An editor, a book coach, and a ghostwriter walk into a bar. Annnddd... I'm gunna need help with the punchline here. Check out this post and let me know what ya got! (Or read to the end for my best attempt.) Why am I thinking about these three? Because I keep getting asked: What’s the difference between an editor, a book coach, and a ghostwriter? What type of help should I get to write my book?
If it all feels confusing, I get it! And I’m here with a quick and easy guide to help you decide if you need an editor, book coach, or ghostwriter.
An editor
An editor is good for you if:
You’ve finished the first draft of your book (or second, or seventy-fifth), but know it’s not as good as you want it to be. You might suspect there’s something big that’s not working, or you might be pleased with it but just want another set of eyes.
An editor can:
Look at what you’ve already done and tell you how to improve it.
You should know:
There are different types of editing available to address either big structural issues or specific language stuff. You might hear these terms:
Developmental editor, structural editor, substantive editor, or content editor (different people have different definitions for these titles, but they all deal with big-picture stuff)
Copyeditor or line editor (these deal with improving language and grammar at the sentence level)
Proofreader (checks for typos, layout issues etc.)
To work with an editor, you should:
Write your book as best as you can. Most editors work with you after you’ve completed the full first draft.
Decide what type of editing you want:
Big-picture stuff that looks at structure, overarching ideas, the journey the reader goes on (see the first bullet point above),
Sentence-level stuff that looks at making the writing flow and the grammar useful (see second bullet above), or
Just a final set of eyes to look for glaring typos and mistakes (see third bullet above).
Find an editor who specializes in your type of book. For example, I only edit memoirs, self-help, and business books. I love me a good thriller novel, but I’m not the right gal to edit it. Start by searching the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA). (I’m not a member but I like what they do.)
Check out a few editors and choose one whose style and approach to writing you like. Look early—the good ones get booked up ahead of time.
A book coach
A book coach is good for you if:
You haven’t finished writing your first draft yet and you’re stuck. You need someone to hold you accountable so you actually make the time to write, or you want someone to talk ideas through. You need a sounding board to see if what you’re doing makes sense and is any good. You want to know if you’re on-track, or want guidance on getting back on-track.
A book coach can:
Look at what you already have, talk through what you want to achieve, and help you make a plan to get there. Some book coaches also edit existing writing.
You should know:
Book coaching often helps the writer as much as the writing. So if you’re dealing with self-doubt, questioning if you’re good enough, beating yourself up for procrastinating, scared of what your mom will say when she reads it, or any other mental gunk, book coaching could be the breakthrough you need.
If you struggle to succinctly say what your book is about, that’s a sign you’re unclear yourself and might benefit from talking it through with someone who really understands books. Like a book coach!
To work with a book coach, you should:
Be ready to put in time and effort. Coaches usually work on a time basis (three months of coaching for X dollars, for example). To get your money’s worth, make sure you’ll have the hours and energy to put into writing during the coaching timeframe you’ve booked.
As with editing, find a book coach who specializes in your type of book. For example, I only coach on memoirs, self-help, and business books. (See a pattern here?!) I don’t know any book coaching directories, but many editors offer coaching services, so you can search for developmental editors at the EFA and see if they offer a coaching service.
Again, as with editing, check out a few book coaches and choose one whose style and approach to writing you like. Look early—the good ones get booked up ahead of time. (I’m currently fully booked for one-on-one work for the next ten months! Though you can get in sooner by joining the waitlist for my group program here.)
A ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is good for you if:
You can talk for hours about your subject, but get stuck when you try to write it down. You’re more concerned with getting the ideas or story out there than writing it yourself or feeling like “A Writer.”
A ghostwriter can:
Listen to you talk about what you want to share, then write it for you in your voice using your words, mannerisms, stories, and expressions, so it sounds like you at your very best. A ghostwriter will also help craft the structure, so it presents your story or ideas in the best way possible.
You should know:
A good ghostwriter can be pricey. My rate (as of February 2023) is $85,000. Either create a plan to get a satisfying return on investment (like using the book to secure speaking gigs or one-on-one clients) or decide if you’re okay spending money on a project that creates a legacy, pays it forward, or does something else worthwhile. Bottom line? Know why you’re spending the money and do a gut check to make sure you’re at peace with it.
Good ghostwriters are in high-demand. I’m currently fully booked for the next twelve months and since I only take two projects at a time, you have to be fast to get in with me! This is true of most experienced ghosts (yup, that’s what we call ourselves), so plan ahead.
To work with a ghostwriter, you should:
Have an idea or a few notes about your book topic. If you have a full draft already written, you might need an editor instead (unless you want a ghostwriter to completely rewrite the book for you—it’s best to have a conversation with a ghostwriter about this).
Prefer not to do the actual writing yourself. You’ll talk it all out and give your feedback on everything, but the ghostwriter will do the actual hard graft of writing the words down.
Research the process. For most people, ghostwriting feels like a foreign world, but understanding a bit about how things work can help you ask smarter questions and find a really well-suited ghostwriter. My process is like many ghosts’, so whoever you end up working with, this is a good primer.
Use the Association of Ghostwriters to find a ghost who’s a good fit for your project and personality. Get chatting with a few writers, check they have decent contracts in place, and go with your gut.
Final advice
So, do you like the sound of an editor, book coach, or ghostwriter best?
If you’re still not sure, here’s the kicker: Most professionals offering these services do a little of everything. They often have blurred lines between their services.
Maybe that brings us to the punchline? An editor, book coach, and ghostwriter walk into a bar. And order one whisky.
Because they're one person.
Get it?
Okay, I know it's not funny. Email me if you have a better punchline. Please?!
Anyway, find someone whose vibe you like and shoot them a message. (If that someone is me, you have great taste! You can click here to message me.)
Tell them where you’re at and ask what they recommend. If they love words, I bet they’ll be happy to help.
Thanks,
Liz "Lame Joke" Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
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