How is it Done? What are the Mechanics?

We do a few zoom interviews to get to know each other, discuss the purpose and point of the book, the audience, the target, and the message the author wants the reader to take away.

Then, an outline is created and from it, the ghostwriter sends the author lists of questions to answer, chapter by chapter. The author,  when he/she has the time, sits and answers the questions using a computer, tablet, or cellphone with a voice-to-text program. A voice-to-text program allows the author to speak their answers and the computer converts that into a text file. The author returns the text file for each chapter as it is finished.

The ghostwriter creates the book from these answers, and additional writing from knowledge of the subject and the project, and sends the author 3 to 4 chapters of first draft at a time for review and approval. This process continues to the end of the book. Then, a second and final edit and draft is done and includes proofreading.

Once approved, the book is laid out and formatted to publishing industry standards for print and ebooks for sale in the marketplace. Finally, front and back covers and legal and promotional materials are added to the book to finalize it.

We do a few zoom interviews to get to know each other, discuss the purpose and point of the book, the audience, the target, and the message the author wants the reader to take away.

Then, an outline is created and from it, the ghostwriter sends the author lists of questions to answer, chapter by chapter. The author,  when he/she has the time, sits and answers the questions using a computer, tablet, or cellphone with a voice-to-text program. A voice-to-text program allows the author to speak their answers and the computer converts that into a text file. The author returns the text file for each chapter as it is finished.

The ghostwriter creates the book from these answers, and additional writing from knowledge of the subject and the project, and sends the author 3 to 4 chapters of first draft at a time for review and approval. This process continues to the end of the book. Then, a second and final edit and draft is done and includes proofreading.

Once approved, the book is laid out and formatted to publishing industry standards for print and ebooks for sale in the marketplace. Finally, front and back covers and legal and promotional materials are added to the book to finalize it.

8-12 hours of client (author) time?

The average person speaks at roughly 150 words a minute. An hour of speaking is about 9,000 words. Ten hours is 90,000 words, and unless this is a particularly long book, much more than a ghostwriter needs to be able to create a solid 75,000-word final book. And that is 10 hours of the author’s time. Yes, there will be email questions during the process, but 12 hours has seemed to cover most normal-sized book projects.

Do you just use the words of the author?

No, but the words do give me the tone, style of speaking, and language the author uses in real life. I add to this my own writing style to enhance the story, make it as interesting and informative as possible, and add any information the author might not have considered.

How long from end to end, does it take?

Obviously, it depends on the length of the book, but usually 3-6 months, short to long; 20,000 words to 60,000 words. Beyond that, we will have to give you a specific quote for your book.

Of course, there are many other subjects to discuss before the book is ready for the marketplace, unless it is already committed to a specific publisher. I can assist, after the ghostwriting is done, in reviewing and creating its physical size and length, the subject matter and any legal issues surrounding facts and statements and individuals, and decisions about pricing print and ebooks if doing the project as a self-publish. As well, marketing, promotion, and the like can be discussed and handled accordingly with professionals I have worked with over 45 years in the business.

Are these books also good for promotional purposes…as lead gens?
Shorter ones can be great for lead gen work, or even a series of lead gens. Let us help you determine the best way to incorporate expert-level work into your sales program.

About World Ghostwriter

About Martin Foner

Martin Foner has been in the publishing and writing business since 1977 when he wrote his first book. Since then, as of Jan 2022, he has written twenty books under his own name and another twenty-five as a ghostwriter, the bulk of them since 2019.