There comes the big decision: hiring a writer to bring your book together. Whether you want to self-publish it or go traditionally, finding the right person to communicate in your voice, with your ideas, and embodying your vision may be difficult. But not necessarily-How do you know who is perfect for your project? More importantly, how can you tell who is just not right?
In this blog, we are going to show some signs of trouble and take one through precisely what one should watch out for during the hiring process. What we try to achieve herein is not just finding you a skilled writer but ensuring that the writer which you hire for your book is nothing but the best book writers for hire, without leaving you with regrets.
The Importance of Engaging the Right Book Writer
Let’s be honest-writing a book is a labor of love. And when you hire someone to do it for you, you’re entrusting something deeply personal to a person. That itself makes finding the best book writer for hire much more important than their writing skills; professionalism, collaboration, and understanding your vision are at stake.
I have seen many writers and authors go through such an ordeal. For instance, one colleague of mine dealt with a writer who was promising everything under the sun, but was actually doing very little delivery: missing deadlines, completely disregarding both parties’ feedback, and at the end, it was work that never resembled anything my friend had in mind. That is basically the experience we need to avoid and can be prevented in case you know the warning signs.
Red Flag #1: No Communication
Poor communication is one of those huge red flags you want to look out for in a book writer. When they don’t answer your emails, take too much time to respond to them, or don’t be clear about their answers, this is a warning. A good working relationship does indeed depend on good, active communication.
Think about this-if a writer is slow to communicate when you’re hiring, how is he or she going to act when there’s a real deadline involved? You need someone who is responsive and keeps you updated, especially as problems or delays come up.
I once worked with a freelance writer who seemed great in the beginning but then disappeared halfway through the project. It was frustrating and set everything back by months. Finally, we had to get someone else on board to complete the work. Whatever notice you get at the outset where communication is either nil or incomplete, don’t ignore; it is a show they will not take your project seriously.
Red Flag #2: Unclear Price and Terms
Another red flag to watch for is when a writer does not provide clear, upfront pricing. A professional book writer should be in a position to give you a rough estimate of his or her services, whether they charge per word, per page, or for the entire project. If they are vague regarding what they charge or change their rate halfway through negotiations, that is a problem.
A ghostwriter who is more often evasive about details like timelines, revisions, and deliverables is less professional. That means getting everything in writing before you begin-including price, deadline, and how many revisions are included in the fee.
I remember hiring a writer who one day quoted me a price to fit my needs decently. By the end of the project, however, they had tacked on several “extra” fees that were never discussed, and I ended up having to pay way more than anticipated. You don’t want that to be you.
Red Flag #3: Overpromising Results
Of course, you want the best for your book, but beware of a writer who over-promises. If a writer promises to be able to finish your complete book in a very unrealistic timeframe or says that your book is going to be a bestseller, then beware. Writing a book is a long process that requires time and effort, and which must go through thoughtfully considered revision.
Ask yourself this: If someone is to hurry through, are they truly investing the time to ensure the document’s contents are top-notch? By hiring the best book writer for hire, they will give you an honest estimate of how long it will take and not promise impossible outcomes. Honesty plays an essential role here.
I once had a writer boast to me that they could write 50,000 words in a week and that after that, it would be good to go. Needless to say, the quality was far from what I expected. The writing felt rushed, and I had to spend additional time editing and reworking the material. A writer promising too much, too fast, may not deliver quality work.
Red Flag #4: No Portfolio or References
Any professional book writer should maintain a portfolio or samples of their past works. If the writer in question which you consider does not provide your examples, or appears a little hesitant when asked for references, this is a big warning signal.
The best writers to hire to write a book usually have satisfied clients who can show that at least some of their past work was satisfactory, or refer them to others for references. If not, it is pretty hard to know what you are really getting.
I remember one case where the portfolio of the writer was right on paper, but former clients’ references were, at best, lukewarm upon calling them. It is always worth doing your homework to make certain the writer you hire has the skills and professionalism needed for your project.
Red Flag #5: Not Willing to Discuss Your Vision
A good writer intuitively knows that his or her job is to capture your voice and your ideas, not to impose his or her voice. If a writer isn’t willing to discuss your goals, your vision, or what kind of style you prefer, that is a red flag.
I’ve seen this happen when a writer came into a project with his or her own agenda and didn’t listen to what the author wanted. The result was friction and a final product that was not what the author envisioned. The greatest book writers for hire are those who listen to your ideas, ask great questions, and really wish to understand what you want out of your book.
If you feel he is dismissive of what you have to contribute, or worse, bulldozing your ideas, then that would pretty much be a good indicator that he may not be the right fit for you.
Red Flag #6: Reluctant to revise
Everything in writing is about collaboration, and that involves revisions, too. If the writer is not willing to change parts that you perhaps pointed out in your feedback, that is a warning sign. You need a writer who is open to feedback and willing to revise their work until it meets your expectations.
In those cases where the writer and the client had open dialogue regarding revisions, those, in my opinion, were the best projects. It was not easy; it worked, though, creating a far much better final product.
On the other hand, I have had a writer who would make no revisions whatsoever, unless he was paid more than what had been agreed upon, even though revisions, to my mind, were implicitly included in the initial contract. It was a pain in the neck and caused unnecessary tension. Make sure you clarify the revision process before you start, so there are no surprises later.
Conclusion: Where to Hire the Best Book Writer
The right book writer can be the game-changer for your project, but you need to catch those red flags on the front line of the process to avoid potential issues. You want someone communicative, professional, open to pricing, and willing to work in tandem with you.
Remember that the best book writers for hire will not only be able to provide skills for a great book, but they will also be reliable in your journey of creation. By being on the lookout for these warning signs in the hiring process, you’ll have a much greater chance at finding just the right writer for your work.
Take your time, do the research, and follow your instincts. The writer is out there, and this will be worth every minute you take finding him/her!
