Aspiring authors!
Searching for someone who can write your book? Yeah!
That is the wisest decision in your writing journey!
Your ideas have been sitting on the desk for a long time. Now, it is time to tell the world! But beware, not everyone is a “professional ghostwriter” as they claim to be.
Some look polished on the surface. That is to say, they have clean websites, big promises, and impressive words. Yet once you commit, things start to feel off, such as missed deadlines, copied work, or they can ghost you!
Don’t worry, you can spot them. Wondering how? Keep calm and read this blog to learn how to spot a fake ghostwriter before you sign a contract.
Fake ghostwriters trump up claims.
You might read many claims of perfection from ghostwriters. For example:
- “Guaranteed distinction.”
- “100% original work in 24 hours.”
- “Unlimited revisions."
- "All services at low prices."
All these claims sound comforting. But also a little unrealistic. You know good writing takes time, and research takes effort. If someone promises everything at a low price in seconds, then you must doubt it!
In short: slow down and ask, ‘How exactly are you going to do this?’
You will be shocked to see how this question helps you spot who is genuine and who is not. That is to say, you must investigate them to look beyond what they show on their website.
Look beyond the website.
While looking for a ghostwriter, you saw their impressive website. You told yourself, " This ghost writer looks professional and authentic."
Stop, if that is how you are choosing a ghostwriter for your book. That is to say, it is easy to create a polished website. What matters is what sits behind it.
So, instead of reading their homepage, try this:
- Search their name or business online.
- Look for reviews on neutral platforms.
- Make sure they are present online.
If you can’t find anything real, or if everything looks copied and generic, that is a red flag. Do ignore that! But if you can’t find much about them online, that is a big red flag.
Wondering how to know how they write? Find out below!
Ask for the writing samples and read them.
Picture this: Before confirming your order, you asked for a sample. Then you read it, you felt all their sentences were generic and weak. That moment can make you spot the fake ghostwriter.
You will think," If this is their 'best,' then what will be their worst?" That is to say, while reading their sample, ask yourself these questions:
Does the writing feel natural?
Is there a clear structure?
Does it sound like one person, or different styles mixed?
Through these questions, you can check their samples. If they feel inconsistent or too robotic, then they are not authentic. But what if a ghostwriter refuses to provide samples?
Stop communicating with them, they are fake!
Check how the ghostwriter communicates.
Did someone say," communicating?" That is one of the clearest indicators to spot a ghostwriter.
That is to say, notice how they respond:
- Do they answer your questions directly?
- Are they trying to understand your requirements?
- Or do they send vague, copy paste replies?
That is to say, a genuine ghostwriter will engage with your project. They will ask questions and clarify all details. Hence, they will show interest. But the fake ones try to rush you or avoid specifics. So, you must also not rush with payments. Read on to find out!
Be careful with upfront payments.
Imagine you contact a ghostwriter, and they ask for complete payment. What will you do? Pay them?
Yeah, it is normal as many professionals do ask for deposits. But look for something that is off, as there are no safeguards such as:
- Contract
- Guarantee
- Clear policy
That is to say, if a ghostwriter pushes to pay everything immediately, take a step back. It is fine to deposit a reasonable amount. But full payment without safeguards is a risk.
Remember, a reliable ghostwriter often offers some structure, partial payments, and clear terms. Honesty in payments is important. But what about originality in their writing, to learn how to check that? Don't skip reading the next tip to spot the fake ghostwriter!
Check how they talk about originality.
Every ghostwriter will say their work is “original.” That is what you expect from them.
But the way they explain it matters. That is to say, a genuine ghostwriter will:
- Talk about research and referencing.
- Explain their writing process.
- Be open about plagiarism checks.
However, the fake one might:
- Avoid the topic.
- Give too confident, vague promises.
- Does not explain how they ensure originality.
If a ghostwriter can not explain how they will write your book, chances are they don’t have one. So this can make them avoid contracts. Read more to find out!
Notice if the ghostwriter avoids contracts.
Is your ghost writer hesitating when you ask for a contract? Beware, that is a red flag!
Tell them that the contract is not about making things complicated. It is about clarity as it covers:
- Scope of work
- Deadlines
- Payment terms
- Revisions
So if a ghostwriter avoids putting these aspects of their service in writing, block them. Let's move to the best tip to spot a fake ghostwriter.
Test the ghostwriter with a small task.
Feeling unsure about a ghostwriter? Yes, then don’t rush into committing to the whole book.
In other words, start with a small task. Ask them to write a short sample chapter on your topic. Or tell them to create a brief outline.
This can help you assess their:
- Writing style
- Reliability
- Understanding of your needs
It is a simple way to spot a fake ghostwriter and reduce risk.
Look for professional behavior.
When you contact a reliable book publisher, you will see that a professional ghostwriter will be:
- Upfront about what they can deliver
- Honest about what they can and cannot do
- Consistent in communication
- Respectful toward deadlines.
They don’t make mere promises. They walk you through how they work so you have no doubts.
Final thoughts:
Future book authors!
It is challenging to find an authentic ghostwriter for your book. So, to find the right one, here are practical tips:
Pause for a moment and investigate them.
Read their samples.
Don’t rush into a contract.
Test their skill with a small task.
So, to spot a fake ghostwriter, notice the small details before it is too late.