Member Spotlight: Tony Horne

How did you land your first book ghostwriting project?

I had written for newspaper columns for 15 years and already self-published three books but in 2010, whilst hosting the biggest radio show in the North of England, the largest police manhunt for 40 years was underway in my area. It lasted a week with wall to wall TV coverage. One of the victims was a police officer, David Rathband, who was blinded in the attack. He was also a fan of the show. When I invited him on the penultimate show before Christmas, I said to him that surely he was writing his book?

‘I can’t find anyone to do it,’ he told me.

‘I know just the guy,’ I said.

And that is where the magic started.

What has been your secret to building a steady stream of ghostwriting clients?

It all started with that book for the policeman – Tango 190. For about two years, I got every disgruntled cop in the UK sending me confidential information. I decided not to be a one trick pony and not to write another police book. I know a lot of ghosts work in one genre. I don’t, deliberately. I specialise in True Crime but I try never to do the same book twice. Versatility is key to me. Men and women. From darts to health!

I should stress that my situation originally was unique. I already had a big career and profile, which coupled with David’s blindness, meant that instantly, I was a visible ghost.

It certainly brought me in at a much higher level. This guy was a national hero.

The publisher gave me another book straight after. The BBC tried to ban that. Then, I was contacted by the first winner of the UK X factor, who had found me after one of his fans, who was also a listener of mine, said that he needed to talk to me if he wanted to write his book. It was a pretty decent start and I have always had work since.

What do you wish clients understood about the ghostwriting process?

A good question! Scenarios that I commonly find include people expecting me to start tomorrow! Surely, if f I am good, then I am already working. In the UK, unbelievably, many people think you will work for just the royalties. I always tell them that ’the work is the work. Royalties are bonuses!’. The fundamental though, is that I ask clients to tell me in writing what they think of their book BEFORE it is released. Sales are so variable. A few months down the line, that can translate into them thinking you are not the ghost they thought you were. So, the hardest thing for clients to understand is that you have to write a book and sell a book. Many don’t grasp the size of the task – about half done – when it is released. Sales below your expectations do not necessarily equal a bad ghost.

How would you describe your favorite type of project and client?

I have become friends with almost everyone I work with, so that is a real pleasure. I think it is hard to pinpoint a favourite but I begin each book with 00000 words in the document and love seeing it grow! I start the very first conversation believing that we are entering Narnia! This is an adventure and could go anywhere. I love it when my clients say ‘it’s funny you should say that’ or ‘how did you work that out?’ or ‘I have actually never told anyone this before…’

That tells me I am empathetic, a good listener and am hitting the right spots. My record for unlocking someone’s painful past is seven minutes into meeting them. I could just tell where they were taking me. So, I guess that means that ‘connection’ is my favourite part. Unlike some ghosts, I am happy to straddle that line between friend and client.

What are the best parts of this career?

For me, having done morning radio for 25 years and not really enjoyed any of the public part of doing it, I love doing the magic for my client and pushing them to the centre of the stage. Often, I am dealing with vulnerable people who have had trauma. To be trusted from the start, and for them at the end to see that everything I said would happen did, is the best feeling. With my media background, I am also able to nurture them beyond the book and into that daunting world which is often to new them as well.

Writing sets me free. It is a great feeling to bring people on that ride and watch them grow. With so much suspicion and negativity in the world, genuine client-ghost relationships are heart-warming.

How can people reach you?

I am www.SecretsOfAGhostwriter.com I like my website because I don’t sell on it. I give you the chance to browse at your leisure. Most questions are answered there. You can book a free chat with me any day a week and there are about 40 free short videos that should help you wherever you are in your writing career. Take a look and please give me a call. I am really confident that I can take you from thinking about your book to starting the process. I don’t say that through any superior level of ability, it’s just enthusiasm!