I freelance off and on as my schedule permits or my bank account demands. I usually use https://www.freelancer.com (lowest membership level), and https://www.upwork.com (free version) for budgetary reasons. Ghostwriting fiction has taken the lead as my favorite type of work. It has a lot of perks but there are things you should know if you want to make it your career.

Landing my first job was not as easy as I thought it would be. I was new to the game. There are plenty of veteran ghostwriters bidding on the same jobs out there. Not having a successful work history on a particular platform meant I needed to put a lot more effort into convincing someone to hire me. This proved true no matter how much ghostwriting work I had under my belt elsewhere.

My freelancing portfolio consists of everything from content writing to children’s book illustration, book layout, and creating marketing materials. Adding ghostwriting fiction to the list was another skill that I had to prove. Since most ghostwriting is done under an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), this meant that I needed to use samples of the writing I’ve done under my name or pen name. I don’t typically write in the romance genre which I see advertised most often, so sometimes it can be challenging to find appropriate samples.

As a newbie, I was disheartened by the pay. I am currently working on a series that pays $.0135/word. I received an invitation to interview for a series for a different client recently for $.02/word. Are there higher rates out there? Yes, I’ve applied to a few. My best guess is that they go to the more veteran ghostwriters. I also make sure to check currency exchange rates on foreign work. Knowing what the pay is in USD before taking a job is important. Lastly, the platform will take a fee out of your payment as well. That has to be considered in your budget. My last job paid just over $600. The platform took a little over $100. By factoring all of that and my income taxes in, I don’t run into nasty surprises later.

As with all freelancing, be ready for the feast or famine aspect. I try to look for and schedule new work while I have a project going. It is always easier to find a job when you are working. Gaps lead to clients questioning your commitment or skill. Keeping busy makes you more attractive to hire.

The last two downsides that I need to mention are that you will eventually run into a project you secretly wish your name was on. Make peace with the fact that you are only the surrogate to the book you write. Grow it strong but don’t get emotionally attached. Take comfort in the fact that your personal work in progress that has been silent will start demanding attention once more just to see your juggling skills. It is also oddly frustrating to get paid for ghostwriting when the books under your name aren’t selling as well.

On the upside, you get paid for daily writing experience that helps hone your craft while not handling marketing. You also don’t have to deal with search engine optimization (SEO) criteria or write from a potentially controversial viewpoint. As long as you write well and meet the plot, character needs, and deadline of your client’s book, you get paid. Plus you get to work in your pajamas on a very flexible schedule.

BIO – Brittney Cassity uses freelancing to both hone her skills as an author/illustrator and to supplement her income. She has been an active member of West Virginia Writers, Inc. for well over a decade. During her time with the organization she has served on the board and in a variety of other support positions. When she is not writing, she enjoys getting into projects with her husband that have included everything from restoring her 1970 Karmann Ghia to home and garden renovations. You can find her website at https://brittneycassity.weebly.com/