Before Hiring a Ghostwriter - What You Should Know

Most people say that they have a book inside of them. But, not as many believe that they have the writing ability, patience, or time to sit down and write a book. Perhaps you are a healthcare professional who needs an eBook to market your practice or a personal trainer who wants to write that next bestselling diet book. Whoever you are and whatever story it is that you want to tell, sometimes it is best left to a professional who specializes in writing these kinds of books. Ghostwriters are the writers who create the books from behind the scenes. They are experts and getting what other people want to say down on paper.

So, now you are ready. You've decided to hire a ghostwriter. NOT SO FAST.

You will want to do your homework before setting out to hire a ghostwriter. Here is the least you need to know about hiring a ghostwriter and what to look for. Good ghostwriters are hard to find and after reading this article you will have a better idea what to look for, including spotting a bad ghostwriter up front.

What am I paying for?

As you do your search, you will want to find out what you are paying for. Does the writer charge per word, but not give any other help along the way with your book? Does the writer consider your perspective and meet with you throughout the process to make sure the book is what you hope for? Do they offer revisions, editing, or help afterwards to get your book into the market? It is good to know what it is you are paying for and get it in writing (contract). If there is ever a dispute for any reason through the process, you have everything spelled out in writing and you each know the expectations of the other, then there will be a lot less confusion and frustration.

What does it cost to have a ghostwriter?

Ghostwriters' rates vary widely. A general rule is $2,000-$5,000 for a novice/cheap writer, $12,000-$90,000 for a professional writer, and $150,000-$750,000 for a celebrity ghostwriter. Each writer sets their rates and policies differently, so be sure to check with them before signing anything. Most ghostwriters will charge you a non-refundable deposit to start work. They do this because if they go to a lot of trouble to research and begin writing their book, and for some reason you disappear, they didn't do all of that work for no reason. A deposit is usually anywhere from 25%-50%.

How long will it take to write my book?

This depends on the writer. Most books take 6 months to 1 year to write, depending upon the subject matter of the book, how much research needs to be performed, and also how much you pay the ghostwriter. A ghostwriter who charges more generally will have more time they can dedicate to writing your book vs someone who charges low and needs to take on lots of projects in order to cover their own personal expenses.

Questions to ask when hiring:

How many years have you been writing?

What is your background in the subject matter?

How long will it take to write?

How many milestones will there be and when will payments be made?

How much do you charge and how is your pricing structured?

Will any of your services cost me extra?

How many books have you written?

Will you be taking care of research for the book or will I be providing it?