Purple galaxy hand reaching for vintage Olivetti typewriter, symbolizing ghostwriting and creative writing. — *How does ghostwriting work?*

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Ghostwriting Process

If you’re looking to hire a ghostwriter, you’re probably wondering: What happens once I sign the contract?

Ghostwriting seems shrouded in mystery (even in 2025), but in reality it’s a clear, collaborative process that captures your voice and transforms your story into your legacy.

This guide will walk you through each phase of the ghostwriting process, from day one to finished manuscript.

Phase 0: Ghostwriting Prep

Before a ghostwriter can start writing your story, a few essential elements have to be in place first.

Most important is deciding what kind of book you want to turn your story into.

I like to remind my clients that their first book probably won’t be their last, so it’s important to think through what part of your story you want to tell now and why.

There are also some important legal protections to put in place including:

An NDA before interviews begin.
A contract with a clear agreement about ownership and IP. In the end, you need to retain all rights to the manuscript and your story.

Phase 1: Building Your Story

Once you’ve clarified with your ghostwriter the kind of story you’ll be telling in this book, your ghost will begin mapping significant moments in your life and/or business timeline.

They’ll look for key themes, turning points, and challenges. And they’ll use these big-picture ideas to start crafting a compelling story.

At the end, you’ll have an outline that functions like your book’s blueprint.

Phase 2: Voice Capture

High quality ghostwriting doesn’t just tell your story. It captures your voice.

The ideal ghostwriter won’t just understand how to shape the raw material of your life into a compelling narrative. They’ll be able to tell your story in a voice that actually sounds like you.

When working with clients, this is my process for capturing the voice behind the vision:

Conduct 8 - 15 hours of recorded conversations. Each session typically lasts 60 - 90 minutes and can take place in person or over video chat.
Ask questions designed to pull out not only the facts of your story, but also your cadence, humor, and unique perspective.

✨ Something I’ve learned through the last five years as a ghostwriter is that good ghostwriting is 70% listening well, 30% actual writing.

Phase 3: Drafting & Development

Here’s where the fun really starts.

Depending on your timeline, your ghostwriter will deliver new drafts of chapters weekly or monthly. That way, you’ll get to see your book take shape in real time.

Ghostwriting is really tailored to the storyteller (you!), so depending on how involved you want to be you might consider requesting regular review check-ins. These check-ins allow you and your ghost to go through chapter drafts to refine them at regular intervals.

✨Pro tip: It’s better to speak up sooner rather than later if you don’t like the direction a chapter or section is going in.

Phase 4: Revision & Refinement

A ghostwritten manuscript can go through anywhere from 1 to 3 rounds of revision, depending on what you’ve contracted your ghostwriter for.

Revision doesn’t mean rewriting the entire manuscript. Instead, your ghost will review your notes and ideas to target specific areas in the manuscript to strengthen.

Here are some things you’ll want to pay attention to when you’re reviewing the first draft of your ghostwritten manuscript:

Pacing
Storytelling arcs
Voice
Emotional resonance

During this stage, you and your ghost might also work on developing a proposal or pitch package depending on where you want the manuscript to go next.

Phase 5: Final Manuscript & Next Steps

Once revisions are complete, your ghost will deliver the final manuscript of your book.

But these days, it’s not just enough to have a manuscript in hand.

Whether you plan to self-publish or start pitching your story to agents, you might want to work with your ghost to develop a timeline or social media strategy to get your book into your reader’s hands.

Common Misconceptions About Ghostwriting

Over the past few years working with every type of storyteller — from CEOs and founders to influencers — I’ve seen these misconceptions about ghostwriting come up time and time again:

❌ My ghostwriter will take over my story or my IP.

✅ Reality: Your voice is at the center of the ghostwriting process. And with the proper legal protections in place, you’ll own your story at the end.

❌ I’ll lose control of the writing process.

✅ Reality: You are a collaborator at every stage. If you don’t want something in your book, it’s your choice (and vice versa).

❌ Ghostwriting is just typing. I could use AI to draft my manuscript if I give it my ideas.

✅ Reality: A professional ghostwriter shapes your narrative, audience, and impact. It’s way more than just typing. (Plus, I’ve still not heard anyone raving about reading a memoir written by AI.)

Ready to stop dreaming about your book and get it written?

I am now accepting applications for new ghostwriting projects for 2026. Click here to get started.

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Ghostwriting process explained — blog graphic with typewriter and title “What Actually Happens When You Work with a Ghostwriter?”