| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
What is ghostwriting?
Ghostwriting is what a professional writer does when he or she is asked to compose an original manuscript based on an idea proposed by the client. The complete rights for the final manuscript go solely to the client.
What is rewriting or revising?
Rewriting involves the complete revision of a prewritten text (same copyright conditions as in ghostwriting).
What is editing?
Editing involves various levels of textual changes and improvements. At AFS wordstead, all editing changes are incorporated directly into the text; comments and suggestion are highlighted in red and/or summarized in a brief report (for book-length projects).
What is critiquing?
Critiquing involves the critical analysis and assessment of a work. AFS Wordstead provides a ten- to fifteen-page report consisting of the critique and some helpful suggestions for improvement.
What is the procedure?
Producing a book is a complex process. Our policy is to work faithfully with clients until the final version is ready either for submission to a publisher or for reading by a personal audience. When you hire us to ghostwrite your book or to revise a prewritten text, there is a trial period that allows you—the sole owner of authorship rights—to check on the work in progress. A first representative submission will be forwarded to you. If the work thus far meets with your approval, we will proceed according to our agreed schedule. If, for some reason, you are dissatisfied, you may discontinue the project at minimal charge (equivalent to the amount work done, or $500, whichever is lower).
How does the confidentiality clause work?
Any ghostwriting, rewriting, and editing contract we sign would stipulate strict confidentiality for all aspects of our transaction, a general schedule of text submission from us, and the dates of the payment installments.
What recent works have you produced?
Current and recent projects include:
1. Ghostwriter for Ohio-based NCR, a multibillion-dollar international communications corporation, on a book in leadership and communication management. Requirements: Knowledge of management principles and corporate culture.
2. Ghostwriter for a work on religious conflict and mediation in the modern world. Requirements: Solid knowledge of religious science and history.
3. Ghostwriter of a commentary on the system of justice for a California businessman. Requirements: Good knowledge of US legal issues.
4. Ghostwriter of a South African autobiography. Requirements: Knowledge of current events and recent history.
5. Ghostwriter of 335-page historical novel based on the life of General Benedict Arnold, during the American Revolution. Requirements: Extensive knowledge of American history and local 18th-century culture and idiom.
6. Scriptwriter for numerous film projects and book-to-screen adaptations.
7. Ghostwriter for a media-famous nurse who fell victim to a clinic bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. Requirements: Some medical knowledge.
8. Ghostwriter of a biotech/legal, science-fiction novel for client in Pennsylvania. Requirements: Knowledge of medical science and forensics.
9. Ghostwriter of a 350-page gothic novel set in South Carolina. Requirements: Local idiom (Southern dialect and expressions), scientific and political concepts, local geography.
10. Editor for Family Digest (Danville, California), a popular magazine.
11. Copyeditor for PDN Communications (New York, NY), a publisher of art books.
12. Manuscript editor and translator (since 1995) for ITS, Inc. (Cambridge, UK), a British academic publisher.
13. Translator of three introductory nonfiction works with an independent publisher (ITS, Inc., Cambridge, UK).
14. Book reviewer for DOMES digest (a journal of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee).
15. Edited hundreds of fiction and nonfiction books, scripts.
16. Ghostwriter of two recent self-help books: (a) Management coaching in the trucking industry; (b) Success through finding your own center of gravity.
Personal credentials of Anthony F. Shaker, PhD (Senior Writer and Editor):
* Senior Writer, AFS wordstead.
* Senior Editor, AFS wordstead - Supervising other editors and writers of fiction/nonfiction for submission to major publishers (Harper-Collins, Penguin, academic/independent press, and others). Ghostwriting popular and specialized works.
* Freelance editor for large - circulation magazines and publishers.
* Academic manuscript editor, writer/translator/researcher with ITS, Inc. (Cambridge, UK).
* IBE-IDARF, Ltd. (1996-2002) - Director of R&D and international market development; board member; product development and marketing; innovative technologies market. Overseas travel for negotiations with investors.
* PhD in humanities (McGill University).
How much will my project cost? (Go to cost)
Ghostwriting a complete manuscript can cost anywhere from US$6,000 per 100 pages (8½” x11”) for fiction up to $15,000 per 100 pages for complex, specialized nonfiction works.
Rewriting is between $3-12,000 per 100 pages.
Editing (fiction/nonfiction). The basic editing fee for novels, short stories, articles, etc. is $85 per hour for individual authors, or $900 to 1,900 per 100 pages; $95+ for businesses, $1,200 to 2,900 per 100 pages.
Scriptwriting a 90- to 120-page script costs $9,500-27,000, or $75/hr.
Script editing a 90- to 120-page script costs $85 per hr.
Critiquing costs $950-1,500 per 100 pages (regular manuscripts), per 30 pages (scripts).
(Please note that our contract would stipulate the total cost. No other charges would be added to those stipulated in the contract. You are always in control and have the final say in everything that goes into your work.)
How do I send you my manuscript for rewriting or editing?
By e-mail with an attached computer file (or just regular mail). Simply attach the document to your e-mail message with forwarding address, telephone and fax numbers, and other relevant information. For book-length manuscripts, a hard copy and computer disk are necessary, since transfer through Internet may unexpectedly squelch the document’s codes and formatting.
What program should I use?
Most of our work is done in Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect for regular manuscripts, and Final Draft for scriptwriting. If you require other software programs, let us know which ones and we’ll try to accommodate you.
Do you accept rush jobs?
It’s not always better to receive prior notice. We’ll do our best to accommodate your needs. However, complex short-term projects may force us to hire people with the necessary skills to maintain our quality of service. In a busy period, we may be forced to charge you at 1.5 times the normal rate.
Will you help me publish my work?
We do not publish or represent authors, but we're willing to use our network of professional contacts to maximize your chances of publishing success. While we're not in the business of promising unrealistic dreams, with AFS Wordstead you'll have a good shot at seeing your work published.
I may have a client or two to refer to you. Is it worth any credits in my account?
Certainly. For every new client you refer to us, we will offer a special CREDIT DISCOUNT. Our business depends on word-of-mouth and on our reputation for excellence!
Phone: (819) 597-4072
E-mail: Afshaker@aol.com
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