NHAT CRAWFORD

GHOSTWRITER

Q&A

1. WHAT WILL IT COST TO HAVE YOU WRITE MY BOOK?

There are a myriad of factors that determines the cost of ghostwriting a book. Are you having it rewritten from existing material or am I writing it from scratch? In other words, do you have something outlined already or will I have to go through an interview process or perhaps extract the information / story from you? Other questions to consider include:

• How many pages will the book contain? • What is your timeframe to have it completed? • Author participation: Yes? No?

Generally, cost can range from $5500 for a book up to 200 pages, to $7500 to $10,000 for a sizeable book of 200 plus pages o f l i t e r a r y c r e a t i v i t y , r e s e a r c h , f u l l e d i t s , e t c . T h e c o s t i s $50,000 for a series of books, stories or on-going collaborative research. Again, it depends on specific cost factors, along with my time requirements. Don’t worry, however, there will be no surprises because I will ALWAYS quote a firm price upfront once I know exactly what you need.

2. WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE?

Writing a book is extensive hard work; it takes a great deal of intense time and brainpower. As a ghostwriter, I don’t just write, I research, create and rewrite, as well. An efficient ghostwriter will review the work, time and again, to ensure perfection. This means total commitment. It also means I call in an additional editor and proofreader. As my client, you’ll be asking me to put aside months, perhaps a year or more, of my life to research and or write your book. I love my work and I don’t mind, however compensation must

be in place for my living during this time. To help you with cost, I normally take 50% of the total fee up front and the rest in monthly installments over the course of the work until the total is paid, at which time I release your finished manuscript into your hands via USPS.

3. WHY DO I NEED A GHOSTWRITER?

Actually, you may not! If you are well versed in writing, well organized, disciplined and can make the time … go for it! You may not need a ghostwriter at all; you may only need to solicit editorial services. However, most professional, busy people with writing needs also need help sorting out creative thoughts, content, and fact research. Besides, their schedules don’t often allow them to take time to produce a sound book. That’s why I’m here for you!

4. CAN YOU GUARANTEE PUBLICATION?

No. No ghostwriter can nor should he/she pretend they can. Getting published is an entirely different area of work. It is not easy, but it can be done.

5. CAN YOU HELP ME TO GET PUBLISHED?

I can supply a current list of literary agents that can help you here.

If you want to publish with a large publishing house the literary agents will point you in the right direction. But, first, they will be honest with you in telling you whether or not your manuscript will be publish-worthy in the big world of publishing. These agents ask for no money upfront. If you prefer to self-publish, I can help.

6. WHO WILL REALLY WRITE MY BOOK?

I am the writer. You are the author. I literally sit and write your story. I don’t pass it off to anyone else to do. There are parts in this process that I do pass along, but not the writing and development.

7. WHO GETS THE AUTHOR CREDIT?

You get the author credit. I get recognition as your co-writer on a small byline on the cover of your finished/published book, IF you so agree within the contract between us. Otherwise, my name goes on the inside front matter of your published book.

8. IS THAT FAIR?

Yes. You are writing the book, technically, but using my fingers, skills and creativity, along with yours, for enhancement and professionalism. At times I have been asked to actually create a story based on the author’s idea or experience; the author does not participate during the process and only wants the finished product. For that, I get ghostwriter credit and ongoing royalties. Normally, in this process, I manage your thoughts, your ideas, build on them and put them into an order that perhaps you cannot. That’s my job. You pay for it. It’s fair.

9. HOW DO YOU GET INFORMATION FOR MY BOOK CONTENT?

You are the main source of information needed for your book, aside from research. I interview you for the information inside you that you have not yet outlined. You are video/audio taped.

Information is transcribed from audio into manuscript form. Rewriting takes place until your book is birthed. Or… You give me written information from previously researched work. Or… We have a conversation about your topic and determine what research needs to be done. I go on your research mission, or we do it together via traveling, libraries, Internet, or interviewing others, etc.

10. WILL YOU KEEP MY INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL?

Yes, indefinitely.

11. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FROM START TO FINISH?

Since there are so many variables such as research, creativity, travel time (when necessary), or background work, editing, proofing, page count, studio time (for audio books), your cooperation, how long agent takes to secure a publisher, etc. the process could be anywhere from 6 to 18 months, sometimes longer.

12. MAY I REVIEW THE BOOK AS IT’S BEING WRITTEN?

The process actually goes smoother with your input. In fact, what

I have implemented is this: As I finish 3 chapters I will forward them to you so that you can see the progress as I go. It is important that you are there every step of the way to ensure that the book is unfolding as you’d like. During this time you may want to implement changes, additions, even extractions to give to me after the entire manuscript is done.

13. WILL YOU DO THE REVISIONS OR WILL I HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE ELSE FOR THAT?

Revising is included. The fact that this is YOUR book, YOUR story will always be in the fore of the project. Therefore, I work until it is exactly as you desire; I will tweak it until it is as you want it to be. However, if after all parts of the book are completed and signed off on, and you want to make additional revisions, you will have to pay an hourly fee of $50.00 until additional revisions are completed.

14. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE MANUSCRIPT IS COMPLETED, READY FOR PRINT/PUBLICATION AND I DECIDE THAT I DON’T LIKE IT AFTER ALL?

In the case of self-publishing, that would be impossible because of your participation in the project. However, if you change your mind about it and prefer not to promote the work (the book), you have a year to change your mind. After a year of no movement, the manuscript will then become my own intellectual property and will be used in

my portfolio as sample work. In so doing, I will not hold claim to the client’s representation of facts within the work in any way. I will lay claim, however, to the style of the writing and the creativity of the story.

I keep specific notes and a “paper trail” that will show the work, and your participation, throughout. Also, consider this: Even if you decide you do not like the outcome of your story, an agent or publisher just might like it and want to publish your work.

Feel free to contact me: Natalie “Nhat” Crawford 404.514.7661 nhatcrawford@gmail.com