If you have an idea for a book—be it fiction or nonfiction—but lack the confidence or time to write, a ghostwriter might be your solution. It’s not a simple process, however, as you need to work together and form an effective plan.

Here are some tips on how Reedsy can help you find and collaborate with a ghostwriter. Keep them in mind as you look for the perfect pro to put your vision into words.

What Is a Ghostwriter?

Ghostwriters, basically, write for you. While books are their bread and butter, they’re often involved in much more. They might take on your social media posts, produce book proposals, or even prepare your speeches.

But, when it comes to who gets credit, they’re invisible. This also means that they’re usually paid a flat sum, and not in royalties. Reedsy’s ghostwriter guide elaborates further on what these professionals do, but let’s take a look at how you can partner up with one.

1. Understand the Ghostwriting Process

A ghostwriter isn’t someone you dictate to, or in any way similar to voice-typing into Microsoft Word. You’re two people communicating about what needs doing and how you’ll go about it. Depending on the project, this could be a simple or very complex process.

If you want a memoir, for example, your ghostwriter will have to interview you extensively about your life, so it’s crucial that you hire someone you can trust and spend time discussing your ideas with.

Be open to the ghostwriter’s suggestions. Unless you’re an author, they’ll have more experience in fiction or non-fiction, so their insights could take your vision to the next level.

2. Find the Right Ghostwriter

According to Reedsy’s ghostwriter hiring tips, you need to be clear about your vision for your project and what you’d like it to accomplish. Then, you can evaluate professionals using those criteria and narrow down the best candidates for the job.

Where to find them is a matter of research. Whether you explore Google or LinkedIn for leads, you should definitely consider reliable sources like Reedsy’s ghostwriter directory.

What you’re looking for is someone with experience in your type of project. When reaching out to them, also pay attention to the steps they plan to take to make your vision a reality. All-in-all, good chemistry is a must.

3. Contact the Ghostwriter

A good brief is the best way to bring out ghostwriters’ winning qualities. Be crystal clear from the start about your expectations, and don’t forget to mention your budget and deadline.

The more information you provide, the faster you’ll be able to agree on your partnership’s terms. This includes their responsibilities, timeline, and fees.

On that point, expect ghostwriters to charge 30 cents or more per word. A pro ghostwriter on Reedsy, Andrew Crofts, reveals that your project could add up to between $20,000 and $60,000. However, many factors affect the total cost.

Are you going the traditional or self-publishing route? Is the ghostwriter just writing the book or doing more for you? Are they in demand? These and other questions affect your quote. How you pay can also be part of your contract with the ghostwriter.

Get Ready to Collaborate

Working with a ghostwriter is a fun and rewarding experience, as long as you’re both communicating clearly. If you start by doing some research and organizing your thoughts about your budget and schedule, you’ll be on the way to success.

You can also streamline your partnership with Reedsy’s collaboration tools. Its Book Editor, for example, is a simple and efficient platform to work on your book together.