Ghostwriting
We write the book with you, and your name stays on the cover.
Professional ghostwriting and co-writing for memoir, business, leadership, family history and fiction. You hold the story, the copyright and the final word on every page.
Overview
A ghostwriter is a writing partner, not a replacement for the author.
Many people have a book inside them and no realistic way to write it: a career that leaves no long hours free, a story that is easier to speak than to type, or drafts that keep stalling at the same chapter. Ghostwriting solves the writing, not the ownership.
We work from interviews, recordings, notes, journals, transcripts and any partial drafts you already have. A named writer is assigned to the project, an outline is agreed before drafting begins, and you read and approve the manuscript chapter by chapter.
The author is you. You own the copyright, the manuscript and the decision about publication. Our writer is credited only if you choose to credit them, and every engagement is covered by a written confidentiality agreement.
What is included
Scope, in detail.
Everything listed here appears as a line item in your written scope, with the responsible lead named.
01
Memoir and life story
Your life written as a book, developed from recorded interviews and the material you already keep.
02
Business and leadership books
A clear, authoritative book built from your method, your case work and your language, not generic business copy.
03
Family and legacy history
Family records, letters and recollections shaped into a readable book for private printing or publication.
04
Fiction co-writing
For authors with a strong story and limited writing time: plotting, drafting and revision beside you.
05
Manuscript rescue
An unfinished or uneven draft assessed, restructured and completed rather than abandoned.
06
Book proposals and outlines
A chapter plan, sample chapters and a proposal document for submission or for your own planning.
07
Speech and article writing
Shorter work in the same voice, useful before and around a book's release.
08
Interview and transcript development
Recorded conversations transcribed, organised by theme and written into narrative chapters.
09
Editorial handover
Completed manuscripts passed to our editorial desk for developmental, line or copy editing when you want it.
Method
How the work runs.
Each stage ends with something you can read, hear or check before the next stage starts.
Stage one
Discovery conversation
We discuss the book you want, the material you have, the readers you have in mind, and whether ghostwriting is genuinely the right route.
Stage two
Written scope and agreement
Word count, interview schedule, chapter plan, timeline, cost and confidentiality set out in writing before any drafting begins.
Stage three
Interviews and research
Recorded interviews, document review and research notes, with follow-up sessions where a chapter needs more detail.
Stage four
Outline approval
A chapter-by-chapter outline and a sample chapter for approval, so the voice is settled early rather than argued over late.
Stage five
Drafting in instalments
Chapters are delivered in batches. You read, comment and redirect while the book is still being written.
Stage six
Revision and handover
Two revision rounds are included, then the final manuscript, transcripts and research notes are handed to you in full.
Deliverables
What you receive.
Files, documents and reports are yours. We keep no rights over deliverables beyond what a signed agreement states.
Complete manuscript
The finished book in editable form, written to the agreed length and structure.
Chapter outline
The approved plan the book was written to, reusable for a proposal or a sequel.
Interview archive
Recordings and transcripts from every session, yours to keep.
Confidentiality agreement
A signed agreement covering your material, your identity and the existence of the project.
Reference
Ghostwriting engagements.
Indicative starting investment. Every book is quoted individually after the discovery conversation, based on length, research depth and interview load.
| Engagement | Approximate length | What it includes | Starting from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Up to ~25,000 words | Discovery, outline, drafting, revision | $8,500+ |
| Professional | Up to ~50,000 words | Interviews, research support, full manuscript development | $15,000+ |
| Premium | Up to ~80,000 words | Deeper research, development, publication-ready delivery | $25,000+ |
| Manuscript rescue | Existing draft | Assessment, restructure, completion of an unfinished book | Quoted per draft |
| Proposal and sample | ~10,000 words | Outline, proposal document, two sample chapters | Quoted per project |
Scale
Context for planning.
Indicative figures to help you plan. Project-specific numbers are always confirmed in your quotation.
0%
Copyright and authorship retained by you
0
Revision rounds included as standard
0
Named writer assigned per project
0
Drafting begins before a written scope
Questions
Frequently asked.
Whose name appears on the book?
Yours. You are the author. Our writer is named only if you ask for a credit such as 'with' or 'as told to'.
Who owns the finished manuscript?
You do. Copyright and all rights in the completed work are yours under the written agreement, together with the transcripts and research notes.
Do I have to publish with Meridian Press?
No. Ghostwriting is a standalone service. Many clients publish with us, and you are free to submit the finished book anywhere or print it privately.
How much of my time does it take?
Usually a series of recorded conversations of one to two hours, plus reading time as chapters arrive. Most clients spend far less time than writing the book themselves.
Is the project confidential?
Yes. A confidentiality agreement is signed before interviews begin and covers your material, your identity and the fact that the project exists.
What if I do not like the voice?
That is what the sample chapter is for. We adjust voice and approach before the full draft, and the scope sets out how revisions are handled.
Trust and transparency
Why authors can take us at our word.
Everything below is checkable before you send a manuscript or a payment.
Editorial credentials
- Every title is handled by a named editor, with the editorial level agreed in writing first.
- Free sample edit and manuscript assessment before any quotation.
- Two passes and a query log on every edit, so no change is made silently.
Security and confidentiality
- Unpublished manuscripts are read only by colleagues assessing them.
- We sign a non-disclosure agreement on request before you send anything.
- Served over HTTPS with strict transport security; analytics run only after consent.
When you will hear back
- General enquiries answered within 2 working days.
- Manuscript assessment answered within 10 working days, including a no.
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm US Central Time (Chicago). Enquiries answered within two business days.
Next step
Tell us about the book you want written
Describe the story, the material you already have and the readers you have in mind. We will tell you honestly whether ghostwriting, co-writing or editing is the right route.