Before contacting me about your proposed book, consider these 15 essential questions:

1.    What is your proposed book about?

What is its central message?

2.    What genre does your book come under?

For example, non-fiction, memoir, autobiography, personal development, philosophy or professional development.

Perhaps it is a part memoir and part guide?

Or is it a part memoir and part history?

3.    Why are you wanting to share your story with the world?

4.    Is your book similar to other stories that have been shared in the world? If yes, how does your book differ? What makes it unique?

5.    Who are you writing this book for (i.e. who is likely to benefit from it and/or feel a touch better for reading it) and what is your aim for your readers?

6.    How long do you feel your proposed book may be?

For example:

• Small books are usually 20,000 to 40,000 words.
• Medium books are usually 40,000 to 60,000 words.
• Large books are usually 60,000 to 80,000 words.

NOTE: If you are self-publishing your first non-fiction book, especially as an ebook, a small book is usually a good place to start. However, if you are planning to submit your manuscript to a traditional publisher for consideration, they usually prefer at least 50,000 words, sometimes more. It depends on the genre.

While a word count is a guide, a good book is more than how many words it contains; it is the way it is told. 

7.    Are you looking to self-publish (i.e. outlay the expense for line editing, proofreading, the design and publishing and retain all rights for your book)? Or are you considering submitting to a traditional publisher, which requires a different process? See the Types of Publishing page to understand more about the differences, including estimated timeframes for publishing.

8.    If self-publishing, are you looking to do print, e-book and/or audiobook formats?

9.    Depending on the book’s subject matter, are you looking to use any case studies or share your personal experiences with other people and/or specific examples that relate to the book?

This can include private conversations, insights or recorded interviews — with their permission. Have you recorded these interviews, or will the ghostwriter do this? Or is it collaborative? Depending on what is being shared (derogatory comments are avoided), other people can be presented anonymously, including having their name and characteristics changed to respect their privacy if they prefer.

10. Is there much research (all books require some degree of it), including obtaining permission to use quotes or any graphics or images from secondary sources? If so, will the ghostwriter be sourcing, compiling and obtaining permissions on your behalf, or will you? Or will it be collaborative?

Also, have you already prepared any notes?

11. Are you available to discuss your insights and experiences in relation to your book on a fortnightly or monthly basis throughout the ghostwriting process, which could be anything from six to twelve months? Or would you prefer, and be available, to do most of the book topic discussion, all of which is recorded and transcribed, over the course of four to six weeks?

12. Will there be any images that will be included in your book that will require captions? If so, approximately how many? Are they clear and high resolution (minimum of 300dpi) images for clear reproduction in paperback versions?

13. How will you sell, distribute and market your book? 

Having your book written for you is a major part of the process. Marketing a book, however, is ongoing (whether via a trade publisher or self-publishing), and goes well beyond its initial launch or release. Depending on how widely you wish to share your story will determine how much you want to market it, and where. Alternatively, and especially if you are self-publishing, you may like to engage a marketing professional (at a cost to you). 

For self-published authors, besides considering an e-book version and/or print on demand (POD), you can sell online via a dedicated website, be it your business, or it can be specifically set up for the book itself.

You can also approach online distributors and brick-and-mortar bookstores (time-consuming but rewarding) and/or engage a distributor who will do it all for you and take a percentage of the sales price.

14. Do you have a proposed timeframe for your book’s publication?

Depending on how long your book is anticipated to be, on average it can take between six and 12 months to have your book ghostwritten.

For an approximate production timeframe (i.e. line editing, design, proofreading and publication regardless of what type of publishing you choose), refer to the Types of Publishing page.

15. What kind of budget did you have in mind to have your book ghostwritten?

Having your book written on your behalf is an investment in you and your story. A comprehensive quote can be provided after these 15 essential questions have been discussed.

Want to know about my ghostwriting process? See the FAQs.