Using a Ghostwriter for Traditional or Self-Publishing Success
September 16, 2024
As an author, you might feel overwhelmed when deciding how to publish your non-fiction book. Which route is best — taking the reins with the self-publishing or seeking the backing of a traditional publisher?
There are benefits to both, but one thing is for sure: with a ghostwriter by your side, you have the support you need to take on the maze of the publishing world with confidence.
In this blog, we’ll look at the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing, as well as the ways in which a ghostwriter or ghostwriting service can help bring your book to life.
Traditional versus Self-Publishing: Understanding the Differences
There are many differences between traditional and self-publishing, but the most important one is this: traditional publishers pay you for your book, while with self-publishing, you pay to have your book published.
Monetary payoffs can cut both ways, though.
Many people consider a traditional book publishing deal a life-long goal to strive for, but completely ignore the potential financial benefits of self-publishing. Although an author going the self-publishing route may have to do all the work themselves, they also get to keep a much larger portion of their book’s royalties. Thus, should the book turn into a bestseller, the author gets most of the earnings.
Another difference between the two types of publishing is that with self-publishing, you do all the publishing-related work, while with traditional publishing, the publishing house does it for you.
“Traditional publishers expect you to have your book ready,” says Jennifer Rizzo, a Colorado-based ghostwriter. “You send your manuscript to them, and then they take it from there; the author is not quite as involved.”
Below, you’ll find a quick summary of the main differences between traditional and self-publishing.
Self-Publishing Benefits:
Speed to Market
If you have already finished your book and want to get it into readers’ hands as quickly as possible, consider the self-publishing route.
Taking your manuscript to a traditional publisher might mean you wait a long time to hear back from them, and if you are lucky enough to get a book deal, you might be waiting more than a year or two (or more) before your book hits the shelves.
In comparison, the turnaround time for self-published books is much faster. This is ideal if your content is time-sensitive or you want to start building your audience as soon as possible.
Control
With self-publishing, you can create your book any way you wish. You can publish it exactly as you envisioned, from the cover to the layout, and everything in between.
Self-publishing your book makes you the boss, which means that you make all the decisions. If the process ever becomes overwhelming, you still have the option of hiring experts to help you wherever you need help.
Rizzo recommends taking the easy route: going with a smaller Indie publisher. “They will publish your book for you, but they also do a lot of handholding. Those kinds of publishers tend to work with the author in a partnership.”
Higher Royalties
One of the biggest drawcards of self-publishing, as already stated, is that you get to take home a higher percentage of the royalties on your book sales. With traditional publishers, book royalties are quite low (between 10 and 15%), because the publishing company must make back all the money they’ve invested in your manuscript.
However, with self-publishing, the author pays only for production, and thus, most, if not all, of the royalties go directly back to them. It’s usually only the hosting site, like Amazon, that gets a percentage of the royalties (usually around 60%). Beyond that, every cent earned by the book goes to the author.
Traditional Publishing Benefits:
Prestige and Credibility
For some authors, a traditional book deal is the pinnacle of their writing career. Having a professional publishing house pick your manuscript over the thousands received every year can be a powerful validation of your work. By choosing your manuscript, industry experts recognize your skill as an author and the potential for your story to become a commercial success.
Moreover, getting published by a well-known publishing house makes your book seem more credible and authoritative in the market, prompting more readers to buy it. A traditionally published book is also more likely to be reviewed.
A Professional Team
When you secure a publishing deal, you automatically gain access to a well-oiled team of professionals, including editors, marketers and designers.
This team knows exactly what to do to make your book as successful as possible. Your input as author is not always required or needed.
This team knows exactly what to do to make your book as successful as possible. Your input as author is not always required or needed.
Rizzo notes that the result is usually far better than if you tried to do everything yourself.
To that end, having a team that knows exactly what they’re doing is a big advantage, since you’ll be competing for sales with the tens of thousands of books published every year.
Wide distribution and marketing channels
The titles found in bookstores are usually put out by traditional publishing houses. That’s because traditional publishers have established distribution channels that include major stores, libraries, and even international markets.
By partnering with a traditional publisher, you automatically get access to these channels and markets from which you might otherwise have been excluded. That means more people have access to your book, and you have a better chance of reaching new readers.
Deciding which route to take
It’s clear that the differences between traditional and self-publishing are vast, but that each has distinct advantages to recommend them. To decide which route to take, look at your goals, timeline, resources, audience, preferences, and how they gibe with either traditional or self-publishing.
Here’s what we mean:
Your Goals
What do you want to get out of publishing your manuscript? “If you want your book printed and you don’t care about mass distribution or trying to get on the New York Times bestseller list, then indie publishers can help,” advises Rizzo.
Self-publishing with an indie publisher is great If your goal is simply to share your ideas with the world and enjoy higher profit margins in the process.
However, if you seek validation and the support of an established publisher, traditional publishing could be the way to go.
Your Timeline
Need your book published quickly? As we noted previously, self-publishing allows for a fast turnaround.
In comparison, you will need lots of patience if you want access to the prestige and resources of traditional publishers.
Your Budget
Self-publishing requires an upfront financial investment, while traditional publishing shifts these costs to the publisher.
Deciding between the two requires that you assess your budget and your willingness to invest in your book’s production and marketing.
Your Audience
Consider where and how you want to reach your readers. Self-publishing platforms like Amazon offer direct access to a global, mostly digital, audience, while traditional publishers also provide established distribution networks like shops.
Thus, if you are set on seeing your work in your local bookstore, the traditional route would be best for you. Self-published books nonetheless enjoy a wide reach—just a different kind of reach.
Your Preferences
Does the thought of someone else being in control of your book irk you? Then the answer is clear: go with self-publishing.
However, if you don’t mind handing over control of your manuscript, then traditional publishing is not a bad idea.
How a Ghostwriter Can Help in Both Processes
A ghostwriter who works by your side during the publication process can be an invaluable asset, providing support every step of the way.
“An experienced ghostwriter has gone through the process of taking a book from just an idea all the way through to publishing,” says Rizzo, “They know how to work with different publishers. They know what to expect and what’s needed.”
No matter whether you choose to go traditional or DIY, a ghostwriter can be your ally in bringing your nonfiction book to life. Here’s how:
For Self-Publishing:
Manuscript Development
The self-published market is massive, so standing out for the quality of your writing is crucial.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining a draft, a ghostwriter can be an invaluable resource.
Rizzo explains that a ghostwriter is perfect if you’ve already written your book, “but you know that it’s not up to par and you need it rewritten in some sections or sections moved around,”
Unlike an editor, who mostly focuses on polishing existing content, a ghostwriter can assist with creating content and restructuring your book to make it more engaging and professional.
Rizzo adds that although editors can help with technical aspects like formatting, “they’re not going to be able to help much with the content of your book.”
Formatting and Design Guidance
The visual appeal of your book is just as important as the content, especially in the self-publishing market. “People underestimate the power of a good book cover and a good title,” Rizzo reflects.
A well-designed cover and professional formatting can make a big difference in catching potential readers’ eyes as they’re scrolling through countless options. In comparison, nothing puts a reader off faster than a digital book that is badly formatted for their device.
To this end, an experienced ghostwriter can help guide you through the formatting process for various platforms, ensuring your book looks polished and professional across all devices.
Marketing Strategy
Beyond just writing, some ghostwriters offer additional services such as helping to market your book. They can advise on how to best get the word out, how to use social media for marketing purposes, and even how to maximize your book’s visibility.
While traditional publishers might have large marketing teams, self-published authors can still compete with them. “They might have the big guys in marketing, but you can still get the word out,” Rizzo adds.
From hosting book readings to building an online presence, a ghostwriter can help you come up with a marketing strategy that gets your book exposed to as many readers as possible.
For Traditional Publishing:
Proposal/Pitch Writing
To secure a traditional publishing deal, you usually need a strong book proposal. This, too, is an area where ghostwriters can be very useful.
By writing a compelling pitch, a ghostwriter can help you highlight your book’s value and it’s potential to succeed commercially. Not only that, “ghostwriters can also do research on where to submit the manuscript, researching which publishers are going to be more likely to pick up your book,” says Rizzo.
Manuscript Polishing
A skilled ghostwriter not only helps craft your content but also brings a keen editorial eye to the table. They can meticulously go through your manuscript to catch grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and inconsistencies that could detract from a reader’s experience.
Since ghostwriters are writers first, they will also be able to improve the overall readability and flow of your manuscript. This kind of help can be invaluable for making your book the best version of itself.
Industry Insight
Experienced ghostwriters understand what publishers are looking for in a manuscript. In addition to their writing skills, they might have valuable connections within the publishing industry that can benefit you as an author.
As Rizzo points out, “The nice thing with working with ghostwriters is that they have a network of people that they’ve worked with in the past. So it may be that they know a literary agent, or they may know a publisher.” These connections can open doors and provide opportunities that might otherwise be difficult for you to access.
Support and Collaboration
The journey to getting your book published can be long and complex. A ghostwriter can provide ongoing support by collaborating with you, helping you navigate the process, and maintaining your momentum.
Conclusion
Whether you choose self-publishing or traditional publishing, a ghostwriter can be a game-changer on your nonfiction book journey.
Ghostwriters bring expertise, efficiency, and a fresh perspective, helping you turn your ideas into a compelling, professional, published book.
Have a non-fiction book in mind? Which publishing route do you want to take? Let us know in the comments below.
