© 2020 Kristy Horine

With one day left in the fiction writers conference, I still couldn’t figure out why I’d come.

I cringed as I heard the question yet again. “So, what do you write?”

“I’m a freelance journalist.”

“Cool!” the man said. “I have a friend who wants to tell her story, but she’s not a writer. Would you be interested in writing her story?”

Just like that, I plunged into ghostwriting.

Here are important aspects of ghostwriting writers need to consider before jumping in.

Compatibility

As ghostwriter, you are inside your client’s story, mind, and voice for what could be an extended time. You must be compatible enough to get the job done with excellence. Compare your values and mission. If they are aligned, you are probably going to be okay. If you dread each contact, politely decline the work.

Anonymity & Fees

Ghostwriting is a craft where the writer disappears. Some clients don’t mind giving attribution to their writers, but some want to receive all the glory. Research nondisclosure agreements and seek legal counsel to help draft that all-important ghostwriting contract.
Websites that outline acceptable fee schedules for writing done for hire can guide you in setting your charges. However, other considerations center on royalties, references from your client to future clients, marketing responsibilities, materials and travel costs, and editing or revising the manuscript. 

The Story

No matter what type of ghosting you do, you must decide if you are willing to live with the moral, ethical, social, and cultural impact the writing might have. Vegans will be uncomfortable writing copy for a meat packing plant. Devout Christ-followers will be uncomfortable writing the memoirs of someone entrenched in witchcraft.

In my case, I turned down a contract that would have more than paid for a year’s worth of full-time freelance income and an additional future two-book contract.

Why?

Because even though the client’s stated intention was to glorify God and lead others to Christ, the client wanted no mention of God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit. The client wanted to include curse words and a rather explicit description of sinful actions the client believed would make the book “more real.” 

At the end of my days, I will stand before the Lord. I will give an account for my actions, my inactions, and every single word—even those words I write that someone else gets the credit for. When I stand, I don’t want the ghosts to come back to haunt me.
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Kristy Horine is a Kentucky writer. Her creative and freelance writing has been published in literary journals, magazines, and newspapers across the Commonwealth and beyond. She makes her home in Paris, KY, with her husband, children, and assorted animals. Kristy founded the 3rd Letter Christian Writers in 2015, serves on the Executive Board of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and is an active member of the American Christian Fiction Writers.Connect with Kristy on Twitter.