I'm a bestselling ghostwriter - ask me anything (that I'm allowed to answer!)

[Notevenonaweekend]

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

Actually, in terms of editorial control, there are times when I keep stuff out before the first draft is submitted to the publisher. Clients tell me everything and sometimes I think they might regret a comment or a revelation, so I run that by them. Once it's out there, it's out there forever.

Do you put anything in your works that indirectly identifies it as your work, for example a certain phrase?

I think before he was well known as the GhostWriter Andrew Neiderman did similar in Virginia Andrews books.

No, my name is on lots of them anyway. With private commissions, people tend to self-publicity but even then, I'll be in the acknowledgements. They're usually very nice people and - although a cliche - it is a real journey working on your book with someone.

I want to read 'Flowers in the Attic' again now!

I don't think he wrote that one
His are post 1987.

No, but you've reminded me - I don't think I ever read his. How many did he do?

I'm not sure, he's not credited

Hi @Notevenonaweekend Can you say what the ££££ is like? How are you paid, do you get paid a lump sum with a percentage afterwards (and for how long)? Just checking if it’s worth shoving my DC into this direction - my retirement spent on a 5* round the world cruise could be resting on this even though they hate writing

Ever written a Mills and Boon? Or know anything about the writers of them?!

(And what kind of ££ a Mills and Boon author gets...)

Never done fiction so no Mills & Boon gossip I'm afraid.

Fee wise - as I mentioned, I do some for publishers, some private commissions. My fee is usually separate to what the author gets (they tend to be called the author, I'm the writer, in contracts). Some publishers offer them nothing. Nothing. They offer royalties, but absolutely no advance.

For the ghost, you can make as much as you like really, just depends on how much work you want to do. You can also ghost blogs, columns, anything, not just full books. Some contracts are a flat fee, some have royalties built in. There's a signing fee - usually a third or half of the advance, and then the rest either on delivery only, or payments at delivery and publication.

Some publishers offer them nothing. Nothing. They offer royalties, but absolutely no advance.

!!

Shit like that boils my piss Although it’s good to see that there’s other avenues. Thanks for answering my question

Can you tell when a book you’re reading has been ghostwritten?

You usually can by the acknowledgements. If they don't specifically say, they'll put 'thanks for pulling it together' or 'thanks for making sense of it'; I always Google those names

There are other phrases too - people doing the media rounds often say, 'when I did my book' rather than 'when I wrote it.' I've watched people on breakfast telly talking about their writing process and thought, 'you didn't even read the bloody thing when I sent you it!'

Is "Ed Reardon's Week" fairly realistic in its main storyline? Thanks.

What sort of price bracket say £50-75k do you get per celeb say A - D list?

My dad is in his 80’s and led a very interesting life. Everybody he meets tells him he should write a book. Seems such a shame that when he goes all these life stories will go with him. Even now he still tells me stories I have never heard. What is the best way of going about finding someone to help him? Sadly, he wouldn’t be able to afford thousands. Not sure if there are ways round this? Perhaps new writers trying to get experience? Any advice would be appreciated.

so a well known author like erm Freya north will hire you to write her book for her? Or have I misunderstood. Lol thanks

I have had to look up the meaning of ghostwriting in Google a little bit. Looks like it is everywhere. Even if you write an essay for a student it would be classed as ghostwriting although though unethical.

I know someone who really, really should write his life story.
But he would need a ghost writer.
How do people with extraordinary lives find a ghost writer?

I’m fascinated by this OP! What do you do to prepare and research your writing style for different authors? Are you big on reading? Have you ever really disliked a project?

How rude - I forgot to come back to this! Was just reading someone else's and remembered I'd posted.

Tidy - I don't know what that this, sorry.

Cold - I don't do celebs any more, but they might get £250k+, the ghost might get as little as £10k.

Sleepdream - you get what you pay for, I'm afraid. I'd suggest getting someone in your family to do a course online and see if they could write it, as at least you would have the information recorded, and you'd know they weren't ripping you off. Even £1000 spent on something that is useless is still £1000 too much.

Jellybears - it usually comes from publishers if a recognised name; the known writer or celeb rarely contacts ghosts directly. I don't do fiction though.

Onecutefox - yes, there is a market for academic work. A lot of it is abroad and very cheap too. They will do essays, dissertations, anything.