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Writing a book is a bit like deciding to knit a scarf. It seems like a grand idea at first—heroic, even. But somewhere around row fifty, when your hands ache and your enthusiasm has slunk off to the pub, you start wondering if there’s an easier way.
Enter the ghostwriter.
A ghostwriter is exactly what it sounds like: a mysterious literary presence who writes your book while you get the credit. No chains rattling in the attic required, though you may occasionally hear the ghost sigh heavily when you send vague revision requests like “make it more… exciting?”
But do you need one? Let’s find out.
Who Needs a Ghostwriter?
1. The Ideas Person
You’ve got a brilliant concept—something so clever it could change the world, or at least get you on a few podcasts. The problem? Your writing style makes an IKEA instruction manual look poetic. A ghostwriter can take your genius and wrap it in words that actually make people want to keep reading.
2. The Busy Professional
You barely have time to eat lunch, let alone write 70,000 words. Between meetings, emails, and remembering where you left your phone, writing a book is about as realistic as winning a staring contest with a goldfish. A ghostwriter makes sure your book happens while you carry on running your empire.
3. The Someone-With-A-Story-To-Tell
Maybe you’ve lived a life so full of adventure, tragedy, or absurdity that it deserves to be in print. But writing it yourself? Too daunting. A ghostwriter will help you sort the treasure from the trinkets and turn your experiences into something readers actually want to read.
4. The “Not A Writer” Writer
You know what you want to say. You even write a bit. But getting it all into book form? That’s where things fall apart. A ghostwriter can take your scribbles, your voice notes, or your 4am brain dumps and turn them into something structured, polished, and readable.
Choosing Your Ghostwriter (and Avoiding the Wrong Sort of Haunting)
Picking a ghostwriter is like picking a flatmate: get it wrong, and you’ll be stuck with someone who drives you mad and leaves messes everywhere. Get it right, and it’s a dream partnership.
1. Find Someone Who Knows Your Subject (or Learns Fast)
A good ghostwriter should understand your topic—or at least be skilled at research. If they’re writing your business book but don’t know the difference between revenue and profit, run.
2. Read Their Samples
You wouldn’t buy a mystery novel written by someone who thinks plot twists are optional. Likewise, don’t hire a ghostwriter without reading their work. If they can’t keep you engaged in a sample, they won’t do any better with your book.
3. Make Sure They Can Capture Your Voice
A great ghostwriter doesn’t just write well—they write you well. Your book should sound like you, just… better. Like if you’d had time, patience, and the ability to spell “necessary” on the first try.
4. Discuss the Process Upfront
Will they interview you? Do you need to provide notes? How many drafts will you get? If they say, “Oh, we’ll figure it out as we go,” that’s code for “I will disappear into the night at the first sign of trouble.”
A good ghostwriter has a plan and a proven process.
We like to write “live” – so our clients can watch the book grow and leave helpful comments as we go. And of course, we always do a thorough outline so everyone knows exactly what’s what and where we are going from the get go. There is nothing worse than getting to page 275 only to hear, “It’s not what i had in mind.”
5. Agree on Deadlines and Expectations
Some writers work best under pressure. Some prefer a slow and steady pace. What you don’t want is to be waiting six months for something they promised in six weeks. Make sure deadlines are clear, written down, and legally binding if necessary (possibly in blood, if you’re into that). This is especially important for book releases that require a series of books spaced a few months apart, to work that KDP algorithm.
Working With Your Ghostwriter Without Making Them Want to Haunt You
- Communicate Clearly. “Make it pop” is not feedback. Be specific. First prize: Create an outline together with your ghostwriter, upfront.
- Be Honest About What You Like. If their draft sounds too formal, tell them. If it sounds too casual, tell them. Ghosts are good at mind-reading. Ghostwriters are not.
- Trust the Process. Writing isn’t magic (even if it sometimes looks like it). Let your writer do their thing, and don’t panic if the first draft isn’t perfect. First drafts never are.
- Pay Them Fairly. If you want a book that sounds professional, don’t expect to pay “I found this gig on Fiverr” rates. Good writing is worth the investment.
Final Thought: Should You Hire a Ghost?
If you have a book in you but no realistic way to get it out, then yes—a ghostwriter might be your best bet. They’ll turn your ideas into a real, readable book while you get the glory. These are your ideas, after all.
Just remember: choose wisely, treat them well, and never—never—send them edits that say, “I don’t know what’s wrong, but can you just… fix it?”
We offer ghostwriting support for those with great ideas but no time or energy to get the book written. Check out our Services Pages here.
