Finding a Ghostwriter for Your Book
Most people need some help when they decide to author a book, and this is particularly true in the nonfiction realm. At times, both businesspeople and memoir writers choose to have someone else write the entire book for them, entrusting the job to a ghostwriter. There’s no shame in hiring help like this since not everyone has the skills, knowledge, or time to write their own story, and many people have a story to tell but don’t like to write.
Ghostwriters have helped countless authors craft best-selling books. There are various places to look for a ghostwriter, and in this article, we dive into some of them. Get in touch with us if you are a CEO ready to promote yourself as a thought leader or a memoir author wishing to immortalize your legacy in writing.
Where do you look when you want to find a professional ghostwriter? Of the many out there, how do you choose the one who is right for you? Read on for tips on finding and successfully collaborating with a ghostwriter.
Ghostwriting fundamentals
First, you must understand what ghostwriters do. While it’s true that they take your ideas and write your story, there is more to it. Ghostwriters need to interview you and get to know you well so that they can tell your story in your voice. That’s right–they don’t just write your story but write it in your words. If they didn’t do so, no story they write would be true to the individual author.
Yes, you come up with all the ideas and concepts, but it is the ghostwriter’s job to interview you extensively and research your topic so that they have a complete understanding of the subject and the target audience. This is vital for them to produce an engaging and authentic book.
Only after in-depth interviews and thorough research can they put together an outline for your book. They pass it over to you, and you can request any changes you deem necessary–you always have executive control. When you approve the outline, they use their skills to construct and craft your story.
Once you understand the ghostwriter’s responsibilities, you can figure out what you need to look for to get the best person for the job.
Factors to consider before choosing a ghostwriter
While factors such as cost and personal chemistry reflect individual preferences, there are other things to keep in mind when choosing a ghostwriter. These include:
- The genre, style, and size of your book: You want to find a ghostwriter who understands and/or has experience with your topic and can relay your individual style. If you’re writing in a niche or on a technical subject, make sure your ghostwriter is well-versed in the subject matter.
- The audience of your book: Make sure your ghostwriter can reach your intended audience, whether it’s CEOs or five-year-olds. It’s a rare ghostwriter who can write for both of these audiences.
- Your goals or outcomes: Your ghostwriter should be able to help you attain all your objectives. Discussing your goals with them before you draw up the contract is imperative.
- The amount of research necessary: If you need extensive research, you want to team up with a ghostwriter skilled at finding information.
- Their availability: Can they start right away, or do they have other projects they must finish first? See if they can meet your deadlines or consider whether your timeline is flexible.
- Their previous work: If possible (they typically sign NDAs and can’t share all their work), find out what they’ve written and look it over.
- Publishing connections: Can they help you out beyond the writing stage? Having someone with industry connections can greatly boost the chances of your work getting published. Just because you’ve written a book doesn’t automatically mean you can land a publishing deal, so this is a worthy consideration.
Obviously, different authors need different qualities in a ghostwriter. Figure out what’s most important to you and look for it. Once you’ve done that, you can search for your ghostwriter.
So, how do I find my ghostwriter?
Finding a ghostwriter may be as simple as asking around. If you know other authors, you can reach out to them. It’s possible that one will know somebody who has used a ghostwriter. Keep in mind, however, that the person you choose must be a good fit for you. You may not have the same chemistry with a ghostwriter who collaborated with a colleague. Be sure to conduct proper research on any ghostwriters you discover this way.
One of the other options listed will surely lead you to a respectable ghostwriter.
Social media
Social media is a good place to start looking for your ghostwriter. You can search LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, among others.
You may come across profiles of people who offer ghostwriting services, or you can join a group related to ghostwriting. In addition, you can simply post an ad and check the responses you receive. Study any potential ghostwriter’s profile in detail to glean information about their personality, experience, and writing style. Some of the profiles will also link to the owner’s website, where you can find more information about them and see if they might be a good fit.
This can lead to excellent prospects, but you may need to invest quite a bit of time to read through profiles and weed out the unpromising ones.
Use Google to create your own search. This allows you to use specific search criteria, which may help lead you to a qualified ghostwriter. For example, you can look for ghostwriters who specialize in particular genres and topics or are from a particular area (if you prefer working in person). You are also likely to come across specific agencies and individuals that offer ghostwriting services.
As with social media, googling can take up a lot of your time. Be prepared to sift through countless sites to find a ghostwriter who meets your requirements. Also, be wary of scams: If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
Freelance marketplaces
There are many freelance platforms where ghostwriters offer their services. Well-known sites include Fiverr, Upwork, and Guru. However, these are not necessarily known for the quality of their freelancers, and you get what you pay for. Unless you’re extremely careful with whom you hire, ghostwriters from generic freelancing marketplaces may prove to be inexperienced, sloppy, or unqualified, effectively ruining your manuscript.
While there will be plenty of qualified applicants to choose from, you will have to sift through loads of profiles and applications after you post a job. If you don’t have the time for proper due diligence, this might not be your best bet.
Companies that provide ghostwriting services
Another option is to check the services offered by companies that have ghostwriters on board. Such companies can save you valuable time and match you with a ghostwriter who excels in your area or genre. After evaluating your needs, they can easily pair you with the most suitable expert on their roster.
Another upside to this route is that such agencies often work with you beyond the writing stage. Typically, they provide other valuable services and may have connections in the publishing industry.
However you choose to look for your ghostwriter, make sure you partner with someone who clicks with you and works to understand both your personality and subject matter. If you are a CEO keen to boost your brand with a book or a person who simply wants to share your insight and knowledge in a memoir, check out our expert ghostwriting services.
