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Latinidad® – 1/12: Ghostwriters
Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Kelly James-Enger
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BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"Marcela Landres is the consummate editor, with a broad range of knowledge about the publishing business."
--Marguerite Williams, co-author of Madame President
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1. Saludos
Ghostwriting can be lucrative. According to Kelly James-Enger, author of Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: The Writer’s Guide to Making Money Ghostwriting and Coauthoring Books, a ghostwriter with eight years’ experience averages about $60,000 a year, well above the average full-time freelancer’s income. If you’re seeking to bolster your income (and what writer isn’t?), read Kelly’s first-rate primer, which includes templates for contracts, confidentiality agreements, and letters of interest to prospective clients, as well as sound advice on how much to charge and how to capture a client’s voice. For more information, read this month’s Q&A with Kelly.
Helping Latinos get published,
Marcela Landres
2. Q&A
Kelly James-Enger escaped from the law in 1997. Today, the former attorney has written 700+ articles for more than 50 national magazines and 13 books, including eight under her own name. She’s the author of writing-related books including Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: The Writer’s Guide to Making Money Ghostwriting and Coauthoring Books and Ready, Aim, Specialize! Create your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money. James-Enger is also a ghostwriter, speaker, and published novelist. Her contemporary women’s fiction titles include Did you Get the Vibe? and White Bikini Panties. She lives outside Chicago with her husband, son, daughter, and golden retriever. For more information, visit http://dollarsanddeadlines.blogspot.com/
Q: What are some of the advantages of ghostwriting over authoring your own books?
A: I think the biggest advantage is that you can make more money. When you write your own book, you're responsible for marketing and promoting your book after it's published, and that takes up a lot of time—time that may or may not pay off in the long run. When you ghostwrite, you write the book for you client and then you're done—and it's up to your client to promote the book while you're on to the next project. Another advantage is that if you're writing a book for a traditional publisher, you don't have to worry about your "platform." The only platform that matters is that of your client.
Q: Must a writer be a published book author in order to become a ghostwriter? Or are published newspaper or magazine articles sufficient?
A: If you're going to be ghosting books, it definitely helps to have written at least one book because you're familiar with the process. And clients tend to want an experienced author. But you can ghost other things, too—articles, blog posts, speeches, you name it. I heard from one reader of Goodbye Byline who's now ghostwriting five different blogs for five different clients!
Q: Is ghostwriting a viable option for a writer whose credentials are solely in fiction and/or literary?
A: If you're ghosting fiction, sure. But so far, most of the ghosting work I've seen is on the nonfiction side, which isn't surprising as most books published are nonfiction.
Q: Where might a beginning ghostwriter find clients?
A: Start with who you know—really. You may find people who want to write their life story, for example. If you have a background in a particular subject, look for clients in that area. (I specialize in health, fitness, and nutrition, for example, and most of my clients are pros in those fields.) I suggest putting your shingle out, so to speak, and letting everyone know you're looking for work. Most of my work comes from referrals but I've also found work on craigslist and other sites.
Q: When negotiating a project with a prospective client, what are some red flags that indicate a ghostwriter may be better off walking away?
A: Number one, refusal to talk about money or comments like "Everyone says my book will be a best-seller." A client who wants you to work for a "share of the proceeds" or some other nebulous amount, or who won't sign a contract is another red flag. And so is someone who wants to meet all the time to talk about his/her book, not understanding your time is limited and precious. I don't have time to work with clients who can't pay me for my work, so I cut them loose pretty quickly.
Q: In addition to your invaluable guide, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks, what other resources do you recommend to folks who want to learn more about becoming a ghostwriter?
A: There aren't a lot of resources out there, but check out:
http://www.writersandeditors.com/book_collaboration__ghost_writing_57408.htm (or http://tinyurl.com/73u8pvg)
Q: Do you have upcoming projects that my readers should have on their radar?
A: I have a new book, Writer for Hire: 101 Secrets to Freelance Success, coming out in April, 2012 from Writer's Digest Books and am excited about that. It's a great guide for freelance writers of all stripes. :)
3. Workshop
Before You Send It Out Workshop/One-on-One Manuscript Review Sessions
WHAT:
Before You Send It Out Workshop - Agents and editors don’t have time to read entire manuscripts. So how do they choose which writers they want to work with? Proposals. Regardless of whether you have a book for adults or children, in fiction or nonfiction, you need a strong proposal. But while many writers invest a significant amount of time, energy, and money in crafting their manuscripts, few know how to compose a proper proposal. In this class, you will learn:
1. Why 90% of submissions are rejected based on the cover letter alone
2. The single most reliable—and free!—resource for finding a good agent
3. Three common, yet easily avoidable, mistakes writers make
4. A proposal’s true purpose (hint: it’s not to demonstrate talent)
One-on-One Manuscript Review Sessions - Marcela Landres will read (but
not edit) a sample of your work, then meet with you for a one-on-one,
30-minute session. SPACE IS LIMITED.
WHEN: 4/28, 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m./ 4/28, by appointment
WHERE: Saint Clements Castle, 1931 Portland-Cobalt Rd., Portland CT, 06480
4. Resources
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HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone
Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get published. For more information, visit E-book.
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STUDY ABROAD CONTEST
Deadline: January 31
The University of New Orleans offers full tuition, lodging, and publication in the Pinch to a poet, fiction writer, and creative nonfiction writer who attend writing workshops in Scotland or Italy. For more information, visit http://lowres.uno.edu/contest.cfm
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$5000 AWARD FOR WRITERS OF COLOR
Deadline: February 1
The Pen Open Book Award offers $5000 for a book-length work of fiction or creative nonfiction by an author of color published in the U.S. during the previous year. For more information, visit http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/1494
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$2000 POETRY/FICTION PRIZES
Deadline: February 15
The Kathryn A. Morton and Mary McCarthy contests offer $2000 and publication by Sarabande Books for a collection of poetry and a collection of fiction. For more information, visit http://www.sarabandebooks.org/
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BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL SEEKS VENDORS
Registration Opens: January 15
Early Registration Discount Deadline: February 15
Booksellers, publishers, authors, and literary organizations are welcome to submit vendor applications for 2012. Last year’s Festival drew over 40,000 attendees and featured over 250 authors from Joyce Carol Oates to Fran Lebowitz. Don’t wait to apply, as spaces tend to go quickly. For more information, visit http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/
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GIRL WITH GRIT CONTEST
Deadline: February 29
Groundwood Books seeks inspiring stories written by real teens. The winner receives a specially printed, limited edition of her story and publication on the Groundwood Books web site. For more information, visit http://blog.figment.com/2011/11/01/the-girls-with-grit-contest/
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$50,000 ARTIST GRANTS
Deadline: Between February 1 and March 1
Creative Capital offers grants up to $50,000 and advisory and development services to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. For more information, visit http://creative-capital.org/
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$5000 RESIDENCY
Deadline: March 1
Pen Northwest offers the Margery Davis Boyden Wilderness Writing Residency of $5000 to a poet, fiction writer, or creative nonfiction writer. For more information, visit http://www.johndaniel-author.net/mdb-res.php
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DASH LITERARY JOURNAL
Deadline: March 1
Dash seeks poems, fiction, nonfiction, criticism, and hybrids (they like to be surprised). All submissions are read in blind-reviews. For more information, visit http://dashliteraryjournal.com/
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KIMMEL HARDING NELSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Deadline: March 1
Each resident receives a $100 stipend per week, free housing, and a separate studio. Residencies are available for 2 to 8 weeks stays. The Center does not discriminate on the basis of disability, sex, age, race, religion, or national origin. For more information, visit http://www.khncenterforthearts.org/
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CRISTINA GARCIA WORKSHOPS
Registration Deadline: March 1
Las Dos Brujas Writers’ Workshops was founded by critically acclaimed author Cristina Garcia. Faculty includes Chris Abani, Denise Chávez, Kimiko Hahn, and Martín Espada. A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information, visit http://www.lasdosbrujas.com/
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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER ONLY WHEN SHARED
Please forward Latinidad® widely.
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For more resources, visit Resources
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“A talented ghost brings more to the table than writing ability; he or she brings fresh ideas, brainstorming skills, and a collaborative spirit to make the book that the client wants to write even better—without being asked.”
—Kelly James-Enger
Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres
