Book & eBook Writing

Book & eBook Writing FAQs

• What is a ghostwriter?

  A ghostwriter is a person who writes content that is credited to another author. Ghostwriters usually write on a "work for hire" basis, which means they have no rights to the finished work. Instead, the credited author owns the copyright. Many people hire ghostwriters when they don't have the time or writing skills to write content themselves. Ghostwriters write a range of content, including books and ebooks; business white papers, case studies and research reports; song lyrics; and ebooks.

• What is the difference between a ghost writer and an author?

  The difference between a ghostwriter and an author or co-author mostly comes down to credit. Ghostwriters don't usually receive credit for their work. They generally deliver the writing that supports the author's vision for the book. However, on some ghostwritten material, like biographies, ghostwriters are credited as having created the book "with" the author. Co-authors are considered jointly responsible for the content of a book, and share the copyright. Meanwhile authors own the complete copyright to a published work.

• What makes a good ghostwriter?

  As you'd expect, one of the main qualities of a good ghostwriter is excellent writing skills. Like other writers, ghostwriters must be able to understand how to structure books, articles, reports, or any other ghostwritten material. Industry knowledge and excellent spelling and grammar are assets. Often, ghostwriters need excellent research skills, and must be well-organised to keep track of all the information they gather. It's useful for ghostwriters to understand publishing and self-publishing so they can assist clients with publication.

• How can I hire a good ghostwriter?

  Before you think about hiring a ghostwriter, it's essential to have a plan for what you want the ghostwriter to write. This will help when you're deciding which ghostwriter is right for you. You can find good ghostwriters by searching the web, or by looking for them on freelance marketplaces like Fiverr. If you're using a marketplace, check ghostwriters' profiles for ratings, reviews, and work samples. Then have a conversation to see if that ghostwriter is right for your project.

• Is ghostwriting legal?

  Many people wonder if ghostwriting is legal. The answer is: yes, it is. Typically, ghostwriting is work for hire, where a client agrees to buy writing services from a ghostwriter, and the ghostwriter agrees to work for a set fee. In this transaction, ghostwriters know they won't be credited for the work. Publishing houses have used ghostwriters for years. In some cases, ghostwriters help with biographies. In others, they help write book series, like the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books.

• Do ghostwriters get royalties?

  Most ghostwriters don't get royalties for their writing. With ghostwriting, the person doing the writing is not the credited author, and writes on a "work for hire" basis. This means the ghostwriter is paid upfront for doing the writing. Meanwhile, the credited author is the one who gets the royalties. Some people ask ghostwriters to lower their fees in exchange for a share of royalties. Unless your book is likely to be a bestseller, most ghostwriters won't do this.