Harry Potter, The Song of Ice and Fire, Hunger Games, what do all these projects have in common? We’ll give you a moment to think about your answer. All these written projects are mega popular that have redefined fictional literature and made an impact on pop culture. But that was only because these books were made into series.
There’s something magnetic about a book series. Readers fall in love with the characters, get swept up in the storyline, and eagerly await the next instalment. Sure reading them can be a lovely time, but when it comes to writing one, there’s a lot of planning involved that will often lead to breakdowns and burnouts when you least expect them.
If you have an idea of a book series that can become the next Hobbit, or Harry Potter, but are overwhelmed by the complexity of the whole thing, we have some good news for you. With a professional ghostwriter you can solve half the problem. These professionals can help with ghostwritten series planning.
Whether you’re a business leader building an authority series, an author expanding a fantasy world, or a busy creator with big ideas and no time to write them, a ghostwritten series can deliver quality, consistency, and speed if you’ve got the right strategy.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how authors and ghostwriters work together to plan a series. You’ll learn how to keep your voice intact, your plot on track, and your publishing schedule realistic, all with the help of expert ghostwriting services.
Why Choose a Ghostwritten Series?
Writing one book is hard enough. Writing multiple paragraphs that tie together coherently? That takes time, skill, and a solid long-term vision. For many, ghostwriting offers the best of both worlds: you bring the ideas, and your writer brings them to life.
Here’s why authors opt for ghostwritten series:
- You’re building a business and need a series of guides or explainers
- You’ve got a world or character arc too big for one book
- You want to keep momentum without waiting years between releases
- You’re looking to scale and publish across multiple genres or markets
Ghostwriting can handle all of the above, but only if your plan is airtight and your collaboration is sound.
Step 1: Start With a Big-Picture Blueprint
Before diving into individual books, you and your ghostwriter need a series overview. This is your master plan, and it includes:
- Genre and audience
- Core themes and messages
- Total number of books planned (tentative is fine)
- Series arc: how the story or message evolves over time
- Recurring characters or structures
- Voice and tone guidelines
If you’re writing nonfiction (say, for business or tech), you might follow a model similar to technical ghostwriting, with each book focusing on a pillar topic. If you’re writing fiction or children’s stories, the approach mirrors children’s book ghostwriter planning, establishing continuity across characters, settings, and lessons.
Step 2: Define the Author’s Voice and Keep It Consistent
One of the biggest risks in ghostwritten series is losing the author’s “voice” across multiple books.
To protect authenticity in ghostwriting, it’s important to:
- Create a tone-of-voice guide from Day One
- Share existing content (emails, speeches, articles) to mimic phrasing
- Use a glossary of phrases or ideas unique to your brand or story
- Maintain one dedicated ghostwriter (or team lead) across the series
This becomes even more essential if the ghostwriter is writing in your name, as is usually the case. Your readers shouldn’t know, or care, whether you typed every word. They should feel your presence on every page.
Step 3: Plan Each Book… and How They Connect
With your series structure in place, each individual book needs its own plan. That includes:
- Detailed outlines
- Chapter structure
- Key plot or teaching points
- How it connects to the last and sets up the next
Use tools like:
- A series bible (especially useful in fiction)
- Project management boards (Trello, Notion, etc.)
- Shared timelines and editing calendars
These ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle, even across months or years of writing.
And yes, make sure you always prepare a manuscript for ebook format, even early on. Design and layout considerations can affect pacing and reader experience later down the line.
Step 4: Maintain Editorial and Proofing Standards
The more books you publish, the more chances there are for mistakes to creep in. Consistency is key, and that includes:
- Character names and timelines
- Voice and grammar style
- Formatting and design
- Repeated phrases or descriptions
You’ll need a robust editorial process including:
- Line editing (for clarity and flow)
- Copyediting (for structure and tone)
- Proofreading (for typos and layout issues)
Whether you’re proofreading ebooks vs print, each format has its own quirks, especially when it comes to illustration placement or chapter length.
And remember: human vs AI proofreading is no contest. Always get a real pair of eyes on your manuscript. And yes, choose the right proofreader, ideally one who understands series continuity.
Step 5: Build a Publishing Timeline That Works
Planning a series doesn’t mean rushing a series.
Work with your ghostwriter to establish a sustainable release schedule. For example:
- One book every 6 months for fiction
- One book per quarter for short nonfiction
- One book per year for large research-driven works
Remember to factor in:
- Writing and revision time
- Editing and proofreading
- Cover design and formatting
- Marketing prep
- Buffer time for real life
If you’re planning to pitch to publishers, keep in mind you’ll need proposals, sample chapters, and a polished book before you can evaluate ebook publishing contract offers, or steer clear of ebook publishing scams.
Step 6: Optimise for Publishing and Distribution
You’ve got the series written. Now you need to publish it the right way. Whether you’re self-publishing or going through the top ebook publishers UK, consistency is your best marketing tool.
That means:
- Matching cover designs and branding
- Consistent tone in descriptions and blurbs
- Keyword-rich titles and eBook metadata optimisation
- Unified author bio and landing pages
This is also the time to map your long-term strategy. Are you aiming for audiobook versions? Boxed sets? Foreign rights? Your ghostwriting and publishing team should help you think five steps ahead.
Step 7: Review Regularly and Adjust
Even the best series plan needs tweaking. After each release, sit down with your ghostwriter or team to review:
- Reader feedback
- Reviews and ratings
- Sales performance
- What worked and what didn’t
You might decide to shift tone, shorten chapters, or deepen character arcs. The benefit of working with dedicated ghostwriting services is that you’re not starting from scratch, you’re evolving with experts who know your story inside and out.
Final Note
Ghostwritten series planning is about more than writing multiple books. It’s about creating a cohesive, strategic, and scalable literary presence, without compromising your voice or overwhelming your schedule.
Whether you’re dreaming of a best-selling fantasy trilogy or a five-part business blueprint, Lincoln Writes UK offers flexible, personalised ghostwriting services to help you write smarter, publish faster, and grow your author brand with purpose.
From outlining and editing to publishing and promotion, we’re with you every chapter of the way.
Want a free planning template or a sample ghostwriting agreement to see what it’s like? Get in touch. We’d love to help you bring your series to life.
