How did your career in writing begin?
As alumni of one of the top private high schools in the country, I was fortunate enough to get a teaching job there straight out of college. So I was teaching both English and writing from the beginning.
Even though I loved teaching, I felt that I was either supposed to help change the education system from another job or position, or I was supposed to get into publishing. It turned out to be publishing.
I moved to Seattle and started working as reviews editor for a monthly paper called The New Times. This gave me plenty of opportunity for writing (mostly reviews, some articles) and getting familiar with the publishing companies out there and how they marketed books to the media. This is also where I learned typesetting and design. I still use these skills and this knowledge for clients who want help in the self-publishing process.
While in Seattle, I got married, and when my wife and I wanted to start a family, we decided to move back to my home state of Michigan, where I started writing as a full-time freelancer in the summer of 2001. I had barely started when our economy was shocked by 9/11. I didn’t have a clue about what I was doing, and in retrospect, I should have spent a lot more time learning about how to go into business before doing so. But, live and learn. I figured it out on the fly and, the long and the short of it is this: I hung out my shingle. I set up a website saying that I was available for writing, and then it was a matter of getting people to my site and convincing them to give me a try. Provide someone with a good sample of what you can do for them and that’s probably more powerful than anything else in convincing them to hire you.
What led to the decision to start ghostwriting?
The origin of my decision goes back to an article I once read in a writing magazine. The author was talking about how many people needed writers … and how few ghostwriters there were. I didn’t respond to the article right away, but I always kept it in my mind. Years later, when I started freelancing, I was offering general writing and editing services for businesses at first, but with that article in mind, eventually decided to try ghostwriting. It didn’t take long to land my first book, and from there, that’s been the mainstay of my writing business.
I have read that 50% of all non-fiction books are ghostwritten.
Article comments
1 - Mimi Sierra
I would love to start Ghostwriting. I run a home based business and have ample time to dedicate to the love of my craft. Any suggestions?
Harlingen, Texas
2 - Randa Nagy
my name is randa Nagy fanous and i have 28 years old and i live in Egypt
have 5 years exp.in the Administration and Internet ,Data Entry ,Accounting Career ,
very good user for computer , have googd exp in collecting information from Internet Research , i graduated from Helwan University,Faculty of Commerce and B.Administration ,section Foreign trade .
You may say so what else
Ok ,now i have a family with child called Andrew he is 3 years and because of the huge expenses i would like to suggest for you something will be good for you to achieve your work and for me to use my quailfication for i have DSL Online Internet all day .
so i would like to work with you through
-recieve your requirement and start to work such as
Collect info to writie articles,reports,insert books for you , to be shown in the web,translate any thing you need to be announce in Arabic.
Work as Data Entry for you on programs you can setting with me online to work for you in
i know this is crazy idea but believe me it is really serious idea i have to be useful for my family ,cause we need money.
i will not asking you for great salary but you can determine what you see
if ok with you just test me for any thing then decide
3 - DrPat
Randa, this is a write-up of an interview with McCardell. It would make more sense to direct your question directly to him at his blog.
4 - Steve McCardell
Hi Mimi,
I'm interested to eventually develop a class on CD-rom to take people through the whle process of starting a writing business (ghostwriting or anything else). But ... since that doesn't exist yet, I recommend that you look to various books on making money as a freelance writer.
For ghostwriting in particular, there aren't a lot of resources. Eva Shaw's book (featured alongside the interview above, so you can click on it to purchase it) is the only one I'm aware of that really tackles this career. It has mixed reviews from various ghosts. I thought it was fine -- certainly a good starting point -- though you'll need to supplement with plenty of other books about starting a writing business, etc.
Anyway, get to your library or bookstore or even go to WritersDigest.com and visit their bookstore. You'll find plenty of info on getting into a career like this.
5 - GINA BALL
I DO NOT HAVE A COMMENT, I HAVE A STORY. I AM A 35 YEAR OLD CALL GIRL. I HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS SINCE I WAS 15. I HAVE WORKED IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE ALL THE WAY TO HOLLYWOOD. I AM NOW FACING MY 2nd FELONY CHARGE WITH A 5 YEAR OLD PRECIOUS BABY. I AM A SOLE PROVIDER .
I HAVE NO WAY OUT! I AM NOT A DRUG ADDICTED PROSTITUTE. I HAVE MADE MY WAY SIMPLY BEACUASE THIS IS ALL I KNOW TO SURVIVE. I BEILIVE MY STORY IS MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THE AVERAGE.
MY LIFE IS NOT NORMAL AND TRY SO HARD EVERY DAY TO MAKE IT AS NORMAL AS POSSIABLE FOR MY DAUGHTER.
IF THERE IS ANYONE THAT CAN HELP ME GET MY STORY OUT , I MIGHT BE ABLE TO THE NEXT 15 YEAR OLD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
6 - liz francke
im looking for a ghost writter i was emotionaly and physicaly abused i shot and killed my boyfriend l