Every ghostwriter eventually encounters difficult clients: those who demand unlimited revisions, disappear for months then demand rush delivery, change project scope without adjusting budget, or treat you as subordinate rather than professional partner. How you handle these situations determines both your business profitability and mental health. Professional ghostwriters don't simply endure difficult clients—they set boundaries early, address problems directly, and know when terminating engagement serves everyone better. Master these skills and you'll build sustainable ghostwriting practice without burning out from toxic client relationships.
Preventing Difficulties: Strong Contracts and Clear Expectations
Most client difficulties stem from unclear expectations. Prevention beats damage control:
Comprehensive Contracts: Specify everything: number of revision rounds, response time expectations, what's included versus extra cost, payment schedule, termination conditions. Ambiguity invites problems. Clarity prevents them.
Project Kickoff Meeting: Review contract terms explicitly at project start. "We've agreed to three revision rounds. Additional revisions are $200/hour. Do you understand that?" Get verbal confirmation they understand terms before problems arise.
Written Communication: Document important discussions via email. After phone calls where scope shifts, send follow-up: "To confirm our conversation, you've requested adding Chapter 15 about X. That's outside original scope. We can add it for additional $4,000 and two weeks to timeline. Please confirm." Written documentation protects you later.
Red Flag Screening: During initial inquiry, watch for warning signs: clients who bad-mouth previous ghostwriters, demand immediate start without contract review, haggle aggressively on fair pricing, or expect you to work for "exposure" rather than payment. Trust your instincts—difficult clients reveal themselves early.
Handling Common Difficult Client Scenarios
The Endless Reviser
Problem: Client requests revision after revision, never satisfied, often contradicting previous feedback.
Solution: Enforce contract revision limits. "We've completed the three included revision rounds. I'm happy to continue refining, but additional revisions are $200/hour per our agreement. Would you like to proceed?" Money makes people focus. Also ask: "What specifically needs to change for you to approve this?" Force concrete answers rather than vague "it's not quite right." Sometimes underlying issue isn't the writing—it's their uncertainty about project itself.
The Disappearing Act
Problem: Client goes silent for weeks/months, ignoring your emails requesting feedback, then suddenly reappears demanding immediate delivery.
Solution: Build timeline clauses into contracts: "Timeline pauses if client feedback exceeds 14 days. Deliverables shift accordingly." When they reappear, respond professionally but firm: "I understand you need this completed. However, the project timeline paused when I didn't receive feedback for 6 weeks. Original delivery date is no longer feasible. New delivery: [adjusted date]. If you need faster, rush fees apply." Don't let their poor time management become your emergency.
The Scope Creeper
Problem: Client continuously adds "just one more thing"—new chapters, additional research, more interviews—without acknowledging they're expanding original scope.
Solution: Address immediately, not after accumulating multiple additions. First addition: "I'm happy to add that chapter. Since it's outside our original scope, it will be additional $3,000 and one week to timeline. Shall I send updated proposal?" Frame additions as new work requiring new payment, not favors. Every single time. If you accommodate "just one small thing," you've established precedent they'll exploit.
The Micromanager
Problem: Client demands daily updates, wants to approve every decision, questions your every choice, essentially trying to write the book themselves through you.
Solution: Set communication boundaries in contract: "Progress updates every two weeks. Email response time: 48 business hours." Enforce them. When they demand daily check-ins, respond: "I understand you're invested in this project. However, constant interruptions prevent me from doing my best work. I'll provide comprehensive updates every two weeks as agreed. Between updates, please collect questions and we'll address everything together." Sometimes micromanaging signals anxiety about project. Offer scheduled check-in calls to ease anxiety without constant interruption.
The Hostile Communicator
Problem: Client uses hostile, demeaning, or insulting language in feedback. Treats you as employee to berate rather than professional partner.
Solution: Address once, directly: "I'm committed to delivering excellent work and welcome constructive feedback. However, I require professional, respectful communication. If you're frustrated with the project, let's discuss specific concerns and solutions. If you cannot communicate professionally, I'll need to terminate our agreement." Most clients don't realize how they're coming across. One direct address often fixes it. If hostility continues, terminate. No amount of money is worth verbal abuse.
The Difficult Conversation Framework
When problems arise, address them directly using this framework:
1. Describe the Specific Problem
"I've received four revision requests this week, all outside the three included rounds we agreed upon." Be specific, not vague. "You're being difficult" is accusatory. "This specific behavior violates our agreement" is factual.
2. Reference the Agreement
"Our contract specifies three revision rounds included in the project fee. Additional revisions are billed hourly." You're not being unreasonable—you're enforcing mutually agreed terms.
3. Acknowledge Their Perspective
"I understand you want the manuscript to be perfect. I want that too." Show empathy without conceding. Understanding their position doesn't mean accepting unreasonable demands.
4. Propose Solution
"Let's consolidate all remaining feedback into one comprehensive revision. I'll address everything in that final round. After that, additional changes will be hourly." Give them path forward within reasonable boundaries.
5. Confirm Understanding
"Does that work for you?" or "Do you understand the terms moving forward?" Get explicit agreement, not just assumption they'll comply.
When to Fire a Client
Sometimes best solution is ending the engagement. Fire clients when:
They Repeatedly Violate Contract: Persistent late payments, ignoring revision limits, demanding rush work without premium pay. One violation might be mistake. Pattern is disrespect.
Verbal Abuse: Hostile, demeaning, or threatening communication. Immediate termination. No second chances for abuse.
Project is Unprofitable: Scope has expanded so dramatically that your effective hourly rate is below minimum wage. Sometimes cutting losses is smartest business decision.
Your Mental Health Suffers: If working with this client causes significant stress, anxiety, or dread, your health matters more than their project. Trust your gut.
Misaligned Values: If asked to write content you find unethical, offensive, or harmful, decline regardless of payment. Your reputation and integrity have value beyond single project.
How to Fire a Client Professionally
Terminating engagement requires professionalism:
1. Review Contract Termination Clause
Your contract should specify termination terms: notice period, payment for work completed, deliverables ownership. Follow these terms precisely.
2. Written Notice
Email (not phone) so there's documentation: "After careful consideration, I've decided to terminate our ghostwriting agreement effective [date per contract notice period]. Per Section 7 of our contract, you'll receive all work completed to date, and invoice for work completed pro-rata based on milestones achieved. I'll ensure smooth handoff to whatever ghostwriter you select next."
3. Keep It Professional, Not Personal
Don't list grievances or blame. Simple statement: "I don't believe I'm the right fit for this project" or "Due to scheduling conflicts, I cannot continue." High road always.
4. Deliver Completed Work
Even if relationship is contentious, deliver whatever's been completed professionally. Your reputation matters more than this client.
5. Process Final Payment
Invoice for work completed per contract terms. Don't discount because you're terminating—you did the work, you deserve payment. If they don't pay, you have documentation for small claims court.
Protecting Yourself Legally and Financially
Upfront Deposits: Always require minimum 25% (ideally 50%) deposit before starting work. This protects you if relationship deteriorates—you've already been paid for initial work.
Milestone Payments: Never let clients get too far ahead on deliverables without payment. If they've received first draft but not paid milestone payment, pause work until payment clears.
Keep All Documentation: Save every email, contract version, invoice, and deliverable. If client disputes charges or claims you didn't deliver, documentation protects you.
Professional Liability Insurance: Consider insurance covering errors and omissions claims. If client claims your work harmed them professionally, insurance provides legal protection.
The Mindset Shift: You're Not For Everyone
Many ghostwriters, especially new ones, accept any client out of financial desperation or fear of missing opportunities. This leads to toxic client relationships that damage your business and wellbeing. Reality: You're not for every client. Some clients need different working styles, communication frequencies, or price points. That's okay. Firing difficult clients or declining problematic prospects creates space for great clients who respect you, pay on time, and make the work enjoyable. Your business thrives when you're selective, not desperate.
Handling difficult clients professionally—setting boundaries, addressing problems directly, and terminating when necessary—is essential business skill, not personal failure. The most successful ghostwriters aren't those who never encounter difficult clients; they're those who handle difficulties professionally while protecting their business and mental health. Use River's Contract Generator to create comprehensive agreements that prevent common client difficulties before they start, setting your projects up for success from day one.