Often people ask me ‘What is the difference between collaboration and co-authoring?’  So here’s a brief overview on collaboration and co-authoring.

Writing can be a solitary experience for many aspiring authors.  Often you find yourself sitting in a busy café, on a packed train or in your workplace and you still feel alone with your writing project. There is literally a fist full of words, a dictionary, a computer or a piece of paper with nothing but your ideas in front of you and the people are merely a distraction in the background.

Clever authors seek many strategies to fight a sensation of solitude. For example, some people believe it beneficial to join a community of writers. Others find a method to earn money, meet people, and exchange ideas in part-time employment in a non-related area.

One of the best methods to release this dull solitude and to help build a career at the same time is by developing a project with another writer that is fascinating to both persons. This is a successful common approach as long as the authors are writing. This is a strategy. It is helpful for many authors to work with a layman who has something to say but does not know how to prepare a manuscript for submission or turn thoughts into something for sale.

This applies in particular to a major writing assignment that is too difficult for you to undertake alone. But, on the other hand, it may be interesting, thrilling, and even great to work with a co-author.

Difference Between Collaboration And Co-authoring

The terms Collaboration and Co-Authoring are not so different. Working with another person or group to attain or accomplish anything is termed as “Collaboration”.  Collaboration is a way of working together to achieve a common goal, complete a project or create a community outcome.  Often entrepreneurs and business owners will collaborate with each other to help increase their visibility, bring complimentary skilsets together and to create successful projects together.

Co-authoring is described as being a co-writer (in books, documents, or reports). Sometimes collaboration and co-authoring mean the same. For example, two authors writing a book together 50-50 is a proper collaboration and co-authoring. If a person writes a book and the other helps in editing and proofreading, there is only one author, but they have collaborated to write the book.  Co-authoring is a great way to create a community around yourself as you write.  It’s also a good way to address your own knowledge gaps, by co-authoring with someone else who has the skills and knowledge to compliment your own expertise.

Another option is to co-author as part of a multi-author book project.  Multi-author books increase your credibility and position you as an expert in your field.  You can tell your story without the need to write an entire book yourself.  In multi-author book projects run by Golden Earth Publishing you write a chapter of 2,000 to 3,000 words along side other authors.  The authors are all writing about a similar topic for example ‘innovation’.  The co-authors in the project come together to ensure the success of the book or literary work.  They support each other and create a strong community.  This supportive network extends beyond the publishing of their multi-author book.

Problems In Collaboration and Co-authoring

You need to be very cautious before collaborating with someone. The start of collaboration is quite similar to a marriage. It’s usually not a good idea to get involved on the first date. On the other hand, it makes sense to meet someone in a work context in particular. Without knowing the other person, the start of a project is one of the most frequent blunders in collaboration.

The early enthusiasm for collaboration and co-authoring sometimes pushes things too fast. Ideas are flying, and enthusiasm is rising, yet many slip into old routines when the actual work starts—knowing how and what these habits influence each author may greatly affect the project’s success.

The work is always going to take longer than you believe. You will almost likely fall behind if you don’t establish precise timelines for the job. Incremental deadlines and a final date for publishing assist in keeping everyone responsible. Therefore, the project will almost definitely not be extended by a deadline.

In collaboration and co-authoring, problems will also occur. There may be a technical problem, someone may become ill, or the work itself might take slightly longer than you expected. Again, it is crucial to know that there will be a significant increase in energy at the beginning of the collaboration, but this will undoubtedly be reversed as hard work starts. The second act of a book is called “soggy middle” by even solitary authors, as at and after the writing process, it is difficult to sustain the energy and drive you to have. And though it’s impossible to assess how long it takes to publish anything, nobody will ever complain if you set the deadlines more broadly, and then they are reached early.

Why Authors Collaborate?

There are several reasons for collaboration, and the choice is occasionally insincere. More typically, collaboration is created when the interests of persons intersect and when complementing abilities are combined. Authors with comparable interests and knowledge may prefer to work together since a “synergistic creativity” process typically results.

A co-author may also function as a “critical buddy,” challenge assumptions, and identify weaknesses. Finally, teamwork enables writers to share the weight and finish the work quickly, particularly for bigger publications such as books. The major purpose of the collaboration in these circumstances is to develop a publishing manuscript. Not the sole motivation for co-writing is the publishing of collaborative research. Sometimes the process begins with an external boost, such as a publisher’s request to write a book for a single individual. The prospective author loves the concept but believes that the process would be better and richer if a second author were engaged. A more experienced writer may even consider it a chance to assist a less experienced fellow.

What is Co-Authoring?

A co-author is a person who works with another author to complete a book or paper together. They work alongside one another and include ideas from both. It is a collaborative endeavor when both people contribute writing, and both names appear on the book cover.

How Do Collaboration and Co-Authoring Work?

This is dependent on the arrangement. For example, the writers often develop the concept and the overall framework jointly, with both of them having a lot of input on the book’s direction and content.

This is fine since authors may divide the work on a chapter-by-chapter basis and assign each author to various chapters, but all work under the same structure and general writing style and concepts. The relationship relies on how they interact with one other. When you want to engage your readers, co-authoring is one of the greatest methods to do so. You have several different co-writing styles to choose from, but the essential factor is finding a writing style most suited to you and your co-author.

Sometimes the co-authoring path may include both success and failure, but you will always be able to grow and discover new methods to better your work.

In a well run multi-author book project the organiser project manages the writing and publishing process.  This ensures all co-authors stay focussed and do what they do best – WRITE.  At Golden Earth Publishing we take a structured approach.  This ensures all our book projects are delivered on time and  within budget.  This is the best way to achieve success.

Conclusion

It is not easy for a writer to write a complete book on their own. In this case, collaborating and co-authoring help them a lot. Co-authoring is great, and the workload is divided, and the partners get involved in the collaboration. While sometimes, collaboration can mean only one author while other partners help with other aspects such as proofreading and editing.

Joanne Martin is an International Best-Selling Publisher and Author.  She’s the CEO and Founder of Golden Earth Publishing.  Her bespoke publishing house specialises in corporate books, children’s books, solo author books and manuscript development for innovative business owners and creative thought leaders. You can view her books, colouring books and journals, including options for purchasing on Amazon.