6 of the Most Common Ghostwriting FAQs Answered: What to Include in My Contract Before Ghostwriting My Client's Book

Having answered the top two most frequently asked questions about ghostwriting, it is now time for the third one.

Question #3:

What should I include in my contract before I start ghostwriting my client's book?

Answer:

To state the obvious, a written and signed contract is one of the most important elements a ghostwriter needs before he or she undertakes a ghostwriting job.

A contract is a mutual agreement between you, as the ghostwriter and the client you are ghostwriting for.

Because a ghostwriting job can take several weeks and even months to complete, what you include in this contract should be all carefully worded.

So, what should you include in the contact?

From my personal experience as a ghostwriter, I believe any terms that you and the client have mutually discussed and agreed on should be penned down in your contract.

Nothing, and I mean absolutely NOTHING should remain a part of your verbal communication. It all has to be in black and white and signed by both parties before your ghostwriting project begins.

Most importantly, your contract can include:

• A strict payment schedule:

How much should you be paid for the entire project? Mention it in your contract. A demand for a certain percentage of upfront payments (25-50%) before the project begins is pretty normal to ask. Do not be shy to ask for it.

• Milestones and deliverables:

Divide your project into several milestones.

If, for example, you are writing a novel with 20 chapters, you can have 10 milestones where you update your client with your progress (say, after the completion of every 2 chapters in this case) and ask for a certain percentage of payment upon successful completion and approval of each milestone.

• Terms and expectations: 

Clearly define your terms and conditions for your client so he or she knows what to expect. Tell them what's included in terms of the word count, number of revisions, research etc. and what's not to avoid any conflicts during the project or after the final draft is delivered.

As a ghostwriter, you need to make sure you comply with everything you agreed upon in the contract. Your client will have to, obviously.

If you under deliver, it can lead to trouble and disappointment.

However, going beyond a client's expectations can produce not a happy client but you may be offered tips for your work and the perks of a long term relationship with that client.

This however, does not mean, that you provide the client with 50k words when you agreed to be paid for 25k words only.

• Additional costs:  

You need to tell your client what is included in your quote.

If there is additional work that may incur during the project, for example extra hours spent on research, let them know that this will be subject to additional costs. Mention your rate per hour for such work.

• Client confidentiality:

This is quite important if a book is ghostwritten. You need to assure your clients that whatever you write will remain highly confidential and will never be leaked or shared with any third parties.

• Accreditation or acknowledgement of you as a writer:

If the client has agreed to give you credit for your writing somewhere in the book, include, in your contract, how this you both intend to do so.

• Royalties for you (if any):

Once you have been paid in full upon the completion of your ghostwriting project, you will usually be not paid anything more. However, if you and your client have mutually agreed to share any commissions on any future sales, make it a part of your contract.

• Deadlines and termination:

When will you deliver the final draft?

There has to a clearly spelled out deadline that you will be working towards and setting your milestones accordingly.

You also need to agree upon a date when the contract officially terminates. This may not be the same as the same date as to when you will deliver your first draft as the client may request revisions.

• Think deeper:

What if situations change and the client tends to pull out of the agreement? What if your circumstances change and you are not able to finish the project? What if you miss the deadline? How much should you be paid then?  Should you refund any upfront payments that he's sent your way already?

In such cases, it becomes important that you involve a lawyer or attorney to state and define terms in your contract. This works a treat in cases when things don't go according to plan.


Exchange the draft of the agreement with the client and make changes until you see fit.

Once everything has been written down and spelled out vividly in your contract, you will have clearly defined terms and conditions and goals to work towards.

This make the entire process of ghostwriting pretty smooth and straight forward.


Happy ghostwriting!