Do I need a ghostwriter?

There are three questions that come up time and again when any ghostwriter mentions their profession. The first is almost always: have you written for anyone famous? The second: but don’t you mind not getting your name on the book cover? And the third, why don’t people just write their own books?

The first two can be dealt with quite quickly. In the case of bestselling ghosts, like the GWA members, the answers are:

1. Yes, but quite often we can’t name the famous person.

2. No, this is our job. We are writers for hire.

The answer to the third question is a bit more complex. Most people can write. Our education system is built around story and essay writing. Many of us go on to use these writing skills extensively in later life, whether it is penning reports, or presentations, or even detailed emails. In most cases, individuals can write clearly and concisely too. So, why doesn’t everyone write their own books?

It is quite possible that there are those who could have a pretty good stab at writing their own book. They know best the subject matter they wish to write about, after all. But, how many people can write a good book? Constructing a 70,000 words-plus narrative and then writing it in a compelling way is not a straight-forward endeavour. While most people write well, ghostwriters write what sells. They are experienced writers, and know what readers want to read. Their livelihood depends upon creating that compelling narrative arc and delivering it effectively.

This brings us to the second reason why authors turn to ghosts; time. How many people do you know that say they want to write a book, but have not got around to it? Or, maybe they have started one and not got much further than chapter one. Writing a full-length book takes time. Even an experienced ghostwriter can take between three to six months to write a book. (It can be done quicker, if there is an urgent need. This is not ideal though). And, it is their day job. In other words, all they do is write. They need to be disciplined about it too, since if they don’t complete a book, they don’t get paid. That concentrates the mind.

Turning the above point on its head, authors might think of taking a six-month sabbatical to write their book. The question here would be: is this the best use of their valuable time? Surely a, say, celebrity, or business leader, would be better off doing what they are good at? Many who do try this approach never complete what they set out to do either.

It’s not just the writing skills that a ghost brings to the party either. Ghostwriters are skilled interviewers. They are experienced in the art of teasing information out of the authors they work with. It is not uncommon for authors to tell ghosts that they have not previously spoken about certain events to a living soul, or have not thought about a particular event for years. None of this means that ghosts are somehow ‘tricking’ authors into sharing stories they don’t want anyone to know about. They simply want to get the best material to achieve the best results. Nothing will go into a book that the author doesn’t want to reveal.

When it comes to the publishing process, ghostwriters can be enormously helpful too. Getting from the stage of a manuscript to a physical (or virtual) book, can appear complex, but ghosts can explain the options on offer and help an author navigate this unfamiliar world. While the presence of a ghost on its own won’t ever sell a book to a mainstream publisher, it can help ease the way too. Publishers know the presence of an experience ghosts is a guarantee of a well-written manuscript which will be delivered on time. This is not to say having a ghost onboard means a publishing deal is a slam dunk. That is very much down to the expertise of the author and the book buying public’s appetite for the subject they are writing about. What matters most is that a publisher feels the author has a great and original angle. But, a ghostwriting services will add something positive to the mix.

Finally, and very importantly, a ghostwriter will add something quite crucial to the process: fun. It can be a real labour of love, working away on a manuscript month after month. It is a lonely process and will often seem like no progress is being made at all. When authors work with established ghosts, they can share in the enjoyment and see their dream of writing a book realised, as the manuscript steadily builds toward completion, week-by-week.