Write-for-Hire Work

Welcome, everyone. This is Janice Thompson, full-time freelance author and speaker. I’m so excited you could join me for this lesson on write-for-hire work. If you’ve made up your mind to succeed as a writer. . .if you’re looking at new and creative ways to earn money with your writing, then this lesson should give you additional tools to do just that.  

Much of my freelancing income comes from write-for-hire projects. Over half, in fact. The projects are varied and enjoyable, so I really recommend this avenue if you’re serious about writing for money. 

The term “write-for-hire” basically means that you get hired to do an assigned project. (In some ways it’s like working on assignment for a magazine or newspaper. When that particular project is over, it’s over.) 

Here are some questions to consider when you’re looking at a write-for-hire job:

• QUESTION ONE: Where do I find write-for-hire work? ANSWER: Check with houses that publish devotions, perpetual calendars and gift books, particularly those that do compilation projects. Whether you realize it or not, many of these houses hire authors to write those books. In most cases, the author receives a flat, agreed-upon fee with no royalties attached. Believe it or not, many houses hire out some of their fiction, too. 
• QUESTION TWO: Will I have a contract? ANSWER: Usually
• QUESTION THREE: Will I get credit for my work? ANSWER: That depends on the publisher and the project. My name appeared in every one of my 2009 write-for-hire books in some form or fashion. You do need to keep in mind that some write-for-hire projects are for small things like press releases and brochures. In those cases, one wouldn’t expect to be credited. Paid, yes. Credited, no. 
• QUESTION FOUR: Who will the published work belong to? ANSWER: The Publisher. Once you turn it in, it’s theirs. They can do with it as they please without asking you.
• QUESTION FIVE: How and when will I get paid? ANSWER: Usually half before the project, half after.
• QUESTION SIX: Will I get royalties? ANSWER: No. That’s the deal with write-for-hire. The editor sets a price and you accept it, knowing you will not be receiving any royalties on the tail end.
• QUESTION SEVEN: Do I still have to help with editing/proofing? ANSWER: That depends on the publishing house. Several of my Barbour write-for-hire projects have come back to me for edits. More books than devotions, though.

Types of write-for-hire work: 

Compilation Projects

Many publishing houses put out a steady stream of compilation books (devotions, in particular). Most of these books are written by more than one author. For example, last year I contributed devotions to compilation projects for caregivers, step-moms, and dog lovers. If the book contained 100+ devotions, ten might have been mine. Or twenty, even. The best way to break in to these types of compilation projects is to approach non-fiction editors at houses that publish compilation projects and simply “apply” to write. You’ll have to submit samples, likely, but don’t worry about that up front. Just let the editor know that you’re available to do write-for-hire work, then share your areas of expertise and/or knowledge. Even though your name won’t appear on the front of the book, you will find it inside, either on the page with your piece or in the back of the book. 

Books

Surprisingly, a handful of the novels you see on bookstore shelves, particularly those for kids, are actually write-for-hire projects. Some time ago, I was hired to write a complete book of mini-devotions titled Everyday Joy. I didn’t have to share the project with anyone else. Here’s another scenario: A couple of years ago I was approached by my editor at Barbour Publishing to write four books in a new series for girls titled The Camp Club Girls. Six authors were chosen in all, and we were each given four books to write (complete with outlines). We were each assigned a specific character and all of the characters had to interact together, so we authors had to correspond regularly to make sure we had our facts right. If you check online, you will see that my first book, “Kate and the Philadelphia Frenzy,” is my first book in the series. Each author in the series gets full credit for her books. (And by the way. . .these books are written under my pseudonym, Janice Hanna.) If you’re interested in write-for-hire books, approach non-fiction editors to ask about their upcoming projects. Again, you will have to “apply.” In many ways, this can be like an audition! 

Book Packaging

Book packaging is a bit different from the scenario I described above. In this scenario, a series of books is put out under one name. (For example, the Nancy Drew books were supposedly written by Carolyn Keene. In reality, they were written by a host of unnamed authors who were given a formula and an outline for the book they were to write.) One of the things that sets book packaging apart from other write-for-hire projects is the fact that the author does not receive credit for his/her work. In some cases, authors are told they cannot let anyone know they wrote the book. (This is one form of ghostwriting.) You can see the dilemma for the author trying to make a name for himself or herself. 

Ghostwriting

When another author hires you to write his or her book, this is considered ghostwriting. The same would hold true if a publishing house approached you to write a book for another person. Initially, the term ghostwriter was used because the writer—you—would never be disclosed to the public. Thankfully, the process has morphed over time. These days, the name of the ghostwriter usually appears along with the owner of the story. Here is a good example of how this works: The book 90 Minutes in Heaven (Don Piper’s miraculous story of dying and coming back to life) was actually written by Cec Murphy. The story belongs to Don Piper. Several years ago I worked as a ghostwriter on several books for little girls. The stories within those pages were completely those of the author who hired me, not my own. I simply wrote them down because she didn’t have the skill to do so. My name was on the inside front page in the acknowledgments, where I was listed as the writer. The author’s name went on the cover. In another case, I was approached to ghostwrite a couple of books for a local evangelist. The project didn’t pan out, but if it had, this is how it would have worked: I would have listened to hours and hours of his video and audio teachings, then compile what I heard into some sort of book project. Again, my name would have either been mentioned on the front cover, along with the evangelist, or on the inside front page. If you are approached by someone to ghostwrite a book, make sure you have a solid contract and ask that your name appear on (or in) the book, along with the author. If you’re wondering how much to charge for these types of projects, you might start at ten cents a word. A 50,000-word book, for instance, would earn you $5000. In some cases, publishing houses will give the ghostwriter a percentage of the royalties in lieu of a large fee. Proceed with caution and consider involving an agent.

Business Writing

Think for a moment about the following: advertising materials, catalog copy, technical, medical, marketing materials, newsletters, website copy, brochures, etc. Who writes all of that stuff? You. . .if you’d like! There is money to be made in business/technical writing. If you attend a church, you might consider approaching the leadership to see if they need help with newsletters, brochures, etc. Perhaps they could hire you on a project-by-project basis (especially if you go to a large church with the funds to cover this).  

We’re nearing the end of our lesson, but I want to mention a handful of other potential write-for hire markets: The first is the Sunday School Curriculum market. Someone has to write those lessons! There’s also write-for-hire work available through school and library publishers. Finally, you might consider writing press releases for authors or businesses. The potential for income is unlimited!

Closing Thoughts

If you’re already published but need more work, consider asking your current editor if he/she has any write-for-hire projects coming up. If you’re a fiction writer, you might ask your fiction editor to give you the name/contact information for the non-fiction editor at your publishing house. Also, don’t forget about your agent (if you have one). When I first signed with my agent, I told him upfront that I was a freelance author, not just a novelist. In our first phone call, I said, “If you hear of a publishing house looking for an author to write a book on a specific topic, (be it fiction or non-fiction), think of me. I’m fast, flexible and willing to learn and research.” He has since come to me with “special projects” from two different houses.

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