How to find a ghostwriter, 10 great tips

How to Find a Ghostwriter for Your Book – 15 Great Tips

You’re eager to write a book, but the idea of doing it alone feels overwhelming. That’s where a ghostwriter comes in.

A ghostwriter isn’t just a writer-for-hire. He or she is your creative partner.

The right ghost can elevate your ideas, protect your voice, and help your book reach readers who need it most. The wrong one can drain your time, energy, and budget.

Finding the right ghostwriter matters just as much as having the right idea. Your ghost will be your collaborator, translator, and co-architect, turning thoughts into stories that move people.

Here are 15 tips for how to find a ghostwriter more efficiently, so you can connect with the right partner and bring your book to life.

1 – Focus Your Search to Find the Right Ghostwriter

Try giving the search engine more information. For example:

• Add a word or two describing the type of work you’d like to create. For example, “find a book ghostwriter,” “looking for a textbook ghostwriter,” or “looking for an e-book ghostwriter.”

• Add a word or phrase describing the genre, as in “find a business book ghostwriter,” “find a political book ghostwriter,” or “looking for a ghostwriter for my memoir.”

• Add a word or phrase indicating the experience level or price range you’re searching for. Try “find a New York Times bestselling memoir ghostwriter” or “find an inexpensive ghostwriter.”

• If you’d like to find a ghostwriter who lives nearby, add the name of your city or state, as in “find a memoir ghostwriter in Los Angeles, California.” Or even “looking for a ghostwriter near me.”

2 – Look at Other Books for Clues to a Ghostwriter’s Identity

Some of the works you enjoyed reading were probably written by ghostwriters. You often can’t tell, but sometimes you can find clues by checking the author’s credit on books you like.

So look at books you admire, as well as books in the same genre as the one you’d like to write.

Check the cover and title page. If you see “with” or “and” before an author’s name, there’s a good chance that she or he is a ghostwriter. You can also check the acknowledgments to see if anyone is thanked for “editing” or something similar. Ghostwriters are often called editors to disguise their contributions.

Sometimes, you can discover the ghostwriter’s name in press releases, interviews, or LinkedIn profiles. Many high-level ghosts don’t advertise widely, but you can track them down with a little digging.

If you identify a likely candidate, you can probably find that writer online.

3 – Check Acknowledgments in Articles and Op-Eds

Ghostwriters don’t just work on books. They often help executives, doctors, or thought leaders publish articles in magazines or op-eds in major newspapers.

Sometimes the ghost is thanked in the article acknowledgments or a LinkedIn post.

Tracking down those names can lead you to skilled writers who understand your subject area.

4 – Follow Ghostwriting Hashtags on Social Media

Platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok are full of professionals sharing their work. Search hashtags like #ghostwriter or #ghostwriting to find writers who actively discuss their craft.

This can lead you to writers who are approachable, transparent, and open to new projects.

5 – Listen to Podcasts and Webinars Featuring Ghostwriters

Many ghostwriters share their expertise as guests on podcasts or in online webinars about publishing. Listening to them describe their process, challenges, and client stories gives you a sense of their personality and professionalism.

If someone resonates with you, check their website or LinkedIn to see if they’re available for ghostwriting work.

6 – Explore Writers’ Organizations for Ghostwriter Referrals

A quick way to find a ghostwriter is to check with a writers’ association and see if they have a list of ghostwriters.

There are many writers’ associations, including the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Horror Writers Association, and the National Writers Union. You may find a list of writers for hire on their website, or you can contact them and ask how to contact ghosts.

7 – Investigate Professional Writing Groups Online

Search for writers’ groups on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social networking sites. Be sure to look for groups designed for experienced professional writers, not aspiring authors.

Contact the group moderators and explain that you are searching for a ghostwriter.

Be specific. Don’t just say “I’m looking for a ghostwriter.”

Instead, say, “I’d like to find a ghostwriter for an autobiography,” “I’m looking for a ghostwriter for a history book,” or something similar.

8 – Ask Publishing Professionals for Ghostwriter Recommendations

Don’t overlook the network around publishing.

Many literary agencies know and can recommend ghostwriters. At least one agency, 2M Communications, specializes in representing ghostwriters and editors.

Here’s a list of literary agencies to help you get started in your ghostwriter search.

Developmental editors, and book doctors often know experienced ghostwriters they’ve worked with. A quick inquiry can connect you with some ghostwriters.

9 – Attend Writing and Publishing Conferences

Events like the Nonfiction Writers Conference, ASJA’s annual meeting, or even local book fairs often attract professional ghostwriters.

Meeting a ghost in person—or at least attending their panel virtually—lets you get a feel for their communication style before you commit to working together.

10 – Search Proactively on LinkedIn

Instead of waiting for recommendations, type “ghostwriter” plus your book’s category into the LinkedIn search bar—like “ghostwriter business book” or “ghostwriter health memoir.”

Many professionals list ghostwriting as their specialty, and you can review their profiles, testimonials, and portfolios right away.

11 – Network Within Your Own Professional Circles

If your book is tied to a specific field—medicine, law, business, fitness—ask colleagues if they’ve ever worked with a ghostwriter.

Word-of-mouth referrals within your industry can help you find a writer who already understands your language and audience.

12 – Post an Ad

You’re guaranteed to find a ghostwriter if you post an ad on sites such as Guru, where people bid for jobs. You’ll get a lot of responses and the bids can be pretty low, but remember that you get what you pay for.

You can also check out curated sites such as Reedsy, where you can select from numerous ghostwriters and contact them to see if they’re a good match for you and your project

You can also check places like the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) or Upwork Pro. These platforms let you filter by experience, genre, and expertise, making it easier to find ghostwriters who specialize in exactly what you need.

13 – Check with Local Universities for Emerging Talent

This is a long shot, but if you’re on a budget, you might consider hiring a student in a university’s graduate writing program to ghost your book. (I wrote my very first published book while still in school.)

Contact the university. Ask to speak with a professor familiar with the writing students and their ability levels.

14 – Understanding Ghostwriting Fees and Agreements

Ghostwriting fees vary widely, from a few thousand dollars for a short e-book to the high six figures for a celebrity memoir. The price usually depends on book length, complexity, research, and the writer’s reputation.

A professional ghostwriter will provide a clear agreement or proposal outlining deadlines, payment milestones, confidentiality, and rights ownership. Always get this in writing before you begin.

For a deeper look, see our guide “Book Ghostwriting Contracts: What to Know Before You Sign.”

15 – How to Spot the Best Ghostwriter for Your Book

The first nine steps are the mechanical part of finding a ghostwriter. But how do you find the best ghostwriter?

And just what is the “best” ghostwriter? What makes certain ghosts rise above the rest?

Finding the best ghostwriter is tricky because there is no single measure of quality. Even a string of bestsellers on a ghost’s resume is not a guarantee, as he or she may not be a good match for you or your material.

Create your short list of ghostwriter candidates using the steps above, and start interviewing them by phone or in person. But don’t just ask questions about their resume and fees (although both are important).
Invite them to challenge your idea. To poke holes in it.

Don’t settle for someone who simply tells you how fantastic your idea is. Look for the ghost who tells you what’s wrong with your idea, and makes a convincing case for improving or even reimagining it.

Try throwing some new ideas into the mix, and see how the ghost responds. Does she embrace dealing with these new ideas as an interesting challenge? Tell you, firmly but politely, what’s good and bad about the new ideas? Enthusiastically offer ideas for incorporating the good parts into the text? And do her ideas make sense?

If so, you may have found your ghostwriter!

Finding a ghostwriter is a process…

But it’s doable! And when you find just the right ghostwriter, you’ll know it was worth the effort.

And, as you’re searching for a ghostwriter, think about why you are writing your book, for knowing what drives you can help you find the right ghost. If you’re planning to write a book that includes your own story, think about what kind of book you might write, and spend some time gathering helpful materials.

And if you’d like to learn more about the ghostwriting process, see our “Working with a Professional Ghostwriter” page.

Now that you know how to find a ghostwriter…

…read up on how to hire a ghostwriter.

If You’d Like Help Writing Your Book…

Barry Fox explains how to begin a business memoir or autobiography

Contact us! We’re Barry Fox and Nadine Taylor, professional ghostwriters and authors with a long list of satisfied clients and editors at major publishing houses.

You can learn about our ghostwriting work and credentials on our Home Page.

You can also learn about how we work by reading “Hey ghostwriter, what’s your ghostwriting process?”, and more about our writing style by reading “Hey ghostwriter, what’s your writing style?”

Call us at 818-917-5362 or use the contact form below to send us a message. We’d love to talk to you about your exciting project!