When someone reaches out to me asking for help with their book, I can tell that they often have no idea what to expect when looking for a ghostwriter. I understand as mine isn’t a common vocation. In fact, most people I speak to about my profession seem surprised to learn that people will actually hire someone else to write a book for them (then put their own name on that book). Many authors hire a ghostwriter and it is completely ethical.
Who typically hires a ghostwriter?
It’s not just the celebrities and politicians who reach out to hire a ghostwriter these days. Quite a few people hire me to write their life stories simply to share their adventures with their descendants. In addition, many professionals seek out a professional writer who can put in the time and energy to put their vision on the page or bring their story to life. After all, it does take hundreds of hours to write a book. How many CEOs, visionaries, and entrepreneurs have that sort of spare time on their hands? And if they do, I bet that they’d rather devote the weekends and evenings to their families and friends. Maybe travel a bit. Take on a new hobby.
What’s the cost?
No doubt about it, hiring a ghostwriter is an investment. If you cast a wide net, you’ll find a lot of different bids. Avoid the cheap ones, as those writers will disappoint you. A mid-level professional ghostwriter will charge anywhere from $15,000 – $60,000 to write a 100-200 page book.
Plan to put 25% down and pay the rest as the book unfolds. Never ask a ghostwriter to accept a deferred payment; they could never run a business that way.
For more information regarding the cost, check out my article: A Ghostwriter Fee.
Who gets the credit?
Most often, the ghostwriter never receives any credit. We sign a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA), swearing secrecy for the project. Now and then it might be in the best interests of the author to give the ghostwriter a writing credit (such as a “with” or a “as told to” tag on the cover). And some gracious clients will give a kind acknowledgment at the back of the book, thanking the writer for their assistance. I am always tremendously grateful for such a gift. However, I personally never expect credit and am happy to remain the invisible ghost of the book.
How does ghostwriting work?
My clients really become new writing partners. Most will provide me with a lot of notes, which will help me form a good outline. Then we’ll chat on the phone until I have all the information I need. Each client is different because each author has a unique story to tell and everyone has their own style. Some clients require hours of conversation, while others have very cohesive notes right from the start. The process is almost always different with each person.
What is the ghostwriting process?
When you’re looking for a ghostwriter, I’d say that the process can be broken up into three phases:
- The Research Phase: It’s hard to write a book without all the information upfront, so I like to dive in and immerse myself in the content before I begin writing. Once I have everything I need, I’ll write up an outline for the client. This will act as our road map for us for the entire process.
- The First Draft Phase: Once the outline is approved, I’ll write the first draft. I often send pages as I write the book, getting feedback and approval along the way. Not every ghostwriter works this way, but I find it works well. I wouldn’t want to finish the book only to realize I’d misunderstood a key element.
- The Editing Phase: After the first draft is approved by the client, I begin editing. I normally hire one or two editors to review the manuscript after I finish. The client is rarely involved in this stage as I would have already received all the feedback and comments in the previous phase.
It takes time
Hiring a ghostwriter makes writing a book simple and easy. However, I should warn you, the writing process does require some time investment on the part of the author. Having said that when you work with a ghostwriter, you can shave hundreds of hours off the process. Plan to spend a few hours a week answering questions and reviewing pages. Most clients find the process rewarding and, in the end, they always have a book with their name on it.
Looking for a ghostwriter can be a fun and rewarding process. Please contact me with any questions!
