Can I write a book if I’m not a “real” writer?
This is a great question!
One of the biggest roadblocks to writing a book is the belief that you are not qualified or that others won’t take you seriously. These are valid concerns, but don’t weigh heavily in the greater scheme of things. Unless you’re writing a scholarly work, where credentials are necessary to establish credibility, no one really cares if you have a Master of Arts in Literature and Writing (not that that’s a bad thing). They just want to know either:
- Do you have a solution to fix my problem?
- Can you entertain me?
This is not to say that you can write dribble and expect it to be successful. There are standards, and if someone is going to buy your book, they want it to be good. Being a great writer comes with its benefits, but there are so many other variables that can make a book great.
This article is for anyone who has ever considered writing a book but let doubts about their writing get the best of them. There are several ways for you to author a book. We’ll take a look at some of them below. So, let’s have a little chat.
Let’s discuss:
Writer vs. Author
Let’s clarify two terms before we answer the “real writer” question properly: Writer vs. author
One of the biggest roadblocks to publishing a book for many people is whether or not their writing is any good. People with the best ideas and intentions forgo writing a book because they don’t think they have the skill set to pull it off.
Let’s start by clearing up some confusion. There’s a difference between writing a book and authoring one. Writing is about the craft, and authoring is about executing on an idea, whether you write the story or not. You may not have developed the skill set to write a great book, but you can certainly author one with the right kind of support.
There are many great authors who either had someone write their book for them or had lots of help. Let’s start by looking at having someone write the book for you.
Ghostwriters
Professional ghostwriters are the red-cape-wearing heroes of the writing world. Their superpower is taking the raw material of someone else’s idea, along with their voice and style, and creating a masterpiece. They understand the assignment, so they don’t take credit. Their job is to make the author shine and their ideas sing off the page, and then walk away. This is why ghostwriters typically get paid the big bucks. It’s not a bad trade-off. Many a bestselling author has risen to the top of a bestseller’s list on the shoulders of a ghostwriter.
Some consider this cheating, but is it really? Most professional ghostwriters spend hours talking to authors to get to know them and their story. Authors who are serious about publishing a book are just as engaged and don’t take the process lightly because they understand that whatever is written represents them, so it has to be right.
On the other side, there are people who hire ghostwriters, not because they need help writing, but because they just want to make quick money. And, if that’s your thing, no judgment, but you probably won’t find much value in this article.
If you have a story or expertise that you want to share with the world, here are some questions to ask yourself to see if a ghostwriter is for you:
- Do I have time to write the book myself?
- Do I have the budget to hire a professional ghostwriter?
- Do I struggle with organizing my thoughts and getting things written down?
- Am I comfortable with having someone else write for me?
- Can I give up control and be open to someone else’s input?
- What is the potential ROI? Am I expecting a financial, reputational, or emotional return?
- How will I publish? Self-publishing, hybrid, or traditional?
- Is this a one-off project, or do I want more books in the future?
Review your answers. If your answers lean more toward a ghostwriter, keep reading.
Note: If you answered “No” to question #5, it trumps all the others and is a sign that a ghostwriter is not for you.
What do ghostwriters do?
Professional ghostwriters take your idea for a book and write it on your behalf, essentially becoming your voice.
The best ghostwriters are keen listeners, not only to what you say but also to how you say it. There are lots of great writers who can write a book for you, but it takes a qualified ghostwriter to write a book in your words.
A professional ghostwriter:
- Understands voice and tone
- Can pick up the rhythm or cadence of an author’s speech
- Listens
- Writes in the author’s voice and not their own.
- Is often a subject matter expert or has basic fluency in a given subject
- Has excellent research skills.
Is a ghostwriter for you?
In question number five above, I mentioned that if you said “no” to number five, then a ghostwriter is probably not a good fit.
Working with a ghostwriter is a partnership. The best books emerge through collaboration and mutual respect for what each of you brings to the table.
As a ghostwriter, I’ve had the opportunity to write for clients in several industries. Most have been industry experts who either didn’t have time to write the book or weren’t confident enough in their writing ability to take on the project. With both types of clients, the best project outcomes occurred when the client either:
- Knew what they wanted and could articulate it clearly; or
- Trusted my expertise and gave me autonomy over the project with their final approval
In either case, the book began with an expanded outline and several meetings to ensure we stayed on track.
Giving your ghostwriter the flexibility to work within their “genios zone,” while making your expectations clear, often produces the best results.
How to find a ghostwriter
There are several places to find a ghostwriter, but finding a qualified ghostwriter who works for your specific needs will take research. Here are some places to check for a ghostwriter:
- Freelancer websites:
A great example is a site like Reedsy. They offer a database of publishing professionals that’s easy to navigate. You can filter ghostwriters by type, genre, language, and keywords. You can also batch select ghostwriters and send them a request for a quote. Reedsy makes it easy to review portfolios and a ghostwriter’s experience.
Other sites where you can find freelance publishing professionals include Upwork and Fiverr. These sites aren’t strictly focused on publishing, so filtering ghostwriters to find hidden gems can be more challenging.
- Self-publishing websites:
There are several self-publishing companies that offer ghostwriting as a service. Selfpublishing.com offers a team of ghostwriters to help you write your next book. They offer a Professional and an Elite package that includes everything from book positioning and edits to production and publishing.
Other self-publishing companies to consider include: BookBaby, ForbesBooks, and The Urban Writers (Dibbly).
- Ghostwriting websites:
Sites like Kevin Anderson and Associates offer professional ghostwriting services (and editing) with an impressive list of #1 bestselling authors. They boast a “white-glove, tailored experience that meets your needs.
Vox Ghostwriting is another ghostwriting-only website. According to their website, they focus on high-quality ghostwriters who are affordable and offer quick turnarounds.
How much does a ghostwriter cost?
Ghostwriting prices can vary greatly, so do your research. Here’s a screenshot from the Editorial Freelancers Association’s 2024 pricing for ghostwriting services. These prices are considered standard, but you will find pricing well below and far above the average.
If you’re going to hire a ghostwriter, find the best one you can afford for your budget. The most expensive ghostwriter does not equal the best. When selecting the right ghostwriter for you, consider the following:
- Your book’s genre and the ghostwriter’s experience in that area specifically.
- Their experience. How many books have they ghostwritten? How long have they been writing professionally?
- How do they work with clients? Do they communicate via email only? Conduct 1:1 Zoom interviews? Do they prefer phone chats?
- How do they charge? Half down and the balance upon completion? Monthly installments? Full payment upfront (red flag!).
Ghostwriting can be a big investment, so it’s not something to take lightly. Make sure that the ghostwriter you select is someone you can see working with over a long period of time on a schedule that fits both of your needs. Also, make sure that your communication styles are compatible for the best results.
To learn more about ghostwriting and hiring one, take a look at this article, What is a Ghostwriter (And Should I Really Hire One?)
Editors
If you’ve already started or finished your book and a ghostwriter is not a good fit, a professional editor is a great option to get your book into shape. There are several types of editors to meet the specific needs of your manuscript. Here’s a list of the more foundational ones:
- Developmental editors: These are the big picture, structure thinkers. They often work with completed manuscripts to check for consistency. They consider questions like:
- Are there any holes in the manuscript?
- Does the chapter order need to be switched?
- Is the voice/tone consistent?
- If nonfiction, is the book’s argument sound?
- If fiction, do the character and narrative arcs resolve?
- Does the pacing work?
- Does the book’s content match the genre and audience expectations?
- Copyeditors: One step from the developmental editor is the copyeditor. They look at the entire manuscript from a grammatical point of view. When editing, they’ll consider the following:
- Are style guidelines being followed (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, etc.)?
- Is everything formatted correctly (e.g., footnotes, citations, references)
- Are names, dates, and facts correct?
- Line editors: These are the opposite of developmental editors. They are looking at the line-by-line, smaller details to see how things are said and if there’s a better way to say them. They’ll ask the following:
- Can this be said with fewer words?
- Is there redundancy in words or phrases?
- Are the words used in the proper context?
- Do metaphors and imagery fit?
- Is there sentence length variety?
Book editors can be found at any of the places mentioned above, like Reedsy, Kevin Anderson and Associates, and selfpublishing.com. There’s also NY Editors and Freelancer Editors Association.
As with all contractors, do your research to find the best fit.
Book coaches
Book coaches do a little bit of everything. They have they understand how to build a book like a ghostwriter with the insight of an editor. If you are just getting started and want help with the writing process, then a book coach might be just what you need.
Book coaches walk alongside you to help you create the best book possible. Consider them your guide and accountability partner.
Keep in mind that a book coach will not do the work for you. For that, you’ll need to hire a ghostwriter. Book coaches are great if you need an extra boost of confidence to write the story you want to share.
Some places to look for book coaches online:
- Selfpublishing.com
- Writing communities (Ask for recommendations)
- Freelance platforms
- AuthorAccelorator.com
- Browser search
Many of the same things for finding a book editor apply to finding the right book coach. Make sure that they have experience in your genre, fit within your budget, and offer the support and guidance you are looking for. Book coaches can offer one-to-one support, group support, or courses.
You can write that book!
If you have a story that you want to share, don’t let anything, including a lack of confidence in your writing skills, stop you. There are plenty of publishing professionals out there who can give you the support you need to create the best book possible. Whether you select a ghostwriter, editor, or book coach, make sure they have the experience and professionalism to get the job done and are a good fit for your style.
