NONFICTION NINJAS
  • Home
  • Meet the Ninjas
    • Lisa Amstutz
    • Stephanie Bearce
    • Nancy Churnin
    • Susie Kralovansky
    • Pat Miller
    • Christine Liu Perkins
    • Linda Skeers
    • Peggy Thomas
  • Ninja Notebook
  • NF Fest
  • Contact

Who You Gonna Call? Ghostwriters! by Michelle Medlock Adams

1/23/2019

4 Comments

 
Picture
Eva Shaw, author of Ghostwriting: How to Get Into the Business beautifully sums up the heart of being a ghostwriter. She writes, “You put your ego aside to perform an invaluable service, write brilliant words, produce wonderful copy, and work harder than anyone believes is humanly possible.”
 
Yep, that pretty much describes every ghostwriting assignment I’ve ever had but I’d also add—the hard work is totally worth it. And, ghostwriting isn’t just reserved for those of us who write nonfiction for adults; children’s writers are often called upon to ghostwrite for celebrities, politicians, TV personalities, and even ministers of megachurches.
 
The 411 on Ghostwriting
 
Definition: Ghostwriters are behind-the-scenes writers. Unnoticeable. Usually unnamed, though you can sometimes get a “with” on the cover if negotiated in the contract. And, ordinarily, well paid. Yay!
 
Duties: A ghostwriter writes on an assigned topic, under someone else's name, with that person’s consent and input. Some of the clients I’ve worked with are very involved—talking through every line of the manuscript—and others, not so much. Each client is different, and every assignment is a challenge.
 
Why so challenging, you ask? Well, if you’re like me, you’ve worked very hard your entire career to find your voice. In ghostwriting, you are asked to lose your voice and find the client’s voice. You have to wear an entirely different hat.
 
Marketing Yourself As A Ghostwriter
 
Get a Website: Develop a website that tells what services you offer, comments from satisfied clients (you can use first names only), your bio, etc. Or, simply add a drop down ghostwriting menu on your existing website.  
 
Get a Brochure:  Vistaprint.com is a very inexpensive way to put together a professional-looking brochure that touts your writing skills and ghostwriting services. Carry the brochures with you because you never know when or where you’ll encounter your next ghostwriting client.
 
Talk it Up: When you’re at conferences, let publishers and agents know you offer ghostwriting services specializing in nonfiction children’s articles and books. Because I do this, I’ve had more than one agent contact me with high-profile clients in need of a ghost.
 
Also, talk it up on social media and list it under your skills on LinkedIn. You might even consider advertising yourself on www.upwork.com as a ghostwriter for children’s projects.
 
Join a Ghostwriters National Association/Group: http://associationofghostwriters.org/why-join/
​This is just one of several associations/groups geared specifically for ghostwriters.
 
Ghostwriting is quite lucrative, so if you’re not married to that coveted cover credit, go for it! It’s a great way to make money, meet some very interesting people, and tell some amazing stories—even if they aren’t yours. 
4 Comments
Peggy Thomas
1/24/2019 01:38:30 pm

Thanks for the great advice and specific actions to take.

Reply
Michelle link
1/24/2019 08:50:16 pm

You're welcome. :)

Reply
Linda Skeers
1/28/2019 03:11:37 pm

I love the idea of having a brochure -- I never would have thought of that! Thanks for the great tips and suggestions!

Reply
Isabella Morton link
4/22/2021 05:12:55 am

I really appreciate your efforts as these tips are amazing especially for those who actually want to persue their career in this field!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    We are nonfiction authors who support readers and writers through our writing, author visits, and workshops.

    RSS Feed

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018

    Categories

    All
    Agent
    Andrea Somberg
    Back Matter
    Bibliography
    Biographies
    Book Dummy
    Book Promotion
    Bookstore
    Breaking Writers Block
    Deadlines
    Editing
    Editors
    Ghostwriting
    Hidden History
    Holidays
    Holiday Stories
    Humor
    Inspiration
    Linda Skeers
    Magazines
    Market Analysis
    Mentoring
    Mentor Texts
    Middle Grade NF
    Nancy Churnin
    Nonfiction
    Open For Submissions
    Organization
    Pat Miller
    Peggy Thomas
    Picture Books
    Primary-sources
    Publishers
    Questions
    Reluctant Writer
    Research
    Rhyme
    Seasonal Stories
    Selling Books
    Stephanie Bearce
    Submissions
    Twitter Pitches
    Why
    Word Count
    Work For Hire
    Writing Ideas
    Writing In Sprints
    Writing Protocol
    Writing Strengths
    Writing Tips

    Disclaimer: The Nonfiction Ninjas are a group of writers with diverse ideas . The views expressed in each post are those of the author and may differ from others in the group.​
Copyright @2022
  • Home
  • Meet the Ninjas
    • Lisa Amstutz
    • Stephanie Bearce
    • Nancy Churnin
    • Susie Kralovansky
    • Pat Miller
    • Christine Liu Perkins
    • Linda Skeers
    • Peggy Thomas
  • Ninja Notebook
  • NF Fest
  • Contact