Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Okay, so now you know what a ghostwriter does and you know the traits that mark a perfect ghostwriter, it’s time to figure out how to go about getting ghostwriting gigs.
As with all endeavors, getting that first break is one of the toughest tasks. You often hear the cry, “I can’t get a job without experience, but how do I get experience without a job?” The same lament can be applied to ghostwriting. Our dream situation is when we have enough success at ghostwriting/ collaborative writing that publishers are constantly coming to our agents trying to get worked into our schedule. But how does a writer get there?
Start by finding stories that cry out for telling and propose the book or article. When you come to a publication or a publisher with a story they love, built on a relationship with that author, you are halfway to getting that ghostwriting gig. This is risky for you because you need to do a serious amount of work with no promise of publication. Plus you need to enlist the participation of the author with no promises at all. But it can be done and it is being done all the time.
How do you find those stories?
- Read newspapers and when you see a compelling story– especially a local story that hasn’t already exhausted all its media potential– figure out how to connect with the subject and pitch your idea.
- If you are a writer, people will come to you, saying, “Everyone says I need to find someone to write my story.” 99 times out of 100 the story won’t be different enough or big enough but every once in a while. . .
- Meet interesting people. Attend lectures. Talk to people.
Don’t discount magazine storytelling. Learn to write for Guideposts. They have an annual competition and if your story is one of the twelve winners you get an all expense paid trip to New York to learn to write for their magazine where nearly all the stories are ghostwritten. Once you’ve completed that training they regularly call you with assignments.
Let your agent know you’d like to do some collaborative writing. We hear stories all the time that need collaborators. Plus publishers often call us to see if we have someone to come alongside their author.
Invest in your ghostwriting career. In order to build a career as a ghostwriter you may have to get some experience by volunteering to write a book or an article for your pastor or for a business personality you know.
Don’t shy away from high-paying vanity ghostwriting gigs. Perhaps the Fortune 500 CEO who lives in your town wants to self-publish a book of his life. It may not be a life-changing book but he will be prepared to pay a serious fee and if you can take some ho-hum material, dig deep, and create a knock-out book, you have all the experience you need to convince a publisher that with a compelling story you will knock it clean out of the park.
What did I miss? What tactics have you used in getting ghostwriting gigs? Let’s talk.
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Great ideas – thanks.
For breaking in, here are a few more thoughts – all of these would probably be written on spec.
* When you go to a party at someone’s home, or to a “mom and pop store”, look for an “I Love Me” wall with photos from the past. You may find that the lawyer who just threw the dullest dinner party imaginable used to be a racing driver, or the elderly Asian man who runs the convenience store was once an pilot in the SOuth Vietnamese air force.
* Keep your ears open for mentions of “family memoirs”; many older people have written memoirs intended for their families. Some want to keep it private, but some don’t feel that they’re good enough to get it published, or don’t want the hassle.
* Listen to your kids. “Did you know that Juan’s dad was in the Olympics?” could be a clue to something big.
* Start an oral history project. Say, “The Native American Experience in Viet Nam”. There are stories there, coming from the violent intersection of three cultures, that are simply stunning. Just look up Billy Walkabout on Wikipedia, and you’ll see what I mean – he was the most decorated Native American in Viet Nam). (Walkabout died in 2007, and his first-person story died with him.)
* Pay attention to your surroundings, and listen. Randy Pausch had the skill to write “The Last Lecture” as he was dying of pancreatic cancer, but he did have help – and got it, because his story went viral. But how about the young mother who’s trying to fight cancer while taking care of her family for as long as she can? She doesn’t have time to write, but she’ll sure have something to say….and something to which to listen.
Finally, let people know you’re a writer, and if you’re not yet published, have something they can read, at least in a neatly done file format (or printed on good quality paper). It can be an article, a few chapters of the work you’re shopping, whatever. Make it good, and make it easy for whoever’s deciding whether to work with you.
These are great ideas, Andrew. Thanks for sharing them!
Good ideas. Andrew. Stories are everywhere and you are right, we’ll find them where we least expect to find them.
Love these ideas, Andrew.
I’ve already shared during this series that I know I’m not ready to attempt ghost writing. But, Wendy, you give great ideas here for “getting gigs” when I am finally ready.
What I see is a lot of interconnectivity going on. The ghost writer is listening and approaching people if/when they hear what could be a great story. Agents are approached by publishers for collaborative writers. For a writer, building and maintaining strong relationships sounds like a key factor in getting work as a ghost writer.
I’ve enjoyed this series!
Might I suggest seeking out returned or “resting” missionaries in one’s own community?
Their stories are frequently engaging, and while they may not attract a wide readership they would be excellent training in writing for another, and in finding ways to share the Gospel.
From following this website, I believe that Mrs. Littleton has some experience in this area?
If she would be so gracious as to share her experiences, I, for one, would be most appreciative.
Surpreet, thank you! I have written many articles, interviewing IMB and NAMB missionaries. And some missions that are neither. But like Wendy said, though all their stories are inspiring, there are few that “cry out” to me for book material. Often, the story comes to me after a book has already been self-published or traditionally published, so I am just re-telling the story to a different audience.
Of all the stories I’ve written … one has cried out to me. I submitted her article idea, and I was able to go with it for the magazine I write for. It has been used at least twice because she had such a touching story. This lady’s story had already been in Good Housekeeping. But that is where the story has stopped. The lady is near me … it would be a perfect situation for me. She’s so busy with ministry that I don’t think she’ll ever get her book written. And what a story she has to tell! (I can’t share details here … such an extreme story)
Surpreet … I don’t know if I helped at all. One place for certain to find resting missionaries is at church. The pastor can help make those connections. They know who has returned, etc. And usually they know those with amazing stories. Word gets out fast!
Right now, I’m thinking about a local lady who shares her testimony when asked. Her family’s experience coming to the U.S. is unbelievable. They trekked through jungles with the enemy trailing them … amazing they are here today. And when they got here, they didn’t know what running water was … what is a bathtub? Her story is incredible, too. That one definitely cries out. But I doubt she’ll ever write it. She is caring for her elderly mother right now.
This is a great help, Mrs. Littleton, and I thank you!
Thanks, Shelli. One of the problem with missionary stories is that the American market for them is limited, sadly enough. So if you want to go the traditionally published route, it’s a tough sell.
I’m afraid that the current book buying customer is locked into a very ethnocentric taste. I wonder if that is changing.
Wendy, will publishers take on a good story before the book is written? Should you have maybe three chapters written? I don’t know much here. But it seems like y’all have said they’ll take on the idea, and you sign to deliver. If I knew I had someone to back me, it would be so much easier to “go for it.” But, with all the obligations of home, it would be so hard to take the risk without hope to publish or support. When my kids are grown, I’d take the risk in a heartbeat.
You bring up an interesting problem, Shelli. Not only is it a commitment on the ghostwriter’s part, the person whose story it is has to devote the time too. You’re right to call it a risk. I worry when my commitment is linked to someone else’s. (Can you tell I like to be in control?)
Yes, Shirlee. The “author” has to invest much time, too. When I interviewed/ wrote an article on Ron Hall … you talk about a blessing! When his name came across my caller ID?!! We talked so long on the phone … and I had already read his book … I was just writing an article (but I also wanted to add some updated new information for the readers). So … he and Denver were coming to speak at our church … such perfect timing. I was asked to write another different article for our church newsletter. I asked Ron if he wanted to read over it … and I know for lack of time it takes on their end, as well … he said, “No, I trust you.” 🙂 But it made my day!
Yes. Especially with experienced writers. Publishers consider nonfiction projects based on a proposal and three chapters.
Wendy, I’m assuming the same is true of agents. Is that correct? Proposal and three chapters. That sure does seem more do-able. Before you invest all … you have someone saying they believe in the story and will do their best to help you get it out there.
Wendy, when I lived in Fort Worth, I wrote articles for our church newsletter, as well. The minister over the newsletter was retired from a major TV network … so this was no ordinary newsletter. Very nice newsletter. I got a rough story to write … ten year old girls in Africa being forced to marry. Horrendous story. But amazing, at the same time, seeing God’s work and healing in their lives. Anyway, I had made a connection with a lady at an on-line magazine. She used the same story, only I had to write it from the missionary’s perspective. So it was really collaborative writing … the author’s name (as told to Shelli Littleton). It was then used for the magazine I write for. The “author” was here to get his degree so he could return and do more work for these children … his story was told three times. I love it! And I was blessed to be a part of that.
So, I just wanted to say that even volunteering/writing for your church newsletter can lead to God-sized opportunities.
Good lesson in how to sell and resell the same story. That’s how magazine writers do it. One story can be recast multiple ways.
Thanks Wendy!
I’ll have to look into Guideposts.
I’ve been thinking about trying Elance or Freelance Writings Jobs (http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com) but you the “writer” have to pay a fee to use their services and you may never get any freeelance work from them. What do you think of something like that. Is it really ethical?
Has anybody in our group tried using a service like that to fine work? I would be interested to know.
Lori, I have never used any service like this.
I’ve never heard of these but you don’t need that. You’ll do a better job finding your own work.
No ghosting for mot, I’m going bring the snacks and tea, or coffee if that’s what anyone really wants.
Low-carb Monster drinks? And Powerbars? Those on offer?
*moi
Yeah, we’ll I’m going to practice up … because when everyone is wanting to know Jennifer Major’s life story and you are too busy as an author, in another world, to write your personal story, maybe you’ll think about me! 🙂
Thank you, Wendy, for a very informative series on ghostwriting. I’m interested so your summation of requirements and suggestions on finding work are helpful, as is the ensuing discussion.
Thanks for the follow up post on ghostwriting. I have to admit I had a less than stellar experience, but I am willing to share as a writer beware post if anyone is interested (names withheld, of course).
I’m still open to it. One less than grand experience doesn’t mean it will always be that way. It just means I will be diligent about signing contract extensions and more upfront cash before spending time working on a project.
Might be worth passing on my own experience in handing along a ghost/collaborative gig –
A few years ago I was perusing the aviation magazines in an ABQ Barnes and Noble, and couldn’t get up from a kneeling position. An older gentleman helped me to my feet, and we got to talking.
Turns out he’d been a pilot during the last days of WW2, had been shot down, and then escaped as Hitler’s Germany fell to pieces around him.
I thought it would be something people might like to read, and asked if he’d written it down. He had, but didn’t think he could get it published, and didn’t want to take the time at his age.
Iknew I wasn’t the person to write it, but I didn’t want to let it die – so I took his number and said I’d try to find someone that would help him tell his story.
The first fellow I tried was Jay Stout, an aviation writer whose first book, “Hornets Over Kuwait”, is a wonderful evocation of his experiences during the first Gulf War. Jay was interested, and I passed on the contact information.
Long story short – the story wasn’t really one for a book, but Jay turned it into a great article, and everyone was happy.
And one more story wasn’t lost.
And Jay has become a good friend.
Wendy, I appreciate the detailed glimpse you’ve given us into the responsibility of ghostwriting.
Wendy, thank you so much for these excellent posts on doing Ghostwriting. You’ve given us an outline for success. Several of my friends are ghostwriters for books, and are very successful at it. I believe it can be a perfect way for a writer to work if they like that kind of writing.
As a Guideposts writer who was blessed to win a spot at their week long workshop, I feel it is a privilege and honor to get other people’s stories published. Usually, they do not have the ability to write, and are thrilled when someone else will do it for them. I’m just lucky to be one of those writers.
I don’t know if I’ll ever ghost a book, but if the right situation came up, I do believe it is something I could do.