Ghostwriting and Editing: An Exposé by William Hammett: November 2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

Beware of Ghostwriting Companies

I have been concerned with ghostwriting scams for many years and have tried to address the problem in articles written for online watchdog sites (e.g. Preditors and Editors). I also maintain a "Ghostwriting Scam" page on my professional website at William Hammett: Independent Ghostwriter Regrettably, most people are drawn to ghostwriting companies because the corporate status would seem to offer success and professionalism, especially in light of the exaggerated claims made on most of these websites.

I cannot make the hasty generalization that all ghostwriting companies are bad, although I can say that I have talked with writers used by some of these companies and am well aware of the unethical practices they use. I am also aware that many, if not a majority, of writers used by these companies are people trying to moonlight or break into writing. They have little or no experience in producing a quality full-length manuscript--or any manuscript at all.

Many ghostwriting companies subcontract work out to one or more writers who live around the country. There is usually no stable of allegedly bestselling authors sitting in a large New York City office waiting for assignments. (There are a few notable exceptions, and these firms can be identified by their obvious transparency and professional demeanor.) I've been to New York and know for a certainty that the "staff" is usually a secretary or "screener" who relays calls to people who refer potential clients to writers around the country. A "closer" usually seals the deal, although this person is rarely the writer who will handle the project.

I have also been allowed to listen to calls made to these companies, and potential clients are given a sales pitch. They are encouraged regardless of how flimsy and unmarketable their projects may be. They are also told that the publishing industry wants short books of no more than 200-250 pages (an outright lie). Furthermore, potential clients are usually told that the more they pay, the better writer they will receive, and this alone shows how little these companies care about a client's project.

I'll have a lot more to say about ghostwriting scams in future posts. Until then, caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.

~William Hammett

Contact wmhammett@aol.com

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Thursday, November 29, 2012

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The Exceptions: Great Ghostwriters and Editors

It is important to note that there are many talented ghostwriters and editors around the world, online and off. They are an important part of the publishing industry, and they are frequently used by publishers and literary agents. Indeed, many are (or have become) bestselling authors in their own right, and more than a few published writers ghostwrite in their spare time. The content of this website does imply that all ghostwriters and editors produce mediocre or poor work.

~William Hammett

wmhammett@aol.com

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This blog features articles on the decline in professionalism in the online ghostwriting and editing industries. I have read the work produced by ghostwriting firms and private contractors (freelance writers and editors) and am appalled at the grammatical errors and stylistic incompetence in the writing and editing of a vast majority of those who claim to be professional ghostwriters and editors. Some writers and editors possess little or no training. Others, while possessing decent academic credentials and having completed several writing and editing jobs, nevertheless produce work that is extremely poor in quality.

This blog will examine these online industries and discuss the nature of the work produced and the possible reasons behind such bad work. It will also discuss outright scams that take advantage of people ignorant of what constitutes good writing, as well the practices and standards of the literary marketplace.

I hope you will read these articles before you pay fees to online writers and editors. You wouldn't go to just any doctor, and if you want quality writing, you need to know what to look for--and when to recognize red flags. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Please note that there are some ghostwriting companies that offer honest services and quality staff. You are encouraged to research companies thoroughly.

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William Hammett

My name is William Hammett, and I have a Masters degree in English and thirty graduate hours in Education. I am trained in editing, writing, textual analysis, proofreading, and research.

I taught literature and writing at high schools, colleges, and universities for twenty-two years. I also edited newsletters, wrote promotional literature for Tulane University's Graduate School of Business, wrote newspaper articles, and gave lectures on the manuscript submission process and finding literary agents. For two years, I was owner and CEO of Inklings Manuscript Review Service, Inc.

I have written novels, short stories, and poetry for the past thirty-five years. Poetry and short stories have appeared in dozens of literary journals (hard copy) and e-zines. I have written eight novels under my own name and written and edited numerous books for my ghostwriting clients, both fiction and nonfiction.

If you wish to see samples of my work and learn more about my career, please visit my official ghostwriting website by clicking the link at the top of the right sidebar.

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If you wish to contact me or query about ghostwriting or editing your book, please use the address below or visit my official ghostwriting website (link in sidebar at upper right). Thanks for stopping by!

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