The websites for ghostwriting companies just keep getting more and more complex, especially if you are not familiar with publishing. Claims are made about books that have been successfully self-published but in actuality have no affiliation with the ghostwriting company. The company is just using an example to try to lure people into self-publishing with them. You have to put on your reading glasses and look at the fine print. It should be criminal--and probably is--to use a title in advertisements when the advertiser had nothing to do with the writing, printing, or publication of a book. Ghostwriting companies get away with this practice because the books are mentioned as examples of what has happened in the published industry.
Do published authors ghostwrite? Sure, but what about bestselling authors and other prize winners? Just think for a minute. You're a wealthy, world-famous author, but you're going to work for a few thousand dollars as a subcontractor for a ghostwriting company that is really a Print-on-Demand company. Does this sound plausible?
Some companies claim that their books have become blockbuster movies. Look up the movie title, however, and you won't find it. And then there are the claims that books written or published by the company have sold thousands of copies in Barnes and Noble or on Amazon. Why aren't the titles available, however, when you walk into the store? On Amazon, how come no one has reviewed the book?
One company consistently talks about how mega-famous their clients have become. How come the company's website has so many grammatical errors? How come clients have brought me the company's work and asked me to correct all of the problems? How come the company can't produce a manuscript that correctly punctuates dialogue? How can people become mega-famous with poorly written work?
You might get a writer with some decent credentials, of course, if you want to pay $100,000, but otherwise you will be assigned a writer who probably isn't some bestselling literary guru. As I've said in other posts on this site, I personally know many of the writers who these self-proclaimed "leading companies" contact, and they are not bestselling, prize winning writers. Let me repeat that: I know many of the ghostwriters who companies contact, and they DO NOT have the credentials of these alleged bestselling authors who have put people on TV shows or into movies. They have NOT secured million dollar contracts with mainstream publishers.
And as I frequently like to ask: How come major literary agents, editors, and publishers never heard of a majority of these ghostwriting companies?
As always, do your homework and let the buyer beware. Don't just take my word for it. Go to Absolute Write Watercooler Forums and start checking these companies out. Also consult the top literary watchdog site at Preditors and Editors You'll find out the truth.
~ William Hammett
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Sunday, May 19, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Ghostwriting Companies: The Bait and Switch
Most ghostwriting companies do not put you into direct contact with the person who will write your book, assuming you sign their contract. (This is a great reason to hire only qualified independent ghostwriters with no corporate affiliations.) You usually have to talk to a sales rep and listen to a pitch about how great the company's reputation is. If you don't know much about publishing or writing, you will not know how much misinformation you are receiving.
Eventually you will be given the opportunity to talk with one or more writers. In some cases you get to choose the writer; in other cases, the writer is assigned to you. The problem develops when the more discriminating potential client asks too many questions or balks at signing on the dotted line. In this case, you will often be referred to a writer who will speak with you to hopefully allay your concerns and get you to commit. This person may even promise to write your book.
In all of the above scenarios, the bottom line is that the person you speak with is not the one who will necessarily end up writing your book. You will frequently be assigned a new or different writer once the contract is signed, a writer with far less experience than you thought you were getting for your dream project.
When dealing with corporate ghostwriting entities, you may not have the control you have when dealing with an independent ghostwriter. You may not know who or what you are getting. As we've discussed in other articles on this site, some of the writers simply aren't qualified. Work is subcontracted out to people whose credentials and experience are poor to mediocre in many cases. Let the buyer beware.
~ William Hammett
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Eventually you will be given the opportunity to talk with one or more writers. In some cases you get to choose the writer; in other cases, the writer is assigned to you. The problem develops when the more discriminating potential client asks too many questions or balks at signing on the dotted line. In this case, you will often be referred to a writer who will speak with you to hopefully allay your concerns and get you to commit. This person may even promise to write your book.
In all of the above scenarios, the bottom line is that the person you speak with is not the one who will necessarily end up writing your book. You will frequently be assigned a new or different writer once the contract is signed, a writer with far less experience than you thought you were getting for your dream project.
When dealing with corporate ghostwriting entities, you may not have the control you have when dealing with an independent ghostwriter. You may not know who or what you are getting. As we've discussed in other articles on this site, some of the writers simply aren't qualified. Work is subcontracted out to people whose credentials and experience are poor to mediocre in many cases. Let the buyer beware.
~ William Hammett
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Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Ghostwriting Companies: The Truth Behind the Websites
I must admit that I've seen a couple of legitimate ghostwriting and editing companies, companies that can openly and legitimately advertise who is on their staff and who they have worked with in the past, their clients usually being high-profile business personnel, politicians, and celebrities--the movers and the shakers. The rest? I wouldn't pay a nickel for the services of these predatory companies.
Notice that a majority of the online ghostwriting companies do not give a single name of anyone they've worked for. (As a ghostwriter myself, I understand the need for confidentiality, but I always have clients--ghostwriting or editing--to use as references and whose published books I am able to put on my website.)
When you click on these websites, you read astounding claims about bestselling authors and books, fantastic publishing and marketing packages, and the names of major New York publishing houses. The ghostwriting companies never provide a single name or title, however, and all major publishing houses that I know of have never heard of these companies.
I have also talked with writers who have been hired to write books for the clients of these companies--they live around the country, not in New York or the city where the company is allegedly based--and the few reputable writers who got sucked into doing a project for one of these outfits said they were sued when they declined further jobs since the company was obviously a sham.
Unfortunately, people believe false claims and slick advertising. People call these companies, talk to representatives, and sign contracts, never having seen one validation of the original claims on the website.
What a waste of money.
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Notice that a majority of the online ghostwriting companies do not give a single name of anyone they've worked for. (As a ghostwriter myself, I understand the need for confidentiality, but I always have clients--ghostwriting or editing--to use as references and whose published books I am able to put on my website.)
When you click on these websites, you read astounding claims about bestselling authors and books, fantastic publishing and marketing packages, and the names of major New York publishing houses. The ghostwriting companies never provide a single name or title, however, and all major publishing houses that I know of have never heard of these companies.
I have also talked with writers who have been hired to write books for the clients of these companies--they live around the country, not in New York or the city where the company is allegedly based--and the few reputable writers who got sucked into doing a project for one of these outfits said they were sued when they declined further jobs since the company was obviously a sham.
Unfortunately, people believe false claims and slick advertising. People call these companies, talk to representatives, and sign contracts, never having seen one validation of the original claims on the website.
What a waste of money.
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Online Ghostwriting: Caveat Emptor
I am a ghostwriter, and yet I have to admit that online ghostwriting seems to be more of a scam than anything else. It seems to be true that people who cannot get published or find editorial jobs in the "real world" decide to hang out their shingles and proclaim themselves to be ghostwriters and editors. With some notable exceptions, I just don't see any real qualifications when I read the websites of ghostwriters and editors, and the same holds true when I read the resumes posted on the clearinghouse websites where many list their availability and services. Their phrasing is awkward and filled with grammatical errors. They charge very little for their services, and they brag about how they are never happy unless writing, juggling four, five--even six jobs at once.
The Internet is now filled with sites that "teach you the four easy steps" to take in order to become a ghostwriter or editor. Four easy steps? No, it's not that easy. You don't just build a website, find out what to charge, advertise, and begin writing. You need experience. I was trained as a writer, teacher, and editor in graduate school and then edited, wrote, published, and learned about the literary marketplace for decades before I ever considered charging for my services. To do otherwise is unconscionable. Being a good writer or editor doesn't mean that you wrote good term papers, proofread copy for your last employer, or helped a friend write a book.
No one should charge another person money for ghostwriting or editing services unless he or she has had professional training and years of experience, including knowledge of the publishing industry. When hiring a ghostwriter or editor, caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.
~William Hammett
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The Internet is now filled with sites that "teach you the four easy steps" to take in order to become a ghostwriter or editor. Four easy steps? No, it's not that easy. You don't just build a website, find out what to charge, advertise, and begin writing. You need experience. I was trained as a writer, teacher, and editor in graduate school and then edited, wrote, published, and learned about the literary marketplace for decades before I ever considered charging for my services. To do otherwise is unconscionable. Being a good writer or editor doesn't mean that you wrote good term papers, proofread copy for your last employer, or helped a friend write a book.
No one should charge another person money for ghostwriting or editing services unless he or she has had professional training and years of experience, including knowledge of the publishing industry. When hiring a ghostwriter or editor, caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.
~William Hammett
contact wmhammett@aol.com
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