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The Definitive Guide to Ghostwriting

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Are you ready to transform your passion for writing into a thriving business?

When Alee Anderson and Alice Sullivan first started ghostwriting, they had all the same fears you probably

Will I ever find clients?
Am I good enough to be a professional writer?
Can I make enough money to support myself and then some?

After writing more than 100 books for CEOs, trauma survivors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders—and hitting the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists—Alee and Alice’s answers are yes, yes, and yes. Now, they’re sharing their stories and hard-earned lessons so you can do the same thing too.

The Definitive Guide to Ghostwriting isn’t theory. It’s a battle-tested blueprint from two seasoned professionals on how talented writers can finally get paid what they’re worth.

Inside, you’ll

-How to set up your business the right way (legally and financially)
-Contract negotiation tactics to protect your interests
-The secrets to pricing for maximum profitability
-The art of interviewing to capture voice and build lasting relationships with high-paying clients
-Red flags to avoid and techniques to escape the most difficult client situations
-Transparent income breakdowns, real-world stories, and mindset shifts to transform your life and career

Whether you’re fresh out of college or plotting an escape from corporate life, Alee and Alice will teach you how to become your own boss and lead the creative life of your dreams.

No more undervaluing your talent. No more second-guessing yourself.

It’s time to create the freedom you deserve and turn your writing skills into serious income.

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

6 people are currently reading
3 people want to read

About the author

Alice Sullivan

36 books2 followers

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Elizabeth Day.
425 reviews23 followers
November 28, 2025
Many thanks to Alee, Alice, and the Gatsby House team for the free copy.

I’m privileged to be a a regular contributing writer for Alee’s Hey! Young Writer blog. When the boss lady offered to send an advanced copy of her book, I jumped at the chance.

This is a masterpiece. I’m not super interested in pursuing a ghostwriting career, but I am super interested in how it works and have been wanting to learn more about it for some time. This book was thorough, informative, and accessible. I learned a lot about the business and how it works. The tone was friendly and entertaining and it made everything about ghostwriting seem possible. Obviously I was already a huge fan of Alee and her work, but now I adore Alice as well. It’s also a bit of a workbook and has “Take Action” sections at the end of each chapter to help writers set and accomplish specific goals. I’d say it’s a perfect book for anyone interested in the writing industry in any capacity.

(PG rating)
Profile Image for Amber Mars.
14 reviews3 followers
October 14, 2025
This book is a highly informative, entertaining, and personal guide on ghostwriting. It is a perfect resource for those who are considering a career in ghostwriting, and a fascinating read for anyone curious on the subject.

If you didnt know of Alee or Alice already, their experience and passion for the industry is clear on every page. The guide gives the reader an insightful view on ghostwriting, and acts as a comprehensive guide to starting a freelance ghostwriting career. As someone who has been looking into being a freelance writer and editor career, this book is the perfect resource on how to get started. It details all the necessary steps needed before the writing even starts. These include marketing yourself, finding your niche, finding clients, networking, and the legalities that go into freelance work.

My favorite part about the book was the personal stories woven within the chapters. It was fascinating to read real-life examples of client experiences. Some of these were on the entertaining side while others were touching and, at times, heartbreaking to read. I especially appreciated how candid both authors were about the struggles of being a ghostwriter and how they overcame them. The personal aspects took the guide to a new level, and proved how the advice applied to professional situations.

Ghostwriting is a career I've looked into before but until this book, I did not know where to begin. Now I can say I have enough of an understanding to begin my journey and this is a book I will continue to reference every step of the way.
Profile Image for Hotgurls_read.
1 review
November 6, 2025
As a college student who is slowly navigating the world of literature, wondering what the heck I am going to do with an English B.A, this book gave me another option to consider after I graduate. Not only does this book feel like I’m having a one-on-one conversation with a mentor, but it also feels like a casual conversation with my bestie over some coffee and a chocolate croissant at a Barnes and Noble. Love that :D

Though I am not a person who enjoys writing in my books due to aesthetic purposes (it feels illegal to me hahaha :0), I actually enjoyed the interactive pages added into the reading, allowing people who are considering this career path to brainstorm and visualize how they want to start their business as a ghostwriter. Some of the pages included a section where you can draw your dream office--which was such a cute detail--and a page dedicated to weighing the pros and cons of the various publishing styles you can choose and learn about. This book also provides so many bullet point lists with tips and guides that are very helpful and considerate of the authors, very helpful for people who learn better when writing things down and using bullet points (hi, I am people lol).

Reading this was such a breeze, and not hard to understand at all. It was the perfect mix of professional, personal, and overly supportive. As a college student, I approve. Absolutely loved it!
"But if you haven't figured it out yet, we're already your biggest cheerleaders" (pg. 2)
Profile Image for Claire.
9 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2025
"The Definitive Guide to Ghostwriting" by Alee Anderson and Alice Sullivan arrives as a thorough and illuminating resource. The book positions itself as an essential manual not only for aspiring ghostwriters but for anyone intrigued by the mechanics, ethics, and artistry behind this often invisible field.

One of the book’s most notable strengths is its comprehensive approach. Anderson and Sullivan meticulously unpack every stage of the ghostwriting process— the depth of detail offers practical advice grounded in experience, which makes the guide feel like a mentor in print. This practicality ensures that readers are not simply wading through abstract concepts but gaining usable, actionable knowledge.

The clarity throughout the guide is another compelling element. Despite the complexity of negotiating both creative and interpersonal dimensions inherent to ghostwriting, the authors maintain a conversational tone that strikes a fine balance between professional instruction and approachable guidance.

In the end, this guide leaves me reflecting not only on the mechanics of ghostwriting but on the broader questions of authorship and creative collaboration—making it a genuinely thought-provoking read well worth the time and inspiring me to take up ghostwriting as a possible career. An absolute must-read!
Profile Image for Abi.
15 reviews
November 12, 2025
Alice and Alee's Definitive Guide to Ghostwriting is a thorough and entertaining guide written for writers of all backgrounds. The book explores the ins and outs of what to expect at every stage of launching into your own ghostwriting career, while sharing both funny and unfortunate anecdotes of their own experiences over the years.

The book is great to read straight through, but also provides the opportunity to make it your own and utilize the integrated workshopping pages to "take action" and work on what the prior chapter covered. Once you've read through it once, you can easily go back to find Alice and Alee's sage advice in whatever area you require. They cover several issues that I never would have otherwise considered or known how to handle.

This book takes you step by step through the process, utilizing a candid but playful tone that makes it sound like its coming from your big sisters.
2 reviews
October 14, 2025
A must read for aspiring ghostwriters!

Sullivan and Anderson have written the most comprehensive, honest guide to ghostwriting I've ever encountered. Their vulnerability in sharing their own failures and hard-learned lessons creates an atmosphere of trust and mentorship. The book is meticulously organized, moving logically from the decision to freelance through finding clients, executing projects, and scaling your business. The 'Take Action' sections transform passive reading into active learning, ensuring readers can immediately apply what they've learned.
Profile Image for Mia Frances.
91 reviews2 followers
October 14, 2025
Looking for a career in ghostwriting and want to start your own freelance writing company? Read ghostwriters Alee Anderson and Alice Sullivan’s new book all about how to start your own journey in ghostwriting through their own experiences. By sharing their stories, teaching about the intricacies in starting your own company, and including interactive pages throughout the book, you’ll be able to call yourself an expert by the end. An incredible educational, motivational, and hilarious book to help you get started!
121 reviews1 follower
October 29, 2025

If you’re looking into being a ghostwriter or freelancing in general this is the book that will make its greatest impact on you.

It’s very informative but not in an overwhelming way and has given me more hope to go through the journey of ghostwriting. Many non-fictions are hard to read at times because it feels like you’re reading a textbook but the inclusion of humorous side notes and the authors’ own experiences helps to make it not feel as drawn out. The pages that provide templates also make this book amazing for starting out in your journey!
Profile Image for Emerald Furlong.
3 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2025
This is a must-read if you’re an aspiring ghostwriter or if ghostwriting interests you at all! I was thoroughly impressed with how well-organized and detailed this book was. I absolutely loved how it included actionable steps and advice on how to navigate the business side of ghostwriting. I feel way more confident and prepared to possibly enter the world of ghostwriting after reading this book! I’d highly recommend it!
29 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2025
Alice and Alee don’t just talk about their experience as freelance ghostwriters they engage the reader with a step by step process to achieve the success they have earned. With checklists and pages for reflective journaling the reader is guided through creating a solid plan to launch their entrepreneurial and rewarding voyage.
Profile Image for Lilly Wright.
3 reviews
November 4, 2025
When was the last time you laughed out loud while reading a book and actually gained substantial information from it too? Well, this book checks off that box! Alee and Alice both masterfully walked the line of a hilariously entertaining story about their careers and a deeply informative guide about ghostwriting. I couldn’t recommend this book enough for someone looking to pursue this profession.
Profile Image for Candace J..
Author 2 books3 followers
October 29, 2025
This book is a great resource for anyone aspiring to enter the ghostwriting world. The authors do a great job at breaking down what it takes to succeed in this field . Packed with personal insights and a wealth of information, it is both enlightening and engaging from start to finish.
Profile Image for Sapphire Johnson.
2 reviews
November 6, 2025
Alee and Alice are simply fantastic at making writing career advice accessible! The voice in the novel is easy to read and delves into the reality of what it's like to be a freelancer, including the mindset and scheduling required, as well as the transition phase from school or a 9-to-5 job, and budgeting! Everything is laid out well with a conversational tone! Very encouraging and honest read!
Profile Image for Blake Atwood.
Author 6 books40 followers
November 6, 2025
An honest and insightful primer on what it takes to become (and remain) a ghostwriter.

It's the book I wish I'd had a decade ago before I went into ghostwriting, and it's the book I'll be recommending when others ask me for ghostwriting advice.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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