What is ghostwriting? Quite simply, it's writing a book for someone else and giving them credit as author. Ghostwriting is widely accepted in the publishing industry, with some experts estimating that up to half of all non-fiction books on the market today are ghostwritten. Politicians, celebrities, doctors, and experts from all walks of life who have a bestseller inside of them—but don't have the ability to put it down on paper—often enlist the help of a qualified ghostwriter.
Is ghostwriting ethical? Those who aren't in the publishing industry are often surprised when they find out that a book was actually written by someone other than the credited author. You mean Ronald Reagan didn't write his own book? But before you decide the practice is deceptive, consider this. While someone else may be behind the wordsmithing, the credited author is responsible for content. When all is said or done, it's his or her ideas, experiences, and stories that comprise the book. The job of the ghostwriter is to take all of the provided information and organize it in a way that will result in a book that meets the client's goal, whether that goal is to produce a bestseller or to market a product or service to a specific audience.
What makes a good ghostwriter? It goes without saying that a good ghostwriter must be an exceptional writer, but they also must be good listeners, curious about all kinds of people, and committed to lifelong learning. A good ghostwriter knows how to get a client to open up no matter how difficult the subject may be, and remains unbiased and non-judgmental. The best ghostwriters leave no trace of themselves on the page, and instead capture the tone, style, and voice of their client. And the best of the best actually become their clients while they are writing, much like an actor becomes a character during filming. This is a rare skill but it's absolutely key to good ghostwriting.
Why do I love ghostwriting? I get asked this question a lot, especially by my mother, who doesn't understand why a published author who has plenty of her own bylines would choose this option. The fact is, ghostwriting gives me opportunities to immerse myself in subjects, people, and worlds that I wouldn't otherwise have access to. I've had amazing experiences learning about things I would have otherwise never learned about, and I've met some incredibly interesting people that I wouldn't normally have had the opportunity to meet. I frequently get to experience strange worlds, and for a little while I get to live someone else's life. The experiences I've had and the people I've met through ghostwriting have had a profound impact on my life, and I'm grateful for every single one of them.
Can you read samples of my ghostwriting? Due to the highly confidential nature of ghostwriting I don't post samples on this site, nor do I divulge my clients. I do have plenty of samples under my own byline that I'm happy to send to you upon request, as well as several samples on this site. As you check out samples on this site keep in mind this is just the very tip of the iceberg. If you'd like to see something on a particular subject or in a specific tone or voice and you're not finding it here, let me know. Chances are I'll have something I can show you.
