“Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.”
Sir Winston Churchill
My Ghostwriting Process
The great Western lawman Wyatt Earp wrote his autobiography with the help of a ghostwriter. The two men spent a week sitting on a porch, smoking cigars, recording the details of the gunslinger’s life in the old American West, while comfortably swapping story concepts. I have been known to use a similar method.
My goal is to make the process of ghostwriting the very best experience possible for my client. That means comfortable dialogues, great communication, flexibility, and a respect for your time. The process is tailored to the individual client and the specific objectives of the book project. But here is a typical approach that looks like:
I. Concept
It begins with an idea. From your initial concept, the next step is the interview process. This is pen and paper time for me. I will ask questions, listen, and float preliminary structural ideas. These are the first steps toward shaping a well-structured book. The heavy lifting is on me. Because there is no substitute for face-to-face, I will happily travel to you.
II. Research
It does not matter whether you are publishing a how-to manual, a work of fiction, or an inspirational book; artfully drafted books require external research. Some more, some less. I thoroughly enjoy this portion of the ghostwriting process and look forward to giving your project the touches necessary to embellish the prose of your story, and to establish the credibility of your subject matter.
III. Outline
Vital to the success of a ghostwriting project is a well-structured and sufficiently detailed outline. Once the draft outline is completed, I will submit it to you for approval. Getting from the initial concept, through the interviews and research, to the draft of the outline, typically consumes 25% of the process of writing a book. Once complete, the magic begins.
IV. Ghostwriting
With interview notes, solid research and an outline in hand, my formal process of chapter-writing begins. During this time, I will be in regular communication with you. Unless otherwise agreed upon, I will submit chapter reviews on a monthly basis. Typically, you will receive one to four chapters at the beginning of the month.
V. Revisions
With the chapters completed, I will submit my draft of the entire project for your review. Next, we will determine if any revisions are required. Once we settle on the final draft, the manuscript will be subjected to meticulous editing. My fee includes the cost of hiring professional editors who will scrutinize every inch of the book so that the final copy will be clean as a whistle.
VI. Print-Ready
An option available to my clients is to hire me to oversee the professional typesetting, layout, and design which takes the project from finished manuscript to a print-ready book. In addition, I can offer solutions such that you receive a beautifully designed e-book, ready to be sold through Kindle, Nook, or any other digital book platform.