1. What is ghostwriting?
A: Ghostwriting is when we write the book for you. This is an option for many clients
who are too busy to write the books themselves or who do not have the expertise or
organizational skills to turn their ideas into marketable books. We ghostwrite for
our clients based on interviews with the clients, so we make sure we are writing
something in keeping with the client's thoughts, ideas and interests. We also use
the client's notes, if available, as well as any relevant research the client may
have.
2. What part of the book creation process do you handle?
A: We can handle one part or every part of the process. It's up to you. We can write
the book for you (ghostwriting). If you already have a book written, we can edit
it for you. We can design the inside of the book, as well as its cover. We can take
care of securing your ISBN, barcode, Library of Congress Cataloging Number and other
technical details to ensure your book is eligible to be stocked by bookstores and
libraries. We can solicit great rates from quality printers. We can oversee the printing
process. In short, we can take your thoughts and turn them into a book that is delivered
straight to your doorstep.
3. What is the process you use to write books?
A: We use several information-gathering techniques. Our staff includes former journalists
(newspaper reporters and editors), so we are quite familiar with information-gathering.
We use interviews with clients, interviews with secondary sources, historical documents
the client may have, notes from the client, research by the client and other tools,
as needed. Before writing the book, we discuss with the client the goals of the project
and what the client hopes to accomplish. After we've gathered the information, we
write the book based on the client's stated goals and the material we have collected.
Once the manuscript is finished, we send it to the client for review. From there,
we make revisions and then design the interior of the book and its cover, as well
as handle the rest of the production details.
4. Does this mean you will publish the book for me?
A: We are not listed as your book's publisher, you are. We simply do the work to
make it all happen, but you get the credit. You can think of us as your behind-the-scenes
team. We handle the publication process, but at the end of the project, you are listed
as the publisher, with all the benefits that come with that ― including all the profits
from the sale of the book. You don't have to split your profits with us. The book
is yours, free and clear.
5. Will I be able to have creative control of my project?
A: Yes. We are very clear about whose project this is. It is yours. Period. That
means you get to review our work and approve what we have done, or request changes,
all in keeping with the letter of agreement you sign. If you request a change that
does not help your project or that would actually harm it, we will tell you and explain
why your change would be harmful and from there, we will offer an alternative.
6. How much does all this cost?
A: Writing a book is a time-consuming process and writing one that is marketable
is an exercise in skill and expertise. We take our work seriously and set aside the
appropriate time to ensure your project is done in a quality way. Your book project
is an investment in your dream, business and future. Each project is different, so
fees can greatly vary. Project rates start at $10,000.
7. How are payments handled?
A: A 5 percent discount is available on projects paid in full up front. Usual payment
terms are half payment up front, with balance to be paid in monthly installments.
Payment is accepted by check or credit card.
8. Do you take on all book projects that come your way?
A: No. We take on book projects at our discretion, based on how we feel we can help.
We do not take on pornographic projects, nor do we take on those we feel have no
commercial or redeeming value. We take on projects we feel we can make marketable.
We take on clients we feel we can have good and positive working relationships with
and whose work we can enhance.
9. What if I don't live near you? Can you still write my book?
A: Absolutely. We have clients all over the country, many of whom we've never met
face-to-face. Thanks for our information-gathering techniques and reporting expertise,
we can write books without ever having a face-to-face meeting.
10. How long does it take for you to write a book?
A: Each project is different. Some projects take three or four months. Others take
six or seven months. It all depends on the needs of the project, availability of
the client for interviews, schedule, etc.
11. How do I sign on?
A: Signing on is easy. Just e-mail Monica Tagore at monica@rootskycreative.com, and
tell her about your project. She will get you a quote and once you decide on the
package of your choice, she will send you a letter of agreement so you can sign on
and get your project on the production schedule.
12. Why hire a ghostwriter?
A: Why would someone hire a ghostwriter instead of writing the book himself? Ghostwriters
make their clients' lives easier. That is because a ghostwriter is someone hired
to write something ― a book, an article, etc. ― for someone else, and the other person
gets the credit as the author. People hire ghostwriters because they have something
to say, but don't have the time, organizations skills, ability or interest to write
the books themselves.
And people hire ghostwriters for another reason: It's trendy. Hiring a ghostwriter
happens more often than many people think, as lots of celebrities, politicians, entrepreneurs,
consultants, public figures and others use ghostwriters to get their messages out.
Hiring a ghostwriter says you have something to say ― and you have the money to pay
someone to help you say it.
What does a ghostwriter do? The ghostwriting process varies based on the project,
but in general, our ghostwriting process is to take over the client's writing project
and make it marketable and interesting. We write the client's book based on interviews
with the client, the client's notes (if any), the client's rough draft (if any) and
research. We often interview other people who can add something to the book, such
as the client's friends or business partners, if appropriate. We then write the book
based on this information that shares the client's ideas, concepts and information
with readers in an interesting, organized and marketable way.
What are good ghostwriting candidates? Many different types of books lend themselves
to ghostwriting. Some types are:
● Books written to position a person as an expert in a field.
● Rags to riches stories.
●
Stories of triumph ─ overcoming illness, disaster, traumatic life event, poverty,
etc.
● Self-help books.
● Stories of famous people with interesting lives, lessons
and ideas.
● Business books.
13. Is print-on-demand right for me?
A: Print-on-demand companies are attractive options for many people new to publishing
because of their seemingly low costs. Most promise you can become a published author
for about a few hundred dollars. And when you're low on cash and high on a book dream,
that can be pretty tempting. But a closer examination of many of the print-on-demand
companies' fee structures will reveal that those seemingly low entry fees can be
deceptive. The fees either do not cover all you truly need to successfully self-publish,
or the companies do not let you retain all of your rights. Plus, you do not receive
an inventory of books. So for the cost of going with a print-on-demand company, you
can truly self-publish
so you have an inventory of books available for you to sell
and retain your rights. Here are some of the reasons
print-on-demand may not be for
you:
1. You don't own your production files. If you want to have your book published elsewhere
later (let's say you land a traditional publishing deal or you want to go with another
printer), you can't do that. Many of the print-on-demand companies retain ownership
of all of your production files. Which means you would have to start over on having
your book edited and designed, if you wanted to have the book printed somewhere else.
RootSky Books does not own your work once it is finished. It is yours.
2. Your book is not registered to you or your company. It is registered to the print-on-demand
company, because many of those companies "assign" you one of their ISBNs. Think of
the ISBN as the book's Social Security Number. This is the number by which the industry
identifies your book. Whoever owns the ISBN owns the book, in essence. That is because
orders are placed using an ISBN. If a bookstore wants to look up a book by ISBN,
then the orders will go to the company that owns the ISBN. Again, this means if you
want to leave the print-on-demand company, your ISBN -- meaning your orders -- stay
with that company. You must own your ISBN. Of course with RootSky, we don't own any
of your project. We are simply here to do the work for you to help clear your to-do
list. Your ISBN is truly yours. Same for the rest of your book. If you want to go
into a second, third or beyond print run, then you are free to do that, because you
have complete control over your project.
3. Most bookstores won't stock books from print-on-demand companies on their shelves.
Many bookstores will not order print-on-demand books. That is because these books
are not returnable and the bookstores do not stock nonreturnable books. Some print-on-demand
companies offer a returns policy with a higher priced package, so if you want to
spend more money, then you are free to purchase that package in hopes of getting
bookstore orders. But if you publish on your own using RootSky's help, you don't
have that problem.
4. Often, you do not get a custom back cover of the book, unless you buy a more expensive
package. The back cover is a key selling vehicle for a book. Many readers pick up
a book and then turn it over to read what it says on the back. So you want to use
the back cover as a sales tool. With some print-on-demand companies, you'd have to
buy a more expensive package just to have content on your back cover. When we design
your cover, that includes your front cover, spine and back cover. We don't nickle
and dime you over the cover.
5. You do not get real editing services. Many print-on-demand companies' basic editing
for your package is proofreading to catch spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes.
When you're preparing a manuscript for publication, it needs a developmental/content
edit. That edit will work on style, flow and content, in addition to spelling, grammar
and punctuation. Print-on-demand companies offer this edit at an extra charge. Our
rates are quite competitive in this area. Our editors have vast experience, as they
are former journalists. Our editors edit with an eye toward what will make your book
marketable.
6. Editors have no accountability. Most print-on-demand companies do not reveal the
names or identities of their editors. That means editors have no direct accountability.
When you're entrusting a project as important as your book to someone, you want accountability.
At RootSky Books, you will know your editor's name and contact information so you
are free to discuss your project with your editor.
7. You have no inventory. If you have dreams of selling a substantial number of books,
print-on-demand is not for you. Print-on-demand may be the option for you if you
only want to print a couple of copies of your book as a hobby or to be given to a
few family members. But if you want to sell 500, 1,000, 2,000 or more, then print-on-demand
is not the way, because it would end up being too costly. With RootSky Books, we
find competitive print quotes based on your budget, so you can have an inventory
of books on hand so you can sell, sell, sell.
The bottom line reason why we generally advise clients against going with a print-on-demand
company is that for about the same money you'd end up spending just in the beginning,
you can get a full inventory of books and have complete control over your project
by self-publishing on your own. RootSky can help you do that. Print-on-demand companies
are popular because they seem like a cheap option. For $500 or $700, you can get
a few books and become a published author. But when you start going through the services,
you realize the costs actually start to go up by a substantial margin. So what started
out as seeming cheap, turns out not to be that at all.
We've taken the time to explain this because we've seen too many aspiring authors
go with a print-on-demand outfit and then find out only later that it gets too expensive
and they don't have the control they expect. If you'd like a free quote for our editing
and other services, please e-mail us at info@rootskybooks.com.
