When you call General Books, we will seek to learn as much as we can about
your idea, your standing as an expert on your topic and your
commitment to the authorship process. If we believe that you have a
good chance of being published, we'll arrange an in-person meeting or
teleconference with some of our member authors whom we believe would
be interested. Our selection committee meets every other week to
discuss which projects will be taken on and if yours is accepted then
we get in touch with you to begin work.



Your ghostwriter will spend several months doing research, conducting
interviews, writing and rewriting on your behalf until an outstanding,
publication quality manuscript is produced. The ghostwriter will need
to interview you extensively at the beginning of the process and
possibly throughout the process. In addition to spending time with the
ghostwriter and arranging for interviews with and materials from other
people who might have something to contribute to the book, it will
also be your job to carefully read each chapter of the manuscript as
it arrives and to let the ghostwriter know whether the manuscript
fulfills your idea and vision.



When the manuscript reaches the point that both you and the
ghostwriter feel that it is ready for the presses, you will need to
make a decision as to whether to use an agent or to sell your
manuscript directly to a publisher. Your ghostwriter will have
personal contacts with both and will be able to advise you, but
ultimately you will have to decide whether an agent's experience,
advice and contacts are worth the percentage of your advance and
royalties that they request.