What is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter, or ghost, is someone who writes material that is credited to another person as the author.  Actually, it's a good term; ghostwriters are the 'mediums' of the literary field, providing a sort of psychic translation service for their clients. They don't get any credit for the acclaimed pieces they write, so it's not a job for those seeking fame and fortune; however, it can be really rewarding - and incredibly varied. Ghost-writers take the raw materials of their clients' musings, (sometimes just bullet points) and create content around them, imbuing it with the qualities, vocabulary and temperament that fit with the author's writing style. The level of involvement can vary dramatically, but generally it's the whole shebang from storyboard and research, to the completed story or article, ready to go.

Ghostwriting is not new ...

It's a bit of a niche market, but the art has been around for a very long time, if at times, unwittingly. Shakespeare and Plato are believed to have had their 'ghostwriters' play a hand in the literary works for which they are known. And a tad more recently, the Nancy Drew mysteries, all written by 'Carolyn Keene', are actually a collection of ghostwriters who created the books in a style laid out by the publisher Simon & Schuster. Um ...spoiler alert 🙂 Ghosts are in all sort of places, but they tend not to shout about it; aside from stellar talent, discretion is the other crucial quality of being a ghostwriter.

What do Ghosts write?

Obviously the first thing we think of is books, but in fact, you'll find that ghosts have their ethereal fingers in many, many pies, like ..

• e-books
• Blogs
• White Papers
• Reports
• Articles/Press Releases
• Scripts
• Courses ...

... the list goes on. Basically, anything that written by another human being, can be quietly crafted by an unsung literary hero.

Who uses Ghostwriters?

When we think of who is likely to use a ghostwriter, we might immediately think of celebrities and busy authors, but the short answer to this question is - anyone who needs one. As you would expect, though, there are many speciality areas that certain ghosts might be known for, such as music, script or autobiographical ghostwriting. More recently, as the need for transparency and connection in business grows, there is greater expectation of CEOs and other leaders to provide engaging and prolific blogs. And very few of the top dogs in business have the time or the inclination to write their own. Hence, they hire ghostwriters who work with them ongoing, providing a steady stream of quality content for their followers.

Why do People hire Ghosts?

There are many reasons for someone to use a ghostwriter, but in the main, it comes down to a few common reasons:

Lack of Time

Busy people with a story worth telling don't often get the chance to sit down and craft a piece of literary perfection. So, hiring a ghost means that they can get on with what they do best, whilst the ghost works away on their book in the background. Authors also commonly begin to employ ghostwriters when demand is greater than their ability to deliver.

Writing just isn't 'their Thing'

People who use ghostwriters might have something to say but just don't have the writing bug. Often it's someone with a story to tell who doesn't have the confidence to write, or simply lacks the ability to do it well. Many of the books about ordinary people with extraordinary lives are written by ghosts.

Too much Preparation and Research needed

Many coaches and experts in their field have a strong following who want more than the occasional article can offer. A ghostwriter will delve deeper into their area, background and research and write books under their name.

The Author is too close to the Subject to write about it

Sometimes life experiences can be too emotional, or too complex for people to write themselves. A ghost can tease out the key points, timelines and events and create a logical framework with the sensitivity their book deserves.

Shape-shifting is part of the Job

In a relatively short time, a ghostwriter gets used to a client's turn of phrase, what's important to them, and of course, what their brand is about. You have to be very flexible - able to shape-shift from one project to another, and you also have to be naturally curious. An inquisitive mind compels a writer to drill deeper into the topics they take on, finding new and fresh angles that will add value to the client's own repertoire. Whatever the reason that someone might seek out a ghostwriter, they need to be happy to put their literary reputation in the hands of another. And that can be a difficult thing to do. For that reason, a ghostwriter's standing is paramount, with new clients often coming as referrals from those already working with them.

'Someday Projects' are the domain of the Ghostwriter

If there's a book that you're chalking up to 'someday', or you have a blog that's getting out of hand, it's worth considering hiring a ghostwriter. When you know that someone is taking away the bulk of the work, it can open your mind to many other ideas and opportunities that you might not otherwise entertain. And it's not as uncommon as you think, to hire one. Ghostwriters are everywhere. But of course, you'd never know it.

If you have a blog, an e-book or another project you'd like to get done without spending all your time doing it, get in touch.