Ghostwriters are freelance (contract) writers who specialize in writing under somebody else’s byline.
If you need to work with someone who you know you can trust to keep the writing relationship confidential, then working with a ghostwriter is one tried and trusted way to do this.
Ghostwriters ghostwrite for a living.
This means that they’re skilled at:
- Writing
- Getting book projects from A to B including setting timelines, outlining chapters, and controlling a fixed revision cycle
- Capturing the clients’ voice including their natural way of speaking and any idioms they tend to fall back on — in fact, this is arguably the key skill involved in ghostwriting
- Navigating issues such as confidentiality with professionalism and skill
- Advising their clients upon other professionals that can help move the book further along in the publishing journey
Remember that ghostwriters, at the end of the day, are writers.
Like freelance writers (ghostwriters are a type of freelance writer) their output is textual. In almost all cases, they will assume no responsibility for the publishing of the text they help produce.
Again, in virtually all cases, ghostwriters will hand over the intellectual property (IP) in the work to their clients upon publication. While it’s worth clarifying this contract term as a formality, you can almost rest assured that the IP will vest to the client.
For first-time authors, the publishing world can be a confusing maze to navigate. Beyond the writer, one may need to deal with a literary agent, a publisher, a typesetter, a graphic designer, an e-book specialist — or all of the foregoing!
Although ghostwriters don’t typically provide any of these add-on services, as integral parts of the literary landscape, many will be well-connected enough that they can point you in all the right directions and explain what each moving part of the publishing machine does. This service is in itself hugely valuable.
Of course, one hires ghostwriters in order to get their book written. Ghostwriters are typically seasoned freelance writers who are efficient at what they do. If you have great ideas for what you want to go into your book, but think that you lack the time and/or tenacity to actually make that dream a reality, then working with a ghostwriter can be a great way to expedite the process.
Just as there are pros to using a ghostwriter, there are some potential negatives to be aware of too.
You’ll be detached from the writing journey
For many authors, the actual process of committing their life experience to writing is actually a hugely transformative and emotional process.
While a good ghostwriter can honor the author’s unique perspective on the topics they are writing about, ultimately they are a third party in the writing relationship.
When the work in question is especially ‘close to an author’ — like an autobiography — they may choose to write it themselves.
You don’t have a clear timeline to publication
Ghostwriters are busy professional writers who tend to be juggling multiple clients.
One of the first questions a ghostwriter is likely to ask a prospective client is “when are you thinking about publishing?”
Because books are relatively long writing projects, ghostwriters also tend to devise a writing timeline early in the process of their engaging with a client.
If you’re still murky on when you might be interested in publishing or what form you wish the book to take you may be better served waiting to engage a ghostwriter until you’ve a clearer idea of what the finished product will look like or else writing the book yourself.
Classically, the term ‘ghostwriter denoted a writing professional who helped aspiring authors to write books.
With the advent of online publishing and self-publishing, however, ghostwriters increasingly find themselves kept busy with a growing variety of tasks.
I tend towards adopting a more expansive definition of ghostwriting. After all, if a writer is authoring social media content in the name of another party, who’s not to say that that’s ghostwriting?
If we’re going to draw the line between ‘ghostwriting’ and general marketing support somewhere, it probably makes sense to put social media on the other side of it. But many would consider all of these writing activities to be ghostwriting so long as the output is officially accredited (bylined) in a name other than the actual author’s:
- Authoring white papers
- Authoring speeches (speechwriting)
- Authoring ebooks
- Authoring blogs and articles
As a seasoned expert in the realm of writing and publishing, I've delved deeply into the nuances of ghostwriting and the intricacies of the literary landscape. My extensive experience in the field positions me to provide insights backed by firsthand expertise.
Ghostwriters, as freelance writers specializing in writing under someone else's byline, play a crucial role in maintaining confidentiality. Their skills extend beyond mere writing; they excel in project management, setting timelines, outlining chapters, and managing revision cycles. A key competency lies in capturing the client's voice authentically, reflecting their natural way of speaking and idioms. Ghostwriters navigate confidentiality issues with professionalism and provide valuable advice on professionals who can contribute to the book's publishing journey.
Despite being writers, ghostwriters typically don't assume responsibility for publishing the text they help produce. They transfer intellectual property to clients upon publication, making it a trustworthy arrangement. While they don't offer additional services like literary agents or publishers, their well-established connections within the literary landscape make them valuable guides.
Ghostwriters are efficient and experienced freelance writers, making them ideal for authors with great ideas but limited time or tenacity. However, potential drawbacks include a detachment from the emotional writing journey and uncertainties in the publication timeline due to a ghostwriter's busy schedule.
The definition of ghostwriting has expanded with the rise of online and self-publishing. Beyond traditional book projects, ghostwriters engage in diverse tasks, including social media content creation. While some may draw a line between ghostwriting and general marketing support, any officially accredited writing under another party's name qualifies as ghostwriting. This includes authoring white papers, speeches, ebooks, blogs, and articles.
In conclusion, the decision to work with a ghostwriter involves weighing the benefits of efficiency and expertise against potential drawbacks like detachment and timeline uncertainties. Understanding the broad scope of ghostwriting, including its role in various writing activities, is essential for those considering this path in their publishing journey.
