Ghostwriter vs. Book Coach vs. Book Editor: Which Do You Need?
By Jim Morris ยท Updated
A ghostwriter writes it for you. A book coach helps you write it yourself. An editor improves what's already written. Which one you need depends on whether you have a draft, and whether you want to be the one writing. Book writing and publishing can involve all three, but each has a different job.
Ghostwriter: full book writing, ready for publishing
Interviews you and writes the book in your voice. Best if you have the ideas and stories but not the time or desire to write. Usually the biggest investment of the three.
Book coach
Keeps you on track, helps with structure, and gives feedback as you write. Best if you want to write it yourself but keep getting stuck. You do the drafting.
Book editor
Works on a manuscript that already exists. Developmental editors fix structure, line editors fix sentences, copyeditors fix grammar and consistency, proofreaders catch the last errors.
Which one do you need?
- No draft and no time: ghostwriter
- No draft, but you want to write it: book coach
- Finished or rough draft: editor
- Not sure: talk to someone who offers all three
Can you use more than one?
Yes, and most books do. Even ghostwritten books should go through editing. At Human Touch, every manuscript moves through four editors, whether we wrote it or you did.
Straight answers
Does a ghostwriter edit too?
Their drafts get revised, but a separate editor catches what the writer can't see. That's why we use both.
About Human Touch Publishing
Our team covers ghostwriting, coaching and editing under one roof, so you can get the kind of help that fits you. Human Touch Publishing is a book writing and publishing company in Nashville, and we work with experts all over the country. Real writers and editors help you take your book from idea through writing, editing, design, publishing and launch, and you keep all your rights and royalties. If you want to talk through your book, book a call with Jim.