Too many people become ghostwriters because they simply like to write or because they did well in English when in school. These two reasons do not indicate that a person has any competence whatsoever when it comes to writing a full-length book--or anything at all.
Here are a few credentials that any ghostwriter should have:
1) A ghostwriter should have a college degree in some area related to the liberal arts, preferably a degree in an area related to both writing and research.
2) A ghostwriter should have a strong editorial background, or at least training in editing and proofreading.
3) A ghostwriter should have strong research skills.
4) A ghostwriter should have a thorough knowledge of the publishing industry and the literary marketplace.
5) A ghostwriter should have writing credentials under his or her own name. These can be books, articles, short stories, technical writing credits, or other pieces for which the ghostwriter received a byline.
6) A ghostwriter should have superior interviewing skills.
7) A ghostwriter should have a resume that is able to demonstrate, at least in part, past work that he or she has done for clients. Granted, the very nature of ghostwriting gives clients confidentiality, but many clients will offer a ghostwriter at least some credit, even if it's only an editing credit (and most ghostwriters are editors as well).
Not everyone has the skills to be a ghostwriter. The above checklist is a good place to begin when evaluating the person you wish to write your book.
~William Hammett
Contact: wmhammett@aol.com
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