Ghostwriters are hired to write books, stories, reports, magazine articles, or other texts. They work in the background and the client for whom they do the work is officially credited. When looking for a ghost writer for hire, one of the easiest ways to find one is through an internet search. There are many freelancers offering their services and they will do anything from writing blogs to speeches.

Celebrities and other public figures like politicians are often too busy to write their own books and this is where these writers come in. They can help them turn their stories and ideas into the written word. Cookbooks, memoirs and self-help books are just some of the types of books that are written in this way.

One of the considerations when hiring such a writer is whether to approach an established ghost writing organization or to use a freelancer. There are many freelancers offering their services and bidding on projects. There may be a cost benefit in hiring a freelancer but unless the right one is hired, reliability and competence may be a problem.

Budget plays a part in the hiring process but just selecting the individual who charges the least amount can be a dangerous mistake. Well established writers obviously charge more but the extra cost ensures a quality end product. Another factor that affects costs is the complexity of a particular project. Ghostwriting a whole book may take months whereas writing a speech may have to be done in a few days.

When hiring a person, it is very important to examine samples of previous work product. This will often give a good indication of capability, particularly if the work is of a similar nature to what is required. However, sometimes ghostwriters are contractually obliged not to reveal what they have written. In this case, they can be given a chance to produce a custom sample by writing about a small memory or idea.

The process of ghostwriting is highly collaborative. This is why a personal interview with the person is necessary. A good rapport is essential so that communication is open, expectations are manageable and boundaries are clear. The person has to understand exactly what has to be conveyed and translate this into words.

In such a situation, having a contract is essential. A written contract must define such issues as deadlines, scope of work to be done and payment of fees. Without such a contract any number of problems can arise and you could even end up in a legal battle.

Some ghostwriters are credited on the cover of a book. Others are acknowledged inside. However, the majority receive no acknowledgement and no-one is aware of how much they have done. However, despite the fact that they remain in the background, experienced professional ghostwriters have chosen a career where they help others to bring their stories and ideas to life, often fulfilling a lifelong dream to do so.