[by Charles Kingsley]
Thinking About Hiring a Ghostwriter? Here’s some food for thought…
Many aspiring novelists, screenwriters, and business professionals have a powerful story idea inside of them. A clear insight. An ambitious chronicle. A narrative vision they want to share with the rest of the world. And yet, inevitably, so few of these individuals ever bring their idea to fruition—and not because their idea is unsound, but because they simply lack the time, expertise, or creative bandwidth to bring it to life.
This is where hiring a professional ghostwriter makes all the difference.
As a ghostwriter, my job is to turn your rough concept, your disparate notes, your half-finished manuscript into a compelling, publishable work that reflects your specific vision and goals. Whether you’re looking to write a novel, screenplay, or nonfiction book, my approach to ghostwriting services is the same—I will meet you exactly where you are and get you across the finish line in as enjoyable a way possible, bringing structure to your ideas, emotion to your story, and clarity to your voice.
What Does a Ghostwriter Do?
A ghostwriter is a creative partner who helps develop, structure, and complete your book or script—a partner who works anonymously behind the scenes, with the final product being credited solely to you. Whether you have a full draft that needs professional revision or merely a great idea waiting to be developed, my job is to help turn your story into a finished, polished manuscript or screenplay.
For fiction, many burgeoning writers already have a thrilling plotline, a unique world, and unforgettable characters, but they struggle to execute their story at a professional, publishable level. For nonfiction, many non-writers want to share their expertise with the world—people like business leaders, public speakers, entrepreneurs, consultants, executives—but they lack the skills necessary to capture their ideas on paper. I help bridge both these gaps, shaping book and script ideas into compelling, commercial products.
From narrative consulting to full-scale story development, I provide flexible support tailored to each project’s specific needs. As one of the few ghostwriters specializing in both books and screenplays, I also offer my clients the unique opportunity to adapt stories across multiple formats, opening up new ways to present their work to an audience.
Think of it like the Golden Age of Hollywood. Under the old studio system, it was the producers who were the visionaries behind the films being made. Not the directors, not the writers—the producers. They hired the talent to bring their concepts to life. They were the captains of the ship. Similarly, when you hire a ghostwriter, you’re the producer. You’re the creative force with the visionary idea. I’m simply the writer you hire to help make that idea come true.
Why Consider a Ghostwriter?
If you’re thinking about hiring a ghostwriter, you’re not alone—it’s estimated that over 100,000 ghostwritten books are published every year in the United States. And whether a public figure or business executive or first-time storyteller, many choose to work with ghostwriters for the same reasons:
Time Efficiency
Writing a book can take hundreds of hours, and many people simply can’t take that much time away from their business or personal life. A ghostwriter allows you to produce a book without sacrificing your schedule.
Writing Expertise
Even if you’re an expert in your own field, writing for an audience is a highly specialized skill. A ghostwriter helps translate your knowledge into a clear and compelling narrative that aligns with your goals, whether those goals are to entertain, to educate, or to build your professional brand and boost your credibility.
Fresh Perspectives
Being too close to your own story can make it hard to convey your ideas to others. You can’t see the forest for the trees. As your ghostwriter, I will bring an objective, outside perspective that helps illuminate your story’s strengths, eliminate its weaknesses, and ensure your story resonates with as wide an audience as possible.
Creative Wellspring
Writer’s block and creative burnout are common hazards for any amateur storyteller. With my wealth of experience as a ghostwriter, I’m able to navigate these obstacles quickly and efficiently, guaranteeing your story is completed on time and to your exact aesthetic specifications.
Commercial Clarity
Organizing your thoughts and complex story ideas into a concise and streamlined narrative can be particularly challenging for nonprofessional writers. I will help you clarify your ideas, paring them down to their essentials, so that your story can be realized in the most commercial, marketable way possible.
How Ghostwriting Works | Step-by-Step
My ghostwriting process with The Editorial Department is flexible where it needs to be, but also carefully structured in order to ensure that you’re happy and informed every step of the way:
- Initial Consultation
We begin with a one-on-one conversation. I’ll review any materials you have in advance of our call and then we can discuss your goals, your intended audience, your creative preferences—including any comparable books, authors, movies, or indeed any other aesthetic influences that may help guide me to a better understanding of your narrative ambitions.
- Outline Development
Next, I will outline the project in full, building a clear and detailed roadmap for the entire project. This is where I flesh out the plot structure, the character arcs, any world-building elements. For nonfiction, this process may also require additional research and/or conducting recorded interviews. Once completed, I will submit this outline for your approval and, once it’s been refined, I’ll begin drafting the actual book or script.
- Writing the Draft
Using the approved outline as a guide, I will write the first draft of your story. Once completed, you’ll review it and provide feedback to me. This draft will often be delivered in batches of some sort, so we can make sure you’re happy with the result and where things are headed.
- Revisions & Final Draft
After reviewing your notes and feedback on the draft, I will revise the manuscript and give it a final polish. The end result is a submission-ready (or publication-ready) book or script—professionally written and solely credited to you.
Who Have I Worked With?
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of clients, including:
- Bestselling authors seeking help with new projects or rewrites
- Actors and filmmakers with stories they want adapted for the screen
- CEOs and entrepreneurs looking to share their insights in powerful, professional books
- Book packagers launching new franchises
- First-time authors who simply want to tell their story at the highest level possible
Final Thoughts | Is Ghostwriting Right for You?
Hiring a ghostwriter doesn’t mean giving up creative control. In fact, it means the exact opposite. It means gaining a partner who can help you navigate the journey from concept to finished work. It means seeing your powerful story idea finally being brought to fruition.
As a professional ghostwriter with over a decade of experience—and a proud collaborator with The Editorial Department, one of the most respected firms in publishing—I’m here to make the process collaborative, rewarding, and ultimately fun for you, while delivering a final product you’ll be proud to receive… and proud to put your name on.
Interested in working with Charles? Click here to contact him directly or here to tell us about your project and the kind of help you’re needing.
