How to Find the Right Ghostwriter

By Marie Hasty
Have you ever thought about publishing a book? As a physician, you have a unique perspective on the human experience. And putting “published author” behind your name sounds pretty nice. But publishing a book has more tangible benefits than you might think. If you’ve got high-reaching goals for your career, a book could help you get there. 

For physicians who leverage their medical background in business, investing, or leadership, establishing authority is crucial. A book can set you apart from your peers and rocket your career forward, with the right strategy. 

I’m a concierge ghostwriter for physician entrepreneurs and clinical leaders, and the best part of my job is seeing my clients succeed because of the books we put together. These projects change lives. So let’s dive into the top 5 benefits of publishing for nonclinical physicians.


5 Benefits of Book Publishing for Nonclinical Physicians
The books I write for clients are career investments with specific goals. These are the top reasons my clients choose to get published:
1. Establishing Thought Leadership
Lots of docs have social media accounts, but not many have published a book. Publishing is a powerful way to establish thought leadership in your industry. By sharing your expertise, unique perspectives, and innovative ideas, you position yourself as a trusted authority. Social posts and blog articles can get lost in the chaos of the internet, but a book solidifies your place in the conversation. Look at the thought leaders in your specialty; do they have a book to their name? I bet many of them do. 

2. Expanding Patient Reach and Impact
If you’re wanting to have more impact on patients without putting in clinical hours, a book can help you do that. Your book can serve as a lasting resource that patients can refer to for expert support and guidance. You might address common misconceptions, debunk health myths, and foster a deeper understanding of complex medical topics. And by sharing successful case studies or offering practical strategies, you can encourage patients to overcome challenges and adopt healthier habits.

3.Opening Doors to Speaking Engagements and Consultation Opportunities
If you’ve been looking for a way to get your foot in the door for speaking gigs and consulting contracts, a book can help. Many event organizers look for published authors when they’re seeking out speakers. Having a book table at the back of your next speaking engagement is a great way to market your business. And there’s no better way to promote your consulting work than to send high-ticket clients a copy of your book. 

4. Building a Strong Personal Brand
Do you ever wonder how those doctors on talk shows get those opportunities? They’ve invested in their personal brands. They’ve established themselves with media representatives to become the go-to person in their niche. Your book can do the same for you. Building a personal brand goes beyond clinical practice, giving you a platform to advocate for the causes you care about. Publishing a book is a giant leap forward in building your platform. 

5. Leaving a Legacy on Your Industry
If you’re wanting to shape the future of healthcare and medicine, you should plan to publish a book. By sharing your experiences and insights in a lasting way, your book leaves your mark on the industry. You can drive progress and inspire positive change. You might influence industry conversations and guide leaders. Government decision-makers often look to expert-written books to guide their decisions, and you could be one of those experts. 

Using a Ghostwriter
All these benefits sound great. Maybe you’ve seen other medical leaders publish their own books and reap the rewards. But you’re busy, and you probably don’t have the time to write your book yourself. Enter: ghostwriters. 

Some experts estimate that up to 70% of the nonfiction section in every bookstore is ghostwritten. But we ghostwriters can be an elusive bunch. How should you find the right ghostwriter for your book project? And what’s the process for vetting them before you work together? Let’s talk about it. 

How Can I Find the Right Ghostwriter? 

If I was a clinician looking for a ghostwriter, I’d check out these resources: 

Personal Referrals
Have any of your friends or peers written a book or had one ghostwritten? They’d be the first people I’d ask when you’re ready to start your own book project. If you don’t know anyone that has published a book, you might check out these avenues for referral recommendations:

• PR groups
• Marketing firms
• Publishing firms
• Literary agents

Ghostwriting is a personal process, and referrals are the #1 way that writers get projects. But you can also find great ghostwriters on social media.

Linkedin
Linkedin is the second way that clients tend to find me, and while there still aren’t many ghostwriters on the platform, it’s a great way to compare writers. Search ‘ghostwriter’ and check out the profiles that come up. 

Ghostwriting Agencies
Groups like Reedsy and Gotham Ghostwriters are another way to get placed with a ghostwriter for your project. Both of these groups have thousands of ghostwriters in their network, so you’ve got a good chance of finding the right fit. The downside is that there can be a lack of continuity when you work with an agency, so make sure you read your contract thoroughly before getting started.  

Speaking of contracts, let’s go over a few tips for partnering with the right ghostwriter. 
Tips for Choosing Your Ghostwriter: 

• Hop on a Call: Every ghostwriter I know starts every new project with a Zoom or phone call. Your writer needs to understand your needs and goals to see if you’re a good fit to work together. Don’t sign on with a ghostwriter (and certainly don’t pay them) without speaking with them first. 

 

• Know Ghostwriting Rates: Ghostwriting is not a cheap service, and professional rates range from $25,000 to six figures. You can certainly find ghostwriters for less than that, but you risk wasting your time and money on bad writing. I wouldn’t recommend spending less than $20k on a manuscript. 

 

• Ask for Samples: Ghostwriters can be hard to vet since many of us (myself included) work behind stringent Non-Disclosure Agreements. But every writer should be able to provide writing samples, preferably within your niche or industry. 

 

• Read Your Contract: Ghostwriting contracts vary, so read yours closely. For example, I have a clause in mine that says that either of us can walk away from the project at any time. Not every ghostwriter includes this option, but it’s a nice insurance against getting locked into a project.

 

• Understand the Publishing Process: Do you know if you want to go with a traditional publishing house, a hybrid publisher, or the self-publishing route? How you choose to publish will determine whether you need to put a book proposal together or jump straight into a manuscript. I help my clients make this decision, but most ghostwriters don’t, so you might want to do some publishing research of your own. 

And there you have it. Following this guide can help you find the right ghostwriter for your book. When you partner with the right ghostwriter, you speed up the book-writing process so you can get the benefits of publishing faster. Plus, you won’t have to spend your precious time sweating over drafts. 

If you’d like to learn more about my ghostwriting process, or you have questions about how to get published, I’m happy to help. Check out my website below to learn more.
About the Author: Marie Hasty is a concierge ghostwriter and content marketer for clinician leaders. A registered nurse, she loves helping advance careers for physicians who are advancing health and medicine. When she’s not writing books and articles, she’s oil painting or hiking. Learn more about her work on her website.

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