Monday, September 09, 2013

Ghostwriting and Co-Authoring



Not everyone is a master storyteller. Some can envision the tale but lack the proper words to convey the message. If you struggle with writing, don’t give up hope. You can always employ the services of a ghostwriter.

Ghostwriters take an idea and write the story. They work with the creator of the storyline, capturing the person’s intentions and visions, and write the actual book. The ghostwriter’s name never appears on the work; the originator of the idea receives the credit. Ghostwriters are often mid-list authors and the good ones guarantee to produce a marketable manuscript. It’s not cheap, but it is a possible option for storytellers who lack the proper writing skills.

Another choice is co-authoring a book. Two or more writers contribute to a book’s creation, pooling their resources. Unlike ghostwriting, all the writers receive author credit. A written contract between all parties is a must in this situation! Address issues of contribution and compensation before embarking on this journey.

Working with another author has distinct advantages. Usually one has more experience and can enhance the project with his or her expertise. With several authors, marketing efforts are multiplied because there’s more than one person promoting! In addition, established authors already have a fan base. You will reach a far greater audience than with a solo project, especially if it is your first.

Working with another author also spurs creativity. You are able to bounce ideas off each other and the story never grows stale. It requires teamwork and compromise, but you’ll grow and stretch as a writer.

- from How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now! 

Have you considered a ghostwriter or perhaps co-authoring a book? (The latter is a lot of fun!)

31 comments:

Jennifer Shirk said...

There is a husband and wife author team in my writer's organization. I think it's really cool to write as a team.

Stephen Tremp said...

I couldn't imagine co-authoring a book. I have enough trouble getting along with Me, Myself, and I. Let alone another writer.

Yolanda Renée said...

I'd love to try a collaboration, and I'd even ghost write if the project were interesting enough. Open to any possibility!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm still contemplating co-authoring.

H. R. Sinclair said...

The best co-authored book I ever read was Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

Hart Johnson said...

I think I'm too introverted for this collaborative process. I might be able to ghost write, but it would have to be pretty darned lucrative. I don't have enough time for my OWN stuff, let alone someone else's at the moment.

Unknown said...

I think co-authoring could be a creative blast. Maybe someday!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

James Patterson has turned co-authoring into a science!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I don't foresee having the money to pay a ghostwriter, but I don't foresee wanting to anyway. Co-authorship, though, is an attractive concept. I think, with the right "co," that could be run.

Have a good one, Spunk.
xoRobyn

Karen Lange said...

I've considered but haven't pursued ghostwriting. Am currently working on a book with a friend, but our progress has been slow since we both have had other pressing projects. One of these days we'll finish!

Thanks so much for the encouragement and info! :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Karen, it's a lot of fun.

Stephen - LOL!

Hart, it does pay well.

Elizabeth, he sure has.

I hope that you can finish one day, Karen.

Steven said...

I've considered doing a co-authored work one day, if the situation is right. I have an aspiring little writer who wants to make that happen in the near future, so you never know. I do quite a bit of ghostwriting, mostly shorter works like blog posts and articles. The only bad part is I can't list those writings in my portfolio, but you are paid well and gain good writing experience.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I know some people have great success with that but you must have to meet the perfect partner.

Bish Denham said...

I'm reading your book now and just read through this section!

Jay Noel said...

I'm working right now on a book with another author. I've we've never met in person. Technology is awesome.

The key is compatibility, just like any other relationship.

And it's fun!

Robin said...

Never really considered co-authoring until this post. I can see the Upsides. It's something to think about... definitely.

Johanna Garth said...

I've talked to lots of people who've co-authored...maybe...under the right set of circumstances...but not anytime soon.

klahanie said...

Yet, as they say, just who are 'they', nothing ventured, nothing gained. So I've been looking for potential ghost bloggers to take over and write my blog. Well, I have been disillusioned in my search. My thinking, yes even more thinking, got quite desperate and I typed in 'ghost blogger' in the search engine. What I got back was something about 'Casper', Wyoming, Casper the friendly ghost, Jacob Marley (not related to a reggae singer) and an option to go try out some ghost hunting.

This means, well in the meantime at least, that I will have to keep writing my own blog. I could try again. Maybe check out the situation from ghost to ghost, wait til the ghost is clear and continue haunting, I mean hunting for that elusive ghost blogger. That's the spirit.

Sorry, Diane, I rambled. Actually, I have a number of ghostwriters who work with me. I have also been asked by a number of, I assume, desperate folks, to co-author a book.

Gary

Anonymous said...

I think Diane if you're going to have your name on a book much of the fun...and frustration is writing it yourself. I appreciate poetry books are not novels and the like but I enjoyed doing my two books and when I feel better will start my third,

Loved the post.
Yvonne.

Arlee Bird said...

I think co-authoring could be fun--or at least interesting. I'm sure hiring a ghostwriter would be more than I could pay. If I were to ghostwrite for someone else I'd want to be paid enough to make it worth my while--especially if I weren't getting any credit. Unless there was something else there to motivate me.

Lee
Wrote By Rote

M Pax said...

I'd consider each at some point. I've seen lots of masters pair up with newbies. It's a good marketing technique.

~Sia McKye~ said...

I have done some ghost work although more of mine has been with non-fiction.

I think if you had the right writing partners co-writing could be good. I've noticed that anthologies work in a similar way.

Some good points, Diane.

Sia McKye Over Coffee


Kellie @ Delightfully Ludicrous said...

The problem I have with co-authoring is it's hard to find someone who will contribute to the same level as me. They don't want to put in the same hours or they don't want to focus as much as I do. So as much as I love collaborating, it just never seems to work out.

J E Oneil said...

Co-authoring sounds like fun, but ghost writing? There's no fun in that.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Steven, if the aspiring little writer is your kid, that would be fun to write a book together.

Thank you, Bish!

Jay, so true.

Gary, Penny does a wonderful job writing posts for you.

Lee, ghostwriters make good money.

Kellie, just have to find the right person.

Unknown said...

I'm such a control freak, I can't see how that would work, for me at least. I've read books that are co-authored all the time.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

You offer great advice. Both co-authoring and collabs have great strengths in helping a writer.

Anonymous said...

If I co-author a book, it would have to be with another writer I'm extremely comfortable with.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, L. Diane,

I kind of do a form of ghostwriting when i create blurbs. I enjoy it immensely and really help out struggling authors...

Co writing is a wonderful option. I've considered it on more than one occasion.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I like writing too much to consider a ghostwriter, but I like the idea of co-authoring.

randi lee said...

I ghost write a lot of articles and submissions at work, which can be a lot of fun. I love making people sound their best, and having someone trust me to turn their idea to words is a real honor :)