If you’re reading this, you’ve found me, so please do get in touch! But maybe before you do, please finish reading this. This question might seem obvious, especially if you have just Googled ‘How do I find a ghostwriter?’ but it’s worth careful thought.
There are so many ghostwriters and ghostwriting services out there it can feel pretty confusing. Do you need someone who specialises in your subject? From the same background as you? Male or female? From an agency or sole trader? Depending on what kind of book you want to write and what your goal is for your book will depend upon the type of ghostwriter you will use too.
Writing a book for many people is a once in a lifetime opportunity (unless you can write a series, which is rare!), so if you need a ghostwriter to help, it’s vital to find the right one.
Here are the top six questions to ask yourself when looking for a ghostwriter.
1) What kind of book do I want to write?
A ghostwriter often specialises in certain genres. The major genres are memoir, self-help, business, fiction, and celebrity.
Think about what genre your book will fit into. Some people believe their book will be unique and cover many genres, however most publishers are looking for books that fit clearly and neatly into one genre. This is because when marketing a book, the book buyers need clear definition, so the buying public are not confused. Your book is far more likely to succeed if it fits into a successful category.
2) What is the goal for my book?
The next question is whether you wish to self-publish, find a traditional publisher, or want the book for friends and family to read. If you’re looking for a publishing deal, finding a ghostwriter with this experience is essential. A bestselling ghostwriter can be found through a reputable agency such as The Ghostwriters Agency (disclaimer: I am the co-founder!).
3) How much money do I want to spend?
The next big question is what budget you have available. No professional ghostwriter will work for free. Ghostwriter fees vary wildly from £1500 to £100,000. Freelance writing is relatively low paid in the UK, as this article in the Press Gazette recently explored. But the higher their fee the more experienced and successful a ghostwriter will be. If you’re serious about giving your book the best chance of success, this industry is one where you certainly get what you pay for.
Forget about royalties or vague notions of splitting fees unless you’re a massive celebrity with a huge following with a guaranteed bestseller on your hands*. Asking a ghostwriter to write for royalties is the same as asking a ghostwriter to write for free. Any professional ghost will politely turn you down.
*This is super-duper rare
4) How much time does my potential ghostwriter need? How much time can I give?
The next question is time. This could be a litmus test for how serious you are about writing your book. When it comes to writing a book many of us think ‘one day I’ll do it..’ But work and family lives can take over, and any good ideas or intentions about book writing can get quickly shunted down the To-Do list. That’s where a ghostwriter can step in, speed up the process and gets things done.
But you want to ensure the ghostwriter has enough time in their schedule and gives a reasonable deadline. This means you will also need to be available for interviews or edits. Most ghostwriters require three to six months to write an average length book.
Some ghostwriters take on multiple projects at once. I don’t do this as I like to provide undivided attention to each client and immerse myself in each story. But other ghosts think differently. Ask the ghostwriter how they work and what their expectations are.
5) Do I want to do face- to- face interviews or am I happy to do a Zoom call?
Thanks (or no thanks) to Covid, we’re all often asked to communicate remotely these days and some author clients don’t mind this. However, others do. Especially when it comes to discussing personal and emotional stories. While ghostwriters will charge more for travelling or factor this into their fee other ghosts might live nearby and so a local meet in a café or home may be possible. Deciding early on in the process what kind of interview technique you prefer is a good idea. A combination of both is also possible.
The next question is probably the most important of all…
6) Do I like this ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter is someone you will be working with closely. This means lots of conversations, discussions and sharing of ideas together. Your ghostwriter does not necessarily need to come from the same background as you or become a friend, but the chemistry is still important. Do you feel comfortable chatting to your ghostwriter? Do you feel they understand and empathise with your goals? Can you see yourself comfortably spending time in their company?
Take time to consider whether you want to welcome this ghostwriter into your life and ultimately inside your head. A professional ghostwriter should certainly be an empathetic person who will confidentially deal with interviews and your innermost thoughts, with great sensitivity.
Once you have found your ideal ghostwriter, they will draw up a contract to protect both parties during the writing process. This is the start of an exciting journey for many authors, one which will see them holding their own book in their hands at the end.
Finding the right ghostwriter to accompany you on the writing journey is key to making the path as smooth as possible.
