What’s your process? (For traditionally published books)
Every author is a little bit different and so are their books, but this represents my basic process for clients who have an agent or are seeking traditional publishing (see “Is traditional or self-publishing better?” below):
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
- We establish the book’s purpose, audience, and USP (Unique Selling Point) via online meetings (appx. 1 week).
- We develop the material over a series of interviews, typically done onsite—face-to-face interaction is indispensable for capturing your personality on the page and sparking creativity (appx. 1 week).
- I organize the material, create an outline, and write two or three chapters, and submit them to you for approval (appx. 2-3 weeks).
- I create the proposal and query letter, following industry standards (appx. 2 weeks). (See “What is a proposal and do you write them?” below.)
- I pause the project for an agreed period while you seek an agent or publisher.
- If you secure an agent and/or publisher, we’ll work together to make any necessary changes to the outline and scope of the book.
- If you do not, you will have the option of either halting the project or pursuing self-publishing.
- I continue to write the first draft, interacting with you on a regular basis (time varies based on the book’s length and complexity, appx. 1 month per 10,000 words).
- After you approve the first draft, I complete a second and third draft and submit them for your approval (appx. 1 month).
- You receive a “copyedit ready,”* professionally written book in your voice.
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
What’s your process? (For self-published books)
Every author is a little bit different and so are their books, but this represents my basic process for clients who plan to self-publish (see “Is traditional or self-publishing better?” below):
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
- We establish the book’s purpose, audience, and USP (Unique Selling Point) via online meetings (appx. 1 week).
- We develop the material over a series of interviews, typically done onsite—face-to-face interaction is indispensable for capturing your personality on the page and sparking creativity (appx. 1 week).
- I organize the material, create an outline, and write the first chapter or so, and submit it to you for approval (appx. 2-3 weeks).
- I continue to write the first draft, interacting with you on a regular basis (time varies based on the book’s length and complexity, appx. 1 month per 10,000 words).
- After you approve the first draft, I complete a second and third draft and submit them for your approval (appx. 1 month).
- You receive a “copyedit ready,”* professionally written book in your voice.
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
What is a proposal?
A proposal is essentially a business plan designed to persuade first a literary agent and then a publisher to invest in your book. Unless you’re already a household name, a persuasive proposal is non-negotiable. For more information, including advice on writing them, visit Jane Friedman’s website: “Start Here: How to Write a Book Proposal”
Do you write non-fiction proposals?
Yes, and I’ve had great success in landing publication deals and agent representation with the ones I’ve written for myself and ghostwriting clients. Proposals play well to my strengths of understanding the project as a whole, discovering what makes it compelling, and crafting effective hooks. Plus, I have a knack for creating intriguing titles. While I mainly write proposals for my ghostwriting clients, if you’ve already written several chapters and I’m impressed with both your writing and concept, I can work with you to craft a strong proposal.
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
How much does ghostwriting cost?
The cost varies depending on the genre (memoirs, for instance, require much more work) but the book’s length is the biggest factor. A good rule of thumb is $1-$2 a word. To translate that into pages, figure that the average page has 250 words (see “How long should my book be?”). Other factors that could affect the cost include heavy research, adding a proposal, and assistance with querying. On traditionally published books, I typically ask for a small percentage of the royalties to reflect my personal investment and the extra work involved.
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
How long should my book be?
Length varies significantly based on the genre, with novels and memoirs often running longer (though there are many short but excellent memoirs). Prescriptive non-fiction (books that give information or direction) tends to be shorter. In general, though, your book should be no longer than needed to convey the message. My preference is for shorter books, in the 150-250 page range, because that often leads to things that are on-point and fluff-free.
How much time does it take for you to write a book?
Depending on the length and genre, I usually spend 3-6 months on each book, from start to finish (see “What’s your process?).
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
How many books do you work on at a time?
Typically, only one. However, there may be some crossover as I’m finishing one project and starting the next.
Who gets the credit?
The short version is that you do—it’s your idea and your content. My job is “just” to help you get it on paper. Technically, ghostwriting means that I’m not listed as an author (though I ask to be acknowledged as an editor or writing coach). Collaborative projects, on the other hand, are where I receive a writing credit, e.g., “with Josh Kelley.” We can discuss the best option for you. In some cases, openly working with an established author can improve your chances with a publisher. In others, it makes sense for me to remain hidden (note that true ghostwriting typically costs more because of the lost promotional value).
Isn’t ghostwriting kinda cheating? Shouldn’t people write their own books?
Here’s how I see it. I’ve spent twenty-five years actively developing my skills, allowing me to write effectively and efficiently. My clients have spent decades in their field. Why should they stop the good work they’re doing to spend years becoming a writer when we can partner together? To me, ghostwriting is an example of the Body of Christ at work, with each member doing what they are meant to do (1 Corinthians 12:14-26). Additionally, the majority of my clients are very good writers, but completing a book is a different thing. To most people, it sounds as daunting as swimming the English Channel. To me, it’s just running another marathon—a lot of work but I know every step of the process.
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
Which is better, traditional or self-publishing?
There is no right answer to that. A good friend of mine does both and makes more money on his self-published books, but his traditionally published book offers him much greater credibility. This question is one of the things I like to address in my consultations. But first be sure to read this great overview of the pros and cons of each from Writer’s Digest: “17 Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing”
Do you think my book will be a bestseller?
No one can tell you that, and anyone who promises success is lying—probably in hopes of taking your money. Even agents and publishers have been incredibly wrong about what is going to sell. In the case of my first book, the publisher told me that it had “break out potential,” but was also honest about the odds. You see, very few books are selected for publication and only a fraction of those make significant money. There are many great reasons to write a book, but getting rich isn’t one of them. This is why my first question to potential clients is “Why do you want to write a book?” (Word to the wise: never tell a publishing professional that your book is sure to be a bestseller—it demonstrates that you don’t understand the industry.)
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
Are you willing to work for less in exchange for a greater portion of the royalties?
Sorry, I just can’t afford the risk (see “Do you think my book will be a bestseller?”). Unless your name is Chris Pratt, Lana Del Rey, Russell Wilson, or T-Bone Burnett. In that case, let’s talk.
How can I be sure that a ghostwriter won’t steal my idea?
The risk of your story or idea being stolen is very low for several reasons. First, anything you write is automatically protected by copyright laws. Second, as Thomas Edison said, “'Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.” Having the idea is just the first step in a long journey and no ghostwriter is going to spend hundreds of hours turning your idea into a book on their own dime. Plus, most of us have our own projects that we’d rather spend that time on! Third (and most importantly), the power of your idea flows from who you are and your story—without you, it just isn’t the same.
That said, the one thing that I am careful about sharing is a great title or subtitle idea—those cannot be copyrighted.
That said, the one thing that I am careful about sharing is a great title or subtitle idea—those cannot be copyrighted.
What is it like to work with you?
Ghostwriting is a unique relationship—the hats I wear include interviewer, editor, counselor, encourager, taskmaster, and writer. If we end up working together, here are some things I’d like you to know about me to help us have the most successful outcome possible.
First, my goal is to turn my client’s ideas and stories into the best book possible by bringing all my skills, experiences, and perspective into the project. To do that, I need to be confident in their ability to speak up. The foundational principle is that they hired me and it’s their book, so they always have the final call, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t give my thoughts. There will be some disagreements along the way, and that’s okay.
Second, I’m a really nice person, but also very honest. Because I care about their project, I’ll let them know if something isn’t as good as it can be.
Finally, the combination of my personality type (ENTJ), big-picture perspective, insatiable curiosity, ADHD, and dyslexia make me uniquely qualified to find and organize my cliens’ stories, but also means I’m anything but detail-orientated. There is a 100% chance that the earlier drafts (and emails) will contain misspellings, repetitions, and words missing entirely. That is what editing is for!
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
First, my goal is to turn my client’s ideas and stories into the best book possible by bringing all my skills, experiences, and perspective into the project. To do that, I need to be confident in their ability to speak up. The foundational principle is that they hired me and it’s their book, so they always have the final call, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t give my thoughts. There will be some disagreements along the way, and that’s okay.
Second, I’m a really nice person, but also very honest. Because I care about their project, I’ll let them know if something isn’t as good as it can be.
Finally, the combination of my personality type (ENTJ), big-picture perspective, insatiable curiosity, ADHD, and dyslexia make me uniquely qualified to find and organize my cliens’ stories, but also means I’m anything but detail-orientated. There is a 100% chance that the earlier drafts (and emails) will contain misspellings, repetitions, and words missing entirely. That is what editing is for!
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
What should I expect in my consultation?
Think of it as a two-way interview. You ask questions about the ghostwriting process and get a sense of what it’s like to work with me. I try to discover if I can get excited about your book and add value to it. My main questions, however, will revolve around your book’s purpose—why you want to write it and how you want to affect the readers.
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
Ready to take the next step? Click below!
How did you become a ghostwriter?
It's a joke among ghostwriters that no one grows up dreaming of becoming one. We all get here in unexpected ways. My journey took me from fourteen years of pastoring, to writing a book that was published by a mid-sized publisher, and then becoming a bartender to support my writing habit. Then COVID hit and I found myself being paid not to work. I.e., I was out of work and on Unemployment for the first time in my life and it sucked. A friend in the publishing world had previously offered me a ghostwriting gig that I’d turned down, but the need to be doing something drove me back to seek a short assignment from him.
Have you ever done something brand new and discovered you were a natural? That was ghostwriting for me. A “chance” conversation with another friend then led to my first complete book and launched me into full-time writing. I was in my late forties but, for the first time in my life, I was finally doing what I was meant to. Part of me wondered why it took so long—had I missed some signpost and wasted years of my life?
Not in the slightest. There is no way I could have planned the crazy route I had to take to get here. A degree in biblical studies and pastoral training that I’ve used for every book I’ve done. Working under a pastor who was an unparalleled communicator (not to mention an aspiring screenwriter who reached the “Top Three” of HBO’s Project Greenlight) and taught me most of what I know. Drafting bulletin announcements under the church’s media director (who had co-written the Project Greenlight script) taught me how to write amazing copy and craft great hooks. Seven years of pastoring my own church and preaching every week forced me to be creative—whether I felt like it or not. The years I spent bartending and writing a novel (it’s still stuck in my drawer) taught me how to mimic my client’s voice seamlessly.
So, now I get to help people tell their stories and share their wisdom while bringing alongside my own experience and perspective. I’ve met some amazing people and traveled to some really cool places (including Nigeria and Kenya—unforgettable). Not bad work, if you can get it.
Have you ever done something brand new and discovered you were a natural? That was ghostwriting for me. A “chance” conversation with another friend then led to my first complete book and launched me into full-time writing. I was in my late forties but, for the first time in my life, I was finally doing what I was meant to. Part of me wondered why it took so long—had I missed some signpost and wasted years of my life?
Not in the slightest. There is no way I could have planned the crazy route I had to take to get here. A degree in biblical studies and pastoral training that I’ve used for every book I’ve done. Working under a pastor who was an unparalleled communicator (not to mention an aspiring screenwriter who reached the “Top Three” of HBO’s Project Greenlight) and taught me most of what I know. Drafting bulletin announcements under the church’s media director (who had co-written the Project Greenlight script) taught me how to write amazing copy and craft great hooks. Seven years of pastoring my own church and preaching every week forced me to be creative—whether I felt like it or not. The years I spent bartending and writing a novel (it’s still stuck in my drawer) taught me how to mimic my client’s voice seamlessly.
So, now I get to help people tell their stories and share their wisdom while bringing alongside my own experience and perspective. I’ve met some amazing people and traveled to some really cool places (including Nigeria and Kenya—unforgettable). Not bad work, if you can get it.