Someone asked me to ghostwrite her autobiography

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   Painted Seahorseposted 13 years ago

   I'm very excited that a lady I know from my painting class called me today and asked if I would be able to ghostwrite her autobiography. I've already heard her incredible life story as a heart transplant receiver. She says she can easily talk about the events in her life but wouldn't know how to put it in writing in an engaging narrative style. She knows that I just got my MA in professional writing, and I've been looking for an opportunity like this for a while.
   
   I hoped that some people here would be able to offer some tips and advice about the whole thing. This will be my first time ghostwriting and working on project like this. It's not like writing my thesis, where I didn't have to worry about letting down a client. Also, there's the issue of payment. What are some of the best ways to work out a payment arrangement--an hourly rate, by the word rate, a flat rate?
   
   If anyone could help me out I would be very thankful.

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      Enelle Lambposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You could maybe check out Patty Inglish - she is a freelance writer and might have some tips. You could also check out rmr ( BT Evilpants) as he is also a freelance writer and could give you some solid tips as well.

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         Painted Seahorseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I will, thanks!

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      ShortStoryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Be aware that it can become a very time-consuming project and negotiate your compensation accordingly.
      
      Also be aware that people - understandably - take their own life story very personally and as a result you will find a lot of negotiating over content, tone, and editing.

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