After ghostwriting for almost ten years, I have received thousands of queries. Always put words such as “ghostwriting” or “my writing project” in the subject line. Typing “Hi” looks like spam. Next, be prepared to tell the ghostwriter what your project is about. Ghostwriters, agents, and editors do not steal ideas, which are automatically copyrighted from the moment of inception. State whether the project is fiction or nonfiction and what source materials are currently available, if any. Do you have an idea, an outline, notes, or a rough draft? Providing a brief synopsis of your book or idea is also critical in determining whether or not you have contacted the right ghostwriter. I personally do not respond to queries that simply say, “Call me at 555-5555.” If you want to get published, you must follow the protocols of the literary marketplace,
Ghostwriting encompasses a wide variety of services, ranging from writing an original manuscript to editing (line and developmental) or a combination of the two. The more information you provide, the better a ghostwriter can decide whether he or she is the right person for the job.
