get ghostwriting assignment?

[Petunia Wiley]

I have two books coming out in the next year. Great, but I am really broke. I am interested in ghostwriting a book. Especially something related to beauty, diet, or nutrition.

Does anyone have any idea of how I could get an assignment like this?

[James Macdonald]

Have your agent ask around.

Failing that, ask your editor if he or she knwos anyone who's looking for a writer.

But seriously -- ghostwriting isn't a fast way to pick up rent money any more than any other writing project is. If you need money Right Now, you need to be looking for a regular job, or a second job.

(You get a job like this by being in a packager's Rolodex when he's looking for a writer.)

Who's your publisher for the books you have coming out next year? Why not write a third book for them? With two books coming out you might be able to sell a book on a proposal to them and get your on-signing money. Which still won't be quick.

[Carol Kluz]

Hi Petunia,
One thing you can do is set up a webpage advertising the fact you are ghostwriter, what topics you are interested in, and how people can contact you. Then you need to do some web marketing like submitting the site to search engines, directories, and writer sites. If you already have a site for your upcoming books, it could be an extention of that site with a click through button that says Ghostwiriting Available.
Good luck,
Kaz

[Petunia Wiley]

Thanks both of you.

I actually just found an ad for a project EXACTLY like what I want, so cross your fingers for me.

James, it's not that I think ghostwriting would be easier than any other job. In fact I have a regular editing gig right now for quick rent money. The hours are very flexible. I can pick up as many shifts as I need to. Ghostwriting appeals to me because I like the satisfaction of organizing and completing a long-term project on deadline.

It makes finishing those half-done novels seem, uh, possible!

And I haven't thought up another nonfiction idea to pitch. I'm thinking about it...but I may as well wait until the first book comes out and sells (please, god).

I will ask my agent though.

[Owen Platt]

Hi Petunia,

I must agree with James Cameron that it is better to take a job, any job, to pay the rent whilst you are awaiting the results of your publications. I have worked as a ghost writer for over twenty years and finding clients is more difficult than finding an agent, I can assure you! Recently I have established a website at www.ghostwriter.org.uk but this is mainly in response to the question from potential clients " Do you have a website?" rather than from any expectation of it generating much in the way of business.

Ideally you should try to find work somewhere within the publishing or printing industry as this is invaluable experience. I think most professional writers have slaved away in the lower echelons of the business before becoming established. I worked as an advertising copywriter for many years until I could stand it no longer and even now I have to smooth out the bumps in the financial road by doing editing work for a small London publisher, so I think your present part-time job is a good one.

If you are really interested in "ghost writing" material for others, I think you should broaden your horizons - the genres (I hate that word!) you mention are not ones I would have thought of as being much in need of ghosting. You really have to take what you can get, from after dinner speeches onwards and most of the substantial work in this field comes from biographies, pseudo autobiographies, company and family histories.

One final thought. Your agent should be able to negotiate some form of advance for you from your forthcoming books to keep the wolf from the door.

Anyway, good luck, and remember that Charles Dickens once worked in a shoe blacking factory (he was only twelve years old at the time, though).

Owen Platt.