What is Ghostwriting & Why Do It?

What is a Ghostwriter?

You may have been told at some point in your life that you should write a book, either about your own experiences, your philosophy, your innovations, or just because you’re a great storyteller. Unfortunately, you just don’t have the time or any idea where to begin. This is where ghostwriting comes in. A ghostwriter is a skilled writer who pulls your ideas and experiences (usually through interviews) and puts them together into a written manuscript ready for publication.

              You know all those books by CEOs, athletes, politicians, and celebrities about their brilliant business strategies or experiences on the Hollywood A-list? Most of those people don’t have the time or the ability to write. They’re focused on the activities they’re famous for, not creating witty or thought-provoking prose. Instead, they use ghostwriters to translate their talents and experiences onto the page.

              But you don’t have to be rich or famous to use a ghostwriter. Although the top-of-the-line celebrity writers charge accordingly, many newer writers who have significant experience in other modes of writing, either for themselves or companies, may charge less. Many also offer a variety of packages that allow you to take advantage of certain services without breaking the bank.

The advantages of using a ghostwriter

#1: Time

              The most obvious reason to use a ghostwriter to tell your story instead of doing it yourself is time. Writing a book is a lengthy endeavor, especially if you’re new to the process. If, like those celebrities and CEOs, you’re focused on the thing you want to write about, chances are you don’t have months to sit pounding on a keyboard.

              Working with a ghostwriter gives you the freedom to be less involved. You show up for some interviews during the first phase, but then only need to check in occasionally to make sure the writing is progressing as planned. The book is largely done for you while you’re working on other things.

#2: Skill

              Of course, the time it takes to write the book is just the tip of the iceberg. The real investment is the time it takes to learn how to write. Ghostwriters do this for a living. They specialize in organizing and structuring material, coming up with apt descriptions and natural-sounding dialogue, and all the other skills that make your book come alive and keep readers engaged.

              This is especially necessary in today’s world of TikTok and Instagram reels, where the modern reader’s attention span is likely far less than that of past generations. A skilled ghostwriter can keep the pace snappy and the messaging strong, crafting a narrative that engages your ideal reader and ensures they remember the book and tell their friends about it.

              This level of skill requires a deep understanding of narrative structure and human desire that takes years to master. Most ghostwriters were formerly journalists, screenwriters, or (like myself) marketing copywriters long before they took up the trade of writing books for others.

I’ve now read enough memoirs that I can tell almost immediately if it was written by a ghostwriter or the author themselves based on the quality of the prose. This is not to say that some folks aren’t excellent writers, but if it’s not one you’ve already mastered, hiring a ghostwriter is a great shortcut.

#3: Perspective

              Even if you’re already a terrific writer, sometimes it can be difficult to tell your own story or get your ideas onto the page. You’re simply too close to it, too emotionally invested, or too steeped in the jargon and culture of your industry.

              A good ghostwriter is an advocate for your reader. They ask the questions the reader would ask. They draw parts of the idea or story out of you that you may not have considered and give you a chance to experience it with fresh eyes.

              There is a joke that ghostwriters are part-time therapists. This is because we provide an outsider's ability to give authors a deeper understanding of past actions and situations.. We offer a balance of cold realism and compassionate insight, gently probing to get to the good stuff, the vulnerable humanity that’s the real story behind the story. As a side effect of this process, many authors see benefits in aspects of their lives beyond the book.

              This vulnerability is gold to a reader. People don’t read books because they want to hear about the lives or ideas of others. They read because they want to see reflections of themselves or hear ideas they can implement in their own lives. The constant, gentle added perspective that ghostwriters bring allows you to share something that might seem scary, but in the end, humanizes your work and makes it sing.

#4: Focus

              A ghostwriter is only as good as their reputation. Their entire purpose is to produce a manuscript that you’re happy with, and to do it on time and on budget. How do they ensure that you’ll be happy? By understanding your goals up front and driving the entire process toward those goals, whether that means getting published by a traditional publisher, marketing yourself to get speaking engagements, giving back to the community, leaving a legacy, or all of the above.

              I know from trying for years to write my own books that it’s very easy to procrastinate. It can seem like such an overwhelming chore, that it becomes easy to make it a “someday” project. We say, “I’ll start that tomorrow,” or “I don’t need to write today. I have too much to do.”

              Ghostwriters always write today because it’s how we get paid. Deadlines are strictly adhered to. Most of us run writing like a mechanism and have a specific process designed around clear touchpoints. This way, you can always tell where you are and know that the book is proceeding according to plan.

Driving toward your goal also means that every sentence is crafted with a specific purpose in mind, a way that we want to influence the reader. It gives us the means to decide what goes in and what stays out (perhaps to be used in another book).

In short, we can often provide more unwavering focus on the success of your book than you can because for you, it’s a “nice to have done” for us, it’s a job. A good ghostwriter is your biggest fan.

#5: Expertise & Connections

              Of course, writing a book is more than just producing a manuscript. Once the pages are completed to your satisfaction and the copyright is signed over to you, there’s still a way to go before you see your book on Amazon or the shelves of your local bookstore.

              From typesetting to ISBN numbers, from illustrations to printing, you’ll need a small army of other folks to get the book into print and into the hands of your readers. You’ll also need a way to market it so folks know it’s out there.

              In terms of those who provide these services, the options can become overwhelming. There are also a lot of scam artists out there who are only interested in charging as much as possible and doing as little as they can get away with.

              If you decide to do much of the work yourself, that also takes time and research, either to find independent contractors or to learn to do the various jobs yourself.

              The advantage of working with a qualified ghost writer is that they’ve likely done all this before. They’re also connected to other writers, reputable publishers, editors, agents, etc., and can take the guesswork out of finding good people. Again, they’re also focused on the success of your book, so they will likely be able to work with you to craft a publishing path that fits your needs and budget.

Conclusion:

              Ultimately, working with a good ghost writer is an easy win. It allows you to delegate the time, focus, and skill required to write the best book possible and get your greatest ideas in front of readers, all while allowing you to mostly focus on other things. It also sets you up for success on the next step of your publishing journey and helps you achieve, not only your goal of becoming a published author, but the underlying reason why you wanted to become an author in the first place.