Odds are you’ll never say, “Writing a book was the easiest thing I ever did!”
In fact, you’ll probably say quite the opposite. Because writing a book can be hard, very very hard.
The good news is there are numerous people who can help make it easier. There will still be days when you’d rather chew on broken glass than sit in front of your work-in-progress, however, our author coaching program makes book writing as enjoyable as possible. Also, if ghostwriters and developmental editors have the skills, experience, and expertise to help you take the ideas, stories, lessons, and insight that’s in your brain, and get it out onto the written page in a way that makes sense, that flows, that has personality, and that you will be proud to make into your book.
And they can be fun to work with, too. While that might not make the writing process any easier, at least makes it something you will want to do. Working with them is like working with a guide and trainer to prep for a mountain climb. Only, usually, there’s less sweat involved in writing.
Wait! Isn’t Ghostwriting Cheating?
Let’s get this out of the way first: hiring a ghostwriter is not cheating! Working with a ghostwriter is similar to collaborating with a team member on a special project. Each person has unique knowledge, skills, and experience that they bring to the table to achieve the completion of a manuscript (the goal). In addition, there are a few other benefits of hiring a ghostwriter.
Some clients know they have a particular book in them. They have the education, the background, the technical know-how, or the lived experience required to talk about it and teach others. But when they try to put pen to paper or tap on a keyboard, getting the information out of their head and into words on a page is next to impossible. A skilled ghostwriter will interview them, gather that information, and create a manuscript out of it.
Other clients have trouble squeezing the extra time out of their days. Their schedules are so full, that they’d have to get up at three o’clock in the morning to write. On the one hand that could be an ideal time for them–they’re pretty much guaranteed quiet, alone time. On the other, the rest of their lives would suffer because sleep really does matter. By hiring a professional ghostwriter, they can schedule meetings to discuss the material, and then the ghostwriter does their thing: create a manuscript.
Still others, particularly those writing memoirs, have discovered that the emotional hits they get from dredging up old memories can be hard to deal with, so hard, that writing blocks as seemingly impossible to break through as granite prevents any progress. For those clients, ghostwriters who specialize in memoirs are the perfect partner. They’ll have the skills to unearth their story (gently when necessary), and, as you’ve probably guessed by now, create a manuscript from it.
In other words, ghostwriters take your information, your story, and your knowledge and form it into well-written prose. That’s not cheating. That’s working with someone to help you write your book.
Then What’s the Deal with Developmental Editors?
Developmental editors are the people you come to when you have something written, something that you think could be a book, but it’s not quite publishable. These editors will evaluate your work, and assess what you’re doing well and where the manuscript could use improvement. As far as that improvement thing goes, they’ll offer guidance for you on how to better your writing and your book. Some developmental editors will also review the manuscript through a marketing lens and offer ways you can revise it so that your book better fits into the market’s expectations.
How Much Does It All Cost?
Developmental editing rates vary by project. The editor will need to review the work and then create a proposal based on what they think the manuscript needs. Rates often abide by the Editorial Freelancer’s Association schedule found here.
Ghostwriting prices are also hard to narrow down. The ghostwriters in our network range anywhere from $16,000 to $60,000 for a 50,000-word manuscript. The difference in rate does not necessarily mean a difference in skill; most of the time it’s a matter of how many books they’ve completed, whether those books have won awards or achieved best-seller status.
Whichever one you think you need, connect with us, and we’ll connect you with the right person!
Our book would not have been possible without the guidance, support, humor, and persistence of Lisa, as she led us through the process.
Ethan Bull and Stephanie Bull, founders of ProAssisting. Authors of The 29-Hour Work Day, ranked by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the seven top books to read.
Let’s talk about your book!
Complete the following form, and we’ll get back to you to schedule a free 30-minute consultation call. We’re always eager to learn about new book ideas.