Book Ghostwriting Agreement Template

What Is the Book Ghostwriting Agreement?

A book ghostwriting agreement is a contract between an author (client) and a professional writer (ghostwriter) where the ghostwriter creates a manuscript based on the client's ideas, experiences, and materials. The client appears as the sole author, owns all copyrights, and controls publication rights. The ghostwriter receives compensation but relinquishes authorship credit and intellectual property rights.

This template establishes work-made-for-hire provisions and copyright assignments to ensure clean ownership transfer. It defines the scope of services, payment milestones, revision rounds, confidentiality obligations, and what happens if either party terminates the project early. The agreement protects clients from ghostwriters who later claim co-authorship and protects ghostwriters from non-payment or endless revision demands.

 

 

Is This Book Ghostwriting Agreement Right for You?

You need this agreement if you're:

• A business executive hiring a ghostwriter for your thought leadership book
• Writing a memoir and need professional help developing the manuscript
• A subject matter expert turning your expertise into a published book
• A professional ghostwriter protecting your payment rights
• Licensing someone else's life story to create a biography
• A coach or consultant creating a book to build your brand

You definitely need this agreement if:

• You've paid a ghostwriter thousands but lack written ownership documentation
• Your ghostwriter might claim co-authorship or demand additional payment
• You're sharing personal experiences or business strategies with a writer
• You need to define how many revision rounds are included
• You're uncertain what happens to partially completed work if you cancel

 

 

Why Thousands Trust Legal GPS Templates

Save Money. Attorney-drafted ghostwriting agreements cost $3,500-$6,000. This template costs $35.

Save Time. Start your book project this week instead of scheduling legal consultations and negotiating contract terms for months.

Look Professional. Comprehensive provisions covering intellectual property, work made for hire, and confidentiality show ghostwriters you're serious.

Keeps You Out of Court. Clear language in Intellectual Property and Ownership, Ghostwriter Anonymity, and Effect of Termination prevents disputes over who owns what and what happens if the project fails.

 

 

 

Get Protected in 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Secure Checkout. Complete your purchase through our encrypted payment system. Your template downloads immediately.

Step 2: Instant Download. Receive your attorney-drafted template in Microsoft Word format. Open it on any device.

Step 3: Fill In the Highlighted Fields. Follow the bracketed guidance to customize project scope, payment milestones, revision rounds, and ownership provisions. Sign and begin your book project.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this template multiple times?

Yes. Use this template for unlimited ghostwriting projects. Hire multiple ghostwriters, create different books, or engage the same writer for multiple projects over time.

Is this contract legally binding?

Yes. This attorney-drafted template creates an enforceable contract when properly completed and signed. Courts recognize these agreements as valid work-for-hire and intellectual property transfer instruments.

How do I ensure I own the copyright?

The Intellectual Property and Ownership article includes both work-made-for-hire provisions and copyright assignment. This dual approach ensures you own all rights regardless of how copyright law applies to your specific situation.

What if the ghostwriter misses deadlines?

Section 8.2 allows you to terminate for cause if the ghostwriter materially breaches the agreement and fails to cure within the specified time period. Missing multiple deadlines without valid excuse constitutes material breach.

Can the ghostwriter later claim they wrote the book?

No. The Ghostwriter Anonymity provisions require the ghostwriter to waive authorship claims and prohibit them from publicly disclosing their role without your consent. The moral rights waiver prevents them from later objecting to your use of the work.

What happens if I cancel the project halfway through?

Section 8.5 ensures you own all completed work you've paid for plus work in progress upon pro-rata payment. If you've paid 50% and the writer is 60% done with the current milestone, you pay the additional amount to reach 60% and own everything created to that point.