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Get paid to write novels, articles, web content and more. What's the catch? You don't get the credit, just the cash!

Sure, it sounds too easy. And, to be honest, I really hadn't thought about becoming a ghostwriter until I was already immersed in the field of freelance writing. I was introduced to ghostwriting by a fellow writer that loved writing novels as much as I do. Not only did writing novels for clients strengthen her own writing skills, but it was something she absolutely loved to do.

What exactly is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is someone that writes material of any kind and relinquishes all ownership of the material to someone else. Therefore, this ghostwriter doesn't receive credit for writing, editing, proofing or even conceiving the plot of the novel. The client's name is listed as author of the book, not the ghostwriter.

When I tell people exactly what a ghostwriter does, many of them are dismayed to think that the true writer doesn't recieve any credit for the writing. The fact of the matter is that many successful, famous authors use ghostwriters for their novels. Especially if they need to have a certain number of books complete for the publisher and they are busy doing other book related tasks such as book signings, marketing and radio/television appearances.

What is the perk of being a Ghostwriter?

It sounds as if the ghostwriter is left out in the cold once the book is complete, doesn't it? The fact of the matter is that writers and ghostwriters are in the business of earning a living. The perk to becoming a successful ghostwriter is that once you complete a few novels and you do a great job, you can look forward to referrals from your clients.

Another perk is that ghostwriters can charge anywhere from $40 per hour up to $110 per hour to write a book. If you consider the fact that 1 page of text takes roughly an hour to complete, consider the average book length to be 200 to 300 pages long, simple math will tell you that this can be a lucrative business.

How To Tap into the Field of Ghostwriting

Network, network, network. I can't empasize enough of how important that is to writers, especially if you are just starting your writing business. Advertise your services, create a blog or website.

The idea is to build your portfolio and please your client with the results. I find that keeping in contact with the client throughout the process is crucial. Remember, you don't have to write novels to be a ghostwriter. If writing books isn't your passion, there are other avenues to explore. Many companies are looking for ghostwriters to produce content for newsletters, white papers, technical documentation, Human Resources related manuals and books. The possibilities are endless.

Another effortless way to market your services is to create a catchy, short tag for your email signature. For example, mine reads: Ghostwriter for Rent! Available for ghosting novels, newsletters, articles, manuals and more. Then list your website or blog and you will be amazed how that will double the chances of people finding out about you.

Have questions or a comment? Feel free to contact me, I would love to hear from you!