Monica Valentinelli: Author, Game Designer and Consultant

Posted on June 25, 2007 - by Monica Valentinelli

Freelance Writing Tip #26: Write like a Ghost

Frustrated you can’t find any assignments? Consider ghostwriting as an alternate source of income. You won’t get credit for what you write (unless you work that out beforehand), but you may be able to use the author as a reference. In these cases, payment is almost guaranteed because both your reputation as an author and their reputation are on the line.

When you negotiate terms for ghostwriting, there might be a difference between “edited” content and “new” content, not to mention comments about copyright or licensing. So when you ghostwrite, make sure you’re not giving away your best ideas because you will never, ever be able to claim credit for them.

Payment and terms vary widely, and are all over the spectrum from charging by word, page, or hour. Ghost Writers Central has some interesting terms to charge by the minute.

I strongly caution you to do a lot of research before you sign your words away; contracts can be a tricky business and deadlines for ghostwriters are strict–you cannot under any circumstances blow a ghostwriting deadline because you’ll take down both you and the person you’re working for. In this case, the captain will go down with the ship.

For more information about ghostwriting, Sharon Hurley Hall talks about ghostwriting in this article from her work-at-home blog; and Amanda Hurley also gives some great tips through Ezine Articles.

Related posts:

1. Freelance Writing Tip #29: Write Children’s Books
2. Freelance Writing Tip #30: Write What You’re Comfortable With
3. Freelance Writing Tip #8: Think You’re a Writer? Write!
4. Freelance Writing Tip #16: Write to Sell
5. Freelance Writing Tip #13: Markets Pay Different Rates