The consultation call is the single most important step in hiring a ghostwriter, and most people waste it. They treat it like a sales call and listen for reassurance. What you should be doing is evaluating the person: how they listen, how they pull a story out of you, whether they understand your subject, and whether you can stand six months of working closely with them.
I offer a free consultation to every prospective client, and most reputable ghostwriters do the same. The list of questions to ask is covered in how to hire a ghostwriter. This is about what to watch for while the conversation is happening, because how a ghostwriter handles the consultation tells you more than any answer they give.
Has the Ghostwriter Been Published?
This question eliminates more candidates than any other. Many people call themselves ghostwriters without having completed and published a book. Writing a manuscript is one skill. Getting a book through editing, formatting, and publication is another. A ghostwriter who has never navigated the full process from draft to published book is missing critical experience. For more, see how to hire a ghostwriter and how to spot a bad ghostwriter before you sign the contract.
Ask how many books they have ghostwritten and how many have been published. Ask how many of their own books they’ve published. A ghostwriter who has written books for clients but none have made it to publication may not understand the full lifecycle of a book project.
I have ghostwritten 54+ books for clients and published 113+ books total, including my own work under different pen names. That track record means I understand every stage of the process, not just the writing.
Due to nondisclosure agreements, most ghostwriters cannot share samples of their client work. But they can share their own published books, which gives you a clear view of their writing quality, range, and ability to deliver a finished product.
Does the Ghostwriter Understand Your Subject?
A ghostwriter doesn’t need to be an expert in your field before the project starts. They need to be capable of learning it through research and interviews. The real question is whether they can absorb complex material quickly and write about it with authority.
Ask about their experience with similar subjects. Ask how they approach research for topics outside their expertise. A skilled ghostwriter will ask you pointed questions during the consultation itself – that tells you more about their research ability than any claim they make about their background.
If your book involves technical content, a ghostwriter with relevant experience saves significant time. I spent 33 years in the technology industry before becoming a ghostwriter. That means clients writing about technology, business systems, or operational processes don’t need to teach me the fundamentals.
Does the Ghostwriter Like Your Idea?
A ghostwriter who disagrees with your subject matter or finds it uninteresting will produce flat, disengaged writing. You’ll feel the difference. A book written by someone who doesn’t care about the topic reads like it was written by someone who doesn’t care about the topic.
Ask directly whether the ghostwriter is interested in your subject. Encourage honest conversation, even disagreement. A ghostwriter who challenges your ideas during the consultation is more valuable than one who agrees with everything you say. The goal isn’t a yes-person. The goal is a collaborator who will push your ideas to be sharper, clearer, and more absorbing.
If a ghostwriter takes your project despite having no interest in the subject, the quality of the work will reflect that. Both of you are better off recognizing a mismatch early.
Will the Writing Be Outsourced?
Some ghostwriting firms assign your project to a writer you never spoke with during the consultation. The person who sold you on the project isn’t the person writing your book. This isn’t inherently wrong, but you need to know about it before signing the contract.
Ask whether the person you’re speaking with will personally write the manuscript. If the work will be assigned to someone else, insist on interviewing and approving that writer before the contract is finalized. Get their name in the agreement.
If you’re working with a solo ghostwriter, outsourcing the writing itself shouldn’t happen without your knowledge and consent. However, outsourcing related tasks (editing, proofreading, cover design, indexing) is standard practice and expected.
Writer switches during a project create noticeable shifts in voice and style. I’ve seen books that clearly changed hands midway through, and the reader can always tell. If you’re working with a firm, make sure the contract addresses what happens if your assigned writer leaves.
Is There a Contract?
Never work with a ghostwriter who doesn’t provide a written contract. This is nonnegotiable. A ghostwriter without a contract is an amateur, regardless of their writing ability.
The contract should cover copyright ownership, payment schedule, project timeline, revision limits, confidentiality, termination terms, and what happens if the project is abandoned before completion. If any of these elements are missing, ask why.
I’ve seen contracts that stated nothing beyond the price and payment terms. That kind of agreement doesn’t protect either party. Treat this like any other professional business relationship. You wouldn’t hire a contractor to remodel your house on a handshake. Don’t hire a ghostwriter on one either.
A well-written contract protects both you and the ghostwriter. It clarifies expectations, defines deliverables, and provides a framework for resolving disputes. Negotiating a fair contract isn’t a sign of distrust. I talked with another author about this in my interview with ghostwriter Terri Tonkin. It’s a sign of professionalism.
Will the Ghostwriter Maintain Confidentiality?
The default in ghostwriting is confidentiality. The ghostwriter writes the book. Your name goes on the cover. The arrangement isn’t disclosed unless you choose to disclose it.
The contract should include a nondisclosure clause. If subcontractors are involved (editors, proofreaders, interview subjects), they should sign nondisclosure agreements as well.
Some ghostwriters request permission to include brief samples from your manuscript in their portfolio. This is a reasonable request, but it requires your explicit written consent. No ghostwriter should share your material without permission.
During the consultation, pay attention to whether the ghostwriter mentions other clients by name or shares details about other projects. If they disclose someone else’s confidential information to you, they’ll disclose yours to someone else.
Are the Rates Professional?
Ghostwriting rates vary widely, and the variation tells you something. Professional ghostwriting for a full-length book typically costs between $15,000 and $150,000 depending on the ghostwriter’s experience, the project’s complexity, and the length of the manuscript.
You can find current ghostwriting pricing on the ghostwriting page. For more on telling a pro ghostwriter from an amateur, hear Richard on Hounds of Business Happy Hour. That rate reflects 54+ completed ghostwriting projects and a process refined across every one of them.
Be cautious of rates that seem too low. A 50,000-word book offered at $3,000 or $5,000 is either being written by someone without professional experience or being outsourced to writers who may not produce publishable quality. The most expensive mistake in ghostwriting is hiring cheap, getting unusable work, and then hiring a professional to do it correctly.
Payment should be milestone-based, not all upfront. A typical structure starts with a signing payment, followed by payments tied to chapter deliveries or project milestones. This protects both parties: you’re not paying for undelivered work, and the ghostwriter is compensated as they produce.
Does the Ghostwriter Understand the Legal Issues?
Books create legal exposure. Nonfiction books require factual accuracy, proper citations, and avoidance of plagiarism. Memoirs that name real people can create defamation liability if the content isn’t handled carefully. Even fiction can generate legal problems if characters are too clearly based on identifiable people.
An experienced ghostwriter understands these risks and writes accordingly. They know when to change names, when to verify claims, and when to recommend that you consult a lawyer before publishing specific content.
Ask the ghostwriter how they handle legally sensitive material. If they have no answer or seem unaware of the issues, that’s a significant concern. A lawyer specializing in publishing law is always recommended for books that involve sensitive personal, legal, or business content.
Does the Ghostwriter Have Good Interview Skills?
The interview process is where your book comes from. A ghostwriter who conducts shallow interviews produces a shallow book. The quality of the questions directly determines the quality of the material.
A skilled ghostwriter conducts multiple in-depth interviews, asks questions that challenge your assumptions, pushes for specifics when you speak in generalities, and draws out stories you didn’t realize were relevant. You should feel slightly surprised by some of the questions, that means the ghostwriter is going deeper than surface level.
Pay attention during the consultation itself. Is the ghostwriter asking insightful questions? Are they taking detailed notes? Are they actively engaged, or are they agreeing with everything you say without pushback? The consultation is an audition for the interview process that will drive your entire book.
Is the Ghostwriter a Fluent Speaker of Your Book’s Language?
If you’re sourcing ghostwriters from freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, verify language fluency. Writers who bid low on projects may not be fluent in the language your book requires. This isn’t about nationality (talented writers exist everywhere) but fluency in the target language is nonnegotiable for producing a publishable book.
Skilled writers command professional rates regardless of their location. A writer offering significantly below-market rates from any country should prompt closer scrutiny of their work quality and language ability.
If your project involves a client who doesn’t speak the book’s language fluently, expect a more demanding interview and translation process. I’ve handled this situation, it’s doable but requires significantly more effort than a standard project.
Making Your Decision
The consultation should tell you whether this ghostwriter can handle your project. Beyond the specific questions above, pay attention to the overall experience. Did the ghostwriter listen more than they talked? Did they ask questions that showed genuine interest in your subject? Did they explain their process clearly? Did you feel comfortable and confident, or pressured and uncertain?
The relationship between you and your ghostwriter lasts months. You’ll share personal stories, business details, and ideas that matter deeply to you. Choose someone who respects that responsibility and has the track record to deliver on it.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your book project and see whether we are the right fit.
