HOW TO BECOME A GHOSTWRITER?

A complete guide to becoming a ghost-writer, written by a world-class one. ✧

If you search ‘top spirituality ghostwriter United Kingdom,’ ‘top spirituality ghostwriter Upwork,’ or ‘world’s best spirituality ghostwriter,’ I will come up on the first page of Google! The same results apply for replacing spirituality with self-help. Hence, I feel qualified to share my wisdom and personal journey, for your benefit.

In 2014 I was guided to leave the security of my job, working as a Sale Assistant at Holland & Barrett, to travel to Olympia’s MBS Show/Festival in London. Here, I found the Local Legend National Writing Competition in a Watkins MBS mag, entered, and won. This started my journey as a writer and author, but I wrote for free for many years, having not perfected or even properly fine-tuned by craft until 2019, where I was approached by the creator of the Urban Writers via Guru. Guru is another freelancer platform similar to Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer. I was lucky to receive such communication, and within a month of communication I had risen to ‘top’ and ‘premium’ writer as a ghost-writer, which is also known as an e/book creator. The Urban Writers is a Canadian based company with lots of 4- 5 star reviews. 

My intuition then guided me to joining Upwork, an online website for freelancers, creatives, and so on. Upwork is one of the ‘big 5,’ alongside Fiverr, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, and Toptal. 

I started on what one calls “beginners” or “newbie” rates: $1 per 100 words. Actually some of my projects with the Urban Writers were with the pay $0.08- 0.09 per 100 words! The absolute lowest, in the ghostwriting world… I then started to get hired for projects at the $1.5- 2.5 rate, and finally began charging $3+ or- to be more accurate, my magic number of $3.3- at the start of Spring 2020. This was in alignment with my birthday (I am a Pisces born on Pi-day, March 14th!). 

SOME OF MY CLIENTS AND PRESTIGIOUS PROOF: One celebrity client from the United States paid me $3000 to write her debut book. A Youtube channel focusing on astrological wisdom currently has videos with views up to 1.7 million (I wrote some of their scripts). I’ve written for three different Youtube channels with Subscribers ranging from 55K to 168K… One United Kingdom based client has 33K+ 5 star reviews on Trustpilot and 1Million+ Subscribers on Instagram, moreover is a New York Times BESTSELLER author. (I wrote their book.)

Before I became a ghostwriter, I was “discovered” by one of the dragon’s from (THE) BBC’s Dragons’ Den. Oh yes, Rachel Elnaugh, a female dragon present in the first two series, gave me a chance at London Olympia’s MBS Show, and allowed me to showcase my spoken word skills. This opportunity led to increased self-confidence and self-esteem to pursue my passions as a poet, writer, and creative! My best friend from youth was also a famous bassist who headlined alongside Metallica, the world’s most loved and successful metal band… He gave me some music lessons in my late teens (we also used to have sleepovers ✧). 

It’s not always easy being a ghostwriter, as you must be a master of secrets. Proud moments must be in private, and even your lover, closest friends, or family can’t ever be brought into your light. Has becoming a world-class ghostwriter caused problems? Absolutely. (More on this soon.)

Ghostwriters can never disclose who they’ve written for. This is something I will take to my grave… We can drop clues, speak in analogies or similarities; we can share “general” terms and insights, but we can never break client confidentiality. Ghostwriters usually sign NDAs- Non-Disclosure Agreements. Here are some key guidelines and rules in the ghostwriting world:

1. Prices are usually agreed upfront, based on an hourly or per 100 words rate. 

2. Most customers (clients) ask the writer to sign an NDA or contract stating terms of exchange. 

3. It’s rare, from my experience, for clients to offer royalties. Usually, a set fee is agreed; the client or author keeps all the rights to their work, while the ghostwriter is paid a sum fee. 

4. Books are usually requested to be written via Google documents, so this is something you should become familiar with.

5. Even UK/British writers will have to master American English! This is something I had to study intensively, as 90%+ of my project requests are for global clients. So I write, proofread, and format in American English. 

6. If the ghostwriter breaks any clause in the NDA, they can be sued and pay considerable fines… or go to jail. 

   
   
   
   

   

   SELF-MADE: From spiritual and selfless to soulful and sovereign (& then balanced in the middle...)

   
   

So, problems to consider before starting a vocation or career as a ghostwriter.

Disadvantages to consider:

1. Problems in your personal life can arise, like blocks to intimacy, becoming too attached or addicted to your independence and solitude, or super-reclusiveness. This has been the main setback for me, personally. 

2. Confusion in who you should pay tax to or even if you should pay tax arises if you’re a freelancer who works remotely. Some of us travel the world, have freedom to work from anywhere, and move from country to country and continent to continent. Many ghostwriters choose to no longer keep a permanent residence or even have an address; where do they pay tax to?! Should they pay tax at all?! How much, and why?! 

3. The line between rationality and intuition, as well as practicality and morality; you may not have been granted access to your client’s royalties, but what if that client starts to overlook your existence entirely? After they’ve become a bestselling author or famous or made hundreds to thousands or even millions! Issues in selfishness, egocentricity, and a lack of fairness or morality can arise if your now rich or famous client chooses to stop appreciating or valuing you. Ghostwriters are humans too. We’re not machines. Our hearts, time, and more importantly wisdom, expertise, and personal blueprints often go into the books we write. Ghostwriters tend to leave a little “piece” of them in their creations. 

4. You may be limited when clients are overly-analytical or nit-picky- some clients really do suck the soul out of you. This has been my experience a few times; they want your expertise, but don’t actually want it. There’s a lack of creative control here, and it’s like having a boss or manager. The client is your boss or manager, which can sometimes be a positive experience and other times negative.

5. There’s seldom-to-rarely any royalties while book success is not always guaranteed. In this case, sometimes clients “project,” believing their lack of sales is due to your effort, skills, or quality, but the reality is some clients don’t market or promote correctly. There’s also the topic of fate: is this person destined to be an author, or was it simply a nice idea? (Not everyone can become a best selling author.)

6. Finally, the long-term set-back is when you wish to reflect over your projects and books. Crossing boundaries is a problem, such as projecting your love, heart, or soul into previous projects. The effect is sorrow, disappointment, and nostalgia or sentimentality that might not be healthy for you or your client. Vice versa: some clients believe they “own you” or are entitled to your soul signature, personal frequency, or unique voice!

These are flaws to consider. But, being a ghostwriter has given me freedom, increased devotion to similar passion areas, and a sense of adventure. I have always been a sensitive and gracious soul- I am an empath, very reflective and introverted with gentleness and magnetism that usually replaces anything fiery, upbeat, or overly zealous. Because of this, joy and excitement were lacking in my life. Becoming a ghostwriter amplified my zest and inspiration due to bringing other people’s visions to life. ☆

There was actually a short period where I made real money as a ghostwriter and e/book creator, and this was during Covid. From March 2020 to Spring 2023, I earned what one would call a “living” through writing projects. Outside of this window, I get sporadic project requests- a $600- $1K book project once a month, and around 2- 3 larger projects every year. I never earn more than the Personal Allowance for a freelancer, but this doesn’t have to apply to you. The Personal Allowance for British citizens/UK nationals is £12,570 (no tax needs to be paid if you earn less than this amount). Right now I am looking at getting into care, becoming a CareAngel in the UK, and only taking on deeply meaningful projects with professionals who are already established. The more prestigious the client, the bigger the audience they have to get your words across! Global platform. Wider audience. It’s not just about money.

Anything else to consider?

Yes, you can set your terms, choose your hours, and choose your pay in many cases. Ghostwriting also leads to other online work, like becoming an editor and proofreader, social media manager, graphic designer, website creator or designer, and blog and article writer. These are all areas I’ve self-studied and perfected in many respects. It’s also possible to offer packages, i.e. not to be so stingy. Ghostwriting is a high-paid job. For instance, my ‘Ghostwriting Package’ (any set fee agreed to) included editing and proofreading, book formatting, and copyright-free images... I have paid memberships that enable me to provide royalty free images, book cover design, and video content where applicable. I write Blurbs, Amazon descriptions, and Author Biographies too! 

Overall, I believe the information in this blog is useful. It’s all factual, so take away what you will. If you are wanting your “baby” (vision) written, you can see my prices and experience here. There’s also lots of reviews and I have personal books with reviews as well.

UPWORK PROFILE: ☆

PERSONAL BOOKS: ✦

SERVICES (Website Orders): ❂