YOUR BOOK , YOUR, YOUR VOICE, YOUR WAY

.Ghostwriting: isn't that cheating?

Writing is a gift, but let's face it: not all smart, capable people are blessed with it. Some need help expressing their thoughts and ideas clearly in writing so that others can understand and benefit from their message. However, ghostwriting is not just a service for the writing-challenged; the opposite is true. When an author, such as an entrepreneur, requires writing assistance, they sometimes hire a ghostwriter to create an entire manuscript based on specific ideas and directives. The author might be an expert in the subject matter and even a competent writer, but due to lack of time, they cannot write an entire book themselves, so they hire a ghostwriter to do it for them.

Editing: why do I need a human to do it if there is spell-check?

Edit. This spooky little word can strike fear into the hearts of writers of any genre. But editors are more than spelling and grammar checkers; they are dissecologists of words. A dissectologist is a person who loves puzzles. Most editors love to write, but they love piecing together words, paragraphs and pages into a story even more. A good editor can help even the most gifted writers with plot development, character-building, continuity, and voice.

Editing encompasses more than just fixing mistakes; it is an art and a rare opportunity to enter the writer's secret world and help perfect their message to send out into the world. For an author to succeed, readers must empathize with the story and characters and establish a personal connection with them, so seeing things from the reader's perspective is part of the unique skillset of an editor that comes in handy.

Ghostwriter + Editor = Ghost Editor

Not all ghostwriters write the whole enchilada for you. While a ghostwriter constructs a book from the ground up for the author, a ghost editor helps to transform an author's rough draft into a polished, publishable work. Also referred to as "book doctoring," ghost editing combines ghostwriting and developmental editing into one service as a succinct creative writing and revising process, offering a holistic approach to refining a raw or unfinished manuscript. Ghost editors assist authors with rewrites (usually by chapter) and collaborate closely throughout the manuscript editing process. Like the ghostwriter, a ghost editor is not given formal credit unless explicitly stated in the contract. No matter how much (or how little) a manuscript is revised, it is still presented as the author's work. Other benefits of using a ghostie are that they keep authors on track with deadlines and sometimes double as a pseudo-psychologist to help dissipate an author's doubts about their writing prowess, soothing the fear of the other two most dreaded words known to writers: writer's block.

If you're a fiction writer with great ideas for story building in your mind but only a rough sketch on paper, a ghost editor can help fill in the gaps by working with you to transform those crafty ideas into a cohesive, entertaining story. Nonfiction writers often have compelling information to share with the world but may not possess the skills required to organize and write it in a way that will resonate with readers. A ghost editor can help both types of authors bring their vision to full fruition.

What is a mimid-style ghost editor or writer?

The real challenge of editing lies in creating a seamless transition between the editor's revisions and the author's original writing. The editor's changes must not interfere with the originality of the author's voice or differ significantly from it, as it would be visibly noticeable to readers. An adept ghost editor can "mimic" a writer's style and voice almost perfectly. I refer to this editing style as a mimid or "mockingbird" style. Mimid is plural for "Mimidae," a family of birds of which mockingbirds are a part. They can remember and replicate the songs of other birds in their natural environment. But they do not take over the other birds' songs and make them their own; they return to their own unique melody. Pretty cool, yeah?

There's no shame in your author game.

Let us dispel the myth that collaborative help diminishes writers' authorship or creative vision. Many bestselling novelists use ghostwriters and editing teams behind the scenes while the author maintains creative control and ownership. The goal is to produce the best possible book through cooperation and blending of talents. Think of a ghost editor as a skilled surgeon, their scalpel as a pen and your manuscript as the patient. Whether your penchant is for fiction or nonfiction, a ghost editor can help "heal" your manuscript and prepare it for publication!

Do you have a story that needs to be told? Have people always told you that you should write a book? If so, contact me at yourbookishways@gmail.com.

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What to look for in a "ghostie"

A ghost editor must be able to identify the voice and style of the author and "mimic" it effectively. This is a skill that is unique to ghost editors. Think of a mockingbird: it can mimic hundreds of different sounds in its natural environment, so much so that it is hard to determine if it is authentic or an imitation.

They should be very process—and deadline-driven. The ghost editor is responsible for keeping the author on track and message.

A ghostie should have excellent communication skills, including proficiency in different types of media (Zoom, email, phone, in-person).

They should always hold to the spirit of collaboration and partnership. A ghost editor makes suggestions and edits, but the author always has the final say.

A ghost editor should always require a contract outlining all the particulars of the work, the time frame, the cost, etc. This is for the protection of both parties.

Interested in learning how a ghost editor could help your manuscript?