GHOSTWRITING
Tell Your Story
Do you have a unique message or a compelling life story?
Maybe it's time to write a book.
But how would you even start? Most people who should write a book don't have the time or skills to make it happen. That's when a ghostwriter becomes indispensable.
I've ghostwritten several books with authors who had important things to say but didn't know how to say them. Those books have been published, and even won awards.
That could be you, too.
What exactly does a ghostwriter do?
That’s a question I’m asked frequently.
My answer: It varies.
When you see a book written by a celebrity, corporate CEO, sports figure or politician, chances are it was actually penned by a ghostwriter. The nominal author probably had a genuine story to tell, but lacked the time or talent to do it justice.
That’s where the services of a ghostwriter come in. If things go well, the product will accurately reflect the author’s views, life, and personality. And the reading public will respond favorably.
How It Works:
The actual process can differ wildly from one project to another. Some people have a vague sense that they ought to tell their story, but no idea how to go about it. For them, the journey usually begins with a series of interviews. When I sit down with these people, a storyline will usually emerge before long, and we can begin crafting a theme, title, and organizational structure.
Other people show up with material they’ve already written, recognizing that they need help organizing, editing and polishing it. Then the process is one of sifting, shuffling, shaping and clarifying. Seeing the finished product can be very gratifying for those who have struggled in vain to produce something marketable, perhaps for years.
In either case, the job of a ghostwriter is to find the essence of a person's story and distill the various elements into a cohesive, compelling narrative.
Here are more testimonials from authors who saw their dreams come to fruition:
I had been writing a book for well over a decade, but couldn't quite finish it. Bill helped me push it over the top--and get it published. He also helped me adapt my ideas to reach a broad readership. I'm very pleased.
– Roger Seymour, author Why Can't I Get It Right? A New Look at Christian Freedom
I was at that place where I needed another set of eyes to come in and help me make the book worth reading, Bill did that and so much more. Bill did not only take my words and make them sound better but he made the book into something I could not have done on my own. Bill was a delight to work with and I highly recommend him for any author who needs a great partner to get his book to a place where it can be published.
– Todd Rettberg, author Life's a Pain: Journeying by Faith when Every Step Hurts
Bill took my thoughts and brought them alive. He captured the heart of my ideas and that heart keeps beating. A pleasure to work with. Couldn't have done it without him. I thank God for his expertise.
– John DelGrosso, author Restoring God's Image: The Narrow Gate to Healing and Transformation
Bill played an essential role in helping me get my first book published ... He always demonstrated a sensitivity to my personal writing style and helped me to expand on specific points of interest.
– John Alexander, author The 21st Century Christian
Bill is a pleasure to work with and he was able to turn my ideas and words into a readable, fun book.
– Doug Minor, credit expert, author Anatomy of Credit Scores and Your Credit, Your Life
Let's talk about your story. START HERE.
Related Services:
Book Proposals
Agents and publishers like to see a formal proposal before they consider a book. This is usually a 30 to 40-page description of the book and how it can be marketed. It typically contains the following elements:
- Synopsis
- Author Bio
- Chapter Outline
- Sample Chapters
- Market Analysis
- Marketing Plan
Submission to Agents/Publishers
Once you have your book or proposal, you need to sell it. And you thought the hard part was over! Most publishers prefer to receive submissions through literary agents, so the first step for many authors is to approach a number of agents with their submissions. If an agent picks up the work, he or she will then submit it to various publishers, and collect a commission if it sells. In some cases a writer can submit directly to the publisher. In either case, the agent or publisher will have submission guidelines, which must be followed faithfully. It’s a time-consuming process, which is why many people prefer to have someone else handle it.
Editing
There are (at least) three levels of editing:
- Developmental Editing. This is the organizational level—the big picture. What is the theme? What is the structure? Does the structure adequately reflect the theme? Does it follow a logical, clearly-discernible trajectory? Is some of the material irrelevant to the theme? This is the hardest part for many writers, but I actually find it most fun and challenging.
- Content Editing, or line editing. Do the sentences make sense? Do they flow naturally from one to the next? Do the verb tenses agree with the subjects? Is there a more succinct way to express the same thought? These are the things line editing addresses. It’s tedious, and absolutely necessary. Good line editing separates professional work from amateur efforts.
- Copy Editing, or proofreading. This is a final read-through in search of typographical errors. At this point, it helps to have a fresh pair of eyes on the work; the writer may be too close to see it clearly. Every writer knows the embarrassment of missing an obvious error, even after rereading a manuscript numerous times. But that’s not as embarrassing as seeing it after it’s gone to print. Never skimp on proofreading.
Note: Each of these services can be contracted separately, or as part of a package.
Get Started
I’ve helped many aspiring writers put their stories on paper, produce finished books, submit their work to publishers, and yes, land book contracts.
Is that something you’d like to do, too?