What is a Ghostwriter?

I’m a ghost. Which is weird because I don’t really like the idea of ghosts. Luckily, I’m not the dead kind but the writing kind. Much less scary but still mysterious. 

Ghostwriters are mysterious because we write without our names. We write for others. There are copywriters who write promotional emails, white pages, and case studies for companies. There are content writers who churn out blogs, articles, or online learning modules for companies and thought leaders. Then there’s people like me—book ghostwriters—who help others write their books, which is the focus of this section.

Ghostwriter vs. Co-Author 

Before I continue, I should clarify that some people use the terms “ghostwriter” and “co-author” interchangeably, but they’re not the same. A co-author is someone who equally contributed content and helped in the writing process. An example would be a self-help book authored by two psychologists, or a nonfiction book authored by two journalists, such as All the President’s Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Co-authors split the work of researching, writing, publishing, and marketing; split the profits on book sales; and are both copyright holders.

Claudia Suzanne writes in This Business of Books that she’s seen a handful of co-authored projects work well, generally because the two authors are professionals “who already work together and know exactly what they can and cannot expect from each other.” When those projects don’t work well, the results are often “ruined friendships, unsaleable manuscripts, angry exchanges, and even nasty lawsuits.” Suzanne continues that “the causes of the breakdown are always the same: One person ends up doing more work than the other” (p. 15). 

Instead, ghostwriters are hired to organize and craft an author’s thoughts into a sellable manuscript. A ghostwriter is someone skilled in taking the author’s content (ideas, experiences, wisdom, advice, research, etc.) and shaping it into a written piece matching the author’s intent, style, voice, and attitudes as much as possible, in a manner that is clear and engaging for the intended audience. 

Ghostwriters do not usually own any rights to the book and do not contribute the core content or research, as that must come from the author. The author retains all rights (pending their publishing contract), oversees the final product, and is ultimately responsible for publishing and marketing, though experienced ghostwriters can make referrals in the business. Ghostwriters usually get paid up front, though some request a portion of royalties from book sales. 

Is Ghostwriting Cheating?

Some people think ghostwriting means the “author” isn’t really the author and it’s cheating or even deceitful. This is true if the ghostwriter ghosted the book improperly. 

Improperly ghostwritten books are when the ghostwriter creates much of the content. Usually this happens when the author is uncooperative or unforthcoming for some reason, leaving the ghostwriter to either finish the job themselves or quit altogether. (The ethical decision would be to quit.)

For example, when I ghostwrite a book, I interview the author throughout the process. I record and transcribe those interviews, which are the basis for the book. Their words, not mine. I ask them for anything they’ve written, any research they want me to include, and if there’s anyone else I should interview or an event I should attend that will add to the book’s premise. I never go off and write without the author’s feedback. Each chapter is reviewed by the author multiple times as we go through the writing and editing process. It’s their book—their ideas, experiences, research, content, and substance. 

Tony Schwartz famously (or infamously?) regrets writing The Art of the Deal for Donald Trump, as Trump didn’t really answer Schwartz’ questions or participate in interviews. To write the book, Schwartz had to follow Trump around every day and listen in on his meetings and phone calls. The substance of the book was created around those experiences, but Schwartz still had to fill in many gaps on his own. Schwartz describes writing the book as putting “lipstick on a pig,” because Trump lied strategically without conscience, contradicting everyone else Schwartz interviewed. To try and fix this deceit, Schwartz now donates all proceeds he receives from The Art of the Deal to progressive causes. 

Another example of improper ghostwriting is when a ghostwriter plagiarizes some of the book’s content. An example is medical ghostwriter Kristin Loberg who worked with bestselling authors like Dr. Sanjay Gupta. It was found she had used “not just a recycled turn of phrase or a few missing attributions, but entire paragraphs and pages copied and pasted verbatim from blog posts, news articles and other sources” (Corinne Purtill for the Los Angeles Times). Because ghostwriters are not really contributing the base content, Loberg was plagiarizing material to explain basic concepts and expand the author’s ideas. 

Now, if the author themselves contributes plagiarized material, then the author is at fault. As a ghostwriter, I try to ensure the author gives me all the sources for their work, which I verify to ensure I have the proper citations. Ultimately, each party is responsible for their contribution. 

This isn’t just a problem with ghostwriting, mind you. Many writers, journalists, and authors have been found guilty of plagiarism, including Alex Haley (Roots) and history author Stephen Ambrose. Laziness is a strong temptation. 

Examples of properly ghostwritten books are: All the Gallant Men by Pearl Harbor veteran Donald Stratton, ghostwritten by Ken Gire (mentioned on the cover); Stephen Covey’s bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, ghostwritten by Ken Shelton; and Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi, ghostwritten by J. R. Moehringer. 

These ghostwriters did an amazing job of crafting page-turning books using originality while ensuring the author was in the driver’s seat. 

A Need for Ghosts 

So… why can’t those authors write their own books (or articles or blog posts)? Two main reasons: lack of time, and lack of perceived writing skills. 

I say “perceived” because most people have basic writing skills they could develop over time. But the time and effort it takes to develop a writing craft, not to mention writing and editing a full-length book, is not always feasible or realistic. Hence the work-for-hire freelancer, editor, content writer, or ghostwriter. 

And let’s face it, some people just hate writing. For them, the thought of a writing practice makes them want to poke their eyes out with a number two pencil. (Kind of like how I was with math homework.)

Working with a ghostwriter might take a lot of work off the author’s plate, but the author must still be invested in their book. They must give the ghostwriter the content, participate in interviews, read the drafts, work on getting it published, and be willing to market it ad infinitum. 

Everyone deserves to be heard. Business owners need to tell their story and inform potential customers about their services or products. Leaders want to grow other leaders and improve teams. Therapists want to impart life advice. Celebrities want to set the record straight. The elderly want to entrust their legacy. We all want to share and connect. 

Hiring a ghostwriter is one way to do that.

What Does Ghostwriting Cost?

The below information is from fellow ghostwriter Laura Schaefer, who breaks it down best: 

 

$500,000–$1,000,000+: A seven-figure ghostwriter is a bestseller in their own right and highly sought after by top-tier celebrities and publishers who’ve paid out eight figure advances.

$250,000–$500,000: These ghostwriters are near the top of the game with several traditionally published bestsellers and name recognition in the publishing world.

$100,000–$250,000: These ghostwriters have been traditionally published and specialize in the kind of book you wish to produce. Expect a high level of service and ongoing personal attention.

$50,000–$100,000: At this level, you’re hiring an experienced ghostwriter who has written at least five books. They are professional, responsive, and skilled.

$25,000–$50,000: This is what you’ll pay for a ghostwriter who has written two or three books previously and has tightened up their processes and communication skills.

$10,000–$25,000: This is what you’ll pay for an inexperienced ghostwriter for a book project. They may be talented but are still working out the kinks.

$1,000–$10,000: This is what you’ll pay for content from either a brand-new baby ghostwriter, student level, or a content mill. Expect process hiccups and very little personal attention.

$0–$1,000: This is what you’ll pay for AI-generated content or for short-form content under 1,000 words (not books).

 

 

Now you know.

 

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