STEP ONE: Identify the need and express that to your pastoral staff.

• Your pastor may never have considered that he has something worth putting into an actual book, or your pastor may have already considered the idea of writing a book but never believed he could write it, so that was the end of that...
• Part 2 of step one: Convince your pastor that there is a need for his books.
  • Explain how books would take his message outside of the four church walls and into a hurting world that might never enter a church but would pick up a book and read it.
  • Point out that having his own books would create a platform for him to do more ministry appearances on TV, at large conventions, etc., broadening the scope of his ministry, enlarging the tent!
  • Explain that his books would be a blessing to offer to his congregation and on the road—when speaking at various ministry functions around the world.

STEP TWO: Convince your pastor that you are the perfect person to ghostwrite his books for him.

• Have your pitch letter ready to present and schedule a meeting with your pastor to present Step 1 and Step 2.
  • Be ready to show samples of your work (past articles you've had published, writing awards, etc.)
  • Be ready to pitch ideas for books based on your pastor's sermons.
  • NOTE: Make sure you discuss payment for this book writing venture before you start down that path. You'll need a written contract, spelling out the particulars that you agree on: deadlines, payment schedule, payment procedure (either per hour with a cap or flat fee for book, or royalties and advance)
    • DON'T start before you "get it in writing" because you or he might forget the agreed upon terms down the road, and that can lead to hurt feelings, etc. The devil is looking for the smallest opening... don't give him one!

STEP THREE: Get the tapes for past sermon series that sparked your interest.

• Most pastors have their messages recorded. Ask for a free copy of that tape (or all of the tapes in the series of sermons).
• If you're not a quick transcriber, farm out that work. Many people have transcription machines, so the task is much easier and faster for them. It will save you a lot of time and headaches. Just figure the transcription costs into your final freelance bill.
  • NOTE: Some writers like to transcribe their own tapes because it helps them get the pastor's "heart of the message" better woven into their hearts. In addition, by listening and transcribing the tapes yourself, it's sometimes easier to get the "Voice" of your pastor to sound authentic in your writing.
• Listen to the tape over and over—put it in your car! You'll want to listen to the message a few times before you start to write. If your deadline doesn't allow for much listening time, just rely heavily on the transcription. Study the words.

STEP FOUR: Begin outlining and writing the book. Determine whether it will be a full-blown book (128 pages or more) or a mini-book or a series of mini-books.

• QUICK TIPS:
  • Jot down corresponding scriptures that go along with your pastor's text in the margins.
  • Make note of the anecdotes you'd like to include in each chapter. (You may have to ask for more anecdotes.)
  • Avoid rabbit trails, unless they'd make good sidebars...
  • Ask for the pastor's personal notes—the ones he spoke from.
  • They will no doubt contain more details than he spoke from the pulpit. (Typically the church secretary will have that information for you. She's probably the one who typed them!)
• Write two to three sample chapters and ask the pastor to look at them, along with your detailed outline, to approve "voice" and offer suggestions before you go any further with the book.
  • Consider using "Fast Factoids," pull out boxes, sidebars, graphs, etc.
  • Verify statistics and facts, even if the pastor didn't reference sources in his sermon. (You've got to "watch his back.")

STEP FIVE: Rewrite, revise, refine and finish the project.

• Let the text rest a few days and come back to it. You'll better be able to self edit and see where you've gone off on a tangent, needed more description or stronger verbs.
• Find an editor—someone other than your pastor. He will be there for content approval, but find an expert editor to edit your grammar, structure, etc.
• There are many writers who offer professional editing services. Susan Titus Osborne has a great reputation for her editing business.
• Maybe someone in your writer's group would edit for you. (Just figure the editing cost into your final bill.)

STEP SIX: (Really, this step is done at the same time you are doing Step 5—before you finish the entire book.)

• Decide, with your pastor, whether you want to self publish or seek a mainstream publisher.
• NOTE: A lot of pastors end up self publishing because they can print a certain amount and sell them as needed to their built-in reading audience—their congregations, TV audiences, etc.
  • WinePress (Contact: Athena or Carla—contact info is in Sally Stuart's Writer's Market Guide) is a super option for those who want to self publish. They even have a nice presence at CBA! They do some marketing for you and always do a professional edit and cover design.
• If your pastor desires to publish with a mainstream publisher like Zondervan, Broadman & Holman, Beacon Hill, etc., you'll need to put together a book proposal on behalf of your pastor.
  • Get Christopher P.N. Maselli's "Proposals With Pizzazz" booklet. It's the best format for book proposals that I've ever seen. It's what I use. It even won a Writer's Digest award!
  • Use Sally Stuart's Christian Writer's Market Guide and find publishers that publish the kind of book you're writing for your pastor. Then target about 5 and submit your proposal. (Keep good records!)
    • NOTE: I charge extra for creating book proposals and sending them out to publishers for my clients. You should have that written into the contract if you plan to charge extra, as well.
  • If your denomination has an affiliated publishing house, start there!
  • The book proposals will be circulating while you're finishing the book...

STEP SEVEN: Help your pastor promote his book.

• Excerpt portions of the book (turning them into articles) and submit them to various magazines, newspapers, websites, etc. Again, use The Christian Writer's Market Guide to help you find homes for these pieces.
  • Example of marketing through excerpts: CBN.com
• Write Advertising copy (stuff for the backliner)
• Put together a press release for your pastor and his book.
  • Include his picture and biography; description of his book (copy from backliner works great here); interview questions that you've already approved by your pastor (These questions are so radio and TV hosts know what to ask without reading the whole book.); endorsement quotes from prominent people; any startling facts/figures that might tie into a current event or a holiday—thus creating a timeliness for your pastor's book!
• Lastly, pray! Confess favor over your pastor's book. Thank God that He makes a way for your pastor's book! (You might read the book Favor The Road to Success: How to Receive Special Favor With God And People by Bob Buess, published by Whitaker House, ISBN# 0-88368-251-6.)