What Does a Ghostwriter Actually Do? A Plain-English Guide
Many of the books on bestseller lists, especially memoirs, business books and celebrity titles, were written with the help of a ghostwriter. If you have a story to tell but not the time or writing experience to tell it, ghostwriting may be the most practical way to get your book done.
What a ghostwriter does
A ghostwriter turns your ideas, knowledge and experiences into a finished manuscript written in your voice. The work usually includes:
- Interviews with you, in person or by video, to gather stories, opinions and details
- Research to fill gaps and check facts
- A chapter outline that you approve before writing begins
- Drafting the book chapter by chapter, with your feedback after each section
- Revisions until the manuscript reads the way you would tell it
Whose name goes on the cover?
Yours. In a ghostwriting arrangement the ghostwriter is not credited, and the book is published under your name. Some authors choose to credit a collaborator with "with" or "and" on the cover, but that's your decision.
Who owns the book?
You do. With Union Ridge, you keep 100% of the rights and royalties to your book once your project is paid in full. Your ideas and manuscript are also kept strictly confidential throughout the process.
How does it still sound like me?
This is the most common worry, and the answer is the interview process. A good ghostwriter listens for how you speak: your phrases, your humor, the way you explain things. Recording your conversations gives the writer your natural voice to work from, and you review every chapter so anything that doesn't sound like you gets changed.
How long does it take?
It depends on the length of the book and how quickly you can give feedback. A short business book can take a few months, while a full-length memoir or novel takes longer. You get a schedule with milestones before any writing begins.
Is ghostwriting right for you?
- You have expertise or a life story, but writing isn't your strength
- You've started a book several times and never finished
- You're busy running a business or career and can't spend a year writing
- You want a professional-quality manuscript without learning the craft from scratch
If any of those sound familiar, book a free consultation. We'll talk through your idea and match you with a writer who knows your genre.
7 Book Cover Mistakes That Quietly Cost Indie Authors Sales
Readers decide in about a second whether to click. Here are the cover mistakes we see most often, and what to do instead.
Read article ↗Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing: Which Path Is Right for Your Book?
Advances, royalties, rights, timelines and control. A plain comparison of the two routes so you can choose with your eyes open.
Read article ↗