Dick Richards

author and ghostwriter


Frequently Asked Questions
How will we work together?

I will interview you, both in-person and on the phone. Our discussions will be recorded and transcribed. I will use the transcriptions as raw material to create your book. You will see chapter versions as they are finished, and I will re-write as needed.

Who has the final say if we disagree about the content of the book or about the writing style?

You do! It is your book.

Does a ghostwriter get credit for writing the book?

No. My name should not appear on the book, cannot be used in marketing the book, and our contract will include a confidentiality clause.
How much will it cost to have my book ghostwritten?

Expect the cost of your project, including your book and proposal (if needed), to range between $25,000 and $100,000, depending on the book's length.

How long will my project take?

This also depends on the length of the book, as well as your availability, your responsiveness to my questions, and whether you will need a proposal. The average project, including a book proposal, will take between five and ten months to complete.

 What is the payment schedule and can I end our contract at anytime?

I work on a monthly fee. If you want our contract to end, simply do not pay for the coming month. If you decide to end our contract, everything that we have produced belongs to you.

What is covered by the fee?

The fee covers the time required to interview you and anyone else involved in the project, time for writing and rewriting, the cost of transcribing interviews, travel time, and limited travel costs. It might also include any help that you need to find an agent or work with your publisher.

What else is in the ghostwriting agreement?

Contact me for a sample contract.

Should my ghostwriter be expert in my subject matter?

It depends on your intended audience. If you are writing for people in your field, there are advantages to finding a ghostwriter who is familiar with the audience. For example, the project is likely to move along faster. However, if you are writing for a general audience, a ghostwriter who is not expert in your field will be better able to ask the questions that a naive reader might ask, and also help you avoid or explain technical jargon.

     Your view. Your voice. Your book.



Please feel free to ask for a sample contract. I will have a few questions before sending one to you, and those are best answered in a discussion, so include your phone number in a contact Email.