Yesterday, we talked a little about surviving scams. As one commenter mentioned, a good contract doesn’t mean that someone won’t try to rip you off. However, having a solid contract means that you will at least have a way to take action if you so choose.
Every contract will be slightly different. Sometimes clients will provide you with a contract of their own. Other times, it will be up to you to request using a contract. EVERYTHING is negotiable. Most writers understand that you need to read a contract very carefully, but don’t fall into a trap where you think a …read more

One of the first things you learn in business is that capitalism doesn’t work without a strong rule of law. How can business operate unless contracts are enforceable?
In this time of great financial upheaval, we’re seeing contracts come under fire. In the wake of gigantic AIG bonuses, we’ve becoming ammenable to the idea of altering employment agreements. After all, it’s not fair to pay those bonuses for a job NOT well done, is it?
Is breaking contracts a necessary action to avoid excessive transfer of taxpayers dollars to possibly corrupt corporate officers (as in the case of AIG), or is it …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne,
I wonder how you demonstrate that you can write well, when everything you write is “authored” by someone else?
I am updating my resume after a year of ghost-writing for a medical communications company, but I can’t figure out how I can showcase my work without stepping on the “author’s” toes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
MW
Hello MW,
It can be a puzzle can’t it? A couple of things come to mind.
First, how did you demonstrate to this client that you could write? Sounds like you might have some credits you can claim before you started ghosting.
Next, I ask …read more

Publishers Weekly today announced that the Author’s Guild is warning Simon and Schuster authors to be extra careful when signing an addendum to their book contract that alters their ebook royalties.
According to the article, the addendum may actually change author’s rights in favor of the publisher.
I don’t have a contract with Simon and Schuster so I haven’t seen the letter in question. But I know how important it is to understand throughly any contract you sign. Publishers are like any business – charged to make a profit, and will often do so almost anyway they can.
The article also suggests …read more

Ugh! I just printed a 24 page manuscript, again! It seems as if the only way I can find typos and truly unclear sentences is if I print and do my editing with a pen away from the computer. I hate how much paper I use, even though I buy paper that’s got as much recycled paper in it I can find. And I make sure to recycle every scrap of paper I use.
Have you found a way to use less paper? Tell me about it, quick!
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including …read more

If you’re going to have a successful freelance writing career, you’re writing is going to be rejected. It happens to us all, and somehow we find a way to deal with it.
Leadership Turn has posted some rejections you may find surprising. Take a look then use them to encourage yourself.
You may also want to read After Rejection – The Next Step in Freelance Writing.
Has your writing ever been rejected? Tell us about it.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get …read more

A guest blog by Helen Kaiao Chang
Anyone can tap into this client, who offers amazing assignments and pays
I signed contracts with my biggest client ever today. She’s the savviest, wealthiest and most powerful client I’ve ever had. Her assignments are amazing. Her payments generous. And her integrity is stellar. I know she will honor her contracts.
The funny thing is that this client is available to anyone who wants to write for her. And her compensation to all her writers is excellent. I just never signed a contract with her until now.
The contracts were for two books. The …read more

I was poking around our Business Channel when I ran into WorkBoxers post called: Who Holds Rights To Commissioned Designs?
Mark strongly suggests designers make sure ownership rights for designs are spelled out in contracts. I do exactly the same thing in ghostwriting contracts. I make sure that my clients retain all the rights unless, for some reason, we decide to do something differently. As a ghost I don’t want the rights to someone else’s ideas, even if I am the one who put them down in writing.
How do you protect yourself and your clients?
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing …read more

When I’m ghostwriting a book for a client, probably the most important thing I do after getting clear on the client’s purpose for the book, is to get the first chapter right. Sometimes that means working the first couple of pages over and over again until the client is happy with the way I’m writing the book and its tone.
This came to mind because I’m on the third draft of a first page and am waiting for the client to call. The multiple, rapid rewrites can be maddening if I let them be, but I know we are actually setting …read more

It seems every time I actually get to sign a ghostwriting contract there’s a flurry of additional activity that catches me by surprise.
First, there’s my, what, excitement? That always takes a few minutes and usually a call or two of celebration. Often this is followed by another few moments of “I can’t get this done” negative thinking which I work to quickly banish.
Then there are the details, like signing and faxing a W9 and/or making sure the check is really on the way, and sometimes travel to do an interview.
I love having new ghostwriting work and signing a new writing …read more