Okay, so I’ve been over here talking about ghostwriting like it’s something everyone knows about. Like it’s a profession that a kindergartener is going to list as what they want to be when they grow up.
But the truth is, I didn’t know what ghostwriting was until I really immersed myself in the writing world. So let’s take a step back and talk about what ghostwriting is.
We’ll also debunk some misconceptions for those of you who may be vaguely familiar with ghostwriting.
And if you’re an executive, business owner, thought leader, etc. that’s looking to expand your impact and build your brand but is short on time or creative energy, it’s likely the answer you’ve been looking for!
What is ghostwriting?
In its simplest form, ghostwriting is when one person writes for another person. If your mind went straight to how this would be considered cheating in school, stick with me, and let’s talk specifically about the world of books.
When someone hires a ghostwriter to write their book, the ghostwriter does the actual writing and structuring of the book. Basically, they do the heavy lifting. Whoever hired the ghostwriter though is still considered the author. They are driving the content they want to share, they are the ones that get their name on the cover, and they reap the benefits of having the book.
The ghostwriter maintains strict confidentiality (unless the author chooses to acknowledge them), and when the book is complete the author is able to use it for whatever purpose they’d like.
If you’re still stuck on how this is different from copying a friend’s paper in school, there are two big differentiators. First, the author is driving the content of the book. They are deciding what they want to talk about and why. Second, the ghostwriter is getting fairly compensated for their services. So it’s a win-win.
The process of ghostwriting
If you’re like, wow that sounds great, but I’m still not totally sure how it works, let’s talk very briefly about what you can expect from the process (at least with me).
When the author first decides to hire the ghostwriter, the two will meet to establish the goals and intentions of the author for writing the book. This is a key foundation to help both sides plan for and think about how their journey together will play out.
Next, the author and ghostwriter will get together to establish an outline for the book. This will help establish the main topics to be covered in the book, the arc of the book, and the themes. The outline acts as a basis for the project but is a living and breathing document as the book writing process progresses.
Next, the ghostwriter will conduct a series of interviews with the author related to each chapter. This will generate the content for each chapter.
And throughout the course of the interviews, the ghostwriter will also help to ask important questions that will more fully flesh out the content to bring the book to life. As an added bonus, this also helps the author to think more critically and reflect on the message they want to convey and their purpose going forward.
After the ghostwriter has completed the writing based on the interviews, the ghostwriter will give the author time to review and then will make any revisions.
As part of my process, I won’t just hand you a completed manuscript and call it a day. I will also help to connect you with the additional resources that you’ll need to get that finished product in your hands and will help project manage those aspects of the book for you (design, publishing, etc.)
Misconceptions about ghostwriting
Here are some of the top misconceptions and questions I’ve come across:
- The ghostwriter won’t capture the author’s voice – A good ghostwriter will do their homework in trying to find any resource possible where the author is speaking or has written so they can capture the essence of the author’s voice and personality.
- A ghostwriter is just a writer – While ghostwriters add obvious value in saving your time and creative energy in taking care of the writing for you, they do so much more than that. A good ghostwriter will help advise you on content and structure of the book and will have the ability to make the interviews powerful experiences to pull out really impactful thoughts and content. And as mentioned before, some ghostwriters will be able to connect you to the resources you need beyond just the writing process.
- There’s an issue with where credit is due in ghostwriting – One common question I get asked in some form or another is basically why I would want to write for no credit. This doesn’t bother me at all though. I get to help people put powerful and impactful messages out into the world, and I’m still receiving fair payment to do so. The author is still driving the message and story that they want to tell; I’m just helping bring it to life.
Now that you have a firm understanding of what ghostwriting is, let’s help bring your story to life to expand your reach and build your brand. All you need to do is take the first step of booking 15 – 20 minutes to chat.
Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences with those who may find them relatable and helpful.