A ghostwriter needs five things from you: a clear idea of the book, time for interviews, source material such as notes and documents, quick and specific feedback and honest decisions about what the book will and will not say. The more of these you provide, the faster the project goes, the better the book sounds like you and the less it can cost. A ghostwriter supplies craft, but the substance is yours.
This guide explains what to prepare before you start, what to do during the project and what to avoid. If you have not hired anyone yet, read how to hire a ghostwriter first. If you are ready to begin, you can ask for a free quote on our ghostwriting services.
Key takeaways
- A one-page brief saves weeks of back and forth
- Interviews are the heart of the project, so protect time for them
- Share notes, documents, recordings and examples of the voice you want
- Give feedback quickly, specifically and all at once
- Decide up front what is off limits, so the writer does not guess
In this article
- What should be in my brief?
- How much time will I need to give?
- What source material should I share?
- How do I help the writer capture my voice?
- How should I give feedback?
- What decisions should I make early?
- What should I be honest about?
- What should I avoid?
- How can I make the first meeting count?
- Frequently asked questions
- Services that can help
What should be in my brief?
Write one page that says who the book is for, what it should achieve, roughly how long it should be and what tone you want. Add a working title, a few books you admire and any chapters or ideas you already have. Include your deadline and the way you will use the book, such as for clients, for family or for sale. A clear brief lets the writer propose a structure straight away and lets you compare quotes fairly.
How much time will I need to give?
For a full-length book, plan for several hours of interviews across a number of sessions, then time to read each draft and respond. The exact amount depends on the book and the writer’s method. Memoir and personal-story books need the most interview time, while some business books can draw on existing talks and articles. Delays in your availability extend the schedule, so block time in your calendar. Our guide to how memoir ghostwriting works shows what the interviews involve.
What source material should I share?
- Notes, outlines, voice memos and previous drafts
- Talks, presentations, articles, podcasts and videos
- Photographs, letters, diaries and records
- Names and contact details of people who can confirm facts
- Research, data and references you rely on
- Examples of the voice and tone you like
The more material you give, the less the writer must invent and the more the book reflects your real thinking.
How do I help the writer capture my voice?
Send examples of your writing and recordings of you speaking, and point out phrases you use often. Say what you do not want, such as jargon, humour or formality. Ask for a sample chapter early and give detailed feedback on whether it sounds like you. Voice is easiest to fix at the start, so spend extra time on chapter one. If something feels wrong, describe how you would say it, and let the writer find the match.
How should I give feedback?
Read each draft in full before responding, then send your feedback in one organised message instead of many small ones. Be specific about what you like and what you want changed, and explain why. Separate facts that are wrong from style preferences. Avoid rewriting passages yourself unless you want to, because mixing voices can create inconsistency. Quick, clear feedback is the most valuable thing you can give a ghostwriter, and it keeps the project on schedule.
What decisions should I make early?
Decide the audience, the title direction, the length and the level of detail you will share. Decide what is off limits, such as family matters, client names or financial details. Decide how you want to be credited, if at all, and who will review the manuscript for accuracy. Decide whether you want a book proposal, a self-published release or a private print run. Our guide to whether ghostwriting is ethical and legal explains credit and ownership.
What should I be honest about?
Tell the writer when you are unsure of a fact, when a story is sensitive and when you disagree with a suggestion. A ghostwriter cannot fix a problem they do not know about. Be clear about your goals, your budget and your timeline, and about anything that could affect the book legally, such as confidential information or claims you cannot support. Honesty at the start prevents expensive changes later, and it builds the trust that makes the book better.
What should I avoid?
- Changing direction after drafting has begun, which adds cost and delay
- Disappearing for weeks between interviews and feedback
- Sending large volumes of unsorted material without guidance
- Asking for guaranteed sales or rankings, which no ethical writer can promise
- Skipping the contract, or signing before you understand the scope
A clear scope and a steady rhythm make a ghostwriting project enjoyable and productive.
How can I make the first meeting count?
Come with your one-page brief, a few examples of your voice, your list of questions and your honest budget and timeline. Say what you fear about the project, because that tells the writer where to take care. Ask how they work, what they need from you each week and how feedback should be given. A good first meeting ends with a shared idea of the book and a clear next step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an outline before I hire a ghostwriter?
No. A clear idea is enough. A good ghostwriter helps build the outline.
How can I reduce the cost of a ghostwritten book?
Prepare a clear brief, share source material, give quick feedback and avoid changing direction midway. A tighter scope also costs less.
What if I am not a good talker?
Many authors are not. A skilled interviewer draws the story out with questions, and you can also write notes or answer in writing.
Can I send the writer my own drafts?
Yes. The writer can build on, restructure or rewrite them. Agree this at the start, because it affects the scope.
How much will the writer ask me to review?
Usually the outline, each batch of chapters and the final manuscript. You approve every stage.
What if the first draft is not right?
Give specific feedback early. A good agreement includes revision rounds, and the writer will adjust voice and structure.
Services that can help
- Ghostwriting services
- Non-fiction ghostwriting
- Fiction ghostwriting
- Memoir and autobiography ghostwriting
- Book coaching
This guide is part of our ghostwriting guides and connects to our ghostwriting services.