Why It's Worth Meeting Your Ghostwriter in Person

While a face-to-face isn't a must, I find it helps to establish trust in the collaborative writing relationship. Plus, it's just ... Fun!

Photo credit: Alison Kilian

Is it necessary to meet your ghostwriter in person?

With tools like Zoom, ghostwriters can collaborate with author partners near and far. I personally love the location flexibility, as it allows me the privilege of living in the EU while working primarily with US-based clients. With that said, I seize opportunities to meet my author partners in person whenever I can.

A face-to-face meeting is an opportunity to establish the trust that is so essential to an effective writing partnership—plus, let's get real, it can be a LOT of fun. The conversations that evolve organically over a lunch or dinner tend to take a very different form than those that take place through a screen, and I've discussed everything from core childhood memories to travel tips, celebrity sightings, and theories of the afterlife over a meal.

Are these meetings the most "productive" in terms of actually talking book content and moving the manuscript forward? Nope. But I find that they add value in a different way. Whether we're just starting the writing journey, halfway through, or toasting to crossing the finish line, these meetings give me a chance to get to know the people I'm writing for more deeply (and for them to get to know me). Helping to tell their story means pulling back their personal Curtain of Oz, and bonding with them offline allows me to do that in a way that is intentional, thoughtful, and reflective of who they truly are at their core.

My last trip to the US took me to New York City (pic from that trip here!), where I met with two author partners. This fall, I'll be heading back, this time for the #GatheringoftheGhosts conference. I'm already looking forward to the connections to be made.

I'd be curious to know what others think: Have you found that in-person meetings strengthen your professional partnerships, or do you find virtual collaboration just as effective?.

Thank you for reading my blog! This is a space where I share personal thoughts — an opportunity for self-expression that has nothing to do with my professional writing. None of the thoughts or opinions expressed in this blog should be construed as anything but my own, nor should they be affiliated with any company or person I contract with or write for as a ghostwriter.

NOW that that's done... I'd love to hear from you about this blog post in the comments!