Ghost Writing

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Someone has approached me and asked me to ghost write a piece of fiction for them.

It's not something I've considered doing before and I'm wondering if anyone here has, how it works, how one is paid etc?

Pros and cons would be great if anyone feels up to it.

Thanks in advance.

― grateful_for_info, Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Ghost write fiction?
That's new to me.

― Huck Stable (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Life's full of surprises, Huck.

Sorry I can't help you out, grateful_for_info. I don't have any experience w/this kind of thing either. Can you tell us what genre it's in?

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Generally, ghost writing pays well. In my experience, you are at the service of who you're ghost writing for. It's your job to get his or her ideas on paper (or on screen).
Before you begin, make sure that both of you know the other's expectations. A legal contract can be hugely beneficial here to protect you both.
As long as the both of you are professional about the process it can be quite enjoyable, maybe a chance to exercise some writing muscles you wouldn't otherwise use, and at the end of the project you walk away, hands clean, with a pay cheque.

Note: I'm speaking from experience doing corporate projects, not personal ghostwriting, but I surmise it's a similar service. They want your skills, not necessarily your talent.

― Huck Stable (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

It can pay quite handsomely but enmeshing your creative process with someone else's under the the shadow of commerce can lead to grievous stickiness. Listen to Huck: get a nice tight contract with deadlines and goals and worst-case eventualities all spelled out.

― Paul Eater (eater), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:25 (twenty-two years ago)

And don't do it for Archer as he will fuck you painfully.

― Enrique (Enrique), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:27 (twenty-two years ago)

In the ass.

― Sick Nouthall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Call an agent. Martin Roach who writes rock biogs and runs IMP is a ghostwriter for undisclosed clients and is represented by Ed Victor for these efforts. Ed is an intimidating man but would prob answer your questions re. ghostwriting.

― suzy (suzy), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 15:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Barbara Cartland dictates to a secretary while reclining on a plush satin chaise. THAT is how books should be written...

― andy, Tuesday, 3 February 2004 18:07 (twenty-two years ago)

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