It's true that some ghostwriters accept royalties in addition to payments while actually writing a book. If a publisher knows that a book, such as a memoir, will sell copies in the millions, then a ghostwriter may accept a royalty deal from ex-presidents and the most famous celebrities in Hollywood.
But not all books are going to sell in the millions, and this sometimes applies even to politicians and celebrities. Publishing is a tough business, and there's no guarantee that a book will receive agent representation, be acquired by a publishing house, or make money. Finding an agent and then getting the book picked up by a publisher can take one to three years. Assuming a book does "earn out" (meaning it makes back the printing and promotional costs) and goes on to make money, advances are usually small in today's publishing climate, and royalties do not accrue for one to two years after a book is published.
A ghostwriter can't afford to wait three to five years to get paid for months of hard work. A professional ghostwriter earns his or her daily bread by writing books. If you don't have the money to pay for such a service, you're not likely to find anyone to pen your book.
~William Hammett
Contact: wmhammett@aol.com
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