Can you tell a good story? If so, consider becoming a fiction ghostwriter. Some ghostwriters can make anywhere from $5000 per book to $50,000 per book, depending on whether they work on their own or through a firm.
You’re always going to make more money if you set up your fees for yourself instead of working through a firm. However, sometimes it’s good to work with a firm first to get the hang of it since the firm will offer some guidance.
If you want to be a fiction ghostwriter, here are some things you can do to make it happen.
Write Your Own Books or Blogs
If you want to be a ghostwriter in any genre, the best thing to do is to start doing it on your own, even if you don’t have a client. You can start your own blog, publish to Amazon Kindle, and get practice doing the type of writing you like so you can have a following. If you dislike using your name, you can always use a pen name as you learn. This is a great way to build your portfolio.
Set Up a Website and Social Platforms to Build Your Online Presence
Start showing people on your website and on social media what you can do. Write short stories to add to your portfolio. As a ghostwriter, you won’t often be able to use the work you do for others as an example unless you get permission from the originator of the work, so creating your own examples is essential.
Offer Packages That Work for You and Your Clients
Instead of creating by the word or hourly packages, offer packages that work better for you and your clients by giving them a set package of work for a set price in order to avoid sticker shock or issues with the work. People are more likely to buy your service if they know the full cost upfront. Don’t nickle and dime your clients to death – they will not remain clients for long!
Practice What You Want to Be Good at Doing![practice]()
As you work on building your client roster, you’ll want to keep practicing your writing. As you practice, you’ll become better at it, which also means faster at it, which means you can earn more money. It also helps build your portfolio and keep it current.
Set Up a Good Contract to Avoid Scope Creep
When you work with individuals, you’ll need to set up a contract for what you are going to do for them. For example, if you’re the ghostwriter, you should avoid extra editing and finishing work that you’re not going to be paid for doing unless it’s in the contract.
Be very clear about what your responsibility is and what the person you’re ghostwriting for needs to do as well. If you do offer revisions, make sure you are clear on how many revisions and what exactly you mean by revisions.
Be Ready to Guide Your Clients Through the Process
One thing you can give your clients that a big firm can’t is personal guidance through the entire process. You can be a one-stop-shop if you want to by contracting with other editors, writers, and graphic designers to help with all aspects of the publishing industry. If this does not appeal to you, just do the ghostwriting. It is your business so make sure you enjoy what you do.
So…it’s time to get started!
Get a website up so that you have a place to showcase your work. Create ironclad contracts, and then find out where your audience is so that you can put your offers in front of them. You can find people in need of a fiction ghostwriter by writing content for your site that attracts them and by joining writing groups and author workshops in your area.
