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Professional Ghostwriting Services for Authors Who Have a Story to Tell

Our ghostwriting services pair you with an experienced writer who turns your ideas, interviews and experience into a finished book written in your voice. You stay the author, and you keep the copyright, the credit and every royalty.

MemoirNight ShiftAuthor Name
BusinessThe Scalable TeamAuthor Name
MysteryThe Pump Room AffairAuthor Name
Published250+ titles
Rights100% yours
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250+
Books published
170+
Authors served
50+
Bestsellers achieved
100%
Author ownership

Maybe you run a company, coach clients, or have a life story people keep telling you to write down. You have the material but not the months it takes to shape it into a manuscript. We handle the writing, and our editing, design, publishing and marketing teams can carry the book the rest of the way. We also put the details in writing up front: a fixed quote, clear milestones and a named project manager. When you're ready, ask for a free consultation and tell us about your book. There's no pressure and no obligation, only a straight conversation about what's possible.

Fig. · Interview transcript
Interview 03 · Recording● 41:12
Writer: What do you remember about the first night?Author: The smell of coffee, and how quiet it was before the first ambulance.Author: Nobody tells you the quiet is the hard part.
Highlighted for chapter 1 ✓
Voice match96%
Sessions6 of 8
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01 · What Is Ghostwriting and

What Is Ghostwriting and What Does a Ghostwriter Do?

Ghostwriting is the practice of hiring a professional writer to write a book that is published under your name. A ghostwriter does the research, drafting and shaping, while you supply the ideas, stories and final approval.

Your side of the work is the substance. You share what happened, what you believe, what you want readers to understand, and how you sound when you talk. You answer interview questions, react to the outline, and tell us when a paragraph doesn't feel like you.

The writer's side is craft. A ghostwriter builds structure, decides what belongs in which chapter, and writes sentences that carry your voice without the stumbles of spoken language. Much of what a reader loves in a good book, the pacing, the clarity, the way a chapter ends, is the part you no longer have to figure out alone. Most first-time authors are surprised by how much of the work is structure, and how much lighter the project feels once someone else is handling it.

Because every project starts with your material, the first call matters. Bring whatever you have, whether that's voice memos, slide decks, blog posts, old journals or nothing but a title.

It also helps to know what ghostwriting is not. It isn't a shortcut that removes you from the book, and it isn't a template with your name swapped in. The writer works from your words, your memories and your expertise, so the finished pages are specific to you.

Think of it as collaboration with a clear division of labor. Your name goes on the cover, and your approval decides what stays in the book.

0202 · Who Hires a Book

Who Hires a Book Ghostwriter?

People from very different backgrounds hire a ghostwriter. They share one thing: a book worth writing and not enough time to write it. Here are the four groups we hear from most often.

Founders and executives use a book to explain how they think, win trust with clients and recruit talent. For them, the book often becomes the most useful business card they've ever handed out. Experts and coaches use one to package years of method into something a stranger can pick up and apply. A coach with a decade of client results, for example, already has the material; the book organizes it.

People with a life story want their family, or a wider audience, to have it in full, told with care and in the right order. Fiction authors come to us with a premise, a series idea or a half-finished draft and want a partner who can build it out. Some have tried writing alone and stalled around chapter three, and want someone to help them finish.

03 · Our Ghostwriting Services by

Our Ghostwriting Services by Book Type

Every genre asks something different of a writer, so we match you with someone who has worked in yours. Below is how we approach each type of book, from the first interview to the last page.

01 / 06Memoir and autobiography ghostwritingMemoir ghostwriting starts with long, relaxed interviews. We listen for the scenes that carry emotion, shape them into a story with a clear arc, and keep your phrasing and humor intact. We also help you decide what to leave out, which is often the hardest part. Your memoir should read like you on your best day.
02 / 06Business and leadership book ghostwritingFor a business book, we turn your expertise into a clear argument with frameworks, examples and a point of view readers can repeat. It works as thought leadership that opens doors for speaking, consulting and hiring. We keep the focus on your reader, so the book solves a real problem.
03 / 06Nonfiction and self-help ghostwritingSelf-help and how-to books succeed when they're practical. We organize your method into steps, add the stories that make it stick, and write in a tone that feels like advice from a trusted friend. Readers should finish a chapter knowing exactly what to try next.
04 / 06Fiction and novel ghostwritingFiction ghostwriters build plot, character and scene from your concept, outline or notes. We work in many genres, from thrillers to romance to fantasy, including series that need a consistent voice across several books. We keep a story bible, so names, timelines and details stay consistent.
05 / 06Children's book ghostwritingPicture books and early readers depend on rhythm and economy. If you have a character or lesson in mind, we can write the text. See our children's book writing services for illustration and layout options. We'll also help you think about reading age, page count and how the story will pair with illustrations.
06 / 06Real-life story and biography writingFamily histories, founder stories and tributes to someone you love all fit here. We gather interviews, documents and photos, then write a biography that is accurate, readable and respectful of the people in it. We can also help you handle sensitive details thoughtfully.
Swipe or use the arrows
04 · What Is Included With

What Is Included With Every Ghostwriting Project

Fig. · Approved outline
Chapter outline
01The quiet before✓
02Eleven years of nights✓
03The fever at 11:42✓
04What the doctors miss✓
05Coffee and courage
06Leaving the ward
Approved4 of 6
Word target65,000
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Your quote lists every deliverable in writing, so you know what you're getting before work begins. Nothing is hidden in the fine print, and nothing is an add-on you discover later.

  • A detailed book outline approved by you before drafting starts
  • A complete, original manuscript written in your voice
  • Two rounds of revisions at the draft stage, with further revision rounds at key stages as your quote describes
  • A plagiarism check on the finished manuscript
  • A style sheet that records spellings, names and terms, following the Chicago Manual of Style unless you prefer another standard
  • A handoff to our book editing services if you want a full edit before publishing

The style sheet is a small document that pays off later. It lets the editor and proofreader follow the same rules the writer did, so your spelling choices, capitalization and terminology stay consistent from the first chapter to the last. The plagiarism check gives you added confidence before the book goes anywhere near an editor or a printer.

When the writing is done, you can also move straight into design with our book cover design services, so the cover and interior are underway while the final edits happen. Starting design early keeps the whole schedule tighter.

Fig. · Line edit, tracked
Chapter One The night shift began, as it always did, with the hum of the vending machine. She had worked there for eleven years and could very easily tell a quiet night from a dangerous one.
Editor
Cut the qualifier: the image does the work.
Changes214 tracked
StyleChicago 17
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05 · Ownership, Copyright and Confidentiality

Ownership, Copyright and Confidentiality

Authors often worry that hiring help means giving something up. Here, it doesn't.

You are the author. You own 100% of the rights, you are the sole named author, and we keep no copyright, royalty interest or publishing claim. Rights transfer to you on delivery, confirmed in writing at the start of the project, so you hold the copyright and the right to publish the book however you choose. We never take royalties on your book.

A signed NDA is required before any ghostwriting work begins, so your stories, business details and the fact that you hired help stay private. Nobody is named on the cover, in the acknowledgments or in marketing unless you decide they should be. If you'd like to share credit, that's your call, too.

Confidentiality matters just as much when the subject is personal. Some clients are writing about family, health or business matters they'd rather not discuss outside the project, and we treat those details accordingly. Drafts, recordings and notes are used only for your book.

If you'd like to understand how registration protects your work, the U.S. Copyright Office explains how copyright registration works. We register ISBNs in your name as well, so your ownership shows up everywhere the book is listed. Put plainly, the book is yours from the first page to the last sale.

06 · How Much Do Ghostwriting

How Much Do Ghostwriting Services Cost?

Ghostwriting is a skilled service, and the price follows the amount of work involved. The main drivers are book length, how much research and interviewing the topic needs, the genre, the number of revision rounds, your timeline, and the seniority of the writer assigned to you. A 35,000 word memoir built on ten hours of interviews is a different project from a 50,000 word business book that needs market research and frameworks, and the pricing reflects that.

Here is where our projects start, so you can plan with real numbers.

  • Memoir and personal books: from $4,900, covering up to 35,000 words and 10 hours of interviews
  • Business and thought leadership books: from $9,900, covering up to 50,000 words
  • Fiction and series: from $14,900, covering up to 80,000 words

Be cautious of any ghostwriter who quotes a very low price without asking about your book. Good writing takes time, and that time has a cost. These are starting points, and your final fixed quote depends on scope. We put the full amount and the milestone schedule in writing before work begins, with no hidden fees. Payment is split into milestones, so you pay as the work moves forward rather than all at once. Longer manuscripts, extra interview time or heavy research can raise the quote, and we'll explain exactly why. For more detail, see our ghostwriting pricing page.

Fig. · Your agreement
Author Agreement 4.1 Copyright. All rights in the Work are assigned to the Author. 4.2 Royalties. The Author receives 100% of royalties. 5.1 Confidentiality. Neither party will disclose the collaboration without consent.
AuthorSignature
SPDPublisher
SignedBefore day one
NDAMutual
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07 · Why Authors Choose Small

Why Authors Choose Small Press Distribution

We are a full-service ghostwriting and publishing company, which means writing, editing, design, publishing and marketing sit under one roof. You don't have to coordinate five vendors, and your book doesn't get lost in handoffs between them.

We've published 250+ books and worked with 170+ authors, and 50+ of those books have reached bestseller lists. Every author keeps 100% ownership. You can see our authors for yourself, or read what they say in our client reviews.

We're based in Dothan, Alabama, with a team that works remotely across the US, so scheduling interviews around your day is easy. You'll also have one project manager as your single point of contact, and we reply within one business day. Our quotes are fixed, so you're never surprised by a bill halfway through. The same team can design your cover, format your interior, publish and promote the book once the writing is done, which saves months of searching for separate vendors. If you want to see how other authors felt about the process, the reviews are there for you to read.

0808 · How to Choose the

How to Choose the Right Ghostwriter

Plenty of people offer ghostwriting, and quality varies widely. Whoever you hire, ask these five questions first, and pay attention to how clearly they answer.

  1. Have you written in my genre, and can I see samples?
  2. How do you capture a client's voice?
  3. What exactly is in the quote, and how is payment scheduled?
  4. Who owns the copyright, and is that stated in the contract?
  5. How many revision rounds are included?

Also consider fit. You'll spend many hours talking with this person, so choose someone you trust with personal stories. A strong writer will listen more than they talk in the first call, and will tell you honestly if your timeline or budget doesn't match your goals.

Read the contract carefully before you sign. The Authors Guild contract guidance is a useful reference for what fair terms look like. If anything in a contract is unclear, ask for it in plain language before you sign. A trustworthy writer or agency will be glad to explain.

Free consultation

Tell us about your book. We'll tell you what it needs.

Every enquiry is read by a publishing consultant, not a sales script. You'll get an honest view of your project, a recommended route and a fixed written quote.

  1. 01Reply within one business day
  2. 02Fixed quote with milestone payments
  3. 03100% ownership, credit and royalties
  4. 04Confidential from the first message

+1 205-210-8070info@smallpressdistribution.com

Get your free quote

Service

Confidential. No obligation. Reply within one business day.

How it runs

How Our Ghostwriting Process Works

The process is the same whether you're writing a memoir or a business book, and a project manager guides you through every step. Nothing moves forward until you've approved the stage before it.

Step 1Discovery callWe talk through your goals, audience and material, then confirm a written, itemized proposal and fixed quote, split into milestones, for you to approve before work starts. Your writer signs an NDA before any work begins.
Step 2OutlineYour writer drafts a chapter-by-chapter outline for your approval before any drafting begins.
Step 3InterviewsYou record interviews with your writer, usually by phone or video, so they can capture your stories and your voice. Most authors find the interviews the most enjoyable part, because talking is far easier than staring at a blank page.
Step 4DraftingThe writer drafts the manuscript in stages, sending chapters for you to read as they're finished, so there are no surprises at the end.
Step 5Revision roundsYou mark what to change, and the writer revises until the book sounds right to you. This is where small details, like a favorite phrase or a name spelled your way, get settled.
Step 6Final manuscriptYou receive a polished manuscript, ready to move into editing, design and book publishing services.

Ghostwriting packages

Every package includes interviews, an outline, a sample chapter, full drafting, editing and proofreading. Quotes are fixed for the agreed scope. See pricing

Memoir & PersonalLife stories
For life stories, family histories and personal memoirs.
from$4,900/ book
  • ✓Up to 35,000 words
  • ✓10 hours of interviews
  • ✓Sample chapter approval
  • ✓Edit and proofread
Get a fixed quote
Business & Thought LeadershipMost requested
For founders, coaches and specialists building authority.
from$9,900/ book
  • ✓Up to 50,000 words
  • ✓Strategy and positioning session
  • ✓Research and fact-checking
  • ✓Edit and proofread
Get a fixed quote
Fiction & SeriesNovels
For novels and series with a developed story idea.
from$14,900/ book
  • ✓Up to 80,000 words
  • ✓Story bible and outline
  • ✓Beta-reader round
  • ✓Edit and proofread
Get a fixed quote

What people say

All testimonials →
★★★★★
“It existed to help writers and readers find each other.”
Sally Ball, Arizona State University and Four Way BooksASU News, April 2024
★★★★★
“SPD's service makes it possible for independents, as well as chains, to have a vital contemporary poetry section.”
Jan Weismiller, Prairie Lights BooksPublishers Weekly, 1999
★★★★★
“Critical to making independent books accessible to readers.”
Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, CEO, Independent Book Publishers AssociationPublishers Weekly, 2024
★★★★★
“A critical partner for hundreds of independent literary publishers.”
The Authors GuildAuthors Guild news, 2024
★★★★★
“It looked like they were bringing SPD into the 21st century.”
Diane Goettel, publisher of Black Lawrence PressPublishers Weekly, 2024
★★★★★
“SPD will be deeply missed by publishers and authors throughout the literary community.”
Silverfish Review PressPress statement
Questions

Ghostwriting Services FAQs

Ask us directly →
What is a ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is a professional writer who writes a book, article or other work that is published under someone else's name. You provide the ideas, stories and direction. The writer provides structure, drafting and polish. You are credited as the author, and you control what goes into the final book.

How do I find a ghostwriter for my book?

Start with companies or freelancers who have written in your genre, and ask for samples. Compare what each quote includes, not just the price. A good match feels easy to talk to. Book a call, describe your project, and see whether the writer asks smart questions about your audience and goals.

How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter?

Costs vary with length, research, genre and writer experience. Our memoir and personal books start from $4,900, business books from $9,900, and fiction from $14,900. These are starting points, and your final fixed quote depends on scope. Everything is confirmed in writing before work begins, with no hidden fees.

Will I be listed as the author of the book?

Yes. You are the author, and your name goes on the cover and the copyright page. Your ghostwriter is not credited unless you ask for it, for example with an "as told to" line or a mention in the acknowledgments. The decision is entirely yours.

Who owns the copyright when a ghostwriter writes my book?

You do. Rights transfer to you on delivery, confirmed in writing at the start of the project, and we never take royalties or keep any copyright claim. You can publish with any publisher or on your own. Registering the copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is a smart step we can help you plan.

How long does it take to ghostwrite a book?

It depends on length. A short ebook or business guide typically takes 3 to 5 weeks, a nonfiction book or memoir 8 to 14 weeks, and a full-length novel 12 to 18 weeks. The biggest variables are word count, how soon interviews can be scheduled, and how quickly you return feedback. Your project manager will set a milestone schedule in your quote so you can plan a launch around it. Rush timelines are available for certain project types for an additional fee, quoted up front.

Is it ethical to use a ghostwriter?

Yes. Ghostwriting is a long-standing and widely accepted practice, used by executives, public figures and experts of every kind. The ideas and experiences in the book are yours, and you approve every page. Hiring a writer is no different from hiring an editor or a designer to make your work better.

Ready to Start Your Book?

If you've been waiting for the right moment to turn your story or expertise into a book, this is it. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll show you a clear plan, a fixed quote and the people who will write it. Whether you're sitting on a full set of notes or only an idea, we can start from there. We reply within one business day.

Get a free consultation or call +1 205-210-8070. Once the manuscript is done, our ghostwriting services hand off smoothly to our book publishing services can take it all the way to your readers.

Call or email and our experts will walk you through the process, requirements and packages.

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