More HOLY COW! Moments in the Writer-For-Hire’s Life

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One of my “favorite” HOLY COW clients was incredibly slow to pay, although she kept insisting she paid every invoice on time. It didn’t matter that I had to call and email her repeatedly after sending each invoice, requesting payment. It didn’t matter that at one point I refused to … [Read more...]

When is After?

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A company has asked me to ghostwrite a book for them. I’m dealing with a nice guy at the company, who invited me to submit a proposal with my terms for payment, due dates for blocks of chapters, etc. Nice Guy looked my proposal over, told me it seemed fine, and passed it on to the Legal Department … [Read more...]

Name Your Fee – As Long as it’s 7¢ a Word!

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A few weeks ago I was contacted by a fellow who represented a large international firm that was setting up a website devoted to business. He wanted to know if I could write a series of informative 500-word articles for the site. “We want high-quality writing,” he told me several times. “And … [Read more...]

But What Does That Mean??!!

Many years ago, a publisher approached my agent with a plan for reissuing one of my old, out-of-print books. Their offer was modest, but it did include a huge inducement: a “national media campaign.” Whoa! NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN! I salivated as I imaged myself being flown from Los Angeles to … [Read more...]

The HOLY COW! Moments in the Writer-for-Hire’s Life

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I often work as a freelance ghostwriter, penning books and book proposals at the request of agents or experts (such as a doctor or business executive). The work usually progresses smoothly, with the agent or expert sketching out their ideas for me, asking for my advice, critiquing drafts as I send … [Read more...]

Why Are You Writing Your Book?

People who call to inquire about hiring me to ghostwrite their books are generally surprised when I ask them why they want to become authors. It’s not a frivolous question, for the answer helps shape the book, determine whether “standard” or self-publishing is the better route, and spur the … [Read more...]