Ghostwriter (Comedy – Young Adult Fantasy) – $35.00 per hour
Can you write like a snarky demon, a sarcastic skeleton, or a misunderstood dragon with a chip on their scaly shoulder?
We’re on the hunt for a brilliant comedic ghostwriter who can channel the wit, whimsy, and wild imagination of the best in the young adult fantasy comedy genre.
You will help bring an original young adult fantasy series to life—infused with magic, mischief, and mile-a-minute laughs.
This isn’t just a one-off job. This is your chance to become the behind-the-scenes voice of a multi-book franchise (think: 3–5 book arc), where consistency of tone and character voice is paramount.
This is not your average ghostwriting gig. You must be able to closely—if not precisely—emulate the distinctive narrative voices of the following iconic authors:
Top 5 Voices to Emulate:
1. Terry Pratchett (The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky) – Dry wit, layered satire, philosophical undertones with an unshakable British charm.
2. Derek Landy (Skulduggery Pleasant) – Noir banter, punchy sarcasm, action-laced comedy.
3. Jonathan Stroud (Bartimaeus Trilogy) – Footnote humor, antihero voice, clever and scholarly yet hilariously irreverent.
4. Tui T. Sutherland (Wings of Fire) – Character-driven humor with emotional intelligence and fantastical worldbuilding.
5. Cressida Cowell (How to Train Your Dragon) – Whimsical storytelling, absurdity with heart, and earnest laughs for all ages.
Role Responsibilities:
- Write original long-form content as a ghostwriter—this means no public credit, but full immersion in the creative universe.
- Emulate and maintain a consistent comedic tone and character voice across multiple installments.
- Collaborate with a creative lead to adapt story outlines, worldbuilding elements, and character arcs into full-length prose with comedic timing and personality.
- Demonstrate exceptional skill in dialogue, comedic narration, and emotional beats—all while staying invisible behind the pen.
- Revise drafts based on editorial feedback, particularly with regard to comedic rhythm, voice consistency, and readability for YA audiences.
- Deliver polished, publish-ready prose that reads like it came straight off a bookstore shelf—and straight from one of the greats.
Confidentiality & Rights:
· All work is fully ghostwritten under strict Independent Contractor Agreements with Confidentiality, Operating as a Ghost, and Non-Disclosure terms and conditions.
· You will be required to sign an agreement affirming that you understand, acknowledge, and agree to operate as a Ghostwriter under a strict work-for-hire arrangement before receiving any outlines, worldbuilding documents, or character materials.
· This is a work-for-hire arrangement—final rights, IP, and publication credits will remain with the commissioning party.
· You must be comfortable working in confidentiality and not disclosing involvement publicly or privately.
Opportunity for Ongoing Work:
· This position has multi-book series potential, depending on performance and creative fit.
· Ideal candidates will be considered for outlining future books and deepening their involvement with the universe over time.
You Are:
- A comedic writer with an almost supernatural ear for voice matching.
- Deeply familiar with the YA fantasy landscape—especially the works of Pratchett, Stroud, Landy, Sutherland, and Cowell.
- Capable of writing laugh-out-loud scenes that balance action, heart, and magic.
- Someone who can deliver quick turnarounds without sacrificing quality.
Requirements:
- Portfolio with YA or comedic fantasy writing samples (ideally including voice emulation).
- Ability to write 10,000+ words per week when in full production.
- Experience with serialized storytelling and character arcs over multiple installments.
- Comfortable with collaborative, iterative drafting.
- Familiarity with crafting humor that resonates with a broad audience.
Bonus Points If You:
- Have professional ghostwriting or screenwriting credits.
- Can show side-by-side examples of original voice vs. emulated voice.
- Have a personal obsession with Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and making people laugh out loud.
To Apply:
- Resume or creative CV
- You will be asked to submit 2-3 samples that showcase comedic YA voice, ideally in the style of one of the authors above. Submissions without writing samples will not be considered. We’re looking for bold, funny, and voice-accurate—not bland cover letters and vague bios.
- Upon request our team will give you a short paid 1,000-word assignment which you can complete as a demonstration of your comedy writing skills.
Let’s build something hilarious, heartfelt, and unforgettable—together.
Apply now and help launch a magical YA series that readers will love (and laugh with) for years to come.
Job Type: Contract
Pay: $20.00 – $35.00 per hour
Expected hours: 16 per week
Application Question(s):
- While this position can be remote, you will be required to routinely meet weekly either virtually or if local to OC, in Irvine and the surrounding Orange County area. Please confirm this will be achievable. Any applicants that don’t confirm this will not be considered.