Yes, it's true. I am a ghostwriter. Congrats—you found one! But as I write this, my waitlist for ghostwriting projects is 13 months. Eek! I get a ton of inquires from people who want to hire me as a ghostwriter but (understandably) don't want to wait over a year to start their book. If that's you, here are four ways to find a great ghostwriter who can help you sooner. This post is also for anyone wondering how to avoid ghostwriting scams and find a ghostwriter they feel really good about.

Waitlist aside, the truth is that I'm not everyone's cup of tea. And that's okay. You need to find a ghostwriter whose vibe suits yours. Even the best ghostwriters aren't suited to every author, personality, or subject. As you'll be writing a book together—which is a strangely intimate experience—you want to work with someone who makes you feel comfortable.

via GIPHY

And, as with most industries, there are a few snake-oil salespeople hanging around the ghostwriting world who you want to avoid. Unless snake oil is your cup of tea. Hmmm... greasy!

So, to steer clear of them and find someone you jive with, below are four ways to find a great ghostwriter—plus a bonus suggestion for something a little outside the box, if you’re up for it!

I have affiliate relationships with some of the companies mentioned below, which means I may get a commission if you purchase services and tell them I referred you. However, none of their fees have been increased to compensate me, and I only recommend those I know and trust, so I hope the info is useful. If it is, I appreciate you mentioning my recommendation. And if you don't feel like sharing my name, no worries!

1. Check out the Association of Ghostwriters

The Association of Ghostwriters is professional membership of, you guessed it, ghostwriters! To be accepted into the association, ghostwriters must demonstrate they have relevant professional experience.

I'm a member, and our super-secret Facebook group is one of the most supportive places on the internet. Although I don't know all the ghostwriters personally, I do know we're a pretty cool crew! Everyone I've interacted with has been professional, quality-focused, and passionate about writing great books.

The association is US-based but has a handful of international members, and most writers work virtually with clients around the world. On its website, you can submit a request for interested ghostwriters to contact you directly, or you can scan through the member directory yourself and contact those who sound like a good fit.

Check out the Association of Ghostwriters here.

2. Use an agency

Agencies are companies with multiple ghostwriters working for them, usually on a freelance basis. The agency connects you with the writer and manages the process. They take care of vetting the ghostwriters on their roster, matching you with someone suitable, and ensuring all deadlines are met, contract obligations fulfilled, and so on. Some also offer editing, publishing, and marketing services.

Agencies come under a host of titles. They might call themselves an agency, a company, a hybrid publisher (if they also offer publishing services), or, frankly, any number of random names. There are a ton of them out there. Some are excellent. Others are... not. For any agency you consider (as with any individual ghostwriter), research them online, look for recommendations, and trust your gut.

Here is an agency I know and love. (Is it weird to love a company?!)

Greenleaf Book Group

Besides sharing an affinity for the color green, I like Greenleaf Book Group for their straight-up professionalism. They're kind, supportive, and very good at what they do, both for business people and individuals writing for non-businessy reasons.

Check out this review from an author who recently published with them. (The post is mainly about her book coaching experience, but she talks honestly about Greenleaf, too.)

They offer ghostwriting, editing, publishing, and marketing, and you can hire them for one or all elements. They create custom proposals, so you'll need to contact them for pricing, but you'll get the right rate for your specific needs.

Check out Greenleaf Book Group here.

3. Wait!

Ha—what kind of business person would I be without mentioning this fantastic idea?!

If you have a rock-solid deadline for completing your book, this won't work. However, if time isn't a big issue, I suggest waiting for your perfect ghostwriter, whether that’s me or another special someone.

Writing books is equal parts art, science, and magic. And each writer brings their own wand. If you've found someone with the right kind of magical mojo for you, they're worth waiting for.

Most ghostwriters with a waitlist will ask for a deposit to secure your space in their schedule and will have you both sign an agreement in advance of starting work. If you feel you've found the right ghostwriter for you, lock these pieces in place.

Many of my clients have thought about writing their book for years before we start. And often, when we don’t lock something in, time just slips by. Before we know it, another year has passed and we still haven’t done THE THING we’ve been dreaming about.

So, rather than spending a year talking about finding a ghostwriter, find the right one, lock them in, then let your ideas mull in your subconscious and work on building an audience while you wait to start.

Find out about my ghostwriting waitlist here. (Scroll to the bottom of the page.)

4. Use a job board—but with caution

If your budget is low and you're okay using a less experienced ghostwriter, job boards could work for you, but please use caution.

I’m not suggesting the ghosts on job boards are bad writers or project managers (writing books requires both skillsets). You're just reaching with a wider net here, so you're likely to get a wide range of talent and experience, and you must filter your findings carefully.

Reedsy

Reedsy is a job board specifically for all things books. They connect you with ghostwriters, editors, book designers, publishers, and more. All contracts and payments go through them, as do messages and file sharing.

Ironically, Reedsy did not accept me to be featured on their site! I couldn't prove my standing as a ghostwriter as I refused to tell them which books I've worked on. I've ghostwritten 14 books, but all with confidentiality agreements, and I wasn't willing to break those contracts. Yet I do still hear great things about Reedsy from others, so it might be worth investigating.

Check out Reedsy here.

A bonus, out of the box idea

Here's another suggestion that might work really well if:

You haven't found a ghostwriter you jive with,
You're worried a ghostwriter might not capture your voice properly,
You wish you could write the book yourself—but don't think you can do it alone, or
You always wanted to write a book, but you don't know where to start.

Consider writing your book yourself but with help from a book coach.

With a book coach, you'll do the actual writing, but you'll partner with a coach who can direct you, tell you what to do, hold you accountable to actually doing it, and help you finally write your book. It's a lot of fun.

I generally have more availability for book coaching than ghostwriting, so you can work with me sooner this way. My book coaching waitlist is currently four months, and I'm taking bookings now so writers can secure space in my schedule to work with me soon.

Here's a full post about what a book coach does.

Check out my book coaching program here.

Final thoughts on finding a ghostwriter

It might seem like a mission to find a great ghostwriter for your book, and it kinda is. I wish the process was easier for you.

I want to encourage you, though, to take the time to go through these resources and find a writer you trust—someone who you get good vibes from, whose style you enjoy, and who knows their shit.

It will be worth the search.

A writing partner like that makes the process fun and fulfilling. They challenge you to elevate your idea beyond what you even imagined. They see your stories from a newcomer's perspective and help you speak to a new audience in the most relatable way. They make books better. They make you prouder of your accomplishment.

You can write your book. You don't have to do it alone. A great ghostwriter will help you.

Thanks,

Liz "Ghostwriters Are My Friends" Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing

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Four ways to find a great ghostwriter