Even when you’ve got plenty of resources at your fingertips, sometimes you may want an extra pair of eyes looking over your writing.
How a professional ghostwriter can help
Our professional ghostwriters can help you with any of the following situations:
- Editing for clarity and consistency
- Reviewing for voice and tone
- Suggesting where areas of your story could use further clarification or description
- Rewriting chapters or writing new material from scratch.
Of course, it is entirely up to you how you would like to use your time with your ghostwriter. Some Authors ask our professionals to edit a chapter, and others ask for editing on an entire book. When you book time with one of our ghostwriters, think about your goals and what you hope a ghostwriter can help you achieve.
How to get started with a professional ghostwriter
You can purchase time with a personal ghostwriter in 5-hour increments. Log onto your Author Account, click Hire a Professional Ghostwriter, and follow the prompts.
Why we offer services in 5-hour increments
It takes time to understand your goals and help you achieve them. Within five hours, your ghostwriter should be able to assess your manuscript based on your request and address some of your concerns.
You may need more than five hours to meet your needs.
If you want a ghost to review your memoir for flow, that may be a five-hour job. A total rewrite may require many more hours. To put it in perspective, life stories typically require a minimum of 200 hours for a ghostwriter to complete from start to finish. It is highly unlikely your ghostwriter will be able to rewrite your entire manuscript in five or even ten hours, but they will be able to offer suggestions and edits that will go a long way towards polishing and improving your book.
Time transparency and accountability
You will see how many hours your ghostwriter spends on your project—our ghostwriters log their time when they start and stop work on a project, which is visible to you to ensure total transparency.
Here’s how to make the most of your time with your ghostwriter:
- Put together a list of tasks you’d like your ghostwriter to address. That could include asking for help with any of the following:
- Identify your voice and tone
- Edit for comprehension and flow
- Brainstorm for ideas on how to complete challenging sections of your story
- Provide constructive feedback for making your story shine
- Serve as an accountability coach—someone who’ll meet with you one-on-one and help you meet your writing goals.
Dos and Don’ts For a Successful Ghostwriting Experience
DO be upfront about what you want. That will help your ghostwriter determine the best way to help your book.
DO define the scope of work. That means being specific about your goals and expectations.
DO provide clear feedback. Be specific about what you like and what you don’t. Sharing your ideas will help the ghostwriter understand your vision and adjust as necessary.
DO be honest. Share any questions or concerns with your ghostwriter as soon as possible. Ghostwriters want to help you meet your goals and will want to know your thoughts.
DON’T expect miracles. Though professional writers, ghostwriters are mere mortals and can’t perform magic. Be realistic about what a ghostwriter can and cannot do within a given timeframe and scope of work.
DON’T micromanage. There’s a line between open communication and micromanaging. Find that balance and trust your ghostwriter’s expertise.
DON’T expect ghostwriters to read your mind. Be clear and specific about what you want.
DO use your five-hour block in a narrow timeframe. Authors benefit most from this service when they focus on their project.
I Need More Help!
Our partners at In Ink Ghostwriting can provide full-service ghostwriting and editing services if you feel you need more help.
Contact them at writing@ininkghostwriting.com. Authors with active accounts at DIYBook receive a 10% discount on their services by mentioning the code Help10.
Barbara Basbanes Richter founded DIYBook, an affordable and easy-to-use book writing program. She also founded In Ink Ghostwriting, a full-service ghostwriting firm helping politicians, pundits, scientists, CEOs, professional athletes, and others get their stories into print.
Under her own byline, Barbara’s writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, The Vineyard Gazette, Humanities, The Sewanee Review, Fine Books & Collections, Literary Features Syndicate, High Country News, Ravishly.com, Westchester Magazine, and other outlets.
Barbara is a fluent French speaker, and her translation from French to English of Mademoiselle de Malepeire was called a “clever, inspiring gem.”
