Who hires a ghostwriter and why do authors need them?
Deciding to hire a ghostwriter is a big step. It’s your story, your voice, your vision – so handing that over to someone else can feel a little daunting at first. But here’s the thing: authors hire ghostwriters way more often than you probably realise.
In fact, one of the most common questions we often hear from prospective clients is, “Do people like me actually hire ghostwriters?” And after years of working in this field, we can confidently say: yes, dear reader, they absolutely do.
From high-profile celebrity names to everyday professionals with incredible life stories, people from all walks of life come to the Ghostwriters Agency wanting help putting their thoughts into words. Some have half-finished drafts gathering dust, others just don’t have the time (or desire) to write a book themselves. Many simply want to make sure their story is told brilliantly – and that’s where we come in.
Who hires a ghostwriter?
It’s one of the most common questions we hear – and we totally get why. Hiring a ghostwriter can be an expensive, life-changing decision. So naturally, you want to know: Who else has walked this path?
Speaking from experience, the answer is: all sorts of people hire ghostwriters to pen their books. The reasons they come to us vary wildly, but there are some common threads. Here’s a breakdown of the types of clients we regularly work with:
People who are time poor: Let’s be honest, writing a book is a massive commitment. A full-length business book or memoir can take anywhere from three to six months of full-time work to write. Most of our clients simply don’t have that kind of time. Some try writing in their spare moments but end up hitting a wall. Losing steam halfway through is incredibly common – which is why hiring a ghostwriter can help.
People Who Need Help Shaping Their Ideas: You’ve got a brilliant concept, but how do you turn that into a compelling, structured book? That’s where we come in. A ghostwriter helps clarify your big idea, identify key sub-themes, and shape the entire project into a strong, readable narrative. We bring structure to chaos and help your message land with clarity and purpose.
People Who Want a Commercially Viable Book: You might already have the story and the rough flow, but what works for readers (and for publishers) isn’t always obvious. A ghostwriter brings market insight and helps frame your content in a way that appeals to today’s audience. If you’re hoping to secure a traditional publishing deal or simply want your book to sell, we’ll help tailor it accordingly.
People with Too Many Ideas (or Too Many False Starts): You’ve started five books. Maybe ten. You have notebooks, voice notes, and half-drafts everywhere. You might even think your story could be a series. That’s more common than you think. One of our key roles is helping you focus. We act as a book coach, guiding you through the noise, helping you choose your strongest ideas, and shaping them into a single, powerful book.
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: This is one of the biggest categories we work with. Many of our clients want to use their book as a tool to build credibility, open doors, attract clients, or define their legacy. A book can be the best business card you’ll ever hand out. And with our support, it will reflect your brand, expertise, and voice.
People with a Personal Story to Share: Sometimes, there’s a deeper drive behind writing a book. Clients come to us because they’ve lived through something powerful, difficult, or life-changing, and they want to share that story to help others or make sense of it themselves. These projects are often deeply cathartic and meaningful. We help shape the narrative while being sensitive to the emotional weight behind it.
People Writing the Book They Wish They’d Had: Many clients tell us, “I wish I had this kind of book when I was just starting out.” Whether it’s a guide to business, health, recovery, or personal growth, these stories often become the book that others need, too. As humans, we connect through storytelling. It’s how we share knowledge, inspire change, and make sense of the world. Writing your book might just be your most powerful contribution.
People who hire ghostwriters come from all walks of life
Do a lot of authors use ghostwriters?
Absolutely – and more than you might think. Ghostwriting has long been part of the literary world, even in some of its most iconic works.
It’s widely believed that James Bond creator Ian Fleming used ghostwriters to help with parts of his most famous novel, The Man with the Golden Gun. Go back even further and you’ll find The Count of Monte Cristo – credited to Alexandre Dumas – was largely shaped by 19th-century ghostwriter Auguste Maquet, who helped develop the plot and write key sections.
In the modern era, bestselling series like Goosebumps by R.L. Stine also relied on ghostwriters to keep up with massive reader demand. It’s a testament to how collaborative publishing can be behind the scenes.
Do celebrities hire ghostwriters?
Of course they do! It’s actually incredibly common. Many celebrity memoirs – and even magazine columns – are written with the help of professional ghostwriters.
Prince Harry famously teamed up with ghostwriter J.R. Moehringer to write Spare, which became one of the UK’s fastest-selling non-fiction books of all time, shifting over 400,000 copies in its first week alone.
Paris Hilton’s memoir was ghostwritten, as was Michelle Obama’s Becoming – a global bestseller and cultural milestone. Even fiction isn’t off limits: Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown released Nineteen Steps, a novel inspired by her family history and written in collaboration with professional writer Kathleen McGurl. While McGurl’s name didn’t appear on the cover, Brown was transparent about the partnership – a reminder that good ghostwriting doesn’t mean secrecy; it means teamwork.
More people hire ghostwriters to write their books than you probably realise
Do ghostwriters write the whole book?
Not necessarily. A ghostwriter can be involved as much – or as little – as you’d like.
Every ghostwriting partnership we arrange at The Ghostwriters Agency is completely tailored to your needs, goals, and comfort level. Some clients want a ghostwriter to take the lead from start to finish. Others come to us with a rough draft, outline, or even just a handful of voice notes – and want help turning it into a polished manuscript. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
If you’re feeling uneasy about the idea of using a ghostwriter, here’s something to keep in mind: writing a book is always a collaborative effort. Even authors who write every word themselves still work closely with editors – often more than one.
A typical published book has been shaped by a copy editor, a proofreader, and sometimes a whole team of marketing and publicity professionals. A ghostwriter is simply one more expert in that creative ecosystem – someone who can help you tell your story clearly, powerfully, and professionally.
If you do decide to hire a ghostwriter, don’t worry, you’ll still be very much involved. You’ll be interviewed, asked thoughtful questions about your story and ideas, and engaged in the editing process. Your voice, your vision, and your approval remain at the heart of everything. We just help bring it all together.
Do ghostwriters get copyright?
In most cases, no – ghostwriters do not retain the copyright to the work they produce. The copyright typically belongs to the person or organisation commissioning the book. However, the specific terms can vary, which is why it’s essential to have a clear contract in place from the start.
At The Ghostwriters Agency, we ensure that every partnership includes a transparent, fair agreement outlining who owns the copyright and what rights (if any) the ghostwriter retains.
That way, there are no surprises – everyone knows exactly where they stand.
Always read the small print, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good ghostwriting arrangement should make you feel confident and in control of your story.