Why you should hire a ghostwriter to write your novel.

By- Michael McKown
Co-founder & president, Ghostwriters Central, Inc.

That Awesome Story Banging Around in Your Head

So, you’ve got this brilliant idea for a novel rattling around in your head. It has epic characters, twisty plots, the works, but when you sit down to write, you stare at the blank screen. If you feel intimidated by that empty screen, and that’s common, by the way, there’s a great way to get those story elements poured smoothly into your computer.

Without you having to knock yourself out over the keyboarding. Don’t sweat it. Most people aren’t skilled writers. Hiring a ghostwriter, a sworn-to-secrecy novelist, might just be just what you need to turn that idea into a polished, page-turning manuscript, ready for a publisher. Here’s why going the ghostwriter route could work for you, broken down into bite-sized reasons.

Why Hire a Ghostwriter?

Ghostwriters are like word wizards. You give them your rough ideas, maybe a half-baked plot or a character inspired by your quirky uncle, and they weave it into a cohesive story, in close collaboration with you. They’ve got the skills to structure your novel, nail the pacing, and make your dialogue pop.

What is the Difference Between a Ghostwriter and a Co-Author?

A ghostwriter does the writing on your behalf and in your voice. The ghostwriter does not take author credit, and is usually signed to a non-disclosure agreement which assures their silence on book projects and clients. A co-author is one who writes or co-writes a book with a client, and that writer’s name appears on the book. The co-author shares credit for the work.
Insight: One who claims to have ghostwritten best sellers has an ethics problem if they identify the books or clients, as they are very likely to have been signed to an NDA. If they served as a co-author, meaning they shared credit, then their claim of having “ghostwritten” those books is false. Be cautious with those who claim to have ghostwritten best sellers.

Can a Ghostwriter Save You Time?

Let’s be real: writing a novel takes time — like, months or years of it. If you’re juggling a job, kids, or a side hustle, carving out hours to write can feel impossible. A ghostwriter takes that load off your plate. They do the heavy lifting while you focus on your day-to-day grind or, you know, binge-watching that new sci-fi series guilt-free.

How to Get an Objective Opinion of Your Story

Sometimes, you’re too close to your own ideas to see the flaws. A ghostwriter steps in with fresh eyes, spotting plot holes or character inconsistencies you might miss. They’re not emotionally attached to that one scene you love but doesn’t quite fit. Their outside perspective ensures your novel is tight, logical, and ready to hook readers.

That’s the summary. Let’s get into the process:

What is the Process of Working With a Ghostwriter?

1. 1. Find an excellent ghostwriter. A simple search for “ghostwriters” will turn up freelancer websites, discussion forums, videos, individual writer websites, and ghostwriting companies, such as Ghostwriters Central. Call around, get some ballpark estimates on price and turnaround time, and find out about the experience of the writers.
   2. Ghostwriting is a secretive process. The normal practice is to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which guarantees the writer will remain silent about their client and the book. Writers can claim to have written best sellers, but if they actually ghostwrote those and name those books, they are probably violating the NDA, which is a major ethics breach. If they co-wrote the book and their name is on the cover, that’s a different story. The NDA doesn’t apply.
   3. References. You’re not going to get references from their clients when the book and author’s identity are covered by an NDA. But not everything a ghostwriter produces is covered, so ask to see examples of their work and information on the client. Or, such as in the case with us, our ghostwriters are evaluated before being put under contract, which means you don’t need to be concerned about their capabilities and honesty.
   4. A free consultation. You should be able to talk with your writer in an extended conversation. In that conversation, you’ll talk about your story idea, the characters, the arc of the story and characters, target length of the manuscript, pricing and payment terms. If you agree to move forward….
   5. The contract. To avoid misunderstandings and surprises, a detailed contract for the work must be prepared. It includes the name of the work, length, payment terms, ownership and delivery date. At Ghostwriters Central. Here is a video about ghostwriting contracts.
   6. Access back and forth. You should have direct access to your writer by phone, Zoom, email or text. And that writer needs to have direct access to you. Freelance websites often require all communications go through their own in-house messaging system, and that is no way to work with a writer. Brainstorming by email is a pain, at best. At our company, you and the writer get direct access.
   7. Collaboration and staged approval. After your consultation, depending on the agreement you reach with the writer, they may create an outline for your novel, to be followed by the first draft. Revisions will usually be required, then the final draft is prepared. Limited revisions are allowed after the final draft is delivered. You will be approving the work in stages to assure it is progressing satisfactorily.

What Does a Ghostwriter Charge to Write a Book?

Why Not Write a Book With A.I.?

Ghostwriter Reputation and Longevity

• • “James (Creviston), you have done a marvelous job making the entire book energetic, amusing , enlightening, and educational. Thank you very much for a job well done.”
  • “Thank you sir! I am halfway so far, and it’s looking great! Proud of it indeed! I will push it with all of my might in the coming weeks. Will keep you posted. Thanks again. Big hug.”
  • “I absolutely love it. It was great! I read it five times or so and was happy with it. …I really enjoyed it and I want to get the next set under way! Thank you for taking such good care of my material and making it a great read! So far there is nothing I would change. Hope to here back from you today so we can continue on. Woohoo!” 
  • “Been waiting anxiously and you haven’t disappointed! This is great stuff! I’m really, really pleased and to think you’d be able to get this just right!”
  • “I’ve read up to page 30 so far and I’m in awe of your ability. I’m feeling the love! It is exciting and the characters are very clearly being drawn. The story telling is entertaining and gives a sense of some ominous force yet lurking in the background for the characters.”
  • “I have had my first read, I COULDN’T BE MORE PLEASED! One of my fears with people editing my work (mostly magazine editors) are those who make change for the sake of change, only to fit their styling and tastes. I caught no whiff of you doing that, or, if you did, our nuances are so similarly aligned that it certainly didn’t matter. You really displayed an incredible understanding of my story and characters, and your touch to all was precise and powerful. BRAVO!”
  • “Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Crazy awesome. I’m gonna let this sink in and re-read over the weekend. I’ll be in touch. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat just reading it!”
  • “To everyone there, thank you, thank you! I love it! It has been so incredible, to say the least, to see my dream on paper! I appreciate all of the time and work you have put into this! Thank you for your talent. I could not have done this without you!”

Is Ghostwriting Ethical?

Is Using a Ghostwriter Cheating?

Some will say that hiring a ghostwriter is cheating. That is false. Hiring a ghostwriter is a smart move to bring your story to life without losing your sanity or wasting huge amounts of time. You’ve got the ideas — they’ve got the skills. Together, you’re unstoppable. So, what’s stopping you from making that novel a reality?

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