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Ghostwriting contract guide
What Should a Ghostwriting Contract Say?
The contract decides who owns your book, who is named on it and who gets paid when it sells. Here is what each clause should say before you share your first note with a writer.
Planning a ghostwritten book? We sign an NDA before you share anything, and every right is transferred to you. A specialist replies within one business day.
By Gia Kahn, Lead Editor · Updated November 11, 2026
The short answer
A ghostwriting contract should state that the author owns the book: a written assignment of all copyright to the author, not only a "work made for hire" label, which under U.S. law may not cover a book written by an independent writer. It should also say the writer takes no royalties and no credit unless agreed, and set out confidentiality, scope and word count, schedule, revision rounds, payment, and what happens if the project ends early.
Checked November 11, 2026 · Reviewed by Gia Kahn, Lead Editor · Next review February 2027 · How we check
Is this you?
This guide is for you if
- A ghostwriter has sent you an agreement and you want to know what to look for before you sign.
- You want to be sure the book, the royalties and the byline are yours alone.
- Your book includes private material about your business, family or clients.
- You are comparing ghostwriting offers and want to compare the terms, not just the price.
The expensive mistake is a contract that does not transfer the copyright.
Under U.S. law, the person who writes the words owns the copyright unless a written agreement says otherwise. Many contracts rely on the phrase "work made for hire", but a commissioned book from an independent writer often does not qualify for it. Without a written assignment as well, the writer may keep rights in your book.
Good agreements cover this with a plain copyright assignment, and they settle credit, royalties and confidentiality before any material changes hands.
Clause checklist
The clauses every ghostwriting contract needs
Use this as a checklist against any agreement you are offered. It is general information, not legal advice; for a complex project, have a lawyer read the final draft.
| Clause | What it should say | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Copyright | All rights in the manuscript are assigned to the author in writing | Work made for hire alone may not cover a book |
| Royalties | The writer receives no royalties or share of sales | Keeps 100% of income with the author |
| Credit | The author is the only named author, unless both agree otherwise | Stops a later claim to a byline |
| Confidentiality | The writer keeps your material and their role private | Protects your business, family and clients |
| Scope | Target word count, interviews and deliverables | Defines what the fee buys |
| Schedule | Dates for the outline, chapters and final manuscript | Gives both sides a fixed plan |
| Revisions | Number of revision rounds and on what | Prevents disputes over extra work |
| Payment and exit | Fee, when it is paid, and refunds if the project stops | Settles money before it becomes a problem |
U.S. Copyright Office Circular 9 lists nine kinds of commissioned work that can be made for hire with a signed agreement, such as a translation, a compilation or an instructional text. A typical memoir or business book written by an independent writer is not on the list, which is why a written assignment of copyright is the safer clause.
Ask About Our AgreementOwnership
Who owns the copyright in a ghostwritten book?
The author should, but only if the contract says so. Under U.S. copyright law, the writer of the words is the first owner unless rights are transferred in a signed agreement.
Work made for hire
Applies automatically to employees. For an independent writer, it applies only to nine listed kinds of commissioned work and only with a signed agreement. Many books do not fit those kinds.
Copyright assignment
A clause in which the writer transfers all rights in the manuscript to you. It works whether or not the book counts as made for hire, so good contracts include it.
Drafts and notes
Ask that the assignment covers the outline, drafts, interview transcripts and recordings, not only the final manuscript.
When rights transfer
Some agreements transfer rights on final payment. Check the wording so you know when the book is fully yours.
Money and credit
Should a ghostwriter get royalties or credit?
Usually not. Professional ghostwriters are normally paid a flat fee and are not named on the book. If you agree to anything else, put it in writing.
| Arrangement | What the writer gets | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ghostwriting | A flat fee, no credit, no royalties | The contract says so in plain words |
| Acknowledgement | A thank-you line inside the book | Optional, and only if you choose it |
| “With” or “and” credit | A name on the cover, often a lower fee plus royalties | The royalty share and how it is paid |
| Royalty-only | A share of sales instead of a fee | Rare for professionals; the writer keeps an interest in your book |
Confidentiality
What should the confidentiality clause cover?
A ghostwriter hears things about your business, your family and your clients that you would not put in the book. The confidentiality clause, or a separate NDA, should cover:
- Everything you share: interviews, documents, recordings and business information.
- The writer’s role itself, so it is never disclosed without your permission.
- Portfolio use: whether the writer may mention the project at all, even anonymously.
- How long the obligation lasts. For a ghostwritten book, it should not end when the project does.
Sign the NDA before you share material, not after the outline is written.
Want an NDA before you share your idea? We sign first.
Talk to a SpecialistOur agreement
What does a Columbia Publication ghostwriting agreement include?
- An NDA signed before you share any material. The writer’s involvement is never disclosed.
- Copyright, byline and 100% of royalties are yours, transferred to you. No royalty share and no post-service fees.
- The scope, word count and schedule stated in the quote before you pay.
- A chapter outline you approve before drafting, then chapters in batches with two revision rounds on each.
- A fixed fee, paid in full upfront once you approve the quote, with the refund terms listed in the agreement.
- No AI writing. Every page is written by a person.
Fees start from $3,000 for a draft rewrite, $7,500 for a full book of up to 80,000 words and $15,000 for long or complex books. See what ghostwriting costs on the open market.
Ghostwriting with Columbia Publication
One agreement, three kinds of project
The same rights, confidentiality and approval terms apply to every project. Prices match our ghostwriting services page.
Most chosen
Complete manuscript
From $7,500
A full book written from interviews, with an outline you approve and chapters you review in batches.
Up to 80,000 words · 4 to 6 months
Price This for My BookLong or complex
Long-form book
From $15,000
Major memoirs, novels and research-heavy non-fiction with a senior writer.
80,000 to 120,000+ words · 6 to 9 months
Price This for My BookAll prices in USD, paid in full upfront once you approve the quote.
What you can count on
What every ghostwriting agreement includes
- NDA firstSigned before you share a single note.
- Every right yoursCopyright, byline and 100% of royalties.
- Scope statedWord count, deliverables and schedule in the quote.
- Approval at every stageOutline first, then chapters in batches with two revision rounds.
- Fixed feeAgreed before payment, with refund terms listed.
- People, not softwareNo AI writes any part of your book.
How it runs
How we start a ghostwriting project
- Tell us the ideaA few lines about the book and who it is for.Day 1
- NDASigned before you share details.Before the first call
- Call and quoteScope, word count, schedule and fixed fee.Within 1 business day of the call
- Agreement and paymentRights, confidentiality and refund terms stated.Before work starts
- Interviews and outlineRecorded conversations, then a chapter plan you approve.Weeks 1 to 3
Custom Quote
Build your custom quote
We’ve started with Help writing the book. Add anything else your manuscript needs, and a specialist sends an itemized quote within one business day. Free, confidential, no obligation.
NDA before you share anything. Your quote within one business day. 100% of your rights stay yours.
Questions
Ghostwriting contracts: common questions
Who owns the copyright in a ghostwritten book?
The writer owns it first unless a signed agreement transfers it. A good ghostwriting contract assigns all copyright in the manuscript, drafts and notes to the author in writing.
Is a ghostwritten book a work made for hire?
Not always. Under U.S. law, a commissioned work from an independent writer counts as made for hire only if it falls into one of nine listed categories and both sides sign an agreement saying so. Many books do not fit those categories, so contracts should also include a written copyright assignment.
Does a ghostwriter get royalties?
Usually not. Professional ghostwriters normally work for a flat fee. Any royalty share should be written into the contract, with the percentage and how it is paid.
Can a ghostwriter say they wrote my book?
Only if the contract allows it. A confidentiality clause or NDA can stop the writer disclosing their role, including in a portfolio.
When should I sign an NDA with a ghostwriter?
Before you share any material: notes, recordings, documents or details of your business. Columbia Publication signs the NDA before the first detailed conversation.
What happens if the project stops halfway?
The contract should say. Look for how payments are handled, who keeps the partial manuscript and whether rights in the drafts transfer to you.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information about common contract terms. For a complex project or a large fee, have a lawyer review the final agreement.
Your book, your name, your rights.
Tell us about the book. An NDA comes first, and a specialist replies within one business day.
Talk to a Specialist