Serious Question for Those Outsourcing Fiction Writing

3 replies
Edit: I have been getting several private responses to this rather than a discussion here...not what I originally intended. You are of course welcome to PM me about this if you don't want to discuss it for an audience.

I'm asking this as a fiction ghostwriter, who notices several things...like that I've done more research than many potential clients and therefore they don't always ask for what you need to be truly successful entering the Kindle/indie fiction markets.

In no way is this post intending to be self-promotional, I just am sharing my opinions and experiences - and asking for your opinion.

When I ghostwrite fiction for a client, I provide a full package: niche research, my analysis of the niche and suggested next steps, information on blurb copywriting, a promotional report, and a list of Amazon reviewers in your niche. Something I notice...so many clients aren't getting these things together themselves and it is a good thing I offer all these things in addition to my story. But because of the requests I get (write in this genre and end each installment on a cliffhanger...when this is a genre that wants to murder authors that use cliffhangers, etc) have me constantly telling my clients what they really need to hire me for. But I think there might be an easier way, as the fabulous Tiffany Lambert inspired me when I was reading her blog today.

If you don't know Tiffany, she's very much beloved on these forums, and in her own realm. She's a ghostwriter, owns a PLR store, and has creating several products that remain, after the buzz of others' projects wears off, darlings in the IM world. For good reason. And Tiff's making the move to ghostwriting single owner content.

So, my question is this...

If I write and offer for auction novels/novellas/fiction in a series for a reasonable price, allowing only one buyer for the entire series, would you buy it? Knowing that you get quality research and all that my client bundle normally includes, and the benefit of the research having impacted the writing, so you know that you have a story in a specific subgenre that will meet reader expectations?

Tiff auctions her stuff, so I could do that. Or I could just offer them at an affordable price (something similar to what someone might hire for writing original content but with some of the expediency of the process - no going back and forth on this, etc lowering the price).

So, tell me what you think. If you are [considering] outsourcing fiction writing to indie publish, would you like this option? What are your questions and considerations? Thanks.
#fiction #ghostwriting #kindle #outsourcing #question #serious #writing
  • Profile picture of the author Sadhu
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    • Profile picture of the author jessiewriter
      Originally Posted by Sadhu View Post

      Sure, I just PMed and emailed you
      I replied to your PM - but asked for an email. Saw the PM before I saw your post here or the email. Looking forward to working with you :-)
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      ~ Jessie Haynes
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I can't speak to fiction ghostwriting specifically but I've worked as a freelance writer in the past. I can tell you that many, if not most clients have no idea what they want and/or need. My first question to every potential client was simple: What are you trying to accomplish? Most couldn't answer. It's like they think it's up to the writer to figure it all out. It was this type of indecision that drove me out of freelancing.

    I think you're taking on WAY TOO MUCH responsibility for what you charge, especially with all the extras like market research, etc. I can't imagine how you can do it. I know ghostwriters (fiction and nonfiction) that get $600+ for 20,000 words without batting an eye, and even that's not enough. And at that price there are no extras like market research. Do yourself a favor and start charging what you're worth. Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author jessiewriter
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      I can't speak to fiction ghostwriting specifically but I've worked as a freelance writer in the past. I can tell you that many, if not most clients have no idea what they want and/or need. My first question to every potential client was simple: What are you trying to accomplish? Most couldn't answer. It's like they think it's up to the writer to figure it all out. It was this type of indecision that drove me out of freelancing.

      I think you're taking on WAY TOO MUCH responsibility for what you charge, especially with all the extras like market research, etc. I can't imagine how you can do it. I know ghostwriters (fiction and nonfiction) that get $600+ for 20,000 words without batting an eye, and even that's not enough. And at that price there are no extras like market research. Do yourself a favor and start charging what you're worth. Good luck.
      I've been freelancing for eight years myself and it always true that so many clients have no idea what they need, much less want lol ;-)

      Regarding what I'm worth...anyone that has followed my work on the WF will not a huge price slash - I have a sale going now because I had a rather large and unexpected expense put a significant strain on me. So I am doing okay with my current strategy.

      Thanks for chiming in.

      Good luck out there fellow freelance writer :-)
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      ~ Jessie Haynes
      Erotica Author
      Caffeine Headaches: Author Blog

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