewed by legal counsel to assess their potential liability.

What criteria have the courts historically used to define libel or defamation?

Business attorney and author Helen Sedwick penned the Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook in 2014, and she speaks in-depth about these issues. As she has written in a detailed post on her website, in order to prove libel, someone must prove that an author maliciously or negligently published a lie about someone who can be identified and that hurts their reputation. If any of these qualifications are unmet, then it isn’t libel. For instance:

If the author publishes something that is true, that’s not libel.

If an author publishes a lie about someone who can’t be identified based on the published material, that doesn’t constitute libel.

If the statement doesn’t actually hurt the subject’s business or career, or hold them up for public hatred or ridicule, then that’s not libel. Simply publishing something offensive or insulting is not sufficient.

What about the invasion of privacy?

This is another subject on which Ms. Sedwick has written in detail. She indicates that privacy laws protect people from having embarrassing or unpleasant information published about them that (in the words of Ms. Sedwick) “is offensive to ordinary sensibilities and not of overriding public interest.” Most importantly, however, the person must have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Public remarks or conduct, in other words, would not be protected by privacy laws. Celebrities and other public figures, it is noted, have little expectation of privacy and (within reason) can usually be written about without their permission.

Can I quote songs in my writing without opening myself up to a lawsuit?

The short answer is yes, if done correctly. Music companies tend to be aggressive litigants, so this is an area where authors need to exercise caution. Attorney Alan Kaufman encourages writers “not to use more than a couplet.”

Can I quote other books?

To a certain degree, quoting other works is considered “fair use.” However, it’s worth noting that this is based on the total amount of original material used, relative to the total size of the book or article that is being quoted.

Unfortunately, there is no consensus on just what percentage constitutes plagiarism.

Much of the debate has been focused within academia, with many universities relying on plagiarism checkers such as TurnItIn. These checkers often limit the amount of directly-quoted text to 15% or less — however, this may still be too much if everything quoted is one continuous block of text. Some more stringent universities raise red flags if more than seven consecutive words of text show up in a paper that’s run through a plagiarism checker. For a few, the limit is even less: five words.

None of this is to say that an author can’t use the text, only that a citation needs to be included to give proper credit to the original.

The bottom line here is that when in doubt, it’s best to give credit to another author — even if it’s just for an idea.

Dr. Curtis Newbold is an Associate Professor of Communication at Westminster College, where he oversees the Master of Strategic Communications program. In addition to teaching many courses on communications, he has written extensively about the fair use of photographs. He has outlined the criteria that authors should consider when deciding if a photo can be used. A more detailed breakdown can be found on his website, but here are a few examples of photographs that can be used:

Pictures that you took yourself that are based on your own concept, for which you own all the rights. More on this later.

How can I determine what pictures I can legally use?

Pictures that someone else took, but which you are using in “an education or research setting, for limited non-profit uses.” Dr. Newbold also notes that copyrighted images shouldn’t be printed for personal or decorative purposes.

Pictures someone else has taken and you’ve secured permission to use, or for which you’ve purchased the rights (such as through a stock photo company or from a photographer).

Sara Hawkins is an attorney specializing in advertising, social media, and intellectual property. According to her, if you aren’t sure whether the photographer has released their rights to a picture, it’s best not to use it until you’ve made that determination or received express permission to use the image. There are still a lot of grey areas with plenty of exceptions. Authors are always encouraged to take as much caution as possible when dealing with potential copyright issues.

Are there any restrictions on using images that I’ve taken myself?

There are a number of issues at play there. First, if you want to publish a picture of your own, you need to consider whether the photo was truly original (not designed to resemble or mimic someone else’s photograph).

Second, you need to consider where you were when the photograph was taken to decide whether it may include anything proprietary. Generally speaking, if the picture was taken in your own home or while you were in public, then this shouldn’t be a concern.

If my pictures are of other people, do I need to get permission from the people in the pictures? What if they’re old pictures and I can’t locate the people in them?

In cases where authors want to use images that they took of other people, there are a few issues at play, including privacy laws and potential defamation or misappropriation, according to the Digital Media Law Project.

First, most states prohibit the use of “someone else’s name, likeness, or other personal attributes without permission for an exploitative purpose.” This would violate the person’s “right of publicity” — their right to make money from their name or likeness. This concern arises most often with advertising or other promotional materials. However, it can also be the case in other works like books or articles, which an author is publishing for commercial benefit. Here again, it’s better to be safe and get permission before using images.

What if I want to use an interview I did with someone in my book?

When conducting interviews to use as source material for a book, it’s a good idea to have interviewees sign a written release acknowledging that their responses may be published. If you are recording an interview, it can be sufficient to include a stated acknowledgment on the recording that the interview is being recorded, and the interviewee understands that what they say may be published. By doing so, they not only acknowledge that they’re being recorded but also that they give their consent for the interviewer to use their quotes for publication.

The same principle goes if you plan to conduct recorded interviews by phone.

There are some strict laws about phone recordings. Kelly Yamanouchi, a business reporter for the Denver Post writing for the Society of Professional Journalists, reminds us that “most states require only one-party consent to record. However, 12 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico require the consent of two or more parties.” She goes on to note that, in these cases, it’s not only important to get permission to publish responses in an interview, but also “to take great care when securing permission to record.”

Her suggestion is that writers first ask the interviewee whether it’s OK to record the conversation. Then, after recording begins, it’s a good idea to have the interviewee put their permissions — both for the recording and for publication of their responses — on the record.

What if the person I interviewed has passed away, or I want to use a picture of someone who is no longer alive?

If someone that you’ve interviewed or photographed has since passed away, the right to sue dies with them. However, if you want to use someone else’s photograph, it doesn’t matter whether a person in the photograph has died — you still need to get the photographer’s permission. In fact, even if the photographer has died, their estate can still own the rights to their pictures for decades after their death.

Writing a book is no small or straightforward undertaking.

There are a number of legal issues to weigh, both with regard to the relationships between author, ghostwriter, and publisher, as well as the nature of the material to be published, source material to be quoted, and pictures to be included.


While issues in the former category can be addressed explicitly in a collaboration agreement negotiated and signed upfront, working with seasoned professionals can go a long way toward resolving issues in both of these areas.

The Truth About Ghostwriting

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

Ronald Reagan once quipped about his autobiography, “I hear it’s a terrific book. One of these days I’m going to read it myself.”

Rarely does a celebrity exhibit such candor in acknowledging their partnership with a ghostwriter. In fact, the entire practice of ghostwriting seems shaded in mystery.

To deconstruct the myths and doubts surrounding the practice, we’re shining light on some of the most common questions about ghostwriting:

What is a ghostwriter?

The Free Dictionary defines the term as “one who writes for and gives credit of authorship to another” while Oxford Dictionary specifies that a ghostwriter is “a person whose job it is to write material for someone else who is the named author.”

The practice dates back as far as the 5th century B.C., when scribes wrote material for royalty. And world leaders throughout history have relied on ghostwriters to present an amenable front to their constituents. Even venerable George Washington didn’t craft his own Farewell Address; he left that to Alexander Hamilton.[/vc_column]

Christy Walsh – known as America’s first sports agent – coined the word in 1921, as he found ghostwriters to write autobiographies for sports stars, including the legendary Babe Ruth. Walsh was open about his practice of using ghostwriters, famously saying, “Don’t insult the intelligence of the public by claiming these men write their own stuff.”

But the practice existed as a  mostly hidden secret of the publishing world for many years. Today, electronic publishing options have made producing a book or other works a more affordable prospect. Coupled with the rise of electronic media, celebrity memoirs have become an industry standard, increasing demand for ghostwriting assistance.

Why use a ghostwriter?

If you lack the time or skill to articulate your ideas into written form, a ghostwriter can help.

Whether you need assistance crafting a compelling whitepaper or compiling your family history into a memoir, you can find ghostwriters with experience in a wide variety of written form.

When evaluating the prospect of bringing a ghostwriter on to your project, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do I have the time to devote to writing and proofreading this project?
  • Do I have the discipline to write this material in an efficient manner?
  • Do I have the skill to professionally communicate my ideas in written form?
  • Do I enjoy the writing process?
  • Do I have the skills necessary to research and conduct interviews on this topic?
  • Do I have the budget to hire a quality ghostwriter?

Who uses ghostwriters?

Busy professionals often lack the time to devote to an intensive writing project. While many people enjoy writing as a creative outlet – journaling their thoughts or sharing ideas on social media – they may lack the professional polish needed for certain publications. In these instances, a creative thinker pairs well with a ghostwriter.

[vc_column width=”1/3″]
Movie Star[/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″]Politicians, celebrities, business leaders, and even family historians use ghostwriters. Ghostwriters tackle not only the well-known formats of memoirs and works of fiction. They also work on a diverse range of projects, including: blogs, thought leadership pieces, speeches, scripts, ebooks, Wikipedia entries, song lyrics, op-eds, and editorial content.

Which celebrities use ghostwriters?

The better question is “Which celebrities don’t use ghostwriters?” In the world of celebrity memoir, ghostwriting rates approach 100%. Even highly-regarded, award-winning books like John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage often have a ghostwriter behind them.

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On the flip side, some celebrities have taken their turn as ghostwriters. Before becoming a household name, Barry Manilow wrote advertising jingles such as State Farm’s enduring “Like a Good Neighbor” and Band-Aid’s “I am Stuck on Band-Aid.”

Which authors use ghostwriters?

DetectiveA Priceonomics article on ghostwriting suggests that at least 25% of the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list is ghostwritten.
The practice is rampant in fiction genres as well. Perhaps the most famous examples of ghostwritten fiction are the iconic Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series. These children’s books, launched in the 1920s and 1930s and having accumulated nearly 200 books in each series to date, were written by various ghostwriters under a common pseudonym.
More recently, Tom Clancy and James Patterson owned up to using ghostwriters for some of their works. If you notice an author’s successive books debuting on shelves at a rapid pace, chances are good that there’s a ghostwriter involved.

How do I find a ghostwriter?

Comb through trade journals, newspaper articles, and websites for authors who have worked on material in your field. These authors may be open to ghostwriting work. When perusing books, look for keywords on the cover such as “with” in smaller print after the primary author’s name. The acknowledgements page also sometimes gives a nod to a ghostwriter.

Professional writing firms often offer ghostwriting services along with in-house editing. These firms may offer a team approach that involves a ghostwriter working alongside a proofreader and editor. Such collaboration often leads to a more polished manuscript.

Look for these attributes as you evaluate potential ghostwriters:

  • Portfolio – Ask to see examples of the writer’s work.
  • Organization – The writer should meet deadlines and communicate efficiently.
  • Professionalism – The writer should maintain a non-judgmental air, enabling you to comfortably share ideas and research without fear of criticism.
  • Respect – The writer gives you final say and the opportunity to approve, ask questions, and give feedback on all material.
  • Discretion – The writer agrees to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

How much do ghostwriters charge?

Ghostwriting fees vary dramatically, depending on the amount of work required and experience level of the writer. Ghostwriters may bill hourly, by the word, or by the project. Some ghostwriters looking to build their portfolios may agree to a lower upfront fee accompanied by a percentage of royalties.

Reputable ghostwriters’ rates usually start in the hundreds for the smallest projects and go up from there. Expect to pay at least $20,000 for a full length book. Elite ghostwriters charge upwards of $500,000 for their work on celebrity memoirs.

As in many industries, ghostwriting costs can be reduced through outsourcing the trade to locations like India and China. While outsourced prices may seem like a bargain, the savings should be weighed against the value of writing produced in one’s native language. The English language contains numerous nuances that can lead to choppy and awkward outsourced or translated copy. In ghostwriting, the adage “you get what you pay for” usually rings true.

How do ghostwriters work?

“I’m fulfilling a similar function to a barrister in court, pleading the case of their client,” says prolific ghostwriter Andrew Crofts. “I listen to their story and then tell it for them, helping to get across their view of the world and the way things happen in it.”

Early in a project, the named author conferences with the ghostwriter, sharing notes, outlines, and ideas. The ghostwriter conducts a series of interviews with the named author and other relevant parties. The ghostwriter typically spends significant time researching through interviews and other means. Finally, the ghostwriter composes the manuscript, communicating with the named author on any pertinent questions. The named author receives the manuscript for review prior to publication.

Some ghostwriters share their work with the named author throughout the process. Others feel sharing the work in progress disturbs their creative flow and argue they can work more efficiently with minimal client interaction. If you are considering hiring a ghostwriter, choose a working relationship – collaborative or turnkey – that feels right to you. Collaborative relationships often require more from the named author in terms of time and dedication to the project, but the danger of getting a “surprise” at the end of the process is generally reduced.

What are some common myths about ghostwriting?

Given the unusual name, the ghostwriting field garners much intrigue and misunderstanding. Common myths include:

  • Ghostwriters are hard to find – With careful research, you should be able to find a ghostwriter skilled to write in your content area.
  • Ghostwriters work on commission – Most ghostwriters work on a flat rate and are open to discussing payment options prior to beginning work on your project.
  • Any writer can effectively ghostwrite – It takes a special skill set to conduct the necessary research, provide customer service, and convincingly write in someone else’s voice. Many prominent authors fail as ghostwriters.

Is it illegal to use ghostwriters?

Ghostwriting is not illegal. In fact, Calvin Coolidge was the last U.S. President who did not keep a full-time ghostwriter on staff. The practice is widely embraced by politicians, the business world, and the publishing industry alike.

Are ghostwriters credited?

Ghostwriters are usually not credited, though some named authors may choose to acknowledge a ghostwriter using “with” or “as told to” on the cover of their publication. Other named authors show appreciation to their ghostwriter on the acknowledgements page.

Make sense of the semantics by considering that Webster defines author as “one that originates or creates.” The word derived from the Latin auctor (one who gives increase), as in “an originator or causer.” Since a ghostwriter does not “originate” an idea, but works to bring the ideas of others to written fruition, the originator of the work takes credit as the named author.

Some confusion exists between the terms “ghostwriter” and “co-author.” These terms differ in that – although a ghostwriter should provide proactive feedback or suggestions – a ghostwriter typically provides content based on the instructions and ideas of another person. A co-author expects to work as a partner in the venture, will be a named author on the book, and will share in proceeds. Their subject-matter expertise is often essential to forming the material concept for the work.

Is it ethical to use ghostwriters?

Ghostwriting is accepted without much ado in most fields, with two notable exceptions. Ethical concerns can present regarding medical ghostwriting, the practice of attaching the names of scientists or physicians to ghostwritten articles and publishing the material in medical journals. “This behavior creates obvious conflicts of interest, distorts medical evidence, [and] affects consumers by their bias towards certain drugs,” writes Ernesto Spinak on SciELO in Perspective.

A 2008 survey published in the British Medical Journal found the “prevalence of articles with honorary authorship, ghost authorship, or both” at around 20% of articles published in a selection of general medical journals.

Academic ghostwriting also creates concern. Naturally, some college students are keen on avoiding the arduous task of essay writing. So-called “essay mills” step in and ghostwrite papers for students. The practice is not illegal in the United States or the United Kingdom. However, the practice is considered unethical and is subject to the charge of “academic fraud,” with subsequent university penalties.

Is ghostwriting plagiarism?

HandshakeGhostwriting is not considered plagiarism because plagiarism involves the theft of original writing. Ghostwriting involves a mutually agreed upon collaboration and compensated exchange of written material.

Beyond Books: How a Ghostwriter Can Help with Any Writing Project

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

Ghostwriting isn’t just for celebrities or high-powered CEOs looking to publish their autobiographies, memoirs, or advice. While it’s true that many ghostwriters do specialize in writing books for the famous and wealthy, it’s a myth that ghostwriting is strictly for celebrity tell-alls or corporate memoirs. There are plenty of ghostwriters out there who specialize in helping regular people who have a story to tell.

Another common misconception about ghostwriting is that ghostwriters only write non-fiction books. They do write non-fiction books, of course. But ghostwriters can help with a wide variety of other writing projects, from works of fiction to blogs to business communications.

In this post, we’ll go beyond autobiographies and business books and take a look at four types of writing projects that a talented, flexible ghostwriter can take on.

1. Novels, screenplays, scripts for television, and plays.

Most people feel they have a story inside them just waiting to come out: A bestselling spy thriller; an award-winning romcom; the next “Breaking Bad” or “Game of  Thrones.” There’s only one problem: They aren’t experienced writers, and they aren’t sure how to get their ideas down on paper in an engaging way. 

How a ghostwriter can help:

Fiction ghostwriters have the experience necessary to turn a good idea into a great story great. They understand things like character development, plot, and pacing. And, most importantly, they have the skills and experience needed to see a fiction project through to the end. A ghostwriter can also help ensure that your finished piece is tailored to publishers or producers, and he or she may even be able to help with next steps like pitches or self-publishing.

2. Articles for print and online publications, blogs, and e-zines.

A great way to build your brand, position yourself as a subject matter expert, or generate sales is to publish articles and blogs that showcase your knowledge. But industry experts often find that writing for a wider audience is can be a challenge: They’re often too close to the material to determine if their message is clear, conversational, and, most importantly, interesting to the average reader.

How a ghostwriter can help:

A ghostwriter can help you get your message across in a way that resonates with a general audience. A ghostwriter can also help you do things like avoid industry jargon or technobabble. And, of course, any ghostwriter worth his or her salt will also ensure that the end result sounds like you: Your voice, your ideas, your unique perspective or industry expertise.

3. Business marketing and communication projects

Running a company in today’s competitive market can be a challenge. You need a marketing plan with plenty of content — from whitepapers and case studies to newsletters, social posts, and corporate communications — to engage your customers and stakeholders. And you need to do create all of this content while also keeping up with your other business-related tasks. Most companies simply don’t have the time to churn out this much copy without sacrificing quality.

How a ghostwriter can help:

Creating top-notch content and communications is vital to the success – or failure – of your business. Hiring a ghostwriter can help you do that. A good ghostwriter can take your content ideas and minimal direction and run with it, creating shareable, high-quality content that reflects your company’s voice and brand, improves SEO, and gets you noticed  — all while ensuring that you have the time to focus on other aspects of your business.

4. Speeches and presentation scripts

You’ve been invited to give a keynote address at an important industry event. Your sales team has to give a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation about your latest product. You need to pitch your company’s services to a new potential client. You’ve been nominated for an award.

And, you’re terrified.

Let’s face it: Even the most experienced public speakers out there – politicians, celebrities, and business leaders – use speechwriters to help them plan what to say and how to say it. Being prepared can help take the pressure off and ease the anxiety.

How a ghostwriter can help:

Ghostwriters with experience in writing speeches and presentations can help you craft a memorable, interesting speech or presentation. And they can ensure that it matches your unique voice, includes your key messages, and, most importantly, fits within your allotted timeframe.  Not sure what to say? A ghostwriter with speechwriting experience can also help you generate topic ideas and organize your ideas.

Regardless of the type of project you need written, if you don’t have the expertise or the time, hiring a ghostwriter to write it for you can be the perfect option. A ghostwriter can bring your project to a higher level of professionalism and success.

And the best part? You still get to retain all the rights, credit, and potential prestige that comes with the finished work. 

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