Years ago, I had a consult with an aspiring author. The potential client wanted to write his father’s biography, but he didn’t know how to structure the book in a way that would appeal to readers. He knew he needed help.
But he also loved a good deal.
At the end of our chat, he mentioned that he would be speaking with a few other companies. I was just curious, so I asked which ones.
He told me he would be interviewing Ghost Book Writers and Top Professional Ghostwriters.
I involuntarily cringed.
When you’re not part of the industry, it can be difficult to spot a scam, but for those of us on the inside, they’re glaringly, horrifyingly obvious.
Are you an aspiring author who’s looking for a ghostwriter or publisher? If so, be warned: there are plenty of ghostwriting scams and publishing scams out there that can cost you your money and your book. Fake ghostwriters and scam companies are everywhere, but it doesn’t have to be this way. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common ghostwriting scams and publishing scams so that you can be better informed on how to protect yourself and your work.
Know What You’re Paying For
When looking for a ghostwriter or a publisher, it’s essential to know what you’re paying for. A legitimate ghostwriter or publisher should be transparent about their fees and the services they offer. Before signing any contract or making any payment, ask for a services breakdown – a written proposal that describes everything you’re paying for. This should include the ghostwriter’s fee, payment terms, the number of drafts, any additional research or interviews required, and the timeline for completing the project.
This can be particularly challenging when you want to hire a company to take you from idea to finished book because there are many moving parts and pieces. For instance, I often hear from people who are confused—they want to know how ghostwriters price their services, but they’ve heard many different answers.
So what is the standard pricing approach for ghostwriting and publishing? Unfortunately, there isn’t one standard way to charge. Early-career ghostwriters often price by the hour, while more experienced ghosts and publishers typically charge a project fee that’s based on your target word count.
As I’ll describe in more detail below, the companies my potential client had been in contact with were doing a lot of hand waving—when he asked questions, they just assured him he didn’t need to know the answers. They would handle everything for him, and it was all so complicated, it wasn’t worth trying to explain.
Regardless of the pricing approach, any freelancer or company should be willing and able to help you understand what you’re paying for and how it will be delivered.
Part of that delivery is the process or system used to deliver consistent, (hopefully) excellent results to each author served. Since this is such a key element of client experience, companies should be used to explaining how the process works. You shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions, either. If they are vague or can’t give you clear answers, this could be a sign that the company is not legitimate, and you should proceed with caution. If you encounter this, ask to speak with someone who can explain everything clearly to you. And if they try to convince you that you don’t need to know the details, it’s a huge red flag—run!
Check Credentials
When it comes to finding a legitimate ghostwriter or publisher to avoid scams, checking their credentials is crucial. Here are some types of credentials to look for:
1. University Degrees
A ghostwriter with an MFA or PhD will have advanced training in the writing process, including extensive feedback from other experts (you can see our team’s credentials here). These programs, particularly those hosted at large state universities or exclusive private schools, can be brutal and taxing. A writer or publisher who has graduated with an advanced degree from a program like this will be skilled in the writing and revision process, and they should be exceptionally well-prepared to work with your feedback and find marketable solutions to improve the work.
To a lesser degree, a writer with undergraduate training in writing, journalism, or English literature, for example, might have a better understanding of the writing process and storytelling techniques than the average person. However, keep in mind that a degree does not necessarily guarantee quality work, and undergraduate degrees aren’t necessarily designed to foster professional writing skills.
2. Professional Certifications
Ghostwriters and publishers may attain a number of professional certifications, depending on their goals. For instance, a Professional Ghostwriter Designation from California State University Long Beach is a widely recognized credential in the ghostwriting industry. This certification ensures that the ghostwriter has a thorough understanding of the craft and ethics of ghostwriting.
“When you’re not part of the industry, it can be difficult to spot a scam, but for those of us on the inside, they’re glaringly, horrifyingly obvious.”
Another popular program is the Independent Book Publisher’s Association’s Publishing University. Publishers who have been through this training program will have an exceptional knowledge of the book market, including the technical and logistical demands of producing an excellent book.
Perhaps most importantly, these credentials can be verified—so you can check to determine whether the company or freelancer you’re considering has attained this level of professional training.
3. Industry Memberships or Affiliations
Being a member of organizations like The Author’s Guild or the Association of Ghostwriters shows that the ghostwriter or publisher is committed to their craft and adheres to industry standards. These organizations often require an application process and have strict membership requirements, making them a good sign of a legitimate ghostwriter or publisher.
4. Previous Experience
This one is tricky because most ghostwriters can’t share the titles of the books they’ve written due to confidentiality agreements. With that in mind, this type of credential can actually work against you. Some legitimate ghostwriters can give you a list of the books they’ve worked on, but be very cautious of any writer or company who hands you a list of 50 NYT bestsellers. These scammers know that aspiring authors have very little context about the behind-the-scenes industry, and, unfortunately, that inexperience often translates to being duped by fake experience credits. But your ghostwriting company probably didn’t write Gone with the Wind (yes, I’ve seen one who claimed they did), and unless they are a very high-end, very pricey service, they probably didn’t write Michelle Obama’s book either.
When you’re trying to figure out how to find a legitimate ghostwriter, focus instead on how the writer talks about their past clients. Most of us are very experienced in talking about projects without revealing details. We can paint a very clear picture of our experience while maintaining confidentiality.
If you’re just wondering how to find a good publisher, the process may be a little easier—most publishing companies don’t sign NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) with their authors—but full-service ghostwriting and publishing companies often do.
In either case, ask for general information about the genre or type of book they’ve worked on and ask for (anonymized) client testimonials if possible.
These aren’t the only possible credentials, but I would personally expect any company to have at least one of these—we’ve got all four.
While my potential client’s target company bragged about being “Top Professional Ghostwriters,” they had zero legitimate experience to share. Unfortunately, they were very flashy, very pushy salespeople, so my potential client got sucked into the process before he had a chance to ask for credentials.
Be Wary of Upfront Payments
While it’s common practice in the publishing industry to pay a deposit upfront, many scammers use this as an opportunity to take advantage of unsuspecting authors. That’s why it’s important to exercise caution when making payments to ghostwriters and publishers.
Firstly, it’s important to note that a legitimate ghostwriter or publisher may require an upfront payment, typically in the form of a deposit. This is industry tradition, and in past decades, it wasn’t unusual for authors to pay as much as half the total fee upfront.
However, in today’s world of online payments, it’s much easier to set up more evenly-paced payments. We only accept monthly payments, because we realize it can be difficult (and unsettling) to send half of the full fee before you’ve gotten to know your company or freelancer.
One of the hallmark red flags we see from scam ghostwriters and publishing companies is pressure. You can expect to be pushed to pay in full while you’re on the call with the scammer. They may also require payment through unconventional means, such as wire transfers or money orders.
Finally, recognize that you should have a written, signed proposal or contract before you pay your deposit. Many authors feel uncertain about the publishing industry, so they go along with set-ups that feel strange. But modern ghostwriting and publishing are similar to many other industries—if you’ve paid a big price to have your kitchen remodeled, for instance, you’ve probably gone through a similar process. Just as you would expect a general contractor to outline the scope of service before you pay your first installment, you should expect similarly clear terms when working with a full-service ghostwriting and publishing company.
Get Everything in Writing
One of the most important pieces of advice to follow when looking for a ghostwriter or publisher is to get everything in writing. This means that any promises, agreements, or payment plans should be put in writing, with clear terms and conditions.
Not only does having everything in writing protect you legally, but it also ensures that both parties are on the same page. Misunderstandings and miscommunications can easily arise when things are left unspoken or assumed, so it’s important to have everything laid out clearly.
When looking for a legitimate ghostwriter or publisher, it’s important to find someone who is willing to put everything in writing. This shows that they are professional, transparent, and serious about their work. If a potential ghostwriter or publisher seems hesitant or evasive when it comes to discussing contracts and written agreements, it’s a red flag that they may not be trustworthy.
Some publishers to avoid may use vague or non-committal language when discussing agreements, or they may try to rush you into signing without giving you adequate time to review the terms. Always take the time to read and understand any contract before signing, and ask for clarification on anything that is unclear.
When you ask yourself how to find a legitimate ghostwriter or how to find a good publisher, remember that you are actually looking for a business. Use your general experience with businesses to gauge the process. No legitimate business embarks on a huge project (and a book is a HUGE project!) without formal, written terms.
Be Cautious of ‘ Too-Good-To-Be-True’ Offers
One of the biggest red flags to watch out for when looking for a ghostwriter or publisher is an offer that seems too good to be true. Unfortunately, it can be hard to tell which websites and services are legitimate and which are not.
To avoid falling for these scams, it’s important to know how to spot them. Adjectives in the URL or company name can be a huge red flag. Most legitimate ghostwriters and publishers won’t name their company, “Best Ghostwriting and Publishing Company” or “Famous Ghostwriters Inc,” so be wary of companies with that sort of name.
Additionally, you will never find a good publisher or legitimate ghostwriter who offers “50% off.” Ghostwriting and publishing take a lot of work and typically incur at least some additional expenses. Your ghostwriter or publishing company will handle those fees, such as hiring a copyeditor or cover designer, so they can’t slash prices like this.
But if you’re dealing with a company that plans to scam you, they’ve got nothing to lose.
This is what happened with my potential client—he eventually asked me if I would be willing to match the half-price offer he’d gotten from both Ghost Book Writers and Top Professional Ghostwriters (two sites that I suspect were run by the same scam group). Of course, I could not. My company is based on delivering a high-value, exceptional-quality service, and that costs money—but it also results in value.
Ghost Book Writers charged much, much less than we do, but authors will be lucky if they receive anything at all.
Legitimate ghostwriters and publishers don’t usually discount their services.
Realize that the top ghostwriters in the industry typically charge a minimum of $35k for a full-length project, with many charging upwards of six figures. If you’re promised a quality book for $5k or even $10k, be very suspicious. Often these scam sights will promise you an experienced ghostwriter—they may even give a legitimate ghostwriter’s name—but once they have your money, you’ll be lucky to get anything in return.
The Book That Never Was
I think about that author from time to time, and I’ve even checked Amazon on occasion, wondering whether he did eventually find a way to get his book out. Three years later, there are no books listed under his name.
It’s heartbreaking because the story he had in mind was fascinating. It would have allowed his father to live on forever—for his children, grandchildren, and other relatives to have a lasting piece of those priceless experiences.
Instead, he wound up losing money and walking away with nothing to show for it. I hope this post will help you avoid a similar fate.
