Frequently Asked Questions

Writing

What writing services do you offer?

I offer ghostwriting, content writing and copywriting services. Ghostwriting is the process of writing a manuscript (fiction, non-fiction or memoir/biography) for a client to publish under their own name. Content writing is writing that is aimed to inform or educate, such as blog posts, journals and articles. Copywriting is writing with the purpose to sell or advertise something, such as website content, social media posts and blog posts.

Is ghostwriting legal?

Yes, ghostwriting is 100% legal. There are no two ways about it. Ghostwriting is a professional career path. While some would argue that it is unethical, I would argue otherwise. Ghostwriters are hired for their expertise and support an individual through the process of translating their stories, experiences or knowledge into writing. Ghostwriters are paid a fee in exchange for their service. It is all above board and completely irrevocably legal, so please don’t panic.

The exception would be if you hire a ghostwriter to write your academic essays or the like, which is naughty. Don’t do that.

Should I hire a ghostwriter?

The short answer is ‘maybe’. There are so many reasons why you would choose to hire a ghostwriter. Here are some reasons…

• You don’t have the time to write.
• You struggle with writing or don’t enjoy writing.
• You struggle to find the right words to communicate your ideas.
• You have reached a roadblock in your story and don’t know how to overcome it.

If you’re not sure, reach out and ask. We’re a friendly bunch, I promise.

How does ghostwriting work?

This is a complicated question. Essentially, ghostwriting can be whatever you want it to be. The basics boil down to this… I gain the relevant information from my client. I write the manuscript and then hand it back to the client for their feedback. From here, I go back and make any necessary changes. However, each aspect of this process can (and should) be personalised. For example, Client A might want the project to be broken down into smaller sections – this way they can review and provide feedback throughout the project, whereas Client B would simply like one delivery when the manuscript is completed. Client A might wish to provide the information for the project via an interview, whereas Client B would like to provide an in depth outline instead. From start to finish, the process can be adapted to meet your unique needs.

Can a ghostwriter finish a manuscript I’ve already started?

Yes, this is fairly common in the world of ghostwriting. A lot of times, clients may get partway through a project and decide, for whatever reason, that they would like a ghostwriter to complete it. Maybe they suddenly got busy or they’ve come across a manuscript that they abandoned a while ago. Completing already-started projects is well within the remit of a ghostwriter. I’ve even had clients who have hired me to write a chapter here and there to get them back on the right track and out of a case of writer’s block. So, whether your manuscript is one chapter in or only has one chapter left, ghostwriters can support with this.

How common is ghostwriting?

More common than you might think. It’s a difficult thing to judge because of the nature of ghostwriting – the ghostwriters are meant to be ghosts. Many of them sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) so they are not allowed to speak about specific projects they’ve worked on. Previously, when you came across a famous person’s memoir it was fairly easy to tell who hired a ghostwriter and who didn’t. Nowadays it is getting trickier to tell, as people from all backgrounds are choosing to hire ghostwriters in order to get their stories out there, not just the rich and famous. The rise of self-publishing has brought with it a wave of work for ghostwriters as it is easier than ever to get your book in front of the intended audience.

Do I need a copywriter or content writer?

Repeat after me, copywriters advertise. Content writers inform. In the world of writing, there are so many different words and titles that sound like they should be the same job but aren’t. It’s a learning curve, but you’ll get there.

How much do ghostwriters charge?

How long is a piece of string? The price of a ghostwriter depends on so many different factors. For example, my prices have increased drastically since I first started ghostwriting about four years ago. As my knowledge base and experience grew, so did my prices. The more experienced a person is, the more you can expect to pay. The parameters of the project will also impact the costs too. For example, memoirs tend to be more expensive than self-help books due to the time-consuming nature of gathering the relevant information. As a general rule of thumb, I charge per 1000 words for ghostwriting and it is between £30-90 depending on the nature of the project. Some projects are far more simple than others, and therefore have a cheaper rate. Please reach out to me if you’d like a quote for a specific project – I am always more than happy to provide no-obligation quotes.

How long does it take to ghostwrite a book?

Again, it depends on a number of different factors. If a client wishes to be involved throughout (which I always welcome) a project would take longer to complete because you are working around two people’s timetables. However, if a project is a straightforward manuscript of 60-70k words with one delivery based on a detailed outline, I usually say around six weeks once started. Remember, a ghostwriter isn’t just writing the book, they’re also editing, proofreading and sometimes formatting too.

Editing

What editing services do you offer?

I offer all types of editing based on a client’s specific needs: proofreading, copy-editing, line-editing, and developmental editing. Proofreading is a review of the final draft of a manuscript (or the proof) to ensure consistency and accuracy in grammar, spelling, punctuation and formatting. Copy-editing is an edit that addresses technical flaws, ensuring that the writing on the page adheres to industry standards of grammar, punctuation and spelling. Line-editing focuses on the creative content, writing style and language and, in essence, assesses whether the writer communicates what they intended to say in the best way possible. Developmental editing is the big one. This is a thorough and in depth review of the whole manuscript, encompassing all aspects of writing.

What is the difference between editing and proofreading?

A proofread is the final read through of a completed piece of copy. In theory, there should be no errors to find as they should have been caught in previous editing. Editing covers line-, copy- and developmental editing which all come before a final proofread.

What type of editing do I need?

You’ve finished your manuscript and you’re not sure what to do next, the first step is to send it off to a developmental editor. The developmental editor looks at everything, from characterisation to your style of writing. They will make recommendations and provide action points for you to apply to your manuscript. Once you’ve done this, it’s time for a copy-edit.  Some copy-editors do a line-edit at the same time. Why not do it all at once? Often, the two roles are so intertwined that you may as well do both at the same time anyway. A copy-editor will provide a marked-up version of your document back for you to edit, or they will have edited it for you (this will be discussed initially). Once you’ve actioned their points, you will format the manuscript for print/e-book and it is at this stage it would be sent to a proofreader. If your resources are limited, skip a developmental editor and go straight for a copy-edit. I understand, especially in self-publishing, that funds can be limited and a copy-editor will get you the best value for money.

How much do editors charge?

The price for an edit depends on the length of the document, the type of edit and the experience/qualifications of the editor. A proofread will be far cheaper than a developmental edit, for example. The price would also depend upon the quality of the initial manuscript. If you, as an author, have self-edited as much as possible and the manuscript is in pretty decent condition, it will be cheaper than if you just handed an editor a manuscript that hadn’t been through any edits at all. For a full-length manuscript (70k words), you could be looking at anything from about £500 to £6000 depending on the manuscript itself. The best thing to do is to share your manuscript and ask for a quote and remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best deal.

How long does it take to edit a book?

A straightforward proofread can be done in a couple of days. A full developmental edit can take weeks. If you have a strict deadline, discuss this with your editor when you reach out and they’ll be able to advise what is doable and what isn’t.

Do I need to hire an editor for my book?

At the very least, please hire a proof-reader. You see it all the time in both self-published books and traditionally published books, silly little errors that have slipped by. There will likely always be an error or two in a completed book, but errors on every page are difficult to ignore as a reader. If you’re only going to do one thing, hire a proofreader to do a final read through of your manuscript once you’ve formatted it ready for publication, they always catch something, I promise.

Other

Can you design the cover for my book?

This isn’t a service that I offer. However, I can point you in the direction of where you can find some awesomely talented cover designers.

Can you support me to publish my book?

While I am no expert at the publication side of things, I can help you reach out to agents and support you through self-publishing. I want your book to be successful and I will do what I can to help you out with your next steps.

What qualifications do you have?

Formally, I have a 1:1 BA Hons in Education (with Qualified Teacher Status). I received the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement for receiving one of the highest grades of my graduating year group. I studied my MA in Education, for which I achieved a distinction, while working as a teacher. Since leaving teaching, I am continually undergoing further training in both writing and editing through a variety of different platforms. Continuing professional development is something I take very seriously- both formally and informally.  

Do you work on more than one project at a time?

I work on multiple projects at once for a number of reasons. Realistically speaking, if you’re self-employed this is something you have to do. I tend to have one or two big ghostwriting/editing projects on the go at once, while also working on some smaller proofreading or content/copywriting projects too. You can rest assured that while I am working on your project, it has my full attention.