6 Tips for Finding the Right Ghostwriter
Guest post by Peggy Holsclaw, Ghostwriter and Book Coach.
Finding the right ghostwriter for your book is no easy task in the digital age. The internet is brimming with options and without an effective strategy for your search, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Where can you connect with true, experienced professionals who will do your book justice? How can you avoid getting stuck with a bad match?
As a ghostwriter myself, I understand the challenge authors face in searching for us. We all have different backgrounds, rates, qualifications, portfolios, personalities, and areas of specialty to bring to the table. I’m here with six tips to help you connect with the best possible ghostwriter for your book.
1. Align your expectations with your budget.
Writing a great book—the kind that garners five-star Amazon reviews and establishes you as an authority in your field—requires hundreds of hours of focused work, keen attention to detail, and knowledge of the publishing industry. Professional ghostwriters know what it takes to produce work of this scope and charge accordingly. While you can go on a site like Fiverr and hire a newbie to ghostwrite your manuscript for $10k or less, you’re unlikely to get the top-quality results you seek in return. Most experienced ghostwriters in the industry charge between $40k-$80k for a completed manuscript, developed and written from scratch. Those who ghostwrite for celebrities, political figures, and famous athletes can charge upwards of six figures. Be prepared to invest a suitable chunk of change.
2. Seek out ghostwriter organizations that ensure quality control.
Publishing companies and sites like Reedsy set high standards ghostwriters must meet before they’re added to the talent pool. These organizations evaluate resumes, portfolios, grammar tests, and writing samples. Some even have applicants edit or completely rewrite a rough chapter of a manuscript before they’re brought into the fold. By searching for a ghostwriter within established organizations with strong guardrails, you can be confident every person you consider will be qualified to handle the job.
3. Do a web search for ghostwriters who specialize in your genre.
Co-creating your manuscript will go far more smoothly with a ghostwriter who has in-depth knowledge of your book’s subject matter. Whether your narrative centers on politics, history, personal development, technology, travel, or finance, you’ll need a partner in your corner who can write with the level of nuance your readers deserve. For instance, don’t try to write a book about your life-altering spiritual awakening with a ghostwriter who doubts such experiences are even valid or possible. Instead, go to LinkedIn or Google and type “spirituality ghostwriter” into the search bar. You’ll find a number of professionals who will be just as excited to create your specific book as you are. That resonance is key.
4. Request ghostwriter portfolios to review writing samples and completed books.
Ghostwriters face a unique obstacle in our careers: we can’t always get permission to talk about the work we produce and are, by extension, limited in how we can advertise ourselves. Occasionally, authors will grant us permission to include their projects in our portfolios and even write recommendations for us. (We love this!) While interviewing ghostwriters for your project, ask if they can send you links to any books they’ve written previously. Most books sold on Amazon have a free sample attached, which you can read to get a sense of the ghost’s writing style. If they lack permission to show you any of their published work, request a few short writing samples instead. Experienced professionals will have some type of content prepared to give you a sense of their range.
5. Focus on ghostwriters who are ready to take the lead.
You might assume you, the author of your book, know exactly what needs to happen for it to be written well. Just tell your ghostwriter what you want to say and they’ll boomerang a bestseller back to you, yes? I do wish it were so simple! In truth, an unfinished manuscript is a richly detailed, continually evolving document made up of interconnected parts that will need to be checked, tweaked, and analyzed dozens of times. Without a proven, structured process to follow, you’re at risk of drowning in a chaotic sea of information readers will find confusing. Successful ghostwriters create project-management systems designed to ensure your book is both digestible and engaging. Rather than hiring someone who looks to you for direction, find a ghostwriter with systems in place that allow them to lead the way as you organize your narrative.
6. Hire someone you feel emotionally safe with.
Much of the time, your overall experience with your ghostwriter will come down to personal and professional chemistry. “Vibes” might sound like a superfluous consideration, but vibes are everything in the context of long-term collaboration between co-creators. You and your ghostwriter will be working together for anywhere from three months to three years — or longer! Do you enjoy talking with them? When you speak, do they actively listen, reading between the lines for the deeper meaning you wish to convey? Do they care about your success? Do you trust them with your vulnerable information and the framing of your message? Do they give you honest feedback in ways that respect your feelings? In an ideal author-ghostwriter relationship, these factors will align and click.
With these tips in mind and a bit of patience, you’ll be able to narrow down your plethora of options to a manageable shortlist of candidates. Once you’ve zeroed in on the best ghostwriter for your situation, you can embark on the creation process with confidence, excitement, and peace of mind. Happy hunting!
Peggy Holsclaw is a bestselling ghostwriter, editor, proofreader, and book coach based in the Bay Area. She specializes in the genres of psychology, spirituality, culture, and personal development. Helping authors share their wisdom with the world brings her great joy. Visit www.bonafideink.com to learn more.