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To whom it may concern,
Welcome to my FAQs; I’m excited that you're here. Congratulations on the ideas or stories motivating you––I’ll be happy to help! I want to preface the following by letting you know the truth. The truth is that every single client I've ever had has been entirely different––each with a unique set of life circumstances which in turn shape our particular interactions. So, is there an exact formula for how I work with every client? No; nonetheless, I've found providing foundational information upfront helps to guide our process. So, grab a warm cup of tea, or whatever your life has taught you is good to sip while you read, and continue on! Be well, Benjamin Louis Hartin |
What is a byline? |
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For our purposes, the byline is the place on the cover of a book that names the author of the work.
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Who gets the byline or credit if I hire you? |
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If I’m hired as your ghostwriter, you are in charge of the byline. Many clients choose to hire a ghostwriter so they can receive full credit for a manuscript while some choose to share credit or have their ghostwriter fully author their piece. If full or partial credit is given you will pay a lower fee for me to write the manuscript; any credit I’m given as your ghostwriter allows me to broaden my portfolio.
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Why do you say manuscript and not book?
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My job as your ghostwriter will be to write the manuscript that a publisher will turn into a book. If you need help learning more about that process, I'll offer some exceptional resources.
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How do you collect information for the manuscript? |
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I'll collect information from you through a series of interviews. This interview process allows me to learn your unique voice. This aspect of our work together is the most fundamental in the process––it is the origin of the ideas in the eventual manuscript.
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Are all interviews conducted in person? |
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I prefer that after we’ve decided to work together, that our first major meeting (typically 6 hours in length minimum) would be in person. If you are not located close by, I still prefer we try to arrange somehow to meet in person.
After the first meeting, most clients choose to have all further interviews over the phone or Skype. If in-person interviews are your preference we’ll consult and figure out the best way for that to happen. The writing process––with all its drafts, revisions, etc.––are most typically done over email. Here we will also customize this process to your specific needs, or desires. |
What will it cost for you to write my manuscript? |
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We often say that having a manuscript written by a ghostwriter will cost around the same as having a kitchen remodeled. For a standard memoir manuscript of around 300 pages, you can expect to pay anywhere between $27,000-$32,000. When a more heavy involvement is necessary the price would increase beyond the figures shown here.
All said, there are several factors that go into pricing. By the end of our initial meeting, you’ll have a set figure you can count on. |
Is there a payment schedule, and can I barter?As a starting point, I offer a payment schedule of equal monthly payments over the projected time of the project with the last payment due at completion. If another schedule works better for you, then we should consult on that and come up with a plan that is agreeable to us both.
I am open to discuss the possibility of using barter for partial or full payment. Vehicles, stocks, land, or other items of value are possibilities. Again, consultation will help us arrive at a decision that works best for us both. |
Will the price ever change? |
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Once we sign our contract, the price will never change on my end.
Any increase in cost will come from changes you decide to add to the process after the writing of our agreement. The contract we sign will include pricing for any more items you may need to add later (extra hours of interview time, added pages, etc.). This allows you to know the price of any increase you may consider adding to the project. We will both agree on any increase to the cost in writing before I carry out any work beyond the original limits of the contract. In short, you will always be in control of the total cost. This is how I keep a reputation for no surprises on my end. The trust this will help to create will ultimately lead to the best possible manuscript. |
How long will it take for you to write my manuscript? |
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Six to eight months is a standard time for a full-length memoir manuscript; this portends your ability to keep up a regular interview and draft reading/editing schedule. Should obstacles arise in your life, we will adjust our timeline, as always, in writing––again, no surprises.
After your first consultation, you will have a better idea of the length of time it will take for me to complete your particular project. Just as with cost, any increase in time will result from changes you choose to add to the process after the contract is initially finalized. |
What if I'm unable to continue my part?
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If an obstacle in life presents itself and your ability to finish the work with me as your ghostwriter hindered, you’ll only be responsible for payment on any work I’ve completed up to that date. You will also be provided with all of my work up to that point.
After this will have a period of eighteen months to continue our work at the price stated in our contract. If you wish to continue the project after this window of time, we'll simply negotiate a new contract for the rest of the work; you will see any increase in my rates within the new contract. |
Will you also write shorter memoir pieces? |
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Yes. I’ve had clients come to me with ideas for articles, booklets, 90-page e-books, and another who wanted to work out a three-book deal in one contract.
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Will you work for a shot at possible royalties? |
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No. Ghostwriters are paid for the time they work as your personal writer. For the vast majority of us, ghostwriting is our career and how we quite frankly keep the lights on.
The reason why is that we cannot reliably predict––nor can anyone for that matter––to what degree a particular book will be successful; there are simply too many factors to gauge beyond what we ghostwriters can control: the impeccable writing of your manuscript. Some of these factors actually have nothing to do with our client's either, which makes the outcome even more difficult to predict. For this reason, the royalties that we ghostwriters require is actually quite minuscule (more on that in a bit). |
Does that mean you don't believe in my ideas or story? |
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Nothing couldn’t be farther from the truth.
The most important point I make in this FAQ follows: I do not take every project that comes through the door. If I’ve chosen to take half a year or more of my professional life and devote it to your project––you can be damn sure I believe in you, your ideas, or your story. If I’ve agreed to work with you, then I’m devoted to making sure your work gets out to the world. The way I’ve arranged to receive payment in my profession allows me to produce your work in the most meaningful, memorable, and worthy of ways––leaving you with a manuscript that has the highest possibility of success. |
Must my ideas be fully ordered to begin? |
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Not at all––and most often they won’t be. Organization will be a big part of my job as your ghostwriter. Once put in order, you’ll see a coherence to your thoughts that you never dreamed was there. I’ll warn you now, it’s not magic––it’s part of a process.
Get ahold of me on my contact page. Let me know the details of your project (including any questions remaining) and we can set up a time to have your first consultation. |
What percentage of royalties do you require? |
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Due to my upfront cost, I charge far less in terms of royalties––but it is important that I receive some small amount for my creative work on the project.
If the manuscript I write for you is then published and sold for commercial gain (some are simply for family members and friends, or used as free promotional material, etc.), then a basic contract (allowing me no credit on the byline or “as told by”) requires 5% of whatever royalties you derive from the sale of that book. To what degree credit is given to a ghostwriter will determine the exact percentage of royalty. As a rule, the more credit given to the ghostwriter, the higher the royalty (which also lowers the upfront cost). |
Can you write my book without my input? |
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No. I choose never to engage in this type of transaction. It is my opinion that a ghostwriter is doing his or her job when a client's extensive interview is what fuels the information written in the client's own voice. There are multiple drafts and revisions to see that the message of the subject is properly portrayed. A piece written in this way is worthy of having a client’s name on the cover.
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If I have some writing started, will it cost less in time or money? |
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It very well could, but that all depends on the following. First, your writing must fit the eventual outline that we agree to work from. Second, you must have good writing to offer. With both those needs met you can expect time and cost to both be cut by adding your written contribution.
In situations where adding your work will lengthen the process, it may still be worth the time and cost to include your work. When you call for your first consultation, we'll discuss the details at that time. Head over to my contact page and write me. I'll reply to your message as soon as possible! I look forward to hearing from you! |