How does ghostwriting work?
In this article, I’m going to describe MY approach to ghostwriting books and answer some common questions people have about my ghostwriting service at Find the Words.
This is part of a series of explainer posts, in which I’m discussing Find the Words’s Spring-Summer 2025 offerings.
Why would you hire a ghostwriter?
I think of it this way: if you are a person with an idea for a book, or whose work would benefit from you having published one, you make a calculation.
Is the cost of paying someone else to write your book a better or worse use of your resources than expending your energy figuring out how to write it on your own?
You might hire a ghostwriter if your answer is “better”.
Why would you hire me as your ghostwriter?
I would pick me if you have a lot of ideas and energy about your book. Pick me if you’re excited to brainstorm with me in a meaningful way. Pick me if you want to co-develop the concept for your book with someone. Pick me if you want someone’s input. Pick me if you need someone who can hold space for the difficult emotions that come up when developing a book – and also keep us both focused and moving forward. I'm pretty good at holding nonjudgmental space for people.
Pick me if you don’t mind that I may try things you don’t agree with or understand. (Don’t worry: I’m very good at changing my mind.)
Don’t hire me if you want me to concede to all of your ideas. Don’t hire me if you want me to execute a very precise vision that’s fully baked. Don’t hire me if you want me to keep my opinions to myself. I can’t, and I have a terrible pokerface.
What does the process of ghostwriting look like?
Step One: Vibe check + test chapter
The relationship between a ghostwriter and the client (known as the “author”) is super important and it always comes with risk to both parties. And I’m particularly earnest and sensitive, so that match is really important to me.
During step one, I try to set us up for the best possible outcome for your needs, and mine.
Every time someone is interested in hiring me for an extended contract, I invite them to begin with a “vibe check call”. I like to learn about who a person is, what matters to them, what they’re trying to write, and why. I like to describe my approach to writing to them, and answer their questions.
If you are interested in hiring me to ghostwrite your book, I will first create a contract for us to begin with a test chapter, which will take about 3 weeks. (Value $600.)
Doing a test chapter before committing to the whole book is important to me because, as anyone who has dated lots of people will tell you, some matches look good on paper but don’t actually work.
Step Two: Rough draft
We’ll schedule weekly meetings for a few months*. The first month will be focused on developing the concept, which includes conversations about the voice, structure, subject matter, audience, comps, and format. If possible, I may want us to talk a bit oftener than weekly for the first month.
Then I’ll start writing.
We’ll keep meeting weekly. I’ll ask you to elaborate on certain themes, tell me stories, or clarify your point of view about something.
Every once in a while, I may ask you to read and judge a few pages.
Eventually, I’ll have a rough draft. It’ll have a beginning, middle, end, and lots of holes.
Depending on the nature of your book, this process will take between 3 and 9 months*.
*Variables that affect the turnaround time include: How new is the subject matter for me? How much material can you provide me with? How developed is the concept for the book?
Step Three: Reading week
At this point, we’ll need to spend one week together in-person. You can come visit me in Portland, or fly me out to you.
And I’ll record our conversation as we read the rough draft out loud to each other.
We’ll start and stop. You’ll talk to me about what belongs in the holes. We’ll notice what needs fixing and what needs elaborating.
The last time I did this it took five 3-hour conversations, and we didn’t feel rushed.
Step Four: Full draft
Within a few weeks, I’ll complete the draft using the recordings of our reading week as a reference.
Step Five: Beta readers and revision
You will identify 3-5 beta readers (or I can refer you to beta readers you can hire) and I’ll share the full draft with them, collect their feedback (and yours.)
A few weeks after I’ve collected everyone’s feedback, I’ll deliver the full revision to you.
The whole process should take less than a year.
What is the pricing like for ghostwriting a book?
I personally need to pocket at least $32000 for my next full book.
If you want to write something smaller, we can talk about it, but that needs to be my floor when it comes to a full book.
It’s a competitive price for the market. I’m charging less than I should, because I am not the right person to help you publish your book (but I can recommend professionals who can help you position your complete manuscript!)
Anyway. I’ll quote your project after a vibe check call. Variables that affect the price are the same variables that affect turnaround time, including: How new is the subject matter for me? How much material can you provide me with? How developed is the concept for the book?
Do you have to credit the ghostwriter?
No. Ghostwriters are generally not identified anywhere in the books they write.
For some reason, this makes my parents upset every time I remind them that my name is not going on the books I ghostwrite. They think I should try to negotiate for this. “How can you let someone else take the credit?”
I tell you what I tell them: I don’t necessarily want to be responsible for someone else’s ideas — and “credit” comes with responsibility.
Do you owe a ghostwriter royalties?
No. Ghostwriters typically only collect fees to write the book, and they release their rights to it.
So why am I a ghostwriter?
It’s weird, isn’t it.
But I look at it this way:
Writing on behalf of other people affords me the space I need to protect my own personal projects from the need to be profitable.
Throughout my life, I’ve invested in my creative skill development. I earned an MFA in Creative Writing, taught writing courses for 5 years, and have been writing stories since I could transcribe them to my grandmother as a child.
Other people invested their energy into developing the knowledge and skills they need in order to develop products, services, and ideas that have the potential to impact the world. Those people… generally haven’t practiced the skill of writing. No shade, but their rough drafts are usually all over the map.
My ability to write is the thing I can contribute to other peoples’ initiatives. It’s also something I love to do.
Want to get started?
Schedule a free vibe check call.
