What do I do now??!

[a.j. atlanta]

My dad recently met a couple that have spent the last 15+ years sailing around the world. He mentioned to them that I might be interested in writing a book about them. I love the idea, but I am not sure how to start this process off.

Does anyone know anything about these kinds of arrangements i.e. ghost writing? co-writing? me exclusively writing it? How does that work financially? Legally? Also, I have a "meeting/call" set up to talk with them on Saturday--how do you even begin asking them about their story? Any ideas?

[Cathy C]

Well, the first thing you need to decide is what you want out of the deal. Most ghost writers have one of two arrangements: 1) They receive a flat fee, up front, to write the book to the subject's specifications; or 2) They receive a smaller "advance", as well as a percentage of the future royalties.

You'll need a written agreement that specifies what you will and won't do. It'll need to discuss what's "off the record," because often what happens is that they'll be wonderfully candid about adventures and then later think better of it, and refuse to let you use the information. That can cause problems for the writer--especially when it's the spectacular and strange that might get the book sold.

Then, you'll need to decide what happens next. Will you ONLY be a writer, and will turn the manuscript over to them at the end to publish or not, at their preference? Or will you be both writer and seller--where you'll be the one finding a publisher and hoping to get a sale? These decisions make a HUGE difference in what you should charge.

There are a number of great books out there on ghost writing. Wander over to Amazon or Google and do a search. You should pick one or two of them up in the bookstore or library and read them cover to cover before you decide to go much further. It's better to be safe and slow than speedy and in a fix.

Good luck!

[Roscoe Barnes III]

Sounds like an exciting opportunity.

My favorite book on the subject is "Ghostwriting for Fun and Profit" by Eva Shaw, Ph.D.

It should answer most of your questions.

Roscoe