Ghostwriters, Co-Authors, and Problem Clients

How important is the contract between a ghostwriter/co-author and a client?

It's vital. Do not work without one! I don't care if the client is your best friend. That contract is vital because it can save you from a lot of hassle and heartbreak in the long run.

Notice I've mentioned the words ghostwriter and co-author. They really are two separate things, but both require that you sign a contract.

But why? What's the big deal?

A contract offers you protection, as well as, the client. It helps you set deadlines, expectations, and payment amounts. That piece of paper can keep you and your client walking the straight path together and keeps everyone on the same page. It's a tool you can refer to when a client becomes demanding or wants you to do something that is different from your original agreement. Of course, there are times when you may need to stray from the contract or you find that whatever the client is asking is not something unreasonable. Yes, it's okay to do a verbal agreement in those cases, but I would suggest creating a short addendum to your contract that included the new arrangement. If nothing else, at least get it in an email so you have something to fall back on should things go sour.

If you are ghost writing, you want your contract to be clear on a few things. For example, you need to know when you're getting paid and how much. How long will the word count be? How many re-writes are you going to be expected to do? What is the time frame? How flexible is the client on that? The client will probably make sure the contract includes information regarding the fact that your name will not be anywhere on the final product nor will you receive royalties from future sales.

When you co-author a book, you will want many of the above things to be listed as well. However, I think the expectations for co-authoring need to be outlined even more. For example, how involved with the client be in the writing part? Is it just their idea and outline that they want you to turn into something more? Or are they going to write a few chapters, too? Again, the time frame question becomes very important here--especially if you are juggling other clients or work. Sometimes a client will stall and stall on that final draft, which means your payment is withheld. Having that contract serves as a reminder to the client that all good things must come to an end.

I've enjoyed working as both a ghostwriter and a co-author, but have found that having a solid written agreement about expectations is crucial. Several times, I could have been in a real bind if it weren't for my contract.

Here's a little red flag warning that I've picked up on: If a client repeatedly ignores a particular question in an email or in several emails, that's a problem. Something about the question bothers the client. For example, if you are asking when something will be completed or when you will get their revisions back and they never answer, that's not good. It means it's a question you need to keep asking.

If you find yourself with a problem client, be professional. Send an email that gently reminds them of the contractual agreement they signed with you. Try to be flexible--everyone has bad days or months. Hopefully, you can work this out. I find that the email communication is better than a phone call. It gets everything down on paper and allows you to keep your emotions in check. Remember, it's business. Always do your best to be polite, but lay it out so that the client knows exactly what the issue is.

Having trouble with a co-authoring/ghostwriter contract? I'd love to chat with you! Email me at maryannloesch374@gmail.com.

Ghostwriting for would-be wraiths, banshees and poltergeists

No more spectral jokes - promise.

Go to any of the numerous freelancer sites and you'll find plenty of jobs advertising 'ghostwriter required'. This service can be quite lucrative and it’s certainly a definite step up from living on a combination of air and hope. That said, ghostwriting jobs are not without their share of 'issues' and I'd like to look at some of those now.

Just to be clear, ghostwriting is the act of turning someone else's ideas (which may be a complete plot, a partially-written book or a simple idea) into a 'finished quality' piece of writing for which the ghostwriter receives no credit or acknowledgement beyond the payment of their agreed fees. From a ghostwriter's perspective, the job is without risk - they get paid even if the book bombs - but, if the book goes on to become a bestseller, there's no kudos either.

Don't consider ghostwriting if you can't accept that because otherwise it will seriously get you down.

The first thing to understand is that it(usually) costs nothing for people to post their jobs. This invariably means that every dreamer who's ever romanticized about being an author will be putting forward their ideas in the hope that they can turn their vision into a bestseller. With so many of these people clogging up the freelance sites, it's easy to waste lots of time putting in bid after bid and then never hearing a word back.

You can, however, save time and give yourself a better chance of being successful by a little judicious screening. Here are some things to look out for.

Spinning

This is the act of turning someone else’s work into another ‘original’ by replacing proper nouns, adverbs and verbs to make the new book seem different. Two things to consider here – can your morals stand the notion that you are plagiarizing another author and, since the client is placing minimal importance on the talent of a writer, can you accept that the remuneration is likely to be very, very low? And I mean LOW.

 

Incoherent ideas

A client needs to have figured out the finished book’s length and its subject matter in order to have arrived at a realistic budget figure. If the project briefing then leaves you in doubt as to what you will be engaged to write about, you will almost certainly end up spending hours on SKYPE attempting fruitlessly (probably) to extract this information from the client. Later, if and when it goes wrong, you’ll be the resident villain of the piece and you may struggle to get paid.

 

My story needs telling

It’s fair to say a large number of published autobiographies are only on sale because the ‘author’ is a famous personality, and it’s also true that being famous does not guarantee your story is a ‘good read’. Stories of the famous are, however, definitely commercial since people always want to read about the lives of the stars. In the likely event that your particular customer isn’t one of the glitterati, does their autobiography inspire you? Is there enough material to fill a book? Don’t forget that your work will involve dragging lots of details out of your client – work that they probably won’t expect to be charged for.

 

I’ve written something which needs polishing

This sort of client probably requires you to act as an editor but you’ll also be expected to fill in the missing pieces, sort out the plot holes, make the dialogue more realistic etc. It’s quite difficult picking up a story like this and it will involve a number of readings through before you start, along with considerable note-taking. You need to allow for this when quoting. Again, it’s quite likely that the client won’t expect to pay.

Obviously there are some people who’ve got a good idea for a story but don’t have the confidence, time or experience to write it themselves. These are the best jobs to go for but, before you put in a bid, look and see what they’ve given as an expected budget (most freelancer sites require clients to have a stab at the final bill figure). A typical novel that has been written by a native English-speaking ghostwriter will cost between $2,000 and $3,000. Thus, if the budget is ‘$500 or under’, there’s a good chance that either they don’t have any idea of final cost (and thus probably won’t go ahead with it) or that they’re only interested in getting the content written at the cheapest price possible and without regard for its quality.

Ghostwriting is an excellent way of making money and keeping your hand in but it’s easy to waste time on bad clients or thankless jobs. As you’ll see in my next blog, you can grapeshot every job you come across or you can ignore the lower grade jobs and concentrate on the better ones.

Clive West is co-owner of indie publisher Any Subject Books and you can see more about them on their website or on Facebook. For details of their book submission criteria, see their writers wanted page.

5 Tips to Keep a Ghostwriter Sane

Ghostwriting.

 

No. It doesn't refer to an author sitting at a table and waiting for the spirits to make contact. If that were the case, the writer could be waiting a long, long time!

 

What is ghostwriting? And why would any writer do it?

 

Ghostwriting refers to the process of one author or person paying another author to write for them. Typically, the ghostwriter signs a contract stating that they give up all rights to the story once it is done. Some contracts do allow for the ghostwriter's name to be listed below the publishing author's name, but generally once the deal is closed, whatever happens to the manuscript is out of the ghostwriter's hands.

 

This is a common practice and has been around a long, long time. Many celebrities use ghostwriters when it comes to publishing their "tell all" books. People who want to share about their traumatic experiences in life often have someone else do the actual writing. Heck, even established authors like James Patterson, Tom Clancy, and Clive Cussler use them!

 

I've been ghostwriting quite a bit this past year and a half. I do it because it's been a great way to make decent money quickly doing something that I enjoy--writing. I have several repeat clients, and while I can't tell you who they are due to my contracts, I can say that they are authors in many different genres. I've written a series of short stories, two book series, and several stand-alone novels. They've ranged anywhere from 1600-50,000 words.

 

And that doesn't include writing my own Bayou Myth series.

 

Yeah, it's a lot of work, but the money has been good. Some clients are better than others when it comes to financial compensation, but I don't take any jobs that I don't like. I'm careful about my contracts and rarely work without one.

 

I have a few tips for those of you that are just starting out in the world of ghostwriting. These may seem like no brainers, but it's easy to forget the basics when you're bogged down under a sea of words.

 

1. Only take work that gets you excited. My parents always told me that sometimes you have to do things you don't like. That's true, but it doesn't apply in ghostwriting. Believe me. I've learned that the hard way. If you don't feel excited about the project, if the thought of it bores you to tears, don't take it. I don't care how good the money is. (Well, okay that's not entirely true) It is not worth the pain, heartache, and time if you can't get motivated.

 

2. Stick to your deadline, but know when to ask for an extension. Writing is tricky. Sometimes the muse is there and the words flow like sweet honey. Other times, you're wading through a sea of manure with no end in sight. Make sure you are setting aside time to get the work done, but if you are in the manure zone, don't wait till the last minute to ask for more time. Be up front. Pull the "but I’m an artist" card if you have to, but don't sit around twiddling your thumbs. You're being paid to write and your client expects results. However, most people understand that writing is a process and sometimes the process gets delayed by life, family, and…well…manure. Be up front about it.

 

3. Don't lose sight of your own projects. I like to set aside time that is just for me. Typically on Friday night, I pour a glass of wine and then sit in front of my laptop. Sometimes I work on my projects, but sometimes I just write whatever comes to mind. Take time for yourself!

 

4. Step away from the project before you hurt someone! You are giving up control when you are a ghostwriter. You don't call every shot. That can be a hard thing to accept. You may write the most fabulous scene ever, but your client thinks it's awful. Deal with it. Don't freak out and send nasty emails or make crazy phone calls. Take a breath, step away, and remember that you are getting paid to do something you love. Not everyone can say that.

 

5. Read the contract carefully. Know what you are committing to before you sign. Some clients have very particular requests and you need to understand them before you agree to be their ghostwriter. Deadlines, time frames for drafts, payment schedules, anonymity needs, and whether or not your name will be listed on the front cover--a good contract should cover all that!

 

Any other ghostwriters out there with advice? Drop us a line and share your tips!