What's It Like to Be a Ghost Writer? | Writing and Speaking Tips

Well, it can be hard to talk about, for one thing. When I work with famous people, they generally want all the credit for their work, so I can?t really discuss their names with other people. Recently, however, I have worked with a Holocaust survivor of ten different internment camps, who is going on a national book tour to sell his book, and the daughter of the FBI agent who caught Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?s assassin, James Earl Ray.

So I have dealt with some interesting people, such as a real life Nazi from the original party, some film stars (Nicholas Cage, Prince, Fabio) several makers of motion pictures, some famous book authors, and lots of book publishers and literary agents, as well as music industry moguls and top recording executives. But I can?t talk a lot about any of these people ? I?m supposed to be purely a background figure, and to not release a lot of information about my clients or even about my business contacts ? just enough about them to let the public know that I deal with them.

Anyway, I only work on commission for select book authors and screenwriters. They have to have a publisher literally all lined up, or a movie studio or producer ready to film their project for me to work only on commission. Sometimes, however, I run a deal when I think a book is likely to be published or a script is likely to be produced, where we take 5-15% of net sales and also a substantial upfront payment during the completion of the project. This deal is not our usual practice, which is to take solely upfront payments during the course of completion of the book or script project.

We also do other work as it comes in; but usually we don?t write articles unless it?s part of an overall greater project. And we never do academic writing for students, only editing and proofreading. We also always write and ask for permission for usage of other?s work, and we never plagiarize. As for how it feels not owning all of my own hard work, well, nowadays I mostly send out the incoming projects to other ghost writers on our team, and I only do some of the editing work that comes in. But in the past, I guess I have no real regrets. I?ve been paid well enough, and I?ve not had to deal with any of the problems or infamy that a book on a tender subject might bring.

As to advice for other writers: write, write and write some more, practice your editing of spelling, grammar and syntax, and become as expert as you can at ?Show not Tell? writing and developmental or content editing. You will find that as a ghost writer, you will need thorough editing and rewriting skills. Also, get some of your own work with your name on it published, so that you can show it to clients, and build up a decent portfolio of your published work. You can get articles published on various sites on the Internet for free.

Once you?re ready, you should begin to take on those ?interesting? clients for some terrific pay. But don?t be afraid to take on ?first time? author ghost writing clients, if they are willing to pay you decently for your services. You don?t always have to work for famous people to get your name recognized (if that?s what you want) or to make a great living.

GHOST WRITER, INC. ? ghostwriter, copy editor, proofreader, rewriter and book author ? and our team of 100+ writing field related workers, many of which are New York Times best selling authors. We have contacts with literary agents, commercial publishers and literary/film field professionals.

GWI is at?http://www.rainbowriting.com?- write us at?ghostwriting@rainbowriting.com?for swift help on your worthwhile writing project.

Source: http://www.writingspeakingtips.com/whats-it-like-to-be-a-ghost-writer/

Fast And Furious 6 Tony Kanaan Hangover 3 Nina Agdal earthquake Bbc News UFC 160