AMA
I'm a bestselling ghostwriter - ask me anything (that I'm allowed to answer!)
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 19:39
I have signed a few confidentiality agreements in my time, but I'll still try and answer stuff.
Have written over 20 bestsellers, worked with most publishers, in charts at the moment, love my job - happy to answer general writing and publishing stuff too if I can!
Also, as this isn't work for me, if I end up with loads of typos, just remember I've been writing all day and I have terrible eyesight 
shakeyourcaboose · 12/07/2018 19:42
How did you get into ghostwriting and do you publish under your own name?
Cupoteap · 12/07/2018 19:45
Do you ever just want to write under your own name?
How often do people say they've got a book idea?
SmilingButClueless · 12/07/2018 19:46
Are there any people you’ve written “as” who people wouldn’t expect to use a ghostwriter?
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 19:47
I was a journalist just before I started and had gone freelance - I think that helped a lot.
My name is on a lot of covers after that of the person whose story it is. I never used to like or want that, but I kind of accept now that it's free advertising for me!
careerandfam · 12/07/2018 19:50
What genre of books do you write?
Do you only write for celebs?
Do you think there's room for budding writers or is it near impossible to get a book deal?
Any tips for wannabe writers who don't have a journalism background?
Thanks!
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 19:53
Cup no, I don't really because I'd write my own books if I wanted to. And honestly? Practically every person I meet says they have a book in them once they know what I do! If only they had the time though 😉
Smiling - oh yes indeedy . . . you'd be amazed, lots of fiction writers use ghosts now too (not just the celebs).
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 19:57
career - I'll do any genre really. I've done a lot of abuse memoirs, business, animals, relationships, psychics, health, mostly non-celebs really (and I prefer that).
I don't think you need to be a journalist but it is very very tough to get a publishing deal. I'd say follow up a story that you have a link to, personally or geographically, be honest with them, and do your first couple for free (no upfront fee until you're established but split 50/50 on any book deal).
OlennasWimple · 12/07/2018 19:59
Oooh! You need to hook up with the WAG who has an AMA thread going at the moment!!
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 20:13
A WAG with lots of gossip would be great - send her over!
OlennasWimple · 12/07/2018 20:17
Here's the thread OP - one of the longest in AMA at the moment
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/AMA/3303215-i-m-a-footballer-s-wife-ask-me-anything
BonnieF · 12/07/2018 20:21
What type of celebs do you ghost?
Politicians? Sports people? Actors? Tabloid / reality TV slebs?
overnightangel · 12/07/2018 20:22
“Bestselling” seems to be used very liberally these days.
To me it would mean the book that has sold the most copies in the UK that week..... how would you class it OP? Not being funny just always intrigued me!
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 20:33
overnight - for me, it's Top 20 Sunday Times to class as a bestseller (Top 10 really). However, you're right - when publishers choose categories in Amazon, they can be very cheeky. So, they will select categories that often don't get as much traffic - for example, say a celeb had been bullied at some point as a child, they could choose that as one of their categories. If it's a week when five other celebs have books out, that could let them say it's, technically, a bestseller!
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 20:34
Bonnie - I have to be careful here so I'll say people in the public eye. Not any politicians yet, but I'd love that.
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 20:35
Sole - can be anything from writing full book based on interviews with them (I like that best), to taking diaries and making a manuscript, to salvaging some awful thing they've tried to write!
careerandfam · 12/07/2018 20:46
You've gathered all your information/ideas and you sit down at your laptop to write...where do you start?
How long does the process take on average?
Thanks :)
lolalotta · 12/07/2018 20:48
So why do fiction writers use a ghost writer? Doesn't that defeat the object of there job title?
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 20:52
Career - I love a new, blank document! Once I have everything, 6-8 weeks is comfortable for 60-80,000 words.
Lola - I haven't worked on those but I'm assuming they run out of steam or can't be bothered or they take on too much/deadline hits quicker than they expected. Also, some editors do so much to some manuscripts that they're basically ghosting them but the 'author' can still be in denial.
BonnieF · 12/07/2018 20:58
Understood @weekend.
I’ll try another one 
. I have heard that certain household name celebrity chefs ran out of ideas years ago, yet they keep churning out books due entirely to the services of ghosts and researchers who write both their books and their recipes. Care to comment?
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 21:02
Oh, I've never done a cookery one - but the whole Xmas market is so cut throat that I can imagine that 'might' be a possibility! The branding is so strong and they rely on panic buyers thinking their mums or grannies would really love a £25 hardback from Waterstones when it's too late to get an Amazon delivery 
SmilingButClueless · 12/07/2018 21:19
How much editorial control do you usually have over the content? And do you ever have disagreements with the people you write for?
Notevenonaweekend · 12/07/2018 21:25
I do two different types of projects - for publishers or private commissions. I tend to accept all editorial suggestions on the first as they know their job and generally make the book better. I don't think I've written anything that I've fallen out with someone about. Sometimes, with private commissions, people can be a bit too keen on having things in that don't really add to it, but it's their story so I'm more flexible there as the restrictions of the genre aren't as rigid.
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