Ghostwriting Agreement
A ghostwriting agreement is a contract in which a writer produces literary or spoken content for a client who will be credited as the author, typically with full ownership transferring to the client. Use this when an executive, founder, or creator hires a writer for a book, blog, or speech published under the client's name. It assigns copyright to the client and requires the writer to stay anonymous.
What's included
A ready-to-use ghostwriting agreement covering project description, length, and format, research interviews and client input obligations, draft schedule and revision rounds, with signature fields already placed for Client and Ghostwriter. Fill in the bracketed details (like [Company Name] or [Date]) using Docracy's built-in text editor, then send it out for signature.
This is a general template for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney to review it for your specific situation and jurisdiction before use.
Key clauses
- Project description, length, and format
- Research interviews and client input obligations
- Draft schedule and revision rounds
- Ghostwriter anonymity and confidentiality
- Work-made-for-hire or copyright assignment
- Kill fee and termination payment
What you'll fill in
[Client Name][Ghostwriter Name][Work Title/Subject][Approximate Word Count or Length][Delivery Milestones][Total Fee][Credit Arrangement (None/Pseudonym)]Legal summary
The client owns the finished work and receives sole credit; the writer is paid per milestone and may not publicly claim authorship without permission. Confidential information learned during research must stay private.
Free for up to 2 signers, no account required. Need unlimited? Flat $10/month.
FAQ
Is this Ghostwriting Agreement legally binding?
Signing through Docracy uses a simple electronic signature (SES), which is legally recognized for everyday business agreements under laws like the U.S. ESIGN Act and the EU's eIDAS regulation. This is a general template, not legal advice — for high-stakes or regulated agreements, have a qualified attorney review it for your situation.
Who needs to sign this Ghostwriting Agreement?
This template includes signature fields for Client and Ghostwriter — already placed — plus 7 placeholder fields to fill in before you send it.
Can I edit this Ghostwriting Agreement before sending it?
Yes — Docracy's editor lets you edit the text, add or remove signature fields, redact sections, and reorder pages before you send it.
Do I need an account to send this Ghostwriting Agreement?
No — it's free for up to 2 signers with no account required. Create a free account only if you want to save it to a dashboard or reuse it later.
Try it with an AI assistant
Paste one of these into ChatGPT, Claude, or your assistant of choice:
“Generate a Ghostwriting Agreement for a 60,000-word business memoir with three draft milestones.”
“Clarify ownership of unused interview transcripts and research notes.”
“Add a kill fee if the client cancels after the outline is approved.”
Why teams start with Docracy
“Docracy is a great product that I have tested and am using. It is easy to use, has good tools, is always up to date, and implements new features. Highly recommended.”— DACH Advisory
Free for up to 2 signers, no account required. Need unlimited? Flat $10/month.