TL;DR
To find a ghostwriter, define your book's scope and budget, then source 3 to 5 candidates from a freelance marketplace like Reedsy, a directory like the Association of Ghostwriters, referrals, or a full-service ghostwriting company. Vet their past books, interview them, pay for a short sample, and sign a contract that gives you full copyright. Expect to pay $20,000 to $75,000 for most professional nonfiction books.
So you’re here to learn how to find a ghostwriter. Congratulations on deciding to move forward with your book idea! You are about to embark on a great new chapter in your life.
Learning how to hire a ghostwriter isn’t hard. You just need to know where to look, what qualities to search for, and what questions to ask.
We've helped authors publish more than 7,000 books since 2015, and ghostwriting is one of the services we offer, so we see this process from both sides of the table. This guide walks you through exactly how to find a ghostwriter, what to pay, what to ask, and which warning signs mean you should walk away.
So let’s get started!
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What does a ghostwriter do?
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who writes your book from your ideas, stories, and expertise, then gives you full credit and ownership as the author.
Most book ghostwriters interview you over several months, build an outline with you, draft the chapters in your voice, and revise based on your feedback. Your name goes on the cover. Their name usually doesn't.
If you're brand new to the idea, start with our full explainer on what a ghostwriter is. And if you're wondering whether this is above board, it is. Here's the full breakdown of whether ghostwriting is legal, including what your contract needs to say.
Where and how to find a ghostwriter
The 4 best places to find a ghostwriter are freelance marketplaces, professional directories, personal referrals, and full-service ghostwriting companies. Each trades off cost, vetting, and support.
Here's how the options compare at a glance.
| Where to look | Best for | Who vets the writer? | What you usually get | Biggest risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance marketplaces (Reedsy, Upwork) | Authors who want to compare many writers and manage the project themselves | Reedsy pre-screens; Upwork mostly doesn't | A manuscript | Wide quality range, especially on open platforms |
| Professional directories (Association of Ghostwriters) | Finding experienced, career ghostwriters by genre or location | You do | A manuscript | Slow outreach; availability is limited |
| Referrals and networks (LinkedIn, authors you know) | Authors with a network of published peers | Your network, then you | A manuscript | Hard to compare options; few candidates |
| Full-service ghostwriting companies | Busy experts who want the book written, published, and marketed | The company | Manuscript plus some or all of editing, design, publishing, and marketing | Scam agencies posing as legitimate firms |
Freelance marketplaces
The next place to try when learning how to find a ghostwriter is a freelance marketplace. You will still have to search through profiles for the right candidates, but you can find platforms with vetted freelancers who deliver high-quality work on the whole.
One freelance writer marketplace is Reedsy. It’s easy to learn how to find a ghostwriter on their site. Simply select ghostwriting as a service and filter the genre and language you are looking for.
If you are looking for a business book ghostwriter, you can find someone with experience in that specifically.
These book-specific filters are very helpful and will save you a lot of time when learning how to find a ghostwriter.
Some other marketplaces you can try include Mediabistro and even freelance websites like Upwork.
Professional directories
The Association of Ghostwriters member directory lists working ghostwriters you can search by expertise, location, and publisher track record. Expect to reach out to writers one by one.
Referrals, LinkedIn, and Google
Ask published authors in your industry who helped them. A warm referral from someone whose book you've read is the strongest signal you can get.
LinkedIn and Google work too, but expect to dig. Searching "ghostwriter" returns thousands of profiles, and the first pages of Google are mostly marketplaces and agencies. Every individual you find needs the full vetting process in step 4 below.
Ghostwriting agencies
Ghostwriting companies can be a good place to learn how to find a ghostwriter, with one caveat. A lot of the companies are scams.
You want to do some research into reviews about the companies to make sure you don’t end up getting taken advantage of.
You should probably avoid companies like:
- Nexus Ghostwriting
- Book Writing Inc.
- Ghostwriter Inside
- Write Right
- And HireWriters
This is not an exhaustive list of companies to avoid, so please do your own research.
You should try to choose established ghostwriting agencies with native English speakers and happy customers.
Read the red flags section below before you sign anything, and compare established options in our roundup of the best ghostwriting companies.
At selfpublishing.com, we offer ghostwriting services as well as editing, marketing, publishing, and more! We can help you every step of the way to becoming a bestseller.
How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter?
Most professional ghostwriters charge $20,000 to $75,000 for a full-length nonfiction book in 2026. Elite ghostwriters with bestseller credits charge $100,000 to $300,000 or more.
Reedsy's 2026 data puts professional nonfiction ghostwriting at $18,000 to $50,000 per project. In a Gotham Ghostwriters survey, 25% of working ghostwriters said they charged at least $100,000 for their last nonfiction book.
| Tier | Typical price | What you usually get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Under $15,000 | Light interviews, few revisions, and a real gamble on whether the book sounds like you |
| Professional freelancer | $15,000 to $60,000 | Interviews, an outline, 2 to 3 revision rounds, and a finished manuscript |
| Full-service firm | $50,000 to $150,000 | The manuscript plus some or all of editing, design, publishing, and marketing |
| Elite and celebrity | $150,000 to $300,000+ | Writers with multiple New York Times bestsellers, often for Big 5 publishers |
The most important question when comparing quotes: what exactly do I have in my hands when this invoice is paid? A $50,000 freelancer quote and a $50,000 full-service quote are not the same purchase.
For the full breakdown by genre, pricing model, and hidden costs, read our guide on how much it costs to hire a ghostwriter.
Now that you know where you can find a ghostwriter, and how much it will cost you, let’s talk about the next step in how to hire a ghostwriter – finding the right-fit candidate.
How to choose your ghostwriter
You don’t need to work with a ghostwriter to find out if they are good. When learning how to find a ghostwriter, here are some things you should consider:
Price
You wouldn’t want to find the cheapest doctor or lawyer, and the same is true with a ghostwriter. When you go cheap, you often sacrifice on quality.
For a 100-300 page nonfiction book, prices for ghostwriters can vary drastically. Here are what to expect at different price points:
- $1,000-$14,000: When learning how to find a ghostwriter, you probably shouldn’t work with anyone charging less than $15k. If you can’t afford that, decide if you really need a ghostwriter, or if you can write the book yourself!
- $15,000-$75,000: This is usually the range you should look at for a good ghostwriter.
- $100,000-$250,000: This is a book of elite ghostwriters. Some have published their own books and many have written bestsellers. As long as you vet their work, you should be guaranteed a good quality book.
Experience
When learning how to find a ghostwriter, ask how many books the writer has done and what types of authors they have worked with. Discover if they have worked with high-level authors or thought leaders.
You should try to find someone who has written at least five books.
Ability
Don’t just take their word for it. When learning how to find a ghostwriter, you should actually evaluate their work.
Read some of their past work and make sure there are no glaring errors. You also want the book to be engaging and maintain a consistent voice throughout.
How engaged are you when you read?
The tell-tale sign of good writing is: how engaged are you? How much do you want to keep reading?
Good fit for you
When learning how to find a ghostwriter, not all writers will be the right fit for you. Just because they are a talented writer it doesn’t mean they have experience in your niche or have the right personality to work with.
Ask about their process and working style to make sure it works for you.
Next, reach out to past clients of theirs to learn how they were to work with. You can ask their favorite and least favorite parts of working with the ghostwriter. It’s also a good idea to ask how much they were charged to ensure you aren’t being taken advantage of.
Of course, you don’t only want to ask questions of previous clients. You should also have some questions ready to ask the ghostwriters themselves.
How to find (and hire) a ghostwriter in 7 steps
Here is how to find a ghostwriter successfully:
1. Define the scope of your project
When you are learning how to find a ghostwriter, the first step is always to define your project clearly.
How many words do you think your book will have? What genre is it? What platform do you want your book to appear on? Who is your target audience?
It's important to have answers to these questions to figure out what type of ghostwriter you are looking for.
Sometimes, your ghostwriter will take on the research, and sometimes you will be responsible for it. Figure out how much of the work you are going to take on so you can factor it into the costs of the project.
2. Write a job description
Once you have answers to the questions in step one, you can use them to craft a job description. You can then use the job description to hire a ghostwriter off a freelance job board.
When writing the job description, you should include information about yourself, your project, and (if relevant) your company culture.
List any skills and qualifications you are looking for. Some good skills to list would be native English speaking, proficient writing skills, problem-solving ability, adaptability, etc.
You may also want to find someone with a journalism degree or someone who has written for thought leaders. Once you have all these outlines, you can draft up your job description easily.
You should be transparent about the salary range you are going to offer. If you aren’t sure how to price your project, the Association of Ghostwriters lists current going rates for various types of projects on their website.
Once your job description is finished, you can post it to websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or the Association of Ghostwriters.
3. Reach out to ghostwriting agencies
You might not find the ghostwriter you want on a freelance job board. It’s important to try multiple avenues. When learning how to find a ghostwriter, it’s also a good idea to look into ghostwriting companies.
Now you also want to be careful here, because many of the agencies are scammers.
You want to stay away from companies like:
- Nexus Ghostwriting
- Book Writing Inc
- Write Right
- HireWriters
- And Ghostwriter Inside.
Some of these companies don’t offer proper refund policies or a high standard of work, and some of them are set in non-native English speaking countries like Pakistan.
Some of them will even harass you daily with spam mail!
It’s best to stay away from the above list of companies, but this list isn’t exhaustive. Make sure you do your research when you hire a ghostwriter from an agency.
selfpublishing.com offers professional ghostwriting services with transparent prices and firm deadlines. We hire only native English speakers and offer a flexible refund policy if you aren’t happy with the work we perform.
4. Assess candidates
Once you have some leads on a ghostwriter, it’s time to assess them. When learning how to find a ghostwriter, it’s important not to assume all ghostwriters are equal! You want to actually check their previous writing work and portfolios to see how they stack up against each other.
Make sure potential ghostwriters have actually completed book-length projects before. You can also see if they have published any of their own books or have worked for a publishing house or literary agency.
5. Ask candidates questions
You aren’t ready to hire a ghostwriter yet. There is another important step in the process. Once you have a handful of writers you think you might like to work with, you need to interview them.
This is probably the most important step when you hire a ghostwriter. You need to make sure that you and the candidate are the right fit and will be able to work closely together.
Just because someone is a great writer doesn’t mean their schedule will mesh with yours or that they will be able to handle constructive criticism well.
Here are some examples of questions you might like to ask:
- Are you currently working on any other projects?
- What does your writing process look like?
- How much do you know about the subject matter?
- What time of day is best for phone calls?
- How do you like to collaborate during your writing projects?
- How did you get started with ghostwriting?
- Do you have any questions for me?
The best ghostwriters will have lots of questions to ask about you and your project. Curiosity and interest in your project is one of the biggest things you should look for when you hire a ghostwriter.
6. Ask for a writing sample
Now you are almost ready to hire a ghostwriter! If you are confident in your choice of candidate you can move straight to step number seven. But, if you really want to ensure your ghostwriter is the right one for you, you might like to ask for a trial writing sample.
Pay the ghostwriter a project fee or hourly rate to write a short test piece in your voice. If you like the test piece, you should be good to hire the ghostwriter. If you are unhappy with the test piece, you probably won’t like their work on a longer project.
7. Draft up a contract
Assuming the ghostwriting test goes well, the last step when learning how to find a ghostwriter is to send a job offer and employment contract.
When hiring a ghostwriter, it's crucial to create a comprehensive contract that clearly outlines the expectations and responsibilities of both parties.
Here is what should be included in the contract:
- Include the full legal names and contact details of both you and the ghostwriter.
- Specify if the ghostwriter is an independent contractor, freelancer, or working through a company.
- Clearly define the work the ghostwriter is expected to complete (e.g., book, article, blog posts, speeches, etc.).
- Specify the expected word count or page length.
- Define milestones and final deadlines, including any interim drafts or check-ins.
- Specify the agreed-upon payment amount, whether it’s a flat fee or hourly rate. Clarify how payments will be made (e.g., via check, bank transfer, etc.).
- Define when payments will be made (e.g., upfront, in installments, or upon completion).
- Clarify that you will own the rights to the finished product. This should state that the ghostwriter waives any future claims to authorship.
- Ensure that the ghostwriter agrees to maintain confidentiality regarding the project, especially if the content is sensitive.
- Clearly state how many revisions or edits the client is entitled to after receiving the initial draft.
- Set guidelines for how feedback will be provided and how the revisions will be handled (e.g., timelines for revisions, costs for additional edits).
- Define the conditions under which either party can terminate the contract, such as failure to meet deadlines, non-payment, or breach of confidentiality.
- Clarify the refund process or final payment if the contract is terminated early, as well as any fees that might be owed at the time of termination.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a ghostwriter
Walk away from full-book quotes under $3,000, 4 to 6 week delivery promises, vague copyright terms, no references, upfront-only payment, and undisclosed AI use.
Ghostwriting has a scam problem, and AI made it worse. Anyone can paste a prompt into a chatbot and call the output a book. Watch for these warning signs:
- Prices that are too good to be true. A full book for a few thousand dollars means corners are being cut, or it's being generated by a tool.
- Impossible timelines. A quality book takes months. A 4 to 6 week promise is a sales tactic.
- Guaranteed bestseller status. No one can honestly guarantee a list placement.
- Vague ownership language. If the contract doesn't clearly say you own the book, don't sign it.
- No samples, no references. Confidentiality limits what a writer can share. It doesn't explain zero proof.
- 100% upfront payment. Legitimate writers and firms tie payments to milestones.
- High-pressure sales. Daily emails, "today only" discounts, and pushy calls are common with low-quality agencies.
- Hidden AI use. AI-assisted drafting can be legitimate when it's disclosed and guided by humans. Hiding it isn't.
Before you sign with any company, search its name plus "reviews" and read independent breakdowns. We've published detailed reviews of Nexus Ghostwriting and Book Writing Inc to help you check what you're getting.
Freelance ghostwriter vs. ghostwriting company: which is better?
Hire a freelancer if you only need the manuscript and can manage publishing yourself. Choose a full-service company if you want writing, publishing, and marketing handled together.
| Freelance ghostwriter | Full-service ghostwriting company | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $15,000 to $60,000 (manuscript only) | $50,000 to $150,000 (manuscript plus services) |
| Who vets the writer | You | The company |
| Editing and design | Usually not included | Usually included |
| Publishing and launch | Not included | Often included |
| Project management | You manage it | The company manages it |
| If the writer drops out | You start over | The company usually reassigns a new writer |
| Best for | Hands-on authors with publishing experience | Busy experts who want one team from idea to launch |
Here's the trap we see most often: an author hires a freelancer, gets a finished manuscript, and then stalls for a year because editing, design, and launch were never part of the plan. If you've never published before, price out the whole journey, not just the writing.
Should you hire a ghostwriter at all?
Hire a ghostwriter if your expertise is valuable, your time is limited, and you can invest $15,000 or more. Otherwise, coaching usually gets you there for less.
A ghostwriter is a strong fit if you:
- Are a leader, coach, consultant, or expert whose time is worth more spent on your business than at a keyboard.
- Have a clear message or story but struggle to get it onto the page.
- Want the book to drive business: clients, speaking, or authority in your field.
A ghostwriter probably isn't right if you:
- Have a budget under $15,000.
- Actually want to write the book yourself and need structure and accountability.
- Need the book finished in a few weeks.
If you're in the second group, that's good news. You can write it yourself with the right system. Start with our step-by-step guide on how to write a book, or get 1:1 coaching through Become a Bestseller.
How ghostwriting works at selfpublishing.com
selfpublishing.com offers 2 ghostwriting packages, $50,000 and $100,000, and both cover your book's writing, editing, publishing, and launch marketing from start to finish.
We built our ghostwriting service around the frustration we kept hearing from authors: "I paid a ghostwriter, got a manuscript, and had no idea what to do with it." So instead of a document and a handshake, we carry your book from first outline through launch.
- We pick your writer. Our team matches you with the professional writer who best fits your topic and voice.
- You choose how it's written. Ghostwriting + Elite ($50,000) uses AI-assisted outlining, research, and drafting with expert human writers shaping every chapter. Premium Ghostwriting + Elite ($100,000) is written entirely by our team, with AI used only for notes and call summaries.
- You keep everything. Your book, your name on the cover, and 100% of your royalties.
- You're never left alone. Both packages include 24 private coaching calls, editing, publishing through Amazon upload, and launch marketing.
See the full side-by-side package comparison in our ghostwriting cost guide.
Get your book ghostwritten today!
Finding and hiring the right ghostwriter is one of the smartest investments you can make in your book’s success. The right partner brings clarity to your ideas and a professional polish that positions your book to stand out in a crowded market. You deserve a collaborator who can bring your voice to life with excellence.
At selfpublishing.com, our vetted team of professional ghostwriters specializes in helping authors turn their concepts and experiences into well-crafted, market-ready books. From the first brainstorming conversation to the moment you hold your finished manuscript, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
And we don’t stop at ghostwriting. Once your manuscript is ready, our team can support you with editing, book cover design, formatting, publishing guidance, marketing strategy, author branding, and more - everything you need to launch your book with confidence and credibility.
If you’re ready to turn your idea into a high-quality book without the stress or guesswork, we’d love to help. Reach out to selfpublishing.com to connect with a ghostwriter who understands your vision and a team dedicated to making your book a success from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions about finding a ghostwriter
How do I find a reputable ghostwriter?
Source candidates from vetted places such as Reedsy, the Association of Ghostwriters, personal referrals, or an established ghostwriting company. Then confirm they've completed at least 5 book-length projects, read their past work, call 2 former clients, and get a written contract before paying.
How much does a ghostwriter usually cost?
Most professional ghostwriters charge $20,000 to $75,000 for a full-length nonfiction book in 2026. Elite ghostwriters with bestseller credits charge $100,000 to $300,000 or more. Full-book quotes under $3,000 are a red flag.
Is it illegal to use a ghostwriter?
No. Hiring a ghostwriter for a book is legal and common. The arrangement only becomes a problem if it involves fraud, plagiarism, or copyright infringement, or breaks specific rules in settings like academic work.
What are the red flags when hiring a ghostwriter?
Walk away from full-book quotes under $3,000, promises of a finished book in 4 to 6 weeks, vague copyright terms, refusal to share samples or references, pressure to pay everything upfront, and anyone who uses AI without telling you.
Can I find a ghostwriter who works for royalties?
Rarely. Professional ghostwriters charge a flat fee paid in milestones because a book takes months of work, and most books don't earn enough in royalties to cover that time.
Do I own the copyright if I hire a ghostwriter?
You should. Your contract needs to state that you own all rights to the finished book and that the ghostwriter waives any claim to authorship or royalties. Never sign an agreement that leaves ownership unclear.
How long does it take a ghostwriter to write a book?
Plan on roughly 6 to 12 months for a full-length nonfiction book, including interviews, drafting, and revisions. Anyone promising a quality book in a few weeks is cutting corners.
Does the ghostwriter's name go on the cover?
Usually not. Your name goes on the cover. Some authors choose to credit their collaborator with a "with" or "as told to" line, but that's your call.
