Many best-selling authors use pseudonyms. Think of this as a stage name for actors, except in the writing industry instead. Novelists choose to publish under pseudonyms for various reasons. For example, George Eliot, author of the iconic novel, “Middlemarch,” was, in fact, Mary Ann Evans, who chose a male pseudonym to fight against biased toward female authors at the time. In addition to using a false name, you can hire a ghost writer for your Christian fiction story.
There are pros and cons to hiring a ghost writer. Several famous authors who have employed ghost writers in the past include R.L. Stine, Ian Fleming, and Alexandre Dumas. You might choose to use a ghost writer for a specific novel or for all the books you intend to publish.
Benefits of hiring a ghost writer
Hiring a ghost writer basically means that you pay someone to develop your idea for a novel into a manuscript that you can submit to a publisher. The following list shows several ways in which it might be beneficial to hire someone to write your story for you:
- You might be great at forming ideas for stories without being a skilled writer, in which case, hiring a ghost writer may bring the expertise and professionalism needed to produce quality work.
- If someone else is writing your novel, you can focus time and effort on other things, such as pre-launch marketing, researching publishing companies or working a full-time job.
- An experienced ghost writer can adapt the content of your novel to fit the language and style that resonates best with your target audience.
- Many ghost-writing agencies provide custom service, which enables you to choose a package based on your specific needs, time constraints, and budget.
Hiring a ghost writer typically ensures confidentiality because the writer signs a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to conceal his or her identity. It’s a good idea to discuss your goals with multiple ghost-writing providers before choosing a writer for your novel.
What are the downsides?
Some authors might not like the idea of hiring a ghost writer. Here’s why:
- It’s an added expense given the fact that you must pay someone to write your book.
- Readers will think you wrote the novel that is published under your name or pseudonym.
- When you hand over the reins to another writer, you may experience a sense of loss of creative control over the story.
- Becoming dependent on ghost writers may keep you from developing your own writing skills.
Collaborating with a ghost writer doesn’t necessarily mean you lose all control over your novel. It’s wise to discuss your goals ahead of time to ensure that the writer brings your voice and ideas to fruition rather than writing a book without your input. Some publishing companies offer ghost writing services. Shop around to find the agency that’s right for you.
