Member Spotlight: Richard Lowe
How did you land your first book ghostwriting project?
Well, back in 2013, I had recently left my job of 20 years at Trader Joe’s and my career of 33 years with technology. I was busy looking for a new career in the next chapter of my life. I’d tried writing, and published 60 books, and was having a great time. In fact, I felt better and lighter than I had in decades.
I was writing a novel called Peacekeeper, and was attending writing critique groups to get some other viewpoints on how it was going. I met a guy at one of these groups who had started his own ghostwriting company and he asked me to come on board as one of his ghostwriters.
I accepted, and he assigned me to work on a book for an Afghani politician. This was a rough project, especially considering it was my first one. The Afghani was very polite and knowledgeable, but he was also extremely busy, barely spoke English, and didn’t really have a sense of what he wanted.
I did a few interviews, all in person, then was told to rush to his house to get the rest of the information because the client was flying to Afghanistan the following day and was not coming back. He still wanted to complete the book, however.
I got in my car and rushed over there with another fellow ghostwriter, and we spent the day interviewing. This was difficult because his wife, who spoke English slightly better, served as a translator. So, imagine sitting on a couch, trying to get the information you need to write a book within a few hours while not understanding the language of the client.
In any event, I wrote the first half dozen chapters and delivered them to the client for some feedback. A few days later, word came back that it was fine. I continued writing and finished the first draft. A few weeks went by with no word from the client until I received a phone call. He was quite upset. This wasn’t what he wanted, even though he had previously signed off on the style and viewpoint.
Apparently, he’d sent the manuscript out to several of his relatives, and it wasn’t what they wanted. He demanded that I rewrite the book from scratch. I’d written it as a memoir and he wanted it to be written as more of a narrative, almost a textbook.
Since I was only being paid $1000, yes you heard that right, I called up my boss feeling very upset. I asked to see the contract and was shocked to find out the only thing it mentioned was the price of the book and payment terms. There was literally nothing else, especially not regarding revision policy.
I told my boss that I wasn’t going to do it, and soon after quit the company. My boss was skeptical, claiming that there was no way that I’d be able to make a living as a freelance ghostwriter. He claimed I needed the support that his company would provide.
The next day, I was determined to prove him wrong, and immediately began scouring the Internet for leads. As it turned out, I had just joined the Association of Ghostwriters, and within one day after quitting, someone contacted me directly through my profile on the site and awarded me a $10,000 project. The day after, I met someone at my church who awarded me a $15,000 project.
At that point, I knew that I could make a living as a freelance ghostwriter.
What has been your secret to building a steady stream of ghostwriting clients?
My secret, if you can call it that, has been to define my brand and I constantly promote myself and my business on several social media platforms. I post every day on LinkedIn and Facebook, and within a month, I’ll also be posting on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. I also maintain a blog that replicates all the information that I post on social media plus a daily article.
I didn’t do this alone, as I hired an executive assistant to help me and that’s how I’m expanding to other platforms.
What do you wish clients understood about the ghostwriting process?
Clients need to understand that they must provide input throughout the ghostwriting process. Frequently, I’ve had to write entire books after just one or two interviews with the client. Then they became too “busy” and couldn’t meet. I continued writing and fortunately had enough technical knowledge of the subject that I could complete the books. But it would have been far easier and better if I’d gotten input from the client along the way.
How would you describe your favorite type of project and client?
I look for clients that are positive, humorous, and engaged. These are the best kind, because the project actually becomes fun; with this kind of client, the projects tend to become collaborations, and that produces a better, higher quality book that has a greater chance of meeting their needs.
My favorite type of project is fiction. I’ve ghostwritten a science fiction novel and two young adult novels, and these projects were fulfilling and enjoyable. It’s difficult to find fiction clients, but it’s possible.
What are the best parts of this career?
For me, since I’m an introvert, working from home over Zoom is ideal. I love talking to people, and forming relationships, but I’m not an “in person kind of guy.” Writing is my passion; helping people is my purpose; and making an income that combines both is ideal.
How can people reach you?
People can reach me at https://thewritingking.com or schedule a time to talk directly at https://contact.
