How My Ghostwriting Process Works
If you’re considering hiring a ghostwriter for a memoir or other nonfiction book, you should know exactly how the process works before making any decisions. My approach is structured, transparent, and designed to produce a publication-ready manuscript that reflects your voice and your story.
My Fee
Unless you anticipate your book being significantly different from the norm (much longer, for instance, or perhaps requiring lots of research), you can expect a fee of $45,000.* Please note that I split this fee evenly over the length of time I anticipate it will take to write the book. Eight months? Eight equal monthly payments.
My Process
Once the agreement is signed, we’ll start with me gathering all the information I need to write a very detailed outline. This will become the framework for your book. I recommend we do this in person and I’ll come to where you are at my expense. (Please don’t hire a ghostwriter who’s unwilling to do this for you!) Would you rather come to me? Greenville, South Carolina is a beautiful city with a walkable downtown, wonderful restaurants and boutiques, a vibrant arts scene, and fascinating museums – all just a short Uber ride from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. If you’d prefer to come here, I’ll put you up for two nights (my treat) at the elegant and historic Westin Poinsett right on Main Street, and very close to my office.
Once the outline is completed, we’ll conference regularly by phone and communicate by email as I compose the book step by step, chapter by chapter. I won’t move on to the next chapter until you’re satisfied with the previous one. We’ll stick to a schedule and have your book completed in a reasonable time frame, typically within six to eight months.
Publishing Your Book
When we’re done, I’ll even self-publish the book for you. I’ll take you all the way through the publishing process and even throw in the first 25 copies of the finished book! Your book will be made available to Amazon and wherever books are sold. Finally, I’ll arrange (at my expense) for a professional author website to be created for you, giving readers a place to learn more about you and your book.
If this sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to hear from you! Let’s Connect.
Not sure? I understand. Hiring a ghostwriter is a big decision. In some cases, I’m willing to travel to meet prospective clients before a decision is made. We’ll spend a half day discussing your story, and afterward I’ll prepare a detailed outline for your book. Then—and only then—you can decide whether you’d like to move forward. The only thing I ask is that you cover my travel expenses (up to $1,000). If you decide to hire me, I’ll credit that amount toward your project. If not, we’ll part as friends and you can keep the outline. Contact me to see if this would be an appropriate first step for us.
* Looking for something more affordable? If you’re considering writing your memoir, you might want to check out my online memoir instruction course. Just $495.00!
Further questions? Check out my FAQ page.
Also, please feel free to download my FREE guide, “How Ghostwriting Works: A Guide for First-Time Authors.”
Discover what other services I offer.
“I wanted to write my memoirs but had no idea where to start. I had forty-year-old notes and pages and reminders all over the place. After speaking with Jerry, I felt relieved. He said, ‘This is what I do. I’ll help you organize and write your book.’ And he did. He was easy to work with. Never complained about any change I wanted and we were always on schedule. Today we have a remarkably well written book ready to publish.”
—Marcelle Guy, Ellevie
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“Choosing Jerry was the best decision I could have made. Jerry was easy to talk to and able to write in such a way that it sounded exactly like me. He understood what I wanted to get across. He just ‘got it.’ I can’t praise Jerry enough for his willingness to work at my pace and on my schedule so that the process moved smoothly for me. He made it seem effortless.”
—Warren Kinzer, One Man’s Struggle with Obesity and the Surgery that Saved his Life
“Jerry’s engaging and easygoing manner made it easy to establish a genuine sense of trust with him. His professionalism kept the project moving along and was not only helpful but very encouraging. Jerry possesses a keen sense of timing, along with sensitivity to the subject matter that made the task both meaningful and enjoyable.”
—Volina Cross, Getting Honest
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“Each time someone dies, a library burns.” —Jandy Nelson
A couple common questions:
You do. There will be no mention of me as ghostwriter.
Yep. My ghostwriting contract includes a confidentiality clause. Your secrets are safe with me. I am Your Confidential Ghostwriter!
Further questions? Check out my Frequently Asked Questions page.