Everyone has a story to tell. There are even some who think there’s a great American novel in each of us.
There’s probably a lot of truth to that, but it takes a lot more than a story idea to be successful in self-publishing. First, one must have a story that’s unique. At the very least, one needs to be able to tell a familiar story in a way that sets it apart from the thousands that came before. This is where everything can go sideways.
We all have a story to tell, but we don’t all have the means with which to tell it: time, patience, skill. … These are the very characteristics that make a professional ghostwriter such a valuable asset to the aspiring author. If you have a great idea for a book but there are too many hurdles to cross, hiring a ghostwriter might be your best bet for a number of reasons:
- It saves you time. Writers spend hours every week, or even daily, penning their ideas, refining their story, rewriting, proofreading and rewriting again. It is a huge time commitment. That alone is the deal-breaker for a lot of would-be authors. A ghostwriter can take over everything from a small portion of the work to the entire project, leaving you free to earn at your day job, promote and market, or dream up your next great idea.
- It could save or make you money. While ghostwriting services are not cheap, they are a good value. First, the more well-written your initial manuscript is, the less you must pay a copy editor to review and fix errors, continuity issues and story problems. Also, a so-so book doesn’t stand much of a chance of selling; however, a book that is expertly crafted by a professional wordsmith can very quickly engage readers, create a buzz among book-buyers and gain valuable word-of-mouth (which translates into increased sales).
- You benefit from an experienced storyteller’s skill. Often, an author has a knack for interesting plots, but can’t quite muster the right words to bring that story and its characters to life. This is an area in which a talented ghostwriter excels! They can take a storyline and build a tangible, colorful universe around it — a universe readers will want to visit time and time again.
- You improve your odds of getting reviewed — and getting positive reviews. You only have moments to get and keep a reader’s attention, and no one is harder to “catch” than a book critic. Ghostwriters are experienced storytellers. They’re bread and butter — their very reason for being — is placing words into gripping arrangements, crafted for the express purpose of hooking readers. That skill can get positive attention from readers and critics alike, putting your “baby” on the map.
- You gain an inspiring partner. Writing is usually a lonely process — but it doesn’t have to be. Creative people benefit greatly from the collaborative process. We bounce around ideas with other creative thinkers and gain a whole new perspective on our work. Well, you can’t get a better partner in the writing process than a professional writer. They represent fresh eyes, and they usually come into a ghostwriting project prepared with plenty of inspiring ideas to get your creative juices flowing anew.
Still not sure ghostwriting is right for you? There’s very little risk in looking into this service. Most professional ghostwriters are happy to work with a prospective author to determine their needs, budget, timeline and style. If the project is a good fit for you and your ghostwriter, a professional ghostwriter could be, dollar for dollar, the smartest hiring decision you make!
Do you have a book idea, but need help bringing it to life? Let Outskirts Press put you in touch with a professional ghostwriter to get your project moving!
