Is there a message or story you are longing to share with the world, but are uncertain how to turn that idea into something others can benefit from and enjoy?Or, has writing a book been on your bucket list for years, but you lack the time to execute it well?There are many people who have amazing ideas for books and for one reason or another, are unable to go from idea to completed manuscript on their own. This is where a ghostwriter might be an option.
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who creates content on behalf of a client looking for assistance with a project. Ghostwriting can encompass a variety of writing including nonfiction books, novels, business articles, white papers, and more. The partnership between ghostwriter and client allows the concepts, ideas, and vision to be translated into a polished, publishable work.
Ghostwriters usually write behind the scenes for their clients, never getting public credit for their work, as the publishing credit typically goes to the client. Ghostwriters enter into agreements with this understanding, and as long as they are compensated as outlined in the contract, it is a win-win for both ghostwriter and client.
Some ghostwriters are editors or authors themselves, with knowledge of the publishing world and reader expectations. Others start as researchers or journalists that have a knack for gathering information and writing compelling narratives. Many celebrities, athletes, and politicians use ghostwriters to assist with completing their book manuscripts, as do CEOs and thought leaders, because they don’t have the time, desire, or skills to execute a compelling book on their own. Some fiction authors use ghostwriters to continue a book series once it is well-established and the author wants to work on other projects. Ghostwriters are even used when a deceased author’s family or estate wishes to carry on his or her literary legacy.
Referrals through word of mouth are often the best way to find a ghostwriter. A referral allows you to get a sense of the ghostwriter’s skillset and price tag, while also ensuring they are reputable. There are a large number of online resources where you can search for freelancers such as ghostwriters, but these directories are not always well-vetted. Here are a few of the more popular and reputable resources you can try first:
American Association of Ghostwriters – a professional organization for experienced ghostwriters of books, articles, speeches, blogs and social media content. You can view the member directory and search for ghostwriters in your area and with experience in your genre. Reedsy – an online marketplace that offers resources and service providers for all stages of the writing and publishing process. Listed ghostwriters are vetted, and users can filter by location, genre, and more. Writing Organizations – Many writing organizations offer their members lists of recommended service providers that have been used and vetted. Joining writing organizations can also provide networking opportunities with other writers and industry professionals.
American Association of Ghostwriters – a professional organization for experienced ghostwriters of books, articles, speeches, blogs and social media content. You can view the member directory and search for ghostwriters in your area and with experience in your genre.
Reedsy – an online marketplace that offers resources and service providers for all stages of the writing and publishing process. Listed ghostwriters are vetted, and users can filter by location, genre, and more.
Writing Organizations – Many writing organizations offer their members lists of recommended service providers that have been used and vetted. Joining writing organizations can also provide networking opportunities with other writers and industry professionals.
A word of caution as you research and inquire with various ghostwriting service providers — there is an increasing number of scammers out there targeting authors with false claims and promises, and some even pretending to be experienced ghostwriters when they are not. You may come across ghostwriting agencies or firms claiming they will pair you with the perfect ghostwriter for your project. While some of these agencies are legitimate, many aren’t concerned with the quality of the work produced and care more about volume. They will also try to upsell you on overpriced services such as formatting, design, and marketing, and might never follow-through. The more reputable ghostwriting agencies are typically geared toward elite clients with substantial budgets. Regardless of your path, we encourage you to thoroughly vet any individuals or agencies you are considering working with, and request writing samples and testimonials.
When looking for a reputable ghostwriter for your book, you should consider their level of experience, writing style, time line, and collaborative process. You are hiring someone you wish to partner with on a very meaningful project, so it’s important they are a good fit for your personality as well.
While some ghostwriters have versatility, many will write in an area of expertise, meaning they focus in select genres. It’s best to start with a list of potential collaborators that know your genre and can provide samples of their work in that specific genre. For example, authors with a paranormal romance book concept may want to avoid ghostwriters that have only ever written business nonfiction books.
The true skill of a ghostwriter is their ability to adopt a client’s voice, tone, and style, ensuring the final manuscript reads as if it were written by the client. You need someone who understands your vision —someone who can capture your voice and meet your expectations. There are two primary ways that ghostwriters can execute a book project for a client: the first approach is where the author writes an outline or a rough draft of the manuscript, and the ghostwriter uses this material as a starting point. The second approach is where the ghostwriter interviews the client to understand their goals, messages, and ideas, then creates the manuscript based on that information. Either way, it’s a collaborative process throughout, where ghostwriter and client will work together on revisions until the manuscript is finalized.
You should always request writing samples from the ghostwriters you are vetting, but be aware they may not be able to produce a large number of samples. This is because ghostwriters often sign non-disclosure agreements with their clients, meaning they cannot share any information about the client or book project with a third party. If you wish your ghostwriter to remain anonymous and the information you share to remain confidential, you’ll want to make sure your contract contains confidentiality and non-disclosure clauses.
In addition, you’ll want to confirm your contract attributes all intellectual property rights of the book to you, including copyright, unless you intend to credit the ghostwriter as “co-author” of the book. You'll also want to ensure a realistic time line is set for the project, so that ghostwriter and client are both in agreement on when the final manuscript will be delivered. We recommend consulting an intellectual property attorney when entering into any contracts to ensure you and the final work are fully protected.
The true skill of a ghostwriter is their ability to adopt a client’s voice, tone, and style, ensuring the final manuscript reads as if it were written by the client.
A common question when looking to hire a ghostwriter is, “How much will it cost?” Like many expenses related to writing, editing, publishing, and marketing a book, it will depend. Ghostwriters charge anywhere from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars or more for a book project, and may charge per word, per hour, or per book as a flat fee. They will often request a partial payment up front, with the rest of the fee being paid once the project is complete and delivered to the client. The cost will ultimately depend on the ghostwriter’s level of experience and the length and type of book being quoted. A children’s early reader book, for example, may cost $5,000 - $10,000 to complete, while a professional nonfiction business book may cost $20,000+.
Ghostwriting is a valuable profession that requires a variety of skills including high quality writing, research and organization, adaptability, business acumen, and knowledge of the publishing industry. These individuals also need to be empathetic and trustworthy, as they are often being told things that are sensitive or confidential. It is not a service where you want to use the cheapest provider available, because you will get what you pay for. If you find you can’t afford a ghostwriter for your book, you may consider hiring a more affordable writing coach to support and assist you as you complete your manuscript. Either way, you’ll want to invest in professional editing when the manuscript is finalized to ensure it is as polished as possible before publishing.
Completing a full-length book manuscript takes a great deal of time, effort, discipline, and skill. Just because you may be challenged in one or more of these areas doesn’t mean your book idea has to remain in your head, never helping, inspiring, or entertaining others. With the right professional assisting you, you can turn your vision into an amazing book you'll be proud to share with the world.
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