We’ve had mystery writers, sci-fi and fantasy writers, and on and one.  But today is the first time we’ve had a professional ghost writer.  Nearly ten years ago, Karen Cole became Executive Director of Rainbow Writing, Inc., a company ready to handle any type of ghost writing a person wanted.  In 2011, the company changed names to become Ghost Writer, Inc. and continues to handle stories, novels, scripts, songs – whatever is needed.  Today, Karen tells us what it’s like to be a ghost writer.

 What’s the Life of a Ghost Writer Like?

By Karen Cole

Well, the answer to that question is truly manifold. There are a lot of perks to being a screenplay, music and book ghost writer, including but not just limited to the money. A lot of people seem to think ghost writers are crooks or millionaires of some kind, and in fact this is not true in most cases; but online ghost writers do generally make some decent money nowadays. I and most other ghosts charge in advance during the course of completion of a project, and this ensures that we get paid. Some ghosts charge “on spec” or per speculation – in other words, a percentage payment – but usually there’s too much risk involved for a ghost writer to take on these projects.

Other perks include: being able to set your own hours and schedules; being able to take off weekends or any other days or times you want; being selective when it comes to clients – I used to take on “flaky” clients but barely do that anymore; taking your portable work with you. This latter is made easy with the help of a notebook computer. And any “down” time that I have at home, I can make up for at the local library when it comes to answering my business email. I use two computers, a desktop and a notebook, so I usually don’t have much to worry about pertaining to downtime. I replace my computer equipment every couple of years, and I update my writing related software very frequently, always getting the latest copy of Word, etc.

It’s nice to be in the vanguard, in fact, when it comes to social networking and software updates. I try out beta versions from time to time, but they’re really not that much help to me as a book ghost writer. In our case, I also offer services related to ghost writing, such as book and screenplay marketing and promotions services, and ghost writing services related to book and screenplay publication, optioning and production, all for very affordable prices. It is my ongoing dream to be affordable enough for the general public to be able to pay for our ghost writing services. As to social networks, I have a great, steadily growing presence on Facebook, Twitter and also LinkedIn, plus good marks on Klout and many other social networking sites. It pays when you’re a ghost writer to keep abreast of everything new, and to have a varied and interesting, involved social network where you interact with people, such as Google Plus.

I would also say that ghost writing stretches the limits of my imagination. I don’t have to come up with my own ideas so much, except when I need to do background research or fill in characterizations, scenes etc. in a book, so I don’t have to worry at all about the infamous “writer’s block.” And I’m always learning new things from my clients, who vary widely and wildly from person to person. I have worked on subjects as diverse as English horse racing, the Holocaust, dating love triangles, the human brain, and home party sales. Every day there is something new to look forward to in my email box.

I suggest to anyone who wants to become a ghost writer that they get a degree in some form of English or the language they will be primarily writing in, and then get published under their own name as a freelance writer several times to get together an appropriate background portfolio. Then you can get a few free or low-cost jobs as a ghost writer through your own advertising and/or through websites such as Freelancer and Guru. These jobs don’t pay much but will establish your online credibility as a ghost writer. Have some books under your own name featured on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and eventually get some books ghost written and featured there, under your clients’ names. It can also help to ghost write several professional reviews, especially on Amazon. Making industry and private connections is important for word-of-mouth references, and getting your name and/or the name of your ghost writing service out online.

 Write articles and publish them at services such as Ezine Articles, again under your own name, and you can write articles as a ghost writer for several online freelance writing services for pay as well. Then once you have a strong Internet presence, set up your own ghost writing website, featuring links to your portfolio and your resume or CV on display. You can also write to literary agents and publishers, offering your services as a regular ghost writer on staff for them. There are many self-publishing firms who hire ghost writers for their services, and many of them pay remarkably well for fairly small quantities of work. But they insist on some rapid turnaround times, so be sure to be fast on your feet when it comes to service delivery. You can soon be a happy ghost writer with regular work from many returning clients, if you play all your cards right!

Thanks, Karen for enlightening us.  For those wanting more information on Ghost writing, visit the website at http://www.rainbowriting.com/ghostwriterservices.htm

You can also find her at Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/ghostwriterwriting

and on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bookghostwriter

Let’s hear your thoughts on this subject.  Thanks.