If selecting a ghostwriter seems like a daunting decision, trust you judgment. Recommendations certainly matter, but you should do your own research. Ultimately, your writing partner should pass the Wow Test.

Here are six questions to ask. They don’t represent a definitive list. Rather, think of them as an early barometer to gauge potential fit.

What Genres of Books Do You Read?

The ghostwriter who has only read celebrity memoirs for the last 15 years is unlikely to be a good fit for your cryptocurrency book. One who exclusively pens scientific books probably won’t do well on a marketing text.

You get my drift.

What Are You Working on Right Now?

Experienced ghosts probably aren’t waiting for your call.

Experienced ghosts probably aren’t waiting for your call. Assume that your prospective writing partner isn’t totally free at the present moment.

You might be thinking: If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. Fair enough, but there’s a limit to how many books or long-form writing/editing projects a ghostwriter can concurrently tackle. I can’t speak for you, but I’d hate to be eighth in line as a client. Working on two or three major projects seems reasonable to me, depending on their complexity.

What’s Your Process?

Ghostwriters who fly by the seats of their pants may be able to eventually finish their projects. Will they consistently land the plane in an organized, transparent, and affordable way, though? Doubtful. Even better, has your ghostwriter designed a system that maximizes transparency?

Got Any References?

Client confidentiality is legitimate and no one bats 1.000, but be very skeptical of a ghostwriter who cannot provide at least two solid references.

What Hats Do You Wear on Your Projects?

Your ghostwriter should do much more than just type words on a keyboard for you. For a longer post about this subject, click here.

Can You Tell Me About a Time When You and Your Client Disagreed on an Important Issue? 

Over the course of any meaty ghostwriting project, the author and writing partner will differ on how to handle something consequential. Some level of discord is inevitable. I’d be wary of experienced ghosts who claim that they always see eye-to-eye with their clients and vice-versa. Potential sources of conflicts include the book’s title, subtitle, personas, organization, case studies, process, and research.

The answer will give you a window into your future writing partner’s personality:

• How does s/he deal with that tension?
• Is every small conflict a holy war?
• Is the ghost a doormat who routinely lets clients make major, irreparable mistakes in the name of customer service?

The Charlatans of Hybrid Publishing

What You Need to Know

Over the course of nine months or more, you and your writing partner will occasionally butt heads. It’s inevitable. Minimize potential conflict by asking these essential questions from the get-go.

---

In next week’s post, I’ll cover which tech questions you should ask potential ghostwriters.