The Ghostwriting Contract

The following should be a part of every ghostwriting contract.

1) The names of the parties entering into the contract.

2) The jurisdiction under which the contract is enforced.

3) A guarantee that the client is the sole owner of the literary property mentioned in the contract.

4) A guarantee of confidentiality for the client.

5) The fees to be paid and a schedule of when they are due.

6) What constitutes breach of contract.

7) Whether or not the manuscript will be revised.  (Most contracts stipulate one revision of the entire work when the book is finished).

8) The time frame in which the work is to be completed.

9) The availability of client and ghostwriter if telephone interviews will be necessary.

Beware of very long contracts filled with legalese, especially when tendered by ghostwriting companies.  Most people don't realize what they're signing when long contracts are extended, many with fine print and hard-to-understand clauses.

~William Hammett

Contact: wmhammett@aol.com 

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