How to write a book

Ghostwriting is something of an ‘intimate’ relationship. I have to ‘read your thoughts’ so as to understand what it is you want to say. That’s much easier if we’re comfortable working together. I hope I’m likeable and easy to get on with. Many of my authors seem to think so. But I may not be the best choice ghostwriter to help you write a book.

To find out if I am, we should arrange to talk by phone or Skype. That will give me the chance to find out more about your ideas and for us both to so if we’re a good fit.

If we are then this is the sort of tried and tested ghostwriting process I normally use when working with authors. But it’s not set in stone, so, we can adapt it to suit you, your schedule and the way you prefer to work.

Initial conversations

These not only given me the chance for you to get to know me, and for me to learn more about your idea. At this early stage, we will be thinking about the scope of your book — what it’s going to say and to whom.

We will also confirm the process we are going to use to make the book happen. For instance, who will be responsible for doing what, how often we will speak.

Most ghostwriting involves communication and cooperation between the author and the writer, but the amount of both depends on the author’s needs and the ghost’s process.

We can do this in person, but most ghosts work with their authors long distance, Skype or phone usually works just fine. Sometimes it is possible to get the information I need to write a book simply by submitting written questions to you.

Follow-up interviews with you may be required, depending on whether the book is based on your thinking. This gives me an opportunity to clarify and follow up on what I have learned from our initial interviews and from my subsequent original research.

Create a structure 

Based on our initial discussions, I’ll create an outline for your book, doing further research as necessary. At this stage, I’ll be organising and shaping the core material into an initial narrative that will explain your story logically and in a way that engages the reader. I’ll then pass this outline over to you for comment.

Good information is often the difference between success and failure in pretty much everything. That includes ghostwriting. So, as a rule, the more material that I can collect from you and other sources, the better your book you will be.

I normally spend a lot of time at the outset gathering information, asking questions, reading, doing research and conducting interviews. Normally a combination of internet research, interviews with others and input from you.

Recording your thoughts on a dictaphone and sending an audio file to me, can dramatically cut your time involvement to 10% of what it might otherwise be. This makes writing a book much faster and easier. It can also be a good way to overcome the problem of getting initial thoughts out of your head.

The 1st draft

The first draft is really just the start point based on interviews with you and others, as well as my own original research. It’s an opportunity to get your ideas down on paper from start to finish, so it’s far from the finished product.

 I can then show chapters to you in batches or even as an entire finished book.

This works well if you are busy and need me to work as independently as possible. Alternatively, I can send you a few chapters to read through at a time or on a chapter-by-chapter basis, if you want the reassurance of seeing work moving forward.

Revision and 2nd draft

 I normally allow for two rounds of revision. Normally, my authors track any comments or changes they want to make in Word, though I’m happy to work another way if you would prefer. At this stage, you would be correcting factual errors, adding in further information to fill in any gaps. Once I receive your revisions, I’ll either incorporate them into the text directly or discuss them with you. I’II then send you a second draft for you to review. At this stage, the focus will on will be correcting smaller details and factual errors.

Final manuscript delivered

You are now a published author. If you want any further help with the formatting of your book, and its subsequent marketing or distribution I can also help you with that.

Write a book – getting started

It’s important I write the book you want. So, often the best first step is for me to write a sample chapter or a few pages. You can see examples of some of my ghostwriting work here.

I may not capture your voice immediately but it will give you an opportunity to see what I can do and get to know the ghostwriting process in a little more detail. I’m happy to sign an NDA before we start if you would like me too.

Call me on 01432 761480 or email,  or schedule an initial discussion here.

Take a look at my blog for further thoughts on editing, ghostwriting and working together.