Putting your ambitions into someone’s hands is scary, right? Especially when those stories are buried in the pit of your heart for ages. It’s yours whether it’s a success story or features someone special who left a mark. These visions shape who we are. 

Putting such a big sentiment into words can be terrifying, especially when you know you’re not equipped to do justice to it. This is where you can trust experts like us to guard this treasure. A professional ghostwriter will keep these memories safe while beautifully displaying them in a compact book. 

With their technical nuance, your story can be shared with the world and impact young hearts. Sounds fruitful, doesn’t it? But how to make the right choice? How to hire a ghostwriter?

Here’s a guide to help you.

Do I Need a Professional Ghostwriter?

The concept of hiring a ghostwriter can seem too enticing for many, mostly for those who have always wanted to see their name on a book but were held back due to different reasons. 

Keep the glitz and glamour, and try to understand whether you actually need it or just want to hop on the bandwagon like others. You may hire a ghostwriter if you fall under one of these categories:

  • You have a storyline but lack the writing skills to work on it.
  • You’re struggling with tight time constraints and can’t dedicate the time needed.
  • You aim to publish multiple works in a short period.
  • You’re unsure about the execution process or how to navigate publishing.
  • You prefer a professional to handle the entire writing and publishing process seamlessly.

How to Find the Perfect Professional Ghostwriter for Your Book?

Once you have realized the fact that you do require a ghostwriter, you may think the hard part is done. This is definitely far from reality. Finding a suitable ghostwriter who not only understands your requirements but fulfills all the criteria is a hardball. 

Here is a basic checklist on how to hire a ghostwriter: 

  • Research The Market
  • Ask For Samples 
  • Review Sample and Shortlist Candidates 
  • Set Up Interviews
  • Discuss Budget 
  • Draft a Confidentiality Contract

How to Work with a Professional Ghostwriter?

Now that you have your hands on a top-tier ghostwriter, it is important to come up with a game plan. A proper collaboration with the ghostwriter is extremely vital to gain satisfactory results. Here’s how you can make your partnership worth a while. 

  1. Set Your Expectations Straight 
  2. Offer Transparency 
  3. Provide Enough Information 
  4. Trust Their Abilities 
  5. Share Feedback  
  6. Stick to Deadlines
  7. Preserve Confidentiality
  8. Be Patient and Flexible 

Let’s expand on these tips.

 

  • Set Your Expectations Straight 

Maintain utmost clarity at the beginning of the book writing process. You must be clear about what you expect the ghostwriters when they’re working on your book. After deciding your main requirements, communicate them with the ghostwriter.

To make things easier, try writing them down on paper and attaching them to the brief so the ghostwriter can have them listed. This will help them refer to it when needed. Following are some of the basic requirements:

  • The Ideal Outcome of this Collaboration 
  • Expected Project Timeline 
  • Communication Channels 
  • Frequency of Interviews 

 

  • Offer Transparency 

As a client, being open and transparent can help the ghostwriter understand the essence of you properly. Try to share all the information authentically to build trust and collaboration. This will help the ghostwriter pen your book effectively. 

Be as vulnerable as you like while collaborating with a fiction writer. Your raw voice will make the book unique and deeply personal. Thanks to the confidentiality agreement, your secrets will remain safe with them.

 

  • Provide Enough Information 

When working with a ghostwriter, you need to understand that successful outcomes require cooperative efforts. You must provide them with sufficient information to work with as a client. They can’t create content out of thin air despite them being experts. 

Here are some key details you should provide to the ghostwriter throughout the process:

  • Suitable background material
  • Point of view (POV) details
  • Different angles or perspectives

Never hold back on these details, as they help solidify the plot and enrich the background of the story and its characters.

 

  • Trust Their Abilities 

We understand you’re the author of the book, but trust the abilities of the ghostwriter you’ve hired. These professionals are equipped with the technical knowledge and experience to wonderfully complete your book. They understand what your narrative demands and know how to execute it flawlessly.

Allow them to showcase their expertise, as they’re working with you, not against you. Here are some ways to foster trust:

  • Let them organize your ideas.
  • Provide feedback and comments when necessary.
  • Be open to their suggestions and ideas.

 

  • Share Feedback

Every good ghostwriter anticipates constructive feedback, so don’t hesitate to highlight your point of view. Since book writing is a lengthy process, there will be many occasions where you’ll have the last say. So, offer thorough feedback and be clear with every edit or revision you request. 

Be clear about the issue and inform them what needs to be changed. At this point, try to be accepting and acknowledge their advice as well. This will help you create a book that is not only according to your vision but also thrives in the market.

 

  • Stick to Deadlines

Partnering up with a ghostwriter is just as same as working with any other service provider or company. You need to work alongside them to get things done in an orderly manner. Even though you’re busy, it’s crucial to stick to the set deadlines. 

Most practiced ghostwriters offer flexibility and understand that not all deadlines can be followed. However, that doesn’t mean you can skip as many as you like. Skipping meetings and feedback sessions can directly impact the ghostwriting process, which will be detrimental for both you and them. 

 

  • Preserve Confidentiality

Every seasoned ghostwriter understands the value of confidentiality. They make sure all the information is protected and used only for the sake of the book. You must impose this cordial rule. You can also make them sign a confidential contract to seal the deal. 

 

  • Be Patient and Flexible 

Sometimes, the circumstances might change as you progress. Things might go down the drain, and you may need to do some damage control. This is where you need to be calm and flexible. Every book comes with its own obstacles, so be patient with these experts, as they’re here to cater to what you want. 

Be open and express how you want to mitigate the situation. Clearly defines what needs to be included and what can be discarded if necessary. 

There you go! Some effective tips on how to work with a professional ghostwriter. With these, your next association will be smooth sailing. For effortless and swift ghostwriting experiences, try Ghostwriting Proficiency. 

We bring you comprehensive services to support you throughout the process, including book writing, book editing, book publishing, and so much more. 

Give us a call to get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no standard measuring formula that can determine the basic writing cost or price range for a book. Prices can vary depending on the writers’ rate and working model, whether it’s per word or project. The cost range also heavily depends on the chosen genre and style. Some genres cost more.

The answer to this question greatly depends on the needs of the book and the author. Depending upon the complexity, some books might come with 50 words per page, while some might come with 300 words. For example, a children’s novel might have 200 pages but still contain less content than a normal novel.

Most of the time, it depends on the storyline and the author. Many publishing houses also tend to set different page counts. Remember that even this count can range from company to company. Many sources estimate that a book can have about an approximate page count of 200 to 350 pages.

If you’re writing on your own and choosing self-publication, then you get to follow your timeline. It can take a few months to a few weeks, depending on your writing speed and routine. But when it comes to self-publishing, the estimated time is noted to be 90 days. However, this varies due to different circumstances.

It depends on your writing style and schedule. Knowing your daily limits can help you calculate how many days it takes to finish a book. Surprisingly, writing a book doesn’t just mean typing out your storyline. It takes a lot more. Research can take days to months, especially if you are not a seasoned writer.