What Does It Take to Write a Series?

Posted on May 17 2022 by Mark Graham

Earthly Worlds, an exciting fantasy book, is a collaboration between Billy Wright and Mark Graham Communications.

Last month, we talked about worldbuilding and how a ghostwriter can assist with this process. Now, let’s take it one step further: what if your world is so vast, it doesn’t fit within the confines of a single book?

This isn’t unusual. Particularly in the fantasy genre, writing a sequel or going on to create a series is common. All we have to do is look at an epic series like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter to know that readers tend to get immersed in such worlds. After reading one novel set in a fantasy world, readers want more.

For the would-be author with BIG ideas like this (but not necessarily the time and/or skillset to bring them to life), a ghostwriter can be instrumental to the process. Using a ghostwriter, authors can take their story from dreams and notes to full-fledged books – one right after another.

To learn more about creating a ghostwritten fantasy series, we turned to Mark Graham Communications’ client Billy Wright. His first fantasy adventure novel, Earthly Worlds, written in collaboration with a Mark Graham Communications ghostwriter, was published in 2020. Last year, Billy followed up with Dark Vengeance.

Mark Graham Communications: Please tell us about your books.

Billy Wright: The concept for Earthly Worlds is derived from some very realistic dreams I’ve had. It’s a fantasy adventure story filled with light and dark magical worlds and creatures. These magical aspects are intermingled with the “earthly worlds” of a young Arizona family, Stewart and Liz Riley and their kids. The story twists and turns, going up and down and around, ensuring readers see and feel every moment.

MGC: What inspired you to write Earthly Worlds?

BW: My inspiration is my love of a good adventure story, mixed with my dreams. I’ve always devoured fantasy adventure stories, and when the idea for one of my own came to me via my dreams, it gripped me and wouldn’t let go. Add in the encouragement of my family, and I decided to go for it. I started making notes and journal entries about my dreams and thoughts, and over time, the concept for Earthly Worlds emerged.

MGC: What made you decide to seek the assistance of a professional ghostwriter?

BW: Although the dreams, ideas, and thoughts that encompass my story are very real to me, I knew that bringing them to life in a proper format required the help of experts in this field. Having the assistance of a ghostwriter gave the project focus and ensured its professional style, full story arc, and presentation.

MGC: Did you always know your story would be told via a series?

BW: Writing a sequel to Earthly Worlds was an obvious choice. From the start, I knew the story was too big for one book – and it continues to grow. Creating a sequel was the only possible way to continue telling the story.

MGC: What are the advantages to having a series available to readers?

BW: To me, having an Earthly Worlds series is the only way to bring readers on a journey of this magnitude. The series will eventually be put in screenplay form, which I believe will bring an already extremely visual story to life in theatres and homes.

MGC: Will you work with a Mark Graham Communications ghostwriter for the screenplay and additional books in the series?

BW: I already am, for the third book in the series. The teamwork that’s gone into this project is like the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In much the same way, it takes a great team to bring a project like Earthly Worlds to life. I’m grateful to the Mark Graham Communications team that I have on board for this project.

Is a world coming to you in your dreams? Do you need help bringing that world to life on the page? If so, please contact us – we’re here to help!

A Story to Tell: The Ghostwritten Novel

Posted on April 7 2022 by Mark Graham

Last month on the blog, we talked about worldbuilding – the process of creating an entirely different world from our own, populating it with characters and a compelling storyline – and how a ghostwriter can assist with this process.

Learn how ghostwriters from Mark Graham Communications can help you tell your story.

What if you have a story to tell, but it’s not “otherworldly”? What if you want to write a contemporary novel – or one that’s historical, western, thriller, or mystery? Can a ghostwriter help you develop such a novel?

The simple answer is yes. The not-so-simple answer dives deeper into how the ghostwritten novel process works.

It all begins with what the prospective client brings to the table. Typically, a client comes to Mark Graham Communications (MGC) with an idea or a personal story they think would make a great novel. Sometimes, the client has a partially finished manuscript that needs the help of an expert writer to bring it to completion. We evaluate the materials and match the project with a ghostwriter who has the skillset that best aligns with the needs of the particular project.

Next comes the interview process. It’s important to sit down with the client for extensive discussions, either in person or via Zoom. The goal of the interviews is to generate enough information for the ghostwriter to craft the novel’s outline. Think of it like a tree that grows from a story seed. From the idea come characters, plot, and important events.

The recorded interviews are then transcribed. Using the transcriptions, the ghostwriter builds the book’s outline, then submits it to the client for further discussion and/or approval. At this point, the writing begins.

If you’re a reader (and we’d guess you are), you know that the best novels are character-based. Fully developed characters drive a compelling narrative. For a ghostwritten novel, characters are discussed during the interview process, then further developed once the writing begins, as the creativity of client and ghostwriter interact. The ghostwriter’s job is to look for characters’ inherent wants and needs, discovering conflicts that gel in dramatic ways with the plot. At each step of the process, the ghostwriter works with the client to ensure both characters and storyline are developing in a way that matches the client’s vision.

What if you have a great idea, but you’re not sure what type of novel you want to write? Again, if you’re a reader, you know there are thousands of books out there competing for readers’ attention. How do you ensure your novel will fit into the marketplace and find readers?

Again, this is an area where our team offers tremendous value. The publishing world is a complex and ever-changing ecosystem. Aspects of the business that were true 10, 5, or even 2 years ago have already changed. Readers of different genres have different expectations. Keeping the reader in mind is important for any project, and it’s MGC’s job to guide clients through that process, ensuring the finished novel has a firm place in the book world and the client has solid ideas about promoting and marketing their novel.

If this sounds like it takes a lot of time, that can be true – but what it truly takes is dedication, on the part of both the client and the ghostwriter. Ghostwriting is a recursive process. Generally, each chapter is submitted to the client, who offers changes and further ideas, until a first draft is complete. Then the ghostwriter goes through the entire manuscript, giving the writing polish, enhancing story threads, and looking for ways to give the novel extra zing. A second draft is submitted to the client for feedback. When the final manuscript is approved, it goes to copy edit, then production.

Once the novel has a cover and professionally designed pages, it’s ready to launch into the world! Online publishing makes it easy for clients to publish their own books, both as e-books and print-on-demand physical books. For more information, click here.

Are you ready? Do you want to see your vision become a novel with your name on the cover? If so, please contact us – we’re eager to help!

What is Worldbuilding? And Why is It Important in Ghostwritten Books?

Posted on March 2 2022 by Mark Graham

This insightful book was written by Kristin E. Smith, M.A. and Mark Graham Communications.

At Mark Graham Communications, our clients tend to fall into two camps: the pragmatic and the dreamers. Our pragmatic clients have specific information (business-related, personal, and/or set within concrete space and time) that they want to share with readers. Their ghostwritten books are platforms for getting that information into the hands of a particular audience.

The dreamers are different. Often, they have a fantastic, entirely made-up narrative that they’re itching to tell. Many of them have created a fictional world inside their minds, a world they cannot stop thinking about. This world might include specific locales, characters, and events. Perhaps it somewhat resembles our actual world, or perhaps it’s completely dissimilar. Either way, the world “speaks” to a dreamer, whispering in the dreamer’s ears that its story must be told.

This process is called worldbuilding. The term has become widespread in recent years, but worldbuilding as a concept likely dates as far back as 1516, when Sir Thomas More penned Utopia. Generally considered the realm of fantasy and science fiction, worldbuilding now goes beyond books to media such as movies, video games, and roleplaying games. It’s not unusual for the author of a “worldbuilt” novel to aspire to expanding their world beyond a single book – into a series and/or other media.

When a client with an idea for a novel set in another realm comes to us, they often bring copious notes about their world. They have likely already done (or at least begun) the hard work of figuring out the world’s environment, culture, history, and laws. They may have characters in mind for the world, and/or a particular conflict within the world that they want to share with readers.

Why, then, wouldn’t such an author simply write their own novel? They’ve already done the work of creating the world. Why would they decide to work with a ghostwriter?

The reasons are many and varied. Often, our worldbuilding clients – our “dreamers” – have thorough ideas about their world but do not have the time and/or skills to turn those ideas into a full-fledged novel. They may need guidance about creating compelling conflict and satisfying resolution. They might want assistance with developing characters who are (possibly) not human in form and yet are relatable to human readers, generating empathy and a desire to learn more about the world and its inhabitants.

A ghostwriter brings these skills to the table. Working closely with the author-client, the ghostwriter’s job is to take the client’s notes about their world, ideas for story and characters, and concepts for expanding the world beyond one book, and turn these into a viable, engaging first novel. The client – now an author with their name on the cover of their book – can build on the platform of the first completed book to work with the ghostwriter to add to the series, pitch their world to creators of other media, and expand the world as their audience grows.

Perhaps this sounds easy. We won’t mince words: it isn’t. Worldbuilding, working with a ghostwriter to create a first novel, then potentially a series, takes time and dedication. Finding an audience for the story, expanding the world, and adding to the series are no small tasks.

But the dreamers – those who hear that persistent whisper in their ears – are undaunted by the idea. They’re eager to share their world with an audience, grow their readership, and create excitement about the fantastical world that, thus far, has existed only inside their heads.

Are you a dreamer? Do you have a world you want to share? If so, please contact us. We’re excited to learn about your world – and we want to help you bring it to life!

Traditional Publishing? Self-Publishing? What’s the Difference?

Posted on February 7 2022 by Mark Graham

If you’ve spent any time on Amazon in the past decade or so, you’ve likely noticed what seems like an explosion of new books. Daily, new titles pop up to entice readers of every genre and every interest. The number of book titles for sale online reaches well into the millions.

Dig a little deeper, and you’ll notice something else: while there are some very recognizable publisher names (HarperCollins, Penguin Random House), there are also thousands of publishers you’ve likely never heard of.

Some of these are small presses, which function the same as the “big” publishers, just on a smaller scale. But many more of these are company names established by self-published authors to publish their own, individual titles.

So what (or who) is a self-published author? In essence, a self-published author is anyone who produces and sells their book as a private entity, rather than through an established, traditional publishing company.

Years back, self-publishing had negative connotations. Called “vanity press” back then, self-publishing was seen as the realm of authors who were unable to secure a traditional publishing deal for their book. But that’s no longer the case. Many authors choose to self-publish, for reasons that include the following:

Autonomy. Self-published authors make every decision about their books, from cover design to how and where to promote the book.
Speed. The first step in getting a book traditionally published is usually to find an agent, which can take months or years. Once an agent is on board, the agent submits the book to publishers – again, a process that can go on for months. After a publisher makes an offer on the book and the author accepts it, traditional publishing generally takes at least a year (and often more) until the “pub date” (the date the book is released in the world). Self-published books, by contrast, can often be brought to market within months, because the author controls the entire process.
Ease of accessibility. With print-on-demand services, self-published authors do not need to have large quantities of their books pre-printed. Instead, when the book is ordered online, a copy can be immediately printed and shipped.
The above likely begs the question: With all those advantages, why would anyone choose traditional publishing? Below are a few reasons:
Distribution. Traditional publishers have much more robust distribution systems than most self-published authors. Traditional publishers can get books distributed to bookstores, sometimes nationwide. For self-published authors, getting their books into bookstores often requires additional legwork. (For more information, see the blog post “How To Get Your Book in Local Bookstores.”)
Production. Traditional publishers pay for cover designers, copy editors, and other professionals who help bring the book to market. For self-published authors, these costs are paid for up front by the author.
Promotion. The publisher has marketing and publicity staff who assist the author with these tasks. Often, in-house marketing and publicity staff have contacts that lead to press coverage, events, and other promotional opportunities that might be more difficult for the self-published author to attain.

If you’re considering having a book ghostwritten, which is the right path? While there’s no single answer to that question, at Mark Graham Communications, we find most of our clients choose self-publishing. Often, this is because they want to control their own process and see the book they’ve dreamt about for so long become a reality as soon as possible.
Whichever path you choose, we’re here to help! If you’re interested in talking further about your book idea, please get in touch. We’re excited to work with you!

Meet a Ghostwriter

Posted on January 14 2022 by Mark Graham

We’re often asked by prospective clients for more information about our ghostwriting staff. Who are they, and what do they bring to this type of work?

Excellent questions! While each of our writers brings different skills, interests, and strengths to the job, here’s a chance to get to know one of them.

What is your background? I’ve always been a writer. My favorite form of writing is fiction, which is why ghostwriting projects that incorporate storytelling especially appeal to me. I love taking what a client tells me and developing it into a story with a full arc. Even for clients who are writing business books, I enjoy bringing story into the project, because when story is used, readers are more likely to connect and feel engaged with the material. Equally important is crafting a ghostwritten book to reflect the client’s voice. A ghostwritten book isn’t the writer’s story to tell – it’s the client’s. My job is to use my many years of writing experience to build a full, engaging narrative in the client’s voice.

How did you get into ghostwriting? A writer friend of mine introduced me to Mark Graham Communications. When I learned about the company and the type of work they do, I was eager to work for them. My first Mark Graham Communications project was a self-help book. The client was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his subject matter, and seeing how thrilled he was with the finished book was rewarding for me. I’ve felt the same way about every ghostwriting project since.

What is your favorite part about being a ghostwriter? Getting to know the clients. I love learning about their lives, businesses, and passions. Our clients have extraordinary stories to tell, and during interviews, I’m always fascinated to hear what they have to say. Equally wonderful is finishing a book! The first time a client holds their completed book in their hands is always a great moment not just for the client, but also for me.

What is the most challenging aspect of ghostwriting? Using the transcription of our conversation with the client to create an outline, in preparation for writing the book. When we interview a client, we create a customized interview script to use – but the conversation often isn’t completely linear. Like all of us, ghostwriting clients rely on memory to tell a story, and narrating one aspect or situation often jogs the recollection of something else they want to mention. When the transcription arrives, it’s typed exactly as the recorded conversation flowed. Moving the pieces around, putting everything into an order that readers will find logical and compelling, is like solving a puzzle. Once those pieces are in place, the work of writing the book begins, which involves interpreting the interview transcription and crafting it into a full, well written book, told in that unique voice belonging only to the client.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? I love being outdoors, spending time with family and friends – and, of course, curling up with a good book!

The Permanence of the Written Word

Posted on December 3 2021 by Mark Graham

What a year it’s been! Collectively, we’ve gone through (and are still in the midst of) a long, arduous pandemic—hopefully, with a light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve seen unemployment go up, then labor shortages become prevalent, as businesses became much more, well, busy in 2021 than they were in 2020. Hand-in-hand with that have come shortages of just about everything.

Tuah. an inspiring short novel, is a collaboration between Jeyda Bolukbasi and Mark Graham Communications

Along with these ups and downs, we’ve seen people rise up—individually and in community—to speak out on topics that fill their hearts and minds. We’ve witnessed folks from every generation—from children figuring out how to “do school” again to seniors navigating a world unlike any they’ve ever seen—find ways to adapt.

As we go through these times, it’s important to look back and realize that while many of our current challenges are unprecedented, humans have always had to overcome adversity. No matter who we are, where we live, or what language we speak, all of us know stories of extraordinary bravery and strength.

Where do we encounter these and other stories? Certainly, TV, movies, social media, and websites such as YouTube contain no shortage of them. Daily, our screens bombard us with every type of tale we could possibly want to see, with only the touch of a button or swipe of a finger.

Yet, all of those media are constantly shifting. Visual storytelling has changed dramatically over the years, and there’s no telling what it will look like five or ten years from now.

These light-speed changes can feel unnerving. And they may leave us wondering: where can we find something constant?

That’s easy: the written word.

For book lovers—and their numbers, across generations and through the years, are plentiful—there’s something about a story told via the written word that appeals differently than other storytelling media. When a writer puts words to paper, and those words appear in print, we are asked to use our mind’s eye to “see” what the writer is saying. The written word demands we use our imaginations in a way not required for other media.

When we read, we’re asked to decipher sentences, situations, and scenes. We may encounter unfamiliar words, challenging us to increase our vocabulary. The written word transports us to places and scenarios we might never experience in real life—indeed, sometimes to locations that don’t even exist in our own reality.

This is true for nonfiction as well as fiction. When we read nonfiction, we’re challenged to see how someone else’s stories and situation can benefit and enhance our own experience. Fiction entertains and sometimes educates. Nonfiction, when written well, does the same thing.

If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely a reader—and, possibly, you’d also like to be a writer. If so, I encourage you to put pen to paper (or hands to keyboard) and get started.

But what if you want to tell your story, but the process of writing a book is more than you care to take on? In that case, please contact us! We’d love to help.

The Book Signing: What to Expect

Posted on November 6 2021 by Mark Graham

Get Savvy, Stepmom! by Kristin E. Smith and Mark Communications

It’s a moment that fills many a daydream – perhaps yours, too. Picture it: you walk into a bookstore, meeting room, or other venue. There’s someone there to greet you and set you up with a podium, mic, water, and anything else you need. Chatting with your host, you watch people filter in and take seats, waiting to hear you talk about your book.

Perhaps this vision fills you with excitement. Perhaps with raw fear. Perhaps a bit of both. Either way, below are pointers for a successful book signing event:

Clarify expectations. Prior to the event, make sure you and the event coordinator have thoroughly discussed specifics. How will they introduce you? How long do they want you to talk? Can you use audiovisual props? Will there be time for audience questions? (Note that event length varies, but you can expect about an hour for many events, generally with 20-30 minutes for Q&A.)
Dress comfortably but professionally. You want the audience to see you as approachable but also as an expert in your field.
Make sure you’ve eaten and are hydrated – but not too much. Ensure that you’re physically comfortable during the talk.
Know what you plan to say. Most authors don’t read the entire time. Instead, they talk about their book and how it came to be. If the book was ghostwritten, that’s okay. The audience is interested in you, your topic, and your commitment to getting the book out in the world. Talk about how you worked with the ghostwriter to complete the book.
Decide what, and how long, you plan to read. A reading of 5 – 10 minutes is generally sufficient to give the audience a sense of the book’s style and content. Select a passage that’s compelling and leaves readers wanting more. Before you begin to read, explain any context necessary to understand the passage.
Answer questions honestly. If you don’t know the answer, it’s fine to say you’ll look into it, then follow up.

Once the talk is over, some participants will want books signed. This part of the event, too, has considerations:

Have backup. If you’re handling your own sales (rather than doing sales through a bookstore), bring someone else along to manage the transactions. This allows you to focus on signing books and chatting with readers.
Bring a favorite pen for signing. You might want to have two, just in case.
Ask readers if they want the book personalized. If they do, ask for correct spelling. Everyone appreciates having their name spelled right!
Prepare a standard phrase to write. It can be as simple as “Best wishes!” or more directly related to your book.

If all this sounds daunting, don’t worry. The book signing is a wonderful way to connect with readers interested in your subject matter. The more events you do, the easier they become, so make sure to continue looking for opportunities and staying open to requests.

Above all, relax, breathe, and enjoy yourself! This is your moment! Congratulations!

Word of Mouth Sells Books

Posted on October 7 2021 by Mark Graham

This inspiring book was written by Anna McDermott, Gretchen Wiegand and Mark Graham Communications.

Ask most readers what made them decide to read a particular book, and the answers will vary wildly. But one theme is recurrent: “It was recommended to me.”

Why? Because humans are tribal by nature. We gravitate toward choices that others in our tribe endorse. How many times have you looked on Yelp to decide whether to order takeout from a restaurant you don’t know? How often do you ask friends or family to recommend their favorite cleaners, doctors, hairstylists, or other professional we trust with our appearance, our health, our homes – indeed, with all aspects of our lives?

Most book lovers’ tribes include other readers they know personally. However, many also turn to the book tribe known as “reader reviewers” – most commonly, on Goodreads and Amazon.

If you use these sites, you’ve likely seen such reviews. Amazon only allows readers to rate a book (between 1 and 5 stars, with 1 the lowest and 5 the highest) if they also write a review. Goodreads permits readers to rate books only, with a review optional.

Analyzing book ratings and reviews, you’ll notice that some books boast thousands, while others display only a handful. Due to our tribalism, we readers are much more likely to pick up a book with a large number of reviews (positive, of course) than a small number.

So how do authors increase their number of reviews? Here are some suggestions:

Build a “Street Team.” Your street team includes your A-list readers – the friends, family members, and associates who will definitely read your book. As you prepare to launch a book into the world, build a list of such supporters (and their emails). When the book is available, ask them to pick up a copy (or provide it to them for free) and, after they’ve read it, to review it online. It’s important to note that Amazon sometimes deletes reviews if they suspect the reviewer and author have a personal connection. Still, it never hurts to try.
Mention Reviews on Your Website and Social Media. You might quote a fantastic review, then explain how reviews help spread the word about books. Often, seeing a positive review prompts readers to post one of their own.
Keep Your Request Simple. Make sure readers know reviews don’t need to be long. Several lines about why they liked the book and what stood out for them are perfect.
Provide Links. Make it easy on your reviewers by providing direct links to your book on Amazon and Goodreads. The easier reviewing is, the more likely people are to do it.

One final word about reviews: as an author, you’ll save your sanity if you don’t read your book’s bad reviews. (Most books have them.) Granted, sometimes such reviews contain useful information – but they can be soul-crushing for authors, especially early in their careers. You might ask a friend to read them for you and let you know if there’s anything of value in them. Additionally, never reply to a review. Trying to defend your book to a reviewer who didn’t like it is a game no author can win.

When it comes to reviews, focus on quantity, quality, and keeping things positive. Your book is in the world for a reason. Your job is to make sure its tribe can find it!

Your Book: Your Calling Card on the Speaking Circuit

Posted on September 6 2021 by Mark Graham

Risk: A Road Worth Traveling – collaboration with Craig Huntington and Mark Graham Communications

This remarkably forthcoming book was written by Craig Huntington and Mark Graham Communications.

A recent Mark Graham Communications client came to us with her book idea after giving several talks to college students about her success coming to terms with and managing her own mental health. Her goals were to end the stigma around mental illness and provide positive reinforcement to the students as they grappled with their own mental health challenges.

“I really want to give more talks like that,” the client said. “It was so rewarding, engaging with those students, telling my story and hearing theirs. I want to have a book ghostwritten for me because as I build my speaking portfolio, I can share the book with those who attend my talks. I can go deeper in a book than in a sixty-minute presentation.”

Many of us want to share our expertise, often with a particular audience in mind. Both public speaking and authoring a book (or having one ghostwritten for you) provide opportunities for us to share what we know.

A published book provides several key benefits for public speakers:

Credibility. Experienced presenters know that with a published book to their name, their credibility elevates. A well-written, organized, and insightful book builds your reputation both as a speaker and an author. It puts you a step ahead of others who may be vying for the same speaking gigs (at a conference, corporate event, or particular location such as a school or business). According to a 2016 HuffPost piece by Phil Simon, a frequent public speaker and technology authority who has penned eight books, “inasmuch as competition for paid speaking gigs is usually fierce, not having written a book may effectively disqualify you from the start.” Simon goes on to say, “You don’t need to write [a book]…and having written one guarantees nothing. Make no mistake, though: If the ultimate goal is to make a living speaking to the masses, writing a book certainly helps.”
Marketing. You can use an excerpt from your book to entice organizations to invite you to speak. When you’re getting started, if you’re willing to accept unpaid speaking gigs, some organizations will buy copies of your book instead. This is a win-win, because you receive revenue from book sales and reach a bigger audience, many of whom will spread the word about your book.
Depth. A book offers the opportunity to expand your story. As our client discovered, a brief talk generally provides insufficient time to explain everything you’d like to say on your subject. If you’re on a panel with other speakers, your time in front of the mic is even shorter. Having a book available to those in the audience who want to learn more allows you to tailor your talk to the most audibly engaging points.

Ready to get started? You know you have a great story. If you need help telling it, please contact us. We’d love to talk – and we’d love to get you (publicly) talking, too!

Finding Your Audience

Posted on July 27 2021 by Mark Graham

This self-help book was written by Simon John Lee and Mark Graham Communications.

If you’re thinking about writing a book – or considering having your book ghostwritten – one question that likely has come to mind is, “Who will read it?”

If your initial response is, “Everyone!” you might want to think more deeply about this topic – for two reasons. One, because no book appeals to every reader out there. Two, not everyone reads.

The trick is to figure out who your readers are.

First, some stats: according to a 2019 Pew Research Center study, 72% of US adults reported reading a book in the previous year. Americans read an average (mean) of twelve books per year. The typical (median) reading rate is four books per year. These figures are about the same as they’ve been since 2011, when Pew Research first began conducting surveys about the book reading habits of Americans. In a 2017 Library Research Center study, 50% of women said they’d read a novel or short story in the past year, compared to a third of men (33%). Additionally, 49% of men said they’d read a history book in the past year, while 37% of women said the same.

What does this mean for authors? Essentially, it means that there are readers out there, but their number is finite. (As an aside, if you’re considering having your book ghostwritten, you will be an author – because it’s your story and your book.)

To ensure your book’s success, it makes sense to think early on about who your audience is. To figure it out, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Why do you want to write this book (or have it ghostwritten)?
What’s your favorite genre to read?
If you could pick five people (living or dead, famous or not) to read your book, love it, and find lasting meaning in it, who would those people be? What, if anything, do they have in common? In what ways are they different from one another?
Congratulations! Your book is the #1 bestseller in [X] category! What is this category? Why did you choose it?

These questions can help you pinpoint the audience you want to reach. Once you know that (and once your book is written), you can use marketing and online tools to better target that audience.

Regardless of your audience, remember:

Begin by envisioning your book as one that you’ll love. You’ll feel more passionate about any writing project (ghostwritten or self-authored) if you consider yourself the primary audience.
Your book should:
- Tell a good story
- Provide a great message
- Give readers food for thought

A great book – in any category and for any audience – is, first and foremost, a great book. The trick then is to figure out who else, besides you (the author), will love it. The tools above provide a starting point to help you answer that question.