In most instances, the ghostwriter does not receive any royalties from his efforts. The payment process involves receiving a fixed amount that may be paid in installments based on stages such as the outline, first draft, and the completed manuscript. Upon delivery and payment, the author retains ownership of the material along with the rights to earn from the material in the future. This is straightforward for both parties involved. The author knows how much he will pay from the beginning, and the writer will earn regardless of whether the book becomes a hit or a flop. However, royalties are not entirely off limits. In the majority of instances where authors use ghostwriters in Canada, a fixed fee is common practice.