HOW I MADE $100,000 GHOSTWRITING BOOKS | Become a Ghostwriter Part 1
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- I started offering freelance ghostwriting services in 2018, and honestly? My hopes weren't high. I thought if I was lucky, I'd get a client or two per year. Fast forward two years, and ghostwriting books for private clients is now my main source of income.
This is part one in what will be a five (at least!) part series covering everything you need to know to become a ghostwriter, including:
~How much ghostwriters charge for books: • FREELANCE GHOSTWRITING...
~What is the ghostwriting process
~How to find ghostwriting jobs
~How to expand your career ghostwriting books
Check out my Reedsy ghostwriter profile here: reedsy.com/michelle-schusterman
Want to sign up for Reedsy yourself? Use this link! (We both get a bonus! :D) reedsy.com/p/michelle-schuste...
Interested in hiring a ghostwriter, editor, designer or other professional to work on your book? Use this link for $25 bonus dollars to spend on your service! reedsy.com/r/michelle-schuste...
Looking for more writing workshops? I've got 'em!
Character transformation: skl.sh/33iwgFH
Writing a book description: skl.sh/356PtLg
WRITING/WORK STUFF
Alphasmart Neo2. Highly highly recommend. amzn.to/3cStKui
Adjustable laptop desk. I LOVE this thing. Typing with my arms at an angle has drastically reduced elbow/wrist pain. amzn.to/2OYh0tX
Clever Fox planner. I’ve used a few planners and this is my fav. Lots of space for mind-mapping and brainstorming, daily to-do lists, space for goal setting. amzn.to/3vNmk3Z
Best writing pens, hands down. I use them every time I revise a book. amzn.to/311nRoP
Acer monitor. I kind of hate the word gamechanger but this really was that kind of purchase. amzn.to/3vH71Kh
Brother laser printer. I won’t lie, this thing is a behemoth. But I’ve had it since 2017 and I think I’ve had maybe one paper jam? It works great, it’s super consistent, A++ for printing manuscripts. amzn.to/3tzIvZE
Macbook Air. Doesn’t really need my recommendation. amzn.to/2OUCaJx
I'm a Skillshare Ambassador! I've been binging their courses on filmmaking and video editing, as well as writing, but there's all kinds of stuff for creative types! Try it out FREE for two week! skillshare.eqcm.net/RyG57R
COFFEE STUFF
Ninja coffee maker. amzn.to/31533Nu
Cold brew pitcher. amzn.to/3cSKVM9
Zulay milk frother. amzn.to/3r7DDJu
VIDEO MAKING STUFF
Canon G7X Mark iii camera. The autofocus does tick me off sometimes, but in manual mode it’s perfect, and I love the flip up screen (ie, you can see yourself as you film) and the fact that there’s a mic port. amzn.to/3r9BfCb
Savage studio lights. I mostly use these for ‘talking head’ videos. amzn.to/3r7G6Un
Ubeesize 10” ring light. That’s the little guy sitting on my desk. I mostly use it for vlogging. amzn.to/31hqpzD
JJC mini tripod. amzn.to/3feXxjJ
Rode clip mic. amzn.to/2OSaLb2
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Check out my free Create Dynamic Characters course, a quick writing workshop that'll help you create a protagonist who transforms AND find an organic plot for your novel in just 20-30 minutes! michelleschustermancourses.th...
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BLACK LIVES MATTER. To my fellow white authors: we have to show up every day. We have to speak out. We have to make it clear to the Black authors and creators in our community that we are here for them. Silence is not an option. Please check out this Google Doc for hundreds of resources on how you can support, donate, and learn--not just in February, not just when another senseless tragedy due to racism occurs, but every single day from right now moving forward: docs.google.com/document/u/0/...
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MY BOOKS
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DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a small commission from purchases. There is no additional charge to you!
If you're looking to hire a ghostwriter/editor/copyeditor/designer/etc, use this link to get a bonus $25 to spend in the Reedsy marketplace! reedsy.com/r/michelle-schusterman
And if you want to sign up for Reedsy yourself (as a ghostwriter or editor or any other service), use this link and when you get your first client, there's a $100 bonus! reedsy.com/p/michelle-schusterman
Can you do ghostwriting on Fiverr with your mobile device?
hi, please tell us how we can get ghostwriting jobs
hello are you on reedsy, I dont see you. Im looking to see about your ghost writing services
@@ashjudah86 I am, but I'm currently closed to requests because my schedule is full through July!
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor I'd like to work with you. I'm a writer. You can sublet jobs to me. I've been writing for more than 20 years.
I understand why people don't like revealing money, but thank you so much for being upfront about the numbers. Information sometimes feels useless when people aren't specific, especially in terms of things like money
I agree!! I know it always helps me when others share. Thank you so much for watching! :)
yes, she is the goat for this !
As someone trying to get into ghostwriting I’m SO EXCITED for this series
Oh yay, that's awesome, Jacqueline!! :D
Sorry to hear about that, I know someone who can help you with you writing and publish his name Albert Diaz. Do you know him?
This is fascinating, Michelle. Thank you!!!!
Thanks so much for watching, Lindsay! :D
The best video, thanks Michelle!!!
Thanks for watching, Dylan! :)
I so appreciate your transparency regarding numbers! I want to fo into freelance writing and ghostwriting is on the table as an option, but without knowing how much I _could_ make I can't tell if it will be a viable career option.
Thank you for not being vague or evasive about money - that's why we work!
Great video, looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thanks so much, Marta!
Outstanding content for new GWs and this was exactly what I'm looking for. I'll keep up my research, but this video content is excellent and tells it like it is.
Wow! Thank you so much for this. I'm currently rebranding my writing business and ghostwriting books and screenplays. This was super helpful!
Glad it was helpful, Jessica!!
I don't have any real interest in ghost writing myself, but I find all of this so fascinating! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching, Liz! (Honestly, I watch a ton of youtube videos about other professions, lol. I think it's just fun to get a peek into another line of work sometimes!)
Wow, thank you for all the information.
Thanks for watching, Stephen! I'm glad it was helpful! 😀
This is exactly the kind of content I need. 🙌 Thank you for your transparency!
Oh yay! I'm so glad this was helpful, Shante! This is kind of a left turn from my writing workshop videos so I was a little nervous about it.
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor I love writing and personal finance so it’s great hearing writers talk about how they make their living! 😁 I’d be super interested to know what type of genres and audiences your ghostwriting books have been. ☺️
@@shante3 MG/YA, fantasy/sci-fi, non-gory horror, contemporary, mystery! That's pretty much it. I get a lot of requests for picture books because a lot of people kind of lump all of kidlit together, and I have to explain that picture book writing (much like poetry) is NOT within my skill set, haha.
Thank you for making this video
Thanks for sharing your financials, Michelle. I get why it would be uncomfortable, but you're right when you say it's helpful. Well done indeed!
Thanks so much, Heather! I'm really glad it was helpful. I know I love when I see others share their stats. (Sidebar: it's AMAZING what some UA-camrs make from UA-cam! Just...wow.)
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor Yes, I've seen some of the numbers. Astounding!
Brilliant 💫
This was so cool to hear about. I can’t imagine that I’d ever be a ghost writer, but getting a peak into what it’s really like was really neat. Have you ever turned down a project because you thought the concept was just too bad to be salvageable, or do you just write it anyway since it won’t be under your name?
Thanks so much, Amelia! That is a GREAT question. One of the videos in this series is going to be about how I decide which projects to make an offer on - sometimes I turn them down because of the concept or the client themselves. But the short answer is yes, I absolutely turn down certain projects if I don't think I'll enjoy working on them. I don't want to commit a few months to a book I know I won't enjoy!
I know I couldn't do it, but I do love getting to see how it works and also the financial breakdown. We do need to be more transparent about what we make here on Authortube!
Thank you, Joey! I agree. Obviously no one should ever feel obligated to share their income but the more people willing to do it, the better - especially for those trying to start a career in the book world. There's so much mystery around what writers make!
Thank you for being honest
I have no plans of being a ghostwriter I was just legit curious about how you made this much! Sounds like a cool job.
Hannah!!! How are you?? I need to catch up on your videos! I hope you're feeling better. (Also dang, you're over 4k subs??? AWESOME)
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor I’m good! I’m sadly still dealing with the health issues but figuring it out! How are you???
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor and thank you!!! I’ve been seeing ads on your videos too, so awesome!
@@HannahTheHorrible Ughhhh I'm so sorry. It's so impressive that you're cranking out the content despite all of that. :( I'm doing pretty good! Just committed to doing Camp Nano in April, so I'm excited about that. Has your book still been percolating in your head while you deal with all this health stuff?
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor oh yeah I keep forgetting about camp NaNo!! Good luck with it! I think Kate Cavanaugh does live write ins on twitch a lot during those months. You probably already know that. But just in case lol.
And no! I totally stopped mid-NaNoWriMo because of my health and I haven’t written a word since 🤣
Thank you for sharing the numbers! It's always interesting to see what other writers are doing in this aspect. It's still impressive how prolific you are. 🙂
Thank you so much, JS! I agree, I really love when others share numbers - there's so much speculation out there on what writers make, but a lot of it is not anywhere near reality, lol.
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor Boy is that true. And usually the numbers are far lower than people are hoping for, to boot.
@@j.s.elliot7121 So true! Being a writer is so weird. If you say you freelance, I think the assumption is that the money is super part-time. But if you have literally one single published novel, you must be as rich as JKR. LOL
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor I know, right? The two standards are polar opposites in extremes, but making money in both occupations is not nearly as lucrative as it should be (considering entire industries are built off the backs of our work).
@@j.s.elliot7121 /holds up lighter/ (seriously, I couldn't agree more!)
I'm kind of horrified at how little I was charging back in 2018/2019! Thank you for being so transparent about money. I'm looking to getting back into ghostwriting.
Awesome
can't write a novel, is it ok to write articles? plz post the link to writing articles
Wow!
My feeling is that, while I don't have an idea for a book of my own, that doesn't mean that I won't be an awesome ghostwriter. I am an excellent writer. I'm very good at editing and rewriting other people's work. I also believe that I can listen to another person's stories and put them in writing.
I wanna be a ghostwriter miss, what should I do?
I've registered already but I don't know how to start
How about ghost writing lyrics
Hi i am totally new to this i wanted to know if there are any websites that help anyone new to ghost writing
Hi Machel! I'm making this series for new ghostwriters, but I still have several episodes to go. I don't have any websites to recommend but I'll let you know if I hear of any good ones!
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor thanks will be watching your series
@@machelawili5473 anytime, and thanks so much for watching!
Meet Albert Diaz from Promotional department at Ghostwriting Venture.
If you are interested in completing your project for book writing or publishing.
I have a story I just need a writer.
Bring the job
Did you ever have any moral issues ghostwriting? I've always felt really let down when I found out someone I looked up to lied to everyone and said they wrote a book when they didn't. I'm not saying you're wrong or anything like that, please dont take this as an attack, I'm just curious what you think?
That's a great question, Trinity! I'm saving this comment to talk about in a future video. :) In many cases, I've been credited in one way or another (title page, acknowledgements), so it's actually pretty transparent. But of course, the client holds the copyright and they are allowed to do as they please, which includes not mentioning that the book has been ghostwritten. I'm not too bothered by it because ghostwriting is so common - for example, when most (not all!) celebrities write a children's novel, I assume they had input on the book but the actual writing was done by an anonymous ghostwriter. In the self-pub world, a lot of clients are authors of popular series and want to expand the world into multiple series, so they hire a ghostwriter so that they can get more books out faster. But the premise/characters/ideas all still belong to them, so...I don't know, I don't feel like there's an ethics issue there! But yeah, in certain scenarios I could see where it would raise a moral question. A big part of this is choosing which clients I work with and spotting red flags, which is part of that future video discussion. :)
@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor thank you for replying! Some people dont take comments like this well so thanks for not being angry lol, but yeah that is a good point and I know ghostwriting isnt uncommon. I always think it's best when a writer is credited for their work but of course if they got payed to ghostwrite then credit is up to the publisher etc so... I'm not too sure how I feel either to be honest. It doesnt matter too much for me though because I dont think I could ever be organised enough to ghostwrite lol
@@trinity3272 LOL no worries! It's not an offensive question. This is definitely something I'll get into more later in the series, but I only take on clients who have a pretty developed idea and want to be involved in the process. They know their characters, world, and the premise, they just need someone to take it all and put it in book form. It's still very much their story, not mine! I wouldn't take on a project where I was expected to generate the idea itself - if I'm gonna do that, it'll have my name on it! :P
👻
Can you start part-time?
Absolutely! That's what I did in 2019. :)
I'm a good writer, but I have no ''real'' experience. Where do I start?
I started writing my own books with the help of Albert Diaz from promotional department at ghostwriting venture. If you need assistance or want to complete your book writing project experience you can inbox me or check my channel for direct text
Publish a book.
@@garythewriter4205 yes he can help you with that do you know how to contact or you need assistance?
leskoreportdesk is where to compose a mail to start your book publishing projects
@@nashbruce1843 can you do ghostwriting on Fiverr on your mobile device?
How about plagiarism issues...i mean even if its your idea at some point people will say. Oh that mine...how did you manage to not get scared...
do ghostwriters write recipes?
I love to write cook books
That's funny when you said 2020 when the world went to hell
Thanks! :)
I'm a Ghostwriter, but I find it difficult to land great gig from clients. Most of my clients prefer to pay less for my projects. I can write a 40000 ebook within 10days. Please I need your assistance.