Posts
Marcia’s 13 Favorite Things for Writers – 2023
I’m a big fan of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” List, which she publishes in her quarterly magazine each November. In it, you’ll find luxurious clothes and slippers, high-end appliances, electronics, facial creams and treatments you never knew existed, decadent desserts, as well as toys and gifts anyone would be thrilled to receive. Well, I’m a much…
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,…
Scribe Media on the Rocks
“Ghostwriting and publishing services firm Scribe Media abruptly shut down yesterday, laying off its staff,” reported Erin Somers today on Publisher’s Lunch, summarizing an apparent sudden change of fortune for the venture. Scribe’s approximate 100 employees were apparently notified by email Wednesday night that “Based on unforeseen business circumstances and faltering business based on unavailability…
Ghostwriting Fiction—My Adventurous Process
By Elaine Ash I write a lot of fiction as a ghost—five novels in 2022 alone. Whether a client has a complete manuscript or just an idea, I always start with an outline. A novel outline can compare to the blueprint of a house. Both are easier to change than building the whole thing from…
Guest Post: Do You Need a Ghostwriter or Developmental Editor?
By Brooke Turbyfill So you want to write a book. And you actually told someone? That’s a terrific decision. But what now? A pivotal next step is to determine why you want to write a book. “Wait! You don’t want me to share my ideas list with you?” Nope. “But what if I have nothing…
Find a Ghostwriter Without Getting Scammed
Ghostwriting agency scams are well-developed and capable of swindling almost anyone. The number of authors who have reached out to tell me they’ve been scammed by a fraudulent ghostwriting agency has increased exponentially in recent weeks. (Many get in touch after seeing this article I wrote on the topic.) In the last month, I’ve heard…
The Mystery of the Ghostwriting Process
By Jeffrey A. Mangus The Mystery of the Ghostwriting Process “I want to do something splendid…Something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead… I think I shall write books.” ~ Louisa May Alcott All right, you’ve been thinking of writing a book and finally decided the timing is right to get it done.…
Guest Blog Post: Why Write a Book to Build Your Brand?
By Mike Wicks Search for advice about sales, marketing, growing a business, or even installing new windows, and almost certainly, one of the hits on Google’s first page will be a book on the subject written by an expert. You might then check it out, peruse the reviews, read some sample pages, and possibly purchase…
“Ghost Karma”: The Key To Creating Your Dream Ghostwriting Business
By Laura Elliott, your go-to ghost 👻 One night at sunset, after our outboard motor had failed, a good Samaritan named Tom towed our dinghy behind his. We were in the waning days of summer camp—our annual boating adventure on the Salish Sea. The sweet inland passage, home to the San Juan Islands on the…
10 Tips for Interviewing Trauma Survivors for Their Memoirs
By Jennifer Upton Being a ghost writer of memoirs involves meeting with clients in person, getting to know them, and recording their histories. When I first started ghost writing memoirs, I naively thought most of my work would involve constructing family trees and describing nostalgic tales of yesteryear. I had no idea the vast majority…
The Write Tools for the Job
Guest blog post by Josh Kelley Wouldn’t it be amazing to have an office of my own? I thought as I unpacked a computer, charger, headphones, and mouse for the thousandth time at “my” table in the back of an extremely understanding coffee shop. The very idea felt extravagant—no way I’d waste money on something…