It’s Your Book

Can my book be about anything I want?

Of course. When you work with a ghostwriter, they'll write what you want them to write. It's your book.

But a good ghostwriter will give you some guidance:

Write about what you know.
☞ If you haven't scaled a business, don't tell others how to.
☞ If you don't know a coaching method works, don't teach it to others.
☞ If you're a surgeon, don't lay out your investment strategy.
☞ If you're a lawyer, don't tell people how they should eat.

Write what your reader needs to read.
☞ People read books that help them overcome their own problems.
☞ They want to learn from an expert in their field: you.

Be vulnerable, not spiteful.
☞ Readers relate to authors who are their authentic selves.
☞ Being negative about someone might be (just about) okay in conversation, but it looks far worse when it's written down.
☞ Remember that anyone you're rude about will likely read your book so there may be fall-out.

Don't be an idiot.
☞ Being hateful or bigoted won't look good if you change your attitudes one day.
☞ Parroting conspiracy theories will likely date your book quickly

Don't be boring.
☞ Tell stories to keep the reader interested and entertained.
☞ A book is not a work report. No-one has to read it.

You can expect an experienced ghostwriter to push back on anything they think might harm your book or damage your reputation.

You don't have to agree. You can insist on including whatever you want.

But if you do, you are probably making a mistake.