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8 Questions Every Ghostwriter Should Ask Before Saying Yes to a Book Project
We’ve been having discussions in the Association of Ghostwriters (AOG) about prospect red flags, likely because our colleagues have run across some challenging clients. It’s easy to get stuck with a client who has unrealistic expectations regarding what you can do to help write their book. In many cases, it’s not their fault if we…
How I Would Get Started as a Book Ghostwriter Today
Like many of my colleagues, I became a ghostwriter out of happenstance rather than strategy or intention. When my agent asked if I wanted to help an author write a book that was overdue to a major publisher, I jumped at the opportunity. I also admitted to her that I had never written a book…
4 Ghostwriting Industry Predictions for 2025
As we kick off a new year, now is a good time to reflect on changes within the ghostwriting industry that we witnessed or got a glimpse of in 2024 as a clue to what may come. Which trends are taking hold and which are just starting to emerge? Which ones will impact demand for…
Guest Post: The Transformative Power of Sincere Ghostwriting Collaboration
By Albo Devine Over the past 12+ years helping bring 25 ghostwriting projects to life— from paradigm-shifting nonfiction to gripping memoir to illuminating fiction—the most important ingredient I’ve discovered for success in a collaboration is sincerity. Believe it or not, this sincerity is always the same. Whether an author is a billionaire ‘somebody’ or a…
Guest Post: How to Find Ghostwriting Clients in Your Own Backyard
By Robert Bruce Woodcox I am a veteran ghostwriter (27 years) and a veteran AOG member (8 years). However, I also spend a great deal of time consulting/counseling by the hour, other ghostwriters on the “business” side of this profession. The first question most new clients ask is: “How do I find new work, market…
Why the Association of Ghostwriters Does Not Accept Outside Guest Blog Posts
Every week we receive at least one request from someone who is not currently part of the Association of Ghostwriters (AOG) community asking to submit a guest blog post. That number has been increasing lately, perhaps because the website has been attracting more traffic. This week alone I’ve been offered posts by John, who has…
Guest Post: How I Ghostwrite Business Books…And Bumble Messages
By Megan Okonsky When I meet new people, I hesitate before sharing what I do for work. My official title shifted from “copywriter” to “ghostwriter” in 2019 and I began fielding quite a few questions about my job. Nervous to take up too much time talking about my 9-5, I avoided bringing up work woes…
Why Ghostwriting Fees Are Like Fine Art Prices
My talented father, Richard C. Layton, was a fine artist, working primarily in watercolor, oils, and pastels. He drew and painted landscapes, seascapes, and portraits. I always marveled at how quickly his paintings would take shape. He would labor for hours in his studio, concertos and symphonies playing in the background, carefully applying layers of…
Cracking “Voice” with Ghostwriting Clients
By Jeff Raderstrong I was in an interview with a potential client, discussing a book she wanted to write on young leaders in politics. I asked her some of the standard questions I usually ask at this phase of the process: “How would you describe your voice? How would you want me to capture your…
How Does the Money Part Work with a Ghostwriter?
By Laura Schaefer I recently updated my website and asked a friend for her feedback. She said this: “It easy to understand the value you bring to the project of writing a book. What I don’t understand is how much potential money I would make if I wrote a book, and what percentage of that…
Even Geniuses Need Writing Collaborators
Guest Blog Post By Jennifer Locke “My Shot.” “You’re Welcome.” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” What do these songs have in common? Answer: They were written by certified MacCarthur genius Lin-Manuel Miranda. And, perhaps, they were reviewed by John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats before the rest of the world was exposed to these earworms.…
What People Misunderstand About Ghostwriting
What People Misunderstand About Ghostwriting I’m listening to a money mindset program called Your Wish is Your Command, by Kevin Trudeau, at the recommendation of one of my business coaches, and I was surprised that within the first few minutes of the first CD in a 14-CD set, the topic of ghostwriters came up. Actually,…