LDS Ghostwriter FAQ

Have a question about ghostwriting, ghostwriters, publishing, or writing?

You can probably find the answer here . . . .

What is ghostwriting, or what is ghostwriter?

Simply put, a ghostwriter is professional writer you hire to write something for you—or to help you write something. This something could be a nonfiction book, a novel, an article, or even a screenplay. Ghostwriters don’t usually get paid from the proceeds or royalties from the books they write; instead, they are paid up front for their work, although a few ghostwriters are given a portion of a book’s royalties as well. Ghostwriters work together with their clients, but the ghostwriter does most of the writing and editing. Clients provide the ghostwriter with the needed information typically via interviews or early written drafts.

Is ghostwriting legal?

Yes, ghostwriting is legal. However, if you attempt to pass off another person’s writing as yours (whether you use a ghostwriter or not), that is called plagiarism. Again, hiring a ghostwriter to help you write your book (or article or whatever) is legal and is a very common practice.

How much does a ghostwriter cost?

Hiring a ghostwriter to help you write a book can cost anywhere from $20,000 on up to $100,000, depending on the book’s length and complexity as well as on the ghostwriter’s level of experience.

How long does it usually take to write a book?

Some books take longer to write than others, but a good average for a 150-page book is anywhere between five and seven months when using a ghostwriter. Naturally, longer books tend to take more time to write and edit. Other factors that influence how long it takes include how much research, if any, is required, how long you spend each day writing and editing your book, and how often you meet with your ghostwriter (again, if you’re using a ghostwriter).

Why hire a ghostwriter?

People hire ghostwriters for many different reasons, but the most common include:

• You don’t enjoy writing or aren’t good at it

• You lack the time

• You want your book to have the added touch of having a professional writer help write it

• You can afford to invest in hiring a professional ghostwriter

Will AI replace human writers?

AI, which stands for Artificial Intelligence, is any kind of artificial, computer-based thinking and problem-solving.

While AI can do many things, it’s doubtful it will ever fully replicate the personality and inventiveness of the human mind.

If you want to write a book, you can use AI to help you edit it, but the best books are still written by human beings.

How can writing a book help me?

If you have hard-won lessons, knowledge, or wisdom you want to share, your book will help you by helping others.

Writing a book separates you from the crowd and puts you in an exclusive group for life: book authors. You are now someone who has the knowledge and the stamina to write a book, and your book proves that you know something and have something vital to say. Many careers and public lives have been initiated by someone writing a book.

Can I get rich from writing my book?

Yes, but it is rare.

More often, your book brings you a different kind of wealth: the pride of being an author and in knowing that your book is out there, helping others.

Often, nonfiction authors make money after having written a book by giving speeches and paid presentations. Their status as an author can help them win paying gigs. In other words, one of the best ways to monetize your book is by giving paid speeches about yourself and your subject. Books can also help some business people land new clients and explore new business opportunities.

How can I choose the right title for my (nonfiction) book?

Generally, your title is the last thing you choose when writing your book.

That being said, the following are some quick questions to ask when deciding on a title for your book:

• Does your title describe your book’s subject?

• Does your title make sense?

• Is too long, too short, or too vague?

• Has your title already been used too often?

Coming up with a title is important and takes time, so don’t rush this last step. Again, try to give your book a title speaks to its audience and that fits its subject.

Are ghostwriters paid royalties?

Ghostwriters are mostly paid for their work by their client, but a few sometimes negotiate additional payments from royalties that are generated.

What is traditional publishing, and what is self-publishing?

Traditional publishing and traditional publishers will print and publish your book at no cost to you. You merely need to convince them that your book has an audience and will sell. Traditional publishers include the big five (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster) as well as smaller, regional or boutique publishers.

Vanity presses, self-publishing companies, or hybrid publishers all charge a fee to print and publish your book. Because they make their money from printing your book and the fees they charge you, they are less concerned by how marketable or saleable your book is. Many people who write good books choose to self-publish because getting a traditional publisher to publish your book is often an uphill battle.

What are the advantages to traditional publishing?

Again, traditional publishers charge no up-front costs, offer a larger distribution network, and can give your book the added cache of a having a traditional publisher on your book’s cover and title pages.

What are the advantages to self-publishing?

Self-publishing allows you to publish your book much quicker and gives you almost total control over your book’s title, cover, and contents. If your book does sell, you typically keep a larger share of the revenue that comes in from book sales.

Should I use AI to help me write my book?

If you want to write a book and have the pride of knowing that your book contains your thoughts, ideas, and stories, then using AI to write it for you makes little sense.

However, AI can help you copy edit and polish your book, but even then, it makes sense to hire an editor to read and evaluate your book. Using AI for research can often generate results that are incorrect or even nonsensical.

Simply put, if you want a well-written, accurate book, then don’t use AI other than for editing and proofing.

Is good grammar and punctuation still important?

Yes, good grammar and punctuation are always vital to writing a book that others will read without noticing the many errors you have missed.

Writing is a craft that you can improve by paying attention to the little details and by learning the basics of grammar and punctuation. For a timeless essay on this matter, read “Will Spelling Count?” by Jack Connor.

Do I need a degree to be a good writer?

Many well-known, great writers had not college degree, so a degree is not necessary to learn to write well. At the same time, advanced studies can help sharpen your thinking and expose you to new ideas. Plus, many college courses require you to write, which can give you much-needed writing practice.

So, if you can, get a degree for all of its benefits, but never let the lack of a degree keep you from writing.

What are the best writing books?

I personally have found the following books on writing to be helpful:

• The Elements of Style, by William Stunk and E.B. White

• Telling Writing, by Ken Macrorie

• On Writing, by Stephen King

• Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott

Of the above, Telling Writing by Ken Macrorie is now out of print, but you can find good used copies online. It is a fun, light read that can benefit writers of all levels (since it was written as a college textbook for English 101 composition).

What’s the difference between a co-author and a ghostwriter?

A co-author writes a book along with the author, usually providing half of the writing and research. Whereas, a ghostwriter, as mentioned above, is someone you hire to help you write something.

Co-authors are not paid but usually share in half of a book’s revenue. Co-authors can be colleagues, business partners, friends, or even mentors or life partners.

Do bestselling authors use ghostwriters?

Yes, many bestselling fiction and nonfiction authors use ghostwriters. In fiction, James Patterson is well-known for hiring and supervising teams of writers to help him complete stories that he has outlined.

Is it worth it to hire a ghostwriter?

This is a very subjective question because each person has a different determination of worth. If you hire a ghostwriter and are able to achieve all you wanted with and from your book, than hiring one, regardless of the cost, was worth it.

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