14 Things You Should Learn About Ghostwriting

Before You Hire One (or Become One)

Ghostwriting sounds scary—it's ghost + writing after all. However, behind the melodramatic name lies one of the greatest assets in publishing, branding, and storytelling.

Ghostwriting is more complex than just putting words on a page. Here are 14 things you should learn about ghostwriting:

1. It Is Not Cheating

We'll start by addressing the biggest myth. Hiring a ghostwriter doesn't mean you're cheating.  In fact, it's the opposite, ghostwriting is done all the time - in business, politics, entertainment, and even academia. Just as a chef may utilize a sous-chef, or a designer may use a team, the ghostwriter is used to turn concepts into prose.

2. Those Ideas Are Yours

Ghostwriting is collaboration, not thievery. You provide the insights, stories, or strategies. Your ghostwriter provides structure, flow, style, and storytelling. The final product you receive exemplifies your voice and your message.

3. It Is More Common Than You Think

Ghostwriting is everywhere—from bestselling memoirs to LinkedIn posts and corporate books. Most celebrity autobiographies? Ghostwritten. Books by many corporations? Still ghostwritten. Even newspaper and magazine articles credited to prominent individuals? You guessed it...

4. It's a Full-Time Job for Many 

Ghostwriting isn't just a side gig. Many ghostwriters write dozens of books or thought leadership articles each year while doing other jobs, while some even make a six-figure income by writing books for high-profile clients. 

5. A Good Ghostwriter Understands Your Voice

The best ghostwriters don't just write well. They write like you. This means they will study your speech, any past writing (if any), your personality, and your tone. If a ghostwritten book doesn't sound like you, then the ghostwriter hasn’t done their job.

6. You STILL Have to Show Up 

Ghostwriters do NOT pull your story out of thin air. You will still have to show up, have conversations, provide content, and review drafts. It's like co-piloting a plane: as a co-pilot, you are not flying the plane alone, but you are still in the cockpit. 

7. It's Not Just Books 

Ghostwriting also includes doing:

• Speeches

• Blog Posts

• Newsletters

• Social Media Content

• Reports

If you need to write anything important, then it can be ghostwritten. 

8. Confidentiality is Important 

Most ghostwriters are hired under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Ghostwriters typically do not receive public credit for doing the work—and that is part of the job. The author gets the credit.

9. Variable Pricing

The costs of ghostwriting will depend on:

• What you are creating (e.g., book vs blog post)

• The experience of the ghostwriter

• The complexity of the work

• The level of research required

Expect to pay more for top-tier talent, especially for business books that require strategic thinking.

10. Deadlines Matter, And So Does Chemistry

A great ghostwriter is not just someone talented; they’re also someone you trust. Ghostwriters gather your personal stories, confidential ideas, and goals and become closely involved in your life just as the best life coaches do! Collaborating with a ghostwriter is as much about personal fit as it is about showcasing talent.

11. Fiction Ghostwriting exists

Yes, fiction ghostwriting exists, and there’s an abundance of it. There are more ghostwritten romance novels, thrillers, and children’s books than you can imagine… Most of the time, the plots and tone are often predetermined by the clients, while the ghostwriter brings the characters and story to life.

12. Research is a Massive Component of Ghostwriting

Ghostwriters often write about topics outside their personal experience. Thus, they are experts in doing in-depth research, conducting interviews with subject-matter experts, checking facts, and becoming well-informed on complex topics, usually very quickly. Good ghostwriters are knowledge sponges.

13. There Are Different Types of Ghostwriters

Some ghostwriters specialize in particular genres or styles. They can write on various genres, including:

• Memoirs

• Business books

• Fiction

• Spiritual writing

• Technical content

Select a talented ghostwriter whose speciality is your genre and goals.

14. It's About Truth—Better

Ghostwriting has nothing to do with lying or pretending. It has everything to do with helping you tell your story—more powerfully, clearly, and effectively than they could have done alone. At its heart, it's a service to the story and the reader.

The Final Word

If you are an entrepreneur, spiritual teacher, founder, or storyteller, ghostwriting can be your secret weapon to get your ideas out into the world in a powerful way. There's no shortcut here—it's all about clarity, quality, and connection.

Would you like to find out more about what ghostwriting could look like for your book, brand, or story?

Let Rolling Authors help you find the right ghostwriter—one that speaks in your voice.