For information on the typical ghostwriting process, visit our service page and for a brief outline to all of our author services, visit the writing services section.

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What is a ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter (or ‘ghost writer’) is someone you can hire to write your book in an undisclosed fashion. Professional ghostwriters (‘ghost writers’) in the publishing industry are writers who write books for authors in this way.

Although they are normally invisible, there are collaborative authoring options and sometimes a ghostwriter will feature as a co-author. This collaborative co-author approach is often the best choice for certain books as this can increase the chances of a book being published. Therefore, acknowledging the ghostwriter through the use of ‘and’ or ‘with’ can be an author’s preference, although most of the time nobody will ever know they were involved.

Why would I hire a ghostwriter?

Because you don’t know where to begin, how to do it, or have the time. Whether it is a short business e-book, a deep literary memoir, or a factual book on the history of a shop, writing will take time, research, dedication and commitment. Writing well is a specialised skill that a lot of people just don’t have the time or interest in mastering. This is where a professional writing firm can help you. Often people search for a ghostwriter when they are in need of an editor or some general guidance but people hire a ghostwriter when they have ambitious publishing goals and need help turning a general idea of a life story into a complete, well-written creative product.

How does a ghostwriter help me to write my book? What is the actual process?

To begin, they will need to gather information. Telephone calls, video meetings and face-to-face sit-downs are normal. The amount of time needed will depend on the project. Following any information-gathering stage, contact will continue but you will also want to leave a writer to do their professional work in private while remaining contactable. As the project hits different levels and continually evolves, the process shifts and the relationship changes. Sometimes it is just video meetings with your ghost, other times it is field research – meeting the family, returning to crime scenes, or diving into the National Archives.

We will lead you through the development process – your job should be mainly talking and answering questions but this depends on who you are as a person. Often, we set our clients writing tasks such as journaling or even putting down a skeleton or sample chapter.

My life story would make an excellent book or film, can a ghostwriter help me?

Yes. Lots of people have had fascinating lives and have been told ‘that would make a great book’. Biographies, autobiographies or memoirs are among the most common things that we are asked to work on. Our goal will be to identify the message at the heart of your story while making sure the writing grips the reader’s attention. Although the narrative adventure of your life story is exciting, the execution of the writing will need to match the adventure. Writing styles will be stress tested but through behind-the-scenes workshops and meetings, we’ll eventually align the tone and form with the story. This increases the chance of getting published and having any commercial success which is to start a very difficult endeavour.

I want to shop around; how do I find a professional?

Can you get my story published as a book or produced as a film?

We know from agents and publishers that the majority of creative projects – books or films – are not accepted because the standard is not professional enough. Our process increases the chances that your book will be considered for publication. A lot of this is to do with the time we spend on the proposal document. We will submit with you or on your behalf and our contacts become your contacts. Because the goal is normally to secure a publishing contract we will be developing the project with this intention. What we create for you will be influenced by your publishing goals but the story itself does need to influence this target also.

Once you get in contact with us and we workshop your idea, we will offer you our opinion on the project, sometimes via a paid Manuscript Assessment. Some of the most surprising results come out of manuscripts that were ambitious enough to be submitted to a literary agent. Timing and persistence are important factors here. If a project is submitted to an agent who happens to be looking for ‘that very thing’ at ‘that very time’, you will be happy you invested in having the piece written professionally, packaged appropriately and submitted with a quality cover letter.

Publishing houses and literary agents in the UK/US are easy to approach when submitting but they require a specific submission package and approach for the new author to be taken seriously. Standing out is essential.

Different projects find different homes in different markets. The publishing industry is refining itself with the rise of self-publishing services and a greater variety of author services. As a result, new opportunities are presenting themselves. We can discuss all of them one-to-one when we know the specifics of your project.

How much does it cost to hire you as my ghostwriter?

Please click here for a general price guide.

How long does it take?

The majority of books take between 1 and 2 years to complete. This can change depending on the material we are given to get moving, the amount of research required and the size of the project.

Which writer will I be working with at The London Ghostwriting Company?

How do I know you are capable as a firm? What is your experience as a company?

Always request samples from your proposed editor or ghostwriter and go with recommendations. If you are not fully convinced, keep searching. It is important to remember ghostwriters are ‘invisible’ and may not be in a legal position (due to confidentiality) to send you many samples of their past works. You may, however, see work they have published in their own names. You can request they release samples via NDA or pay them to produce trial chapters.

We work with professional editors, consultants and proofreaders who are some of the best in our industry.

How do I know you will fulfil your contract and finish my book?

You will sign a ‘Writer for Hire’ contract where all of the specifics are mentioned regarding issues of responsibility, confidentiality, warranties, etc.

Can a ghostwriter use the work they have written but I have paid for? How does Copyright work?

What if there is a disagreement and the ghostwriter will not do what I want them to do?

You are paying for them to write what you want as best as they can. They will upgrade and enhance your idea and this process will require clarity during conversation as well as flexibility from both parties. You will also need to take into consideration your own publishing goals. Often the writing is accommodating that as well as your own requests.

What if I don’t like what my ghostwriter has done?

With us, this is a rare occurrence due to the amount of time a client will spend with their ghostwriter during the pre-production and the development of the book.

Do I need to sign a contract?

With us – yes. Legally you do not need to sign into a contract but there are benefits to this and it can enhance, motivate, and lock in progress, helping to see things through from a deposit payment all the way to completion.

Are you a team of professional writers? Are you a professional company?

What is the history of the company?

On November 16th 2016, the business was incorporated as a limited company. Ghostwriter Services UK LIMITED now trades under the brand name LGC. The company number is 10482126 and our registered office is located with publishing specialists HW Fisher at Acre House, 11-15 William Road, London, NW1 3ER.

The Regent Street address listed is now a business address only. Please do not send any manuscripts to this address as they will not be read.