What Is a Ghostwriter?

If you’ve read a book by a business leader, politician, or movie star—or anyone who isn’t a professional writer—there’s a good chance the actual writing was done by a ghostwriter. Ghostwriters are the open secret of the publishing industry. A ghostwriter is a professional writer who pens (or heavily edits) a manuscript, based on ideas, content, and/or subject expertise supplied by the credited author. Ghostwriters usually work confidentially but are sometimes credited by a “with” or “as told to” on the book cover.

Why Use a Ghostwriter?

Writing is a craft that requires years of practice to master. Most people who want to author a book don’t have the time or inclination to learn to write at a professional level. Why would they? They have other skills to work on, like running companies or making movies. They recognize they need professional help to make their book as good as it can be.

How Do Ghostwriters Work?

A ghostwriter collaborates with an author to produce a compelling, publishable manuscript. The work method can vary, depending on the author’s skills and preferences. Sometimes the ghostwriter “pulls” the book from the author via a series of interviews; sometimes the ghostwriter works with notes, outlines, or early drafts provided by the author. There is a drafting process in which the ghostwriter creates a first draft and the author provides feedback. The ghostwriter then writes a revised draft and then a final polish. A good ghostwriter is flexible and tries to make the process as painless and enjoyable as possible for the author.

Will It Still Be “My” Book?

Some people question whether it’s “okay” to use a ghostwriter. Consider this: is it “okay” to take readers’ money for an amateurish book that will bore and confuse them and they’ll never finish? You want to give your readers value for their money, and you want to get your message across clearly and compellingly. Ghostwriters help ensure you accomplish both goals.

In the end, the book is still authentically yours. It contains your ideas, your stories, your information, your expertise. And you collaborated on the writing. So, your authorship is not “fake” in any way.

Why Work with Andrew?

Andrew Wolfendon is a top-tier ghostwriter who has worked with CEOs, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, spiritual teachers, bestselling novelists, and subject experts to create over 75 exceptional books that have made bestseller lists, won awards, and been published by top houses such as Random House, Berkley, Impact, BenBella Books, Skyhorse, Brown, and HCI Books. He can write in virtually any subject area and is especially strong in self-help, business advice, inspiration/spirituality, memoirs, children’s, humor, and psychology.

An award-winning novelist, Andy ghostwrites fiction as well, such as Last Resort by Scott Pratt, Amazon’s #1 bestselling legal thriller (summer, 2023). Scripts are another specialty; Andy’s screenplays have been optioned numerous times in Hollywood.

Andy also writes outstanding book proposals, which have led to numerous publishing deals for his clients.

How Much Does Ghostwriting Cost?

It’s impossible to offer fixed, up-front pricing for books, because every book is unique in a number of ways. To explore working with Andy: please send him an email. Briefly describe your project. Andy will reach out to you and send writing samples and a no-obligation fee estimate.