The Christian Writers Institute has just released a marvelous book by Cec Murphey, Ghostwriting: the Murphey Method. It is a wonderful look behind the scenes in how so many bestselling books are created.
Cec is the writer who helped craft many bestselling books including Gifted Hands by Ben Carson and 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper.
In the book he turns back the curtain and through dozens of stories helps you understand this industry even better. There are sample contracts he uses with clients. Ways to protect yourself. How to interview to get the real story, and more. For example, he helps distinguish between collaboration (the “with” writer on the cover of a book), co-authoring (the “and” on the cover of the book), and ghostwriting (where the writers name does not appear).
You might think this has no bearing on your writing career, but every scrap of knowledge in how things work will help you navigate the journey with confidence. Whether or not you ever plan to collaborate or ghostwrite a book, you could be working with or already have worked with editors, agents, and personalities. Find out how Cec has done it with so much success for so long.
Cec is one of the most beloved writers and teachers in our industry and has announced plans to “retire” at the end of this year. I see this book as a legacy of sorts.
I highly recommend this book to you. [Full disclosure, as the president of the Christian Writers Institute, I’m the publisher, so I’m somewhat biased. And I’m a long time friend of Cec’s. But I would not have published the book if I didn’t think it worthy.]
Links to buy:
$15.99 in paperback. $7.99 in ebook.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple iTunes
Kobo
With more than 30 of my books having been works-made-for-hire, which I’ve always looked on somewhat as a type of ghostwriting, this looks like it will be most useful for any new projects I may tackle in the future. On my way to get a copy. Thanks, Steve!
I am ghostwriting for someone right now! This sounds like exactly what I should be reading. Thank you for providing this information.
Steve, thank you for your great words about Cec’s book. As someone who has worked closely with him for ten years, I’m thrilled that this book–his legacy book–is available before he retires. It answers so many questions and clearly explains the process of ghostwriting and collaborating. Because I’m a “show me” type learner, I especially appreciate all the examples and stories he uses in the book. I learned a lot as I read it, and I plan to refer to it again and again as I work on future projects. It’s an excellent resource, almost like having Cec with you and mentoring you in person. I recommend it for all writers, not just those interested in ghostwriting.
Looks like a great resource.
Cec is also spending his last year as the keynote speaker at PENCON, a division of the Christian Editor Network. We’re pretty excited. If anyone is interested, he is teaching a session about collaborating and ghostwriting.
Like Jaime, I’m in the middle of helping someone write a book (more editing heavily as they write) and have been asked to ghostwrite another. This is new territory for me, although I’ve been writing professionally for more than 25 years.
I’m ordering the book now and am thankful you shared this!
I rarely do this, because I have learned from a very early age to be able to do without almost anything. I am adding this to a really dusty, very unused, MUST HAVE list. Cec will not give less than his best. Published by Steve Laube, owner of Christian Writers Institute, BONUS!
Hold on to your chest Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen, aka Jeff Bezos of Amazon. I’m opening my wallet, moths are flying out as I count the correct amount of silver certificates, and my order is on the way. If its soon reported that Jeff had a heart incident you will know why.
Thanks for the heads-up, Steve. I am doing a lot of academic reading right now but will check it out in the future.
Thanks, Steve! I ‘m going to order a copy ASAP. As far as I’m concerned, you can keep on publishing and selling me helpful stuff. God bless!