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Writing a memoir isn’t like writing a news article. It’s not just dryly retelling the factual events of your life—it’s an enthralling reliving of the most important moments that have shaped you. It’s crucial to inject your personality into your writing—otherwise, your memoir won’t sound like you, and it will fail to engage readers. Ghostwriters are the secret weapon of most memoir authors, but finding the right ghostwriter can be tricky. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
1. Define Your Project Goals
Clear objectives guide the entire ghostwriting process. Know what you want to convey through your story, the style you prefer, and the impact you want your book to have on readers. Think carefully about your vision—how you want the story to feel, the message you want readers to take away, the way you want to be remembered. The clearer your goals are, the better you’ll be able to navigate the complex market of ghostwriting to find the right ghostwriter for your memoir.
2. Seek Out Recommendations
Start by asking for referrals from your network. Personal endorsements can lead you to experienced ghostwriters whose abilities have been proven. This can also give you insight into a particular ghostwriter’s work and writing style, as well as their personality, which is more important than you might think—you’re sharing intimate details of your life with this person, so you want them to be someone you can trust and be comfortable with.
3. Evaluate Their Portfolio
If possible, review the ghostwriter’s previous works. Given the confidential nature of ghostwriting, it’s often impossible to know what memoirs they’ve previously written, but most good ghostwriters will have other published pieces of writing they can showcase. Anything the ghostwriter has published under their own name is likely to reflect their natural, default style, allowing you to see whether they’re a good fit for your memoir. Do keep in mind, though, that ghostwriters modify their style to fit your unique voice—that’s part of the job.
4. Gauge Compatibility
Interview potential ghostwriters to see if you click personally and professionally. Obviously, professional compatibility is important, but it’s also vital on a personal level because you need to be comfortable opening up to your ghostwriter. They need to get to know you well to write your story well, and that generally requires you getting deep and vulnerable with your ghost—so make sure you’re hiring someone you genuinely like.
5. Clarify the Writing Process
Discuss how the ghostwriter works, their approach to your project, and their expected timelines. It’s important that their process aligns with your expectations. You may be able to negotiate the details to find a plan that works for both parties, but be clear with your expectations and needs while maintaining an openness for compromise. Ghostwriting a memoir is long and can be arduous, so it’s important that you’re on the same page about the process.
6. Understand the Fee Structure
Ghostwriting costs can vary, and it's vital to understand what you are paying for. Ensure the ghostwriter's fees and contract terms are transparent and fair. Ghostwriting can be expensive, and ghostwriters typically push their fees up to compensate for the lack of writing credit, but do your research so you understand the normal rates for the type of ghostwriting you’re looking for. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your ghostwriter—an honest ghost will be able to answer them transparently.
7. Request References
It’s often not possible to talk to previous clients of ghostwriters, since confidentiality is an integral part of ghostwriting. However, in rare cases, clients do publicly give their ghostwriter writing credit and are happy to speak with prospective new clients about the ghostwriter's reliability, quality of work, and professionalism. If your ghost can’t legally name any of their previous clients, that’s fine. You can also see if they have other references who can vouch for their writing skills.
8. Discuss Audience Awareness
A skilled ghostwriter should understand your target audience and know how to engage them. Make sure they have a strategy for appealing to your readers. It’s your responsibility to accurately convey your vision and intended message to your ghostwriter, but it’s their responsibility to then realize those aspirations by leveraging their long-standing writing experience, carefully shaping your narrative to captivate your target audience.
9. Confirm Their Availability
Your project should be a priority for your ghostwriter. Confirm that they have the time to commit to your book and can meet your deadlines. Here, you should also reflect on your own timeline needs and expectations—do you want to publish your memoir pronto? Or are you fine with waiting longer? Be willing to compromise as you balance speed, price, and quality—but make sure you know what you want so you can have a fruitful discussion with your ghostwriter.
10. Trust Your Instincts
After all the evaluations, what your gut tells you about a ghostwriter can be just as important as their credentials and experience. If something feels off about a particular ghostwriter, it doesn’t matter if you can’t put your finger on what it is—it’s a strong sign that this isn’t the ghost for you. After all, writing a memoir is deeply personal, so it’s crucial that you’re entirely comfortable with the ghostwriter you hire.
In the end, the ideal ghostwriter is someone who can seamlessly blend their writing expertise with your unique voice to create a narrative that resonates with readers and fulfills your vision. Take your time in selecting a professional who not only understands your story but is also passionate about telling it. Ghostwriting doesn’t come cheap, so the time investment is worth it—and when you see your professionally ghostwritten book on bookshelves, proudly displaying your name, you’ll be glad you took the time.
Our ghostwriters would love to help you bring your memoir to life. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you!