Ghostwriting: What it is & how to get started

The book you last read may not have been written by that author.

Not all, but most books, especially celebrity books are oftentimes written by a ghost-writing service.

Their time is too limited to put out their powerful message into writing.  Some of them need help articulating them.  

That’s when, they hire a Ghostwriter. 

CEOs, actors, politicians, Entrepreneurs and other popular professionals are adopting personal branding vigorously.

Many popular authors seek ebook ghostwriting services to transform their ideas into published books without writing them personally. 

This is indeed, a highly responsible and interesting job.

If you are considering a career in ghostwriting, you’ll need to understand the process, ethical considerations, and best practices.

Today, I’ll share everything about it. 

Ghostwriting: what you need to know?

Most of the content you see on your social media feed, and telecasts is written by a ghostwriting service.

It is both an art and a business.

A ghostwriter works with a client, captures their voice, style, and message, and does the actual writing. It’s turning into a hot business, especially for social media writing representing popular personalities. 

However, the final work is published under the client’s name, without any credits or public recognition for the original writer.  

How to become a Ghostwriter

Ghostwriting has a long history, from political speeches to autobiographies of famous personalities. 

This practice spans multiple industries, including book publishing, journalism, corporate communications, and digital media. This means, you’ve got a spot! 

There is increasing demand for professional ghostwriting services to help articulate thoughts into content.

If you are planning to turn into one, this is how you begin:

1. Train yourself to be the best at what you write

A public figure would not just hire anyone. 

The content they’ll outsource from you is tied to their reputation. 

You need to understand the context of your client and articulate it in their personal tone. The writing does not happen overnight. You’ll need hands-on practice across different niches, to understand the diversity of writing tones.

As a ghostwriter, you’ll not just capture words, but the essence of a person’s perspective. Experiment with writing exercises. 

The best way to do this is pick a favorite author. Pay attention to how they write; how they speak. Take a passage from their books, or articles and copy them word by word. Take it slow, understand and start writing your words, in their style. 

Other way around, you may enroll in coaching programs. Attend sessions that can help you structure your  thought process to write for another human. 

2. Network with Industry Professionals

Most of your ghostwriting opportunities will come through word-of-mouth. It might be from a co-author, publisher, editor or a client. 

You need to be present where they are. 

Get active on LinkedIn, or attend a local writing workshop. Put out your work. 

Participate in industry events and conferences. They are top-notch arenas to meet potential clients and learn from experienced ghostwriters. 

3. Understand the Business Side

Ghostwriting is writing + business. 

You need to familiarize yourself with how it works. Since this form of writing has been around controversies for years, it is good to have legal agreements signed by both parties. 

These contracts must cover confidentiality, payment terms, scope of work, and credit arrangements. 

Do a little research on how other ghost-writers charge, and set fair rates and payment schedules. Neither undervalue your work nor over-commit. 

Many ghostwriters, including the popular Michael Levin, insist on trusting the value of their writing without worrying “Who’s going to pay that amount?” 

4. Write everywhere

The works you publish on the internet reflect the credibility of your portfolio. 

Start taking smaller ghostwriting jobs on Upwork, Fiverr, and Reedsy to establish yourself in professional ghostwriting services. Highlight your skills, past experience, and samples. Build your portfolio and client base gradually. 

Alternatively, you can build a personal website. Show off testimonials, writing samples, and a clear list of services you provide. Share success stories that back your credibility. 

5. Build a Strong Writing Portfolio

Make the first impression with a remarkable portfolio.

The challenge here is showing your work without giving out the details of your client or the contracted content. 

Include these information:

Is Ghostwriting Ethical?

The debate is still going on. 

Ghostwriting is widely accepted in publishing and media. Yet critics argue that it sometimes misleads readers about the true authorship of a work.

Authors and public figures often use book ghostwriting services to bring their ideas to life in published works. 

In such a scenario, the case of Ankur Warikoo, author of Do Epic Shit, highlights this debate. Ghostwriter Nishtha Gehija revealed that she had written Warikoo’s first two books. 

Warikoo later clarified their collaboration, stating, “The creator of the book shares their thoughts, experiences, and stories. Nishtha and I used to get on Zoom calls, where she would ask questions (posing as a student), and I would answer (as a teacher).” 

This disclosure sparked discussions on whether ghostwriters should receive public credit for their work.

Similarly, the case of Millie Bobby Brown brought ghostwriting into the public eye when her debut book Nineteen Steps was revealed to have been penned by ghostwriter Kathleen McGurl. 

Initially praised for her literary debut, Brown faced significant backlash once fans learned she had not written the book herself. 

This controversy has spurred calls most notably from the UK Writers’ Union to establish new rules that protect ghostwriters and ensure transparency in celebrity-authored books.

In another high-profile instance, controversies around Prince Harry’s memoir further fueled the debate. Reports indicated that his ghostwriter never even met him during the writing process, raising questions about authenticity and personal involvement. 

Ghostwriters in these cases argue that while their work is indispensable, the lack of transparency can undermine the credibility of the final product and the public’s trust.

These issues highlight the challenge of keeping client information private while also being open and honest. A legal agreement, in such a case, would keep the sanity of the process. 

Sign up for a NDA and refrain from using clientele information for your marketing purposes. Get permission from clients if you need to use their project information anywhere. 

Legal Agreements to Avoid Disputes

Like every profession, ghostwriting does come with legal requirements. It protects both the writer and the client. 

Here are a few things you must come to terms with your client:

1. Confidentiality Clause (NDA)

Every information about the client is sensitive. You’ll need a meticulously detailed NDA from the client or prepare one yourself. List every bit of client detail that must be kept confidential. Mention the penalties for unauthorized disclosure of client information. 

2. Payment Structure

Payment is another area that could lead to controversies and disputes. 

Clearly state the fee you’ve agreed for the entire project or on a per-word/per-hour basis. Mention details like when and how the client should make the advance payment, payments upon delivery of drafts, and the final payment after completion.

Don’t miss out to mention the potential costs for extra revisions, extended research, or additional services not originally scoped.

3. Scope of Work

Specify exactly what you will write for your client (e.g., number of chapters, articles, or blog posts). Document the timeline – when you can complete the drafts, revisions, and final delivery.

Outline the number of revisions included and any charges for additional revisions. Clarify whether you will conduct independent research or if the client will provide the necessary materials. (It is always good to meet up to understand their persona, or get on a face-to-face call)

4. Credit and Acknowledgment

Decide whether you will be publicly acknowledged or remain anonymous. Even if public acknowledgment is not given, some agreements might allow for discreet credit in internal communications or the acknowledgments section. 

5. Rights and Ownership

Specify that the work is produced under a work-for-hire arrangement, meaning the client retains full ownership once payment is completed. 

Transfer all rights to the final content, including copyrights to the client.

6. Termination Clause

Clearly outline the conditions under which either party can terminate the agreement. Don’t forget to mention how the premature payments will be handled if the project is terminated.

7. Dispute Resolution

Use mediation or arbitration to handle disputes and avoid costly legal battles. Specify the legal jurisdiction governing the contract.

A clear legal agreement keeps both parties safe and makes expectations clear. Experts suggest setting it up early to avoid confusion and ensure easy teamwork in ghostwriting.

Best Practices for Ghostwriters

1. Understand the Client’s Vision and Voice

One of the most crucial aspects of ghostwriting is capturing the client’s unique voice. 

To do this effectively:

• Conduct in-depth interviews: Ask open-ended questions to understand their tone, personality, and key messages.
• Study their past work: If they have written articles, speeches, or social media posts, analyze their writing style.
• Develop a style guide: Document preferences in vocabulary, sentence structure, and level of formality for consistency.

📌 Example: Experienced ghostwriters often spend hours on interviews and conversations to understand the nuances of their client’s storytelling style.

As highlighted, you need to capture an authentic voice of your client that will lead the collaboration forever. 

2. Communicate Regularly and Set Expectations Early

Clear communication is key. 

This process figure by ghostwriting services one perfect example of explaining what the client can expect in each phase. 

You can start with:

• Setting milestones and check-in points for draft submissions and feedback sessions.
• Clarifying the client’s involvement: Will they provide an outline, or do you need to create the structure?
• Discuss feedback and revisions upfront to avoid scope creep.

3. Maintain Confidentiality and Professionalism

Ghostwriting is based on trust and maintaining confidentiality is non-negotiable

To keep it all together:

• Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before starting any work.
• Avoid discussing client projects publicly, even after completion, unless explicitly allowed.
• Handle client materials with care, including drafts, interview notes, and unpublished manuscripts.

4. Deliver on Deadlines and Be Organized

Professional ghostwriters manage multiple projects while meeting tight deadlines:

• Use project management tools like Trello or Notion to track progress.
• Break large projects into smaller tasks with clear deadlines.
• Communicate early if delays arise to maintain professionalism.

5. Develop Strong Interviewing and Research Skills

Most ghostwriting projects involve gathering information from the client:

• Prepare structured questions that encourage detailed responses.
• Record and transcribe conversations to ensure accuracy in storytelling.
• Cross-check facts and sources to maintain credibility, especially for non-fiction works.

🎤 Example: Ghostwriters in investigative journalism and business writing must master research techniques to ensure authenticity and factual accuracy.

6. Know Your Worth and Set Fair Rates

Ghostwriting is a premium service, and setting the right price is good for everyone:

• Charge based on experience, complexity, and industry standards.
• Offer different pricing models (flat fee, per word, or hourly rates).
• Negotiate fair compensation for extensive revisions and research.

💰 Insight: Experienced ghostwriters often double their rates once they establish credibility in a niche.

7. Handle Client Feedback Gracefully

Revisions are a natural part of ghostwriting:

• Stay open to constructive criticism while ensuring your expertise is respected.
• Clarify feedback to avoid misinterpretation and unnecessary rewrites.
• Suggest improvements tactfully if the client’s ideas need refinement.

List of Top Ghostwriters 

Here is a list of popular Ghostwriters, in no particular order. I’m mentioning their social profiles so you can follow them and get valuable insights. 

Ghostwriter	Where to find them?
Alan Dean Foster	Facebook
Peter Lerangis	Twitter
Michelle Schusterman	Twitter
Janay Garrick	LinkedIn
Scott Carbonara	LinkedIn
Sean Easley	Twitter
Cyn Balog	Twitter
Alice Sullivan	Twitter
Jeremy Blachman	Twitter
Heather Ebert	LinkedIn

List of Top Ghostwriting Agencies 

Looking to join a reputable ghostwriting agency? Here’s a list of top agencies providing ghostwriting services.

Ghostwriting Agency	Website
Brafton	brafton.com
Ghostwriting.services	ghostwriting.services
Reedsy	reedsy.com
Textun	textun.com
Wordflex Consult Limited	wordflex.com
E-Writer Solutions	ewritersolutions.com
Write Right	write-right.in
SelfPublishing.com	selfpublishing.com
Estorytellers	estorytellers.com
Content Whale	content-whale.com

Begin your Career as a Ghostwriter

You’ve learned the key steps to becoming a ghostwriter.

We talked about what ghostwriting is, why it’s important, and how you can get started.

Now, take the first step. Start writing, improve your skills, and reach out to potential clients. Ghostwriting is a great career if you put in the effort.

Keep an eye out for our next post, where we’ll share tips on finding high-paying ghostwriting jobs!

FAQs

What is ghostwriting?

Ghostwriting is when someone writes something but lets another person take credit for it. The writer stays hidden while the other person is named as the author.

How does ghostwriting work?

A ghostwriter creates content for a client. The client pays them and gets to put their own name on the work. The process usually includes talking about what’s needed, making a plan, writing drafts, making changes, and delivering the final work.

Is ghostwriting legal?

Yes, ghostwriting is legal. It happens in books, speeches, songs, and business. It works through an agreement where the writer knowingly gives up rights to their work.

How to get into ghostwriting?

To start ghostwriting:

• Start with small jobs to gain experience
• Get good at writing
• Build some writing samples
• Learn to write in different styles
• Learn about usual rates

How to start a ghostwriting business?

To start a ghostwriting business:

1. Decide what services you’ll offer
2. Set your prices
3. Make a website
4. Create business rules and contracts
5. Plan how to market yourself

How to make money ghostwriting?

To earn from ghostwriting:

1. Charge fair rates
2. Focus on popular topics
3. Find regular clients
4. Take on bigger projects as you grow
5. Consider working with agencies

Where to find ghostwriting jobs?

Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork offer ghostwriting jobs for beginners to gain experience and build a portfolio. Besides, you can also find job opportunities across

1. Job boards for writers
2. Content agencies
3. Literary agencies
4. Online writing groups

How to get ghostwriting jobs?

To get ghostwriting jobs:

1. Show samples of your work
2. Write good job applications
3. Meet people who might hire you
4. Follow up with potential clients
5. Do great work to get referrals

How to get ghostwriting clients?

To attract clients:

1. Clearly explain what you do best
2. Share feedback from past clients
3. Show you can write in different styles
4. Know your subject areas well
5. Keep in touch with clients regularly

Which is the best ghostwriting company? 

Some of the best ghostwriting companies include Reedsy, Brafton, and Ghostwriting.services.

Where can I find remote ghostwriting jobs? 

Many ghostwriting remote opportunities are available on freelance platforms for those who prefer working from home.

What does a ghostwriting company do?

A ghostwriting company helps individuals and businesses create content while maintaining anonymity for the writer.