What is a Ghost Writer

What is a ghost writer? Many may have this question if they wish to know just what these people do. To answer this question, a ghost writer is a person who will write articles or other text on assigned topics under an author’s name and with his consent. The ghost writer will often write books, rewrite existing books or content, or polish an existing work. Most of the books published by some famous personalities are actually written by ghost writers. They write for businesspeople, celebrities, politicians and they will also write autobiographies.

What is a Ghost Writer and What Do They Write?

Ghost writers are mostly hired by clients who do not have writing skills or lack the time to write the content they need. And this is the main reason why ghost writers are required and why they are paid accordingly. To further answer the question, "what is a ghost writer?" you should know that ghost writers are hired for writing different types of documents from autobiographies for individuals to ebooks for businesses.  They are also hired by politicians to write letters. Some ghost writers write fiction. Sometimes series of books are written by many ghost writers when an author has died yet books are still published under his name posthumously. 

What is a Ghost Writer and What Skills Are Required?

To know further about what is a ghost writer, it is essential to know about the skills that a ghost writer must have. A ghost writer must have good interviewing skills. This is because they may have to spend more time on interviewing the clients. They must have the ability to ask good questions that can draw out the best features of the story. The ghost writer must also have the ability to maintain the voice of clients, therefore the book reads like the client and not the ghost writer.

Ghost writers are paid on flat rates for the work they do. Some ghost writers may reduce the fee for ghost writing or accept some percentage of royalties or waive the fee altogether for a percentage of royalties. The main advantage of flat rates is that ghost writers will actually know what will they be paid. There is always a risk relying on royalties. This is because even if the books are written well, the ghost writer will not have control over marketing the books and if they don’t sell, that means no money.

What is a Ghost Writer and What Credit Do They Get?

It is obvious among the public that they will not know if and when books are ghost written. Ghost writers are sometimes bound legally to not reveal that they have written a particular book. Ghost writers will occasionally receive credits and the writer’s name will appear on cover, as co-author. Ghost writers are also given credit through acknowledgements by thanking the writer. So if you are thinking to become a ghost writer, expect to receive little credit, but large rewards.

Back to Top

Ghost Writer Resources