How to Hire a Ghostwriter

Most people who want to write a book think hiring a ghostwriter begins by comparing writing samples. It doesn’t.

It begins with deciding who you want to spend the next year working for you.

A strong book comes from a successful collaboration, and that partnership begins weeks before the first page is written.

When someone with a book idea is looking for a ghostwriter to bring it to life, the collaboration should run something like this:

Step 1: Have a conversation

An author should consult several ghostwriters to determine who they will work with. It’s an opportunity to evaluate a writer’s abilities across several categories.

The author and their prospective ghostwriter talk on the phone for about half an hour about the project.

In this conversation, the author should learn about the ghostwriter’s experience, their niche editorial preparation service, whether the ghostwriter is the right fit for the project, how long the project is expected to take, and how much it will cost.

The ghostwriter will aim to get an overview of the author’s project and learn whether the author has notes. If the author has notes, it helps the ghostwriter understand their form and how extensive they are.

Most people focus on talent first, but that’s only part of the equation. The quality of the job depends upon three things: skill, relationship, and time.

If the ghostwriter has the skill and time to complete your project, assess their character and decide whether they are an agreeable candidate to write your book. 

You are looking for competence, certainly, but also for someone who understands your project, asks thoughtful questions, and is someone you genuinely want to work with. An agreeable relationship between the author and ghostwriter is key to a project’s success.

If the prospective ghostwriter has the experience, ask them to demonstrate their skill. If their website doesn’t include sample work, ask for examples.

By the end of this first step, you should have interviewed two to six ghostwriters and decided who you want to write your book.

Step 2: The gut-check criteria

Beyond sample work and resumes, the decision often comes down to a fundamental gut check: Does this person listen more than they talk?

Notice whether the writer is genuinely curious about your story or simply pitching their services. 

Pay attention to how they respond to your ideas, whether they ask clarifying questions that show immediate comprehension, and whether you feel comfortable being candid with them. You are choosing a collaborator who will hear your unvarnished memories and personal thoughts; mutual trust and easy rapport are paramount.

Step 3: Deciding who to collaborate with

The author’s takeaway is mainly whether they want to work with the person they spoke with.

They should receive sample materials from the prospective ghostwriter if they haven’t already reviewed them, and have a clear sense of what the collaboration would look like, how long development would take, and how much the project would cost.

The prospective ghostwriter’s takeaway is whether or not the author’s project is right for them.

Step 4: Terms of agreement and financial clarity

Once both parties decide to move forward, they establish the business terms in a clear written agreement.

This stage brings full transparency to the project's logistics. The agreement details the precise scope of work, expected manuscript length, project timeline, and payment schedule — typically structured in predictable milestone installments tied to key deliverables rather than a single lump sum. Establishing these terms upfront ensures both author and writer are aligned on expectations, deadlines, and responsibilities before drafting begins.

Step 5: Securing confidentiality (The NDA)

A fundamental part of retaining a professional ghostwriter is establishing total privacy and control over your intellectual property.

Before sharing proprietary notes, sensitive historical details, or personal journals, a standard Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or confidentiality clause in the main agreement ensures all project materials, conversations, and the final copyright remain your property. 

Step 6: Retaining the ghostwriter and kicking off

A good hiring process should leave the author confident about who to work with. The author should know whether they’ve found the right ghostwriter.

If you like how they talk about your project, ask good questions, and are optimistic, straightforward, and realistic, feel confident moving forward. When both parties leave the conversation believing in their partnership, you’ve achieved exactly what the hiring process is meant to accomplish.

At this point, the author retains the ghostwriter by signing the agreement and issuing the initial deposit. With the administrative details complete, the hiring phase officially ends, and the real creative momentum begins with scheduling your first intensive discovery interview.