How to hire a ghostwriter: Tips from a bestselling author
You can hire a ghostwriter for a wide variety of projects, including books, websites, speeches, and even rap songs. But where do you begin, and how much do professional ghostwriting services cost?
I am a bestselling ghostwriter and in this blog post, I’ll guide you through the process of how to hire a ghostwriter. I’ll share tips on what to look for, how to recruit the right person, and how to increase your chances of success.
How to hire a ghostwriter: what are my options?
There are several ways to hire a ghostwriter, and each option comes with its own benefits and considerations. To make the most of your time and money, it’s important to evaluate these choices carefully. Let’s explore them in detail:
Hire a ghostwriter through an agency
There are many agencies which have emerged in recent years through which you can hire a ghostwriter. Some of them offer a ‘full service’ including writing, proof reading and even publish the book for you. Some of them are very cheap, offering deals from as little as a few thousand pounds, while others charge 20 times more.
Pro tip: Be wary of any agencies who offer to write your book for very little, or which make promises they cannot keep. Anyone promising to find you a traditional publishing deal should be avoided, because nobody can guarantee that!
At The Ghostwriters Agency we only offer the services of bestselling ghostwriters – that means all our writers have written Sunday Times, Amazon, or New York Times bestselling books. If you hire a ghostwriter through us, we guarantee to partner you with one of the best ghostwriters in the world!
Our ghostwriters have extensive contacts and will help at their discretion to place your manuscript in the right hands. Many of our ghosts have experience in securing book deals. Remember, a strong manuscript means a publisher is far more likely to consider offering you a book deal.
Hire a self-employed ghostwriter
There are many credible and successful self-employed ghostwriters, I am one of them. To hire a suitable self-employed ghostwriter for your project, read their website and then arrange a call. An experienced ghostwriter will be happy to talk through your project idea, give their opinion and clearly explain how they can (or cannot) help.
I am always happy to answer any concerns or questions about ghostwriting. Common questions often include:
‘Can you find me a book deal?’
‘How long does it take?’
‘Will your name or mine be on the book cover?’
Much of the public do not understand how hiring a ghostwriter works in detail. Please feel free to get in contact with The Ghostwriters Agency if you have any questions.
Hire a ghostwriter through a freelance website
There are many websites offering ghostwriting services via freelance writers. You may strike lucky and find an amazing ghost on there, however, most professional ghosts find the majority of their work through their own website or networks.
How you choose to hire a ghostwriter for your project is entirely up to you. It’s a personal decision, but to ensure you make the best choice, it’s important to have all the facts and information before you decide.
There are several ways to hire a ghostwriter and the cost can vary greatly.
How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter?
The cost of hiring a ghostwriter varies wildly, but you can expect to pay in the region of £20,000 to £100,000 plus for professional ghostwriting services.
There are a few factors that impact the cost of hiring a ghostwriter, including:
How much of the book has already been written: For example, if someone provides 80,000 well-written words for a memoir it means the project is unlikely to take as long and so the fee could be less.
How much travel is involved: If an author client wishes to do all the interviews face-to-face, extra costs must be factored in. Once I had to travel across the globe for a client who was a very busy CEO. An exciting (and tiring!) experience.
How many interviews are needed: When I write a business book, for example, I sometimes need to interview additional people who are connected to the author in some way to include as extra cases studies to illustrate points made in the book.
How much a ghostwriter wishes to do the project: If the subject matter is very close to a ghostwriter’s heart, they may consider dropping their fee in order to clinch the deal.
How much does it cost to use The Ghostwriters Agency to hire a ghostwriter?
It is free to find a ghostwriter through The Ghostwriters Agency. We do not take commission from the author client, so you do not have to pay us to use the service. However, you will of course pay the ghost for their ghostwriting services.
How is The Ghostwriters Agency paid?
The ghostwriter pays a small percentage of commission to us themselves once a contract has been signed.
Can I hire a ghostwriter in the UK through The Ghostwriters Agency?
Of course – The Ghostwriters Agency has the biggest network of bestselling ghostwriters in the UK. Our team is spread all over the country from Scotland to the South Coast.
Can I hire a ghostwriter through The Ghostwriters Agency in other countries?
Certainly – we have bestselling ghostwriters worldwide, many in America, Europe and even South Africa and Asia.
The Ghostwriters Agency has the biggest network of bestselling ghostwriters in the UK.
Why should I hire a ghostwriter through The Ghostwriters Agency?
Hire a ghostwriter through The Ghostwriters Agency and you will be matched with a bestselling ghostwriter with minimal effort!
The Ghostwriters Agency is run by two bestselling ghostwriters, myself and Teena Lyons, and we both also write books for a living. We have many years between us in experience and therefore have a unique insider’s view. We know what makes a good ghostwriter, what books are likely to appeal to a publisher (so can advise on whether you stand a chance of getting a coveted publishing deal) and so we only invite bestselling ghostwriters with proven track records to join us.
When I speak to potential clients about their book project, many of them have been considering writing their book for years. That means once they get in touch, they’re very keen to get started straight away. However, many bestselling ghostwriters will be booked up in advance. Often I find myself booked up for months or even years in advance, so clients may have to wait until my schedule is free. The Ghostwriters Agency however has such a vast network of writers we can pretty much guarantee to find a suitable bestselling ghostwriter within days.
Our ghostwriters write a ‘pitch’ for the role which we send on to author clients. Then the client can decide who to shortlist. We recommend speaking directly to at least three ghostwriters to find the best fit. Once a ghostwriter has been chosen, a contract will be drawn up between you and the ghostwriter. The terms of that contract can often be negotiated.
What ghostwriting services does The Ghostwriters Agency offer?
Our ghostwriters specialise in writing books in many genres which include:
• Memoir/ autobiography
• Self-help books
• Fiction (novels, children’s books)
Occasionally we offer services to put together a book proposal. This is a document which traditional publishers require before making the decision to commission a book. A book proposal takes around 6-8 weeks on average to write and often costs from £3,000 to £10,000.
Some of our ghostwriters also offer editing services. If you have a well-written manuscript, or a partial manuscript which needs work, an editor might be more helpful than hiring a ghostwriter.
Who hires ghostwriters?
People from all walks of life often hire ghostwriters. These professionals are hired to write books, both fiction and non-fiction, speeches, and even songs. When someone has an idea for a book or another project but lacks the ability to bring it to life themselves, they turn to a ghostwriter for help.
Ghostwriters are used for:
Writing non-fiction books: That’s what I specialise in. I have written for people including an ex-soldier, sportspeople, celebrities, reality TV stars, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and even a coal miner’s wife!
Writing fiction books: Increasingly people are hiring ghostwriters to help them write novels. Celebrities such as Katie Price and Millie Bobby Brown are famous examples of authors who have hired a ghostwriter to write their memoirs or novels.
Writing speeches: President Obama famously used a speechwriter to pen his speeches, and even called one of his ghosts, his ‘mind reader’.
Writing music: Whether it’s rap, classical, hip hop or pop music, many artists use ghostwriters. Famous rappers who have used ghostwriters include Dr Dre, P Diddy and Drake, although when Drake was accused of using a ghostwriter it caused a bit of controversy.
I receive enquiries on my website every week about ghostwriting. The majority of questions are from ordinary people who have held a long-standing desire to write a book, but they need help because they do not have the expertise to write at length.
Prince Harry used a ghostwriter to write his autobiography ‘Spare’.
Tips on how to hire a good ghostwriter
Now that you have a better understanding of how to hire a ghostwriter, here are a few final tips to help you secure a deal with your bestselling ghostwriter:
Use a trusted agency to hire a ghostwriter
Use a trusted agency or indeed come to us at The Ghostwriters Agency! We have bestselling ghostwriters with proven track records.
Take your time
When we send over proposals from ghostwriters who are interested in working with you, read their profiles and pitches carefully. Feel free to ask any questions that spring to mind. How long will it take them to write your book? How many other books have they written in this genre? How many bestsellers have they had? Why are they attracted to your project?
Set specific goals when choosing your ghostwriter
If you’re looking for a traditional publisher, find out if your ghostwriter can signpost you in the right direction. Many ghostwriters are happy to share advice and contacts at their discretion if they believe your manuscript might be of interest.
Remember, your story is still YOURS
Don’t worry about what others think if you choose to hire a ghostwriter. It's estimated that up to 90% of non-fiction books are ghostwritten. Hiring a ghostwriter is very common. You don't have to include their name in your book (though I always appreciate an acknowledgment!). I remind my clients that, despite my help as a writer, the story is theirs to tell, not mine. My job is to capture their voice and produce the best manuscript possible, ready for publishers, agents, or self-publishing.
Ensure you have a proper contract
A professional ghostwriter will provide their own contract, which usually includes provision for a couple of edits and a review of the first few chapters to ensure everything is on track.
Trust your instincts when you hire a ghostwriter
When interviewing ghostwriters, always rely on your gut feeling too. I do the same with potential clients. If I think, for whatever reason, I am not the right match for the job, I will recommend someone else.
Enjoy the process
For many people, whether it’s for their memoir or novel, hiring a ghostwriter is a once in a lifetime experience. Many of my clients admit they miss our interview sessions when they come to an end, and many of them say they have learned a lot about themselves by putting experiences down in a book. I don’t think any clients regret the time or investment. It can be cathartic, fun, entertaining and sometimes a very moving partnership. I have stayed in touch with some of my former clients and even become friends with others.
Hiring a ghostwriter is a once in a lifetime experience, so it’s important you have all the information you need to make the right decision.
Can I hire a ghostwriter to write my book?
The answer is always yes, yes, YES! This is what The Ghostwriters Agency specialise in. If you have been dreaming about writing a book but need some help with turning it into a reality, contact us today.
Hiring the services of a ghostwriter is not illegal or unethical. A client author will always work closely with their ghostwriter, shaping ideas and their words via interviews into coherent chapters. When I start a book for a client, I always see it very much as their story, not mine. I am simply the midwife to encourage the birth of the story.
Can I hire a ghostwriter to write my song?
You can hire a ghostwriter to write or assist you with writing a song. The Ghostwriters Agency doesn’t offer this service, our services focus on books such as memoirs, business books, self-help, and for celebrities. But there are reputable ghostwriting services for songs available elsewhere.
Can I hire a ghostwriter to write my website?
The Ghostwriters Agency doesn’t offer this service either. If you are after this option, I would recommend hiring a professional copywriter/content creator to write your website content. Many reputable copywriting agencies offer freelance writing services for this.
Can I hire a ghostwriter to write my podcast?
Again, The Ghostwriters Agency doesn’t offer this service and a professional copywriter is needed, who could also be found through a professional copywriting agency.
Is it illegal to hire a ghostwriter?
There is nothing wrong with using a ghostwriter. In fact, many famous books and authors have used ghostwriters.
Have any famous authors hired ghostwriters?
It is believed that James Bond author Ian Fleming used ghostwriters to help write his most famous novel The Man with the Golden Gun. The iconic novel The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas was completed by a 19th century ghostwriter called Auguste Maquet. Even the famous book series Goosebumps by R.L. Stine entrusted a group of ghostwriters to help keep up with demand for new titles.
If you feel uneasy about using a ghostwriter, consider this…writing a book is a team effort whether you write it all or not. Nobody sits down to write a whole book and gets the first draft published. Often many revisions are needed. Every single book found in a bookshop will have involved an editor (every book must be edited, usually by both a proof and copy editor), and often a team of marketing people will have helped promote it. A ghostwriter is simply a professional who can be part of this process. Remember too, you will also be fully involved and have to work hard to help put the book together. An author always needs to be interviewed, be questioned on their ideas and then be involved in editing the manuscript.
If you have any questions about whether you should hire a ghostwriter, please do contact us, here at The Ghostwriters Agency. Simply drop us a line at info@theghostwritersagency.com or click on the link below.