10 Common Ghostwriting Myths Debunked
September 11, 2024
Behind many beloved bestsellers and inspirational speeches, there were ghostwriters. Yet, the practice of ghostwriting often gets a bad rap.
In reality, using a ghostwriter is a collaborative and creative process between an author with a good idea and a writer with the technical skills to bring it to life.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a curious reader, or are considering a ghostwriter for your next project, join us as we expose ten myths surrounding ghostwriting. You’ll learn why using a one of these behind-the-scenes writers is nothing to be afraid of.
10 Common Ghostwriting Myths Debunked
Myth 1: Ghostwriting is Dishonest
The most common criticism hurled at ghostwriters is that what they are doing is somehow dishonest or unethical.
After all, when Mr. Smith wrote a book, isn’t it wrong to advertise it as authored by Mr. Brown instead?
In the same way that architects get the credit for stunning buildings even though they don’t physically build them, authors get the credit for stories because they originate them.
“The idea and the story come from the author. The author just hires a ghostwriter to do the heavy lifting,” says Jennifer Rizzo, a Colorado-based TWFH writer with years of experience in ghostwriting.
It normally takes the creative input of a whole team of people, from editors to artists to publishers, to get a book to the shelves, yet only one person’s name (usually) appears on the cover. Ghostwriters are simply part of the team that helped an author turn his or her idea into a written book.
Myth 2: Ghostwriters Lack Creativity
Another myth people may believe is that ghostwriters don’t need to be creative to do their jobs. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Good ghostwriters use their creativity to write the book their client (the author) wants, in the author’s voice and style. They know how to ask the right questions, gain insight into their client’s way of thinking, and form a solid understanding of what the client wants to achieve with their book.
Says Rizzo, “I could have a ghostwriting client answer an entire notebook of questions about their lives, but if I don’t take the time to actually sit with them and listen to them, their book will never be right and will never sound like them.”
Myth 3: Only Celebrities and Public Figures Use Ghostwriters
It’s easy to understand why this myth is around. Most people are only aware of ghostwriters in connection with the bestselling memoirs of high-profile people like celebrities or politicians.
We don’t expect Prince Harry to have written “Spare” by himself and aren’t surprised that he outsourced his biography to a ghostwriter named J.R. Moehringer. Yet, when it comes to books credited to everyday people, we are surprised when a ghostwriter was involved.
The reality is that anyone can use a ghostwriter, not just royalty.
Ghostwriters have the skillset to take the story you have in your head and get it into print. Whether that story is your family history, an extremely personal autobiography, a detective story set in dystopian Djibouti—or whatever.
If you don’t have the time or the writing skills to get it done, there is a ghostwriter out there who can get your project over the finish line.
Myth 4: Ghostwriting is Only for Books
As noted above, ghostwriters are usually mentioned in the same breath as celebrity autobiographies, so it might be surprising to learn they do much more than pen memoirs for famous people. Any kind of writing can be, and is, ghostwritten.
“Ghostwriters are frequently hired to write speeches, scripts and screenplays,” says Rizzo. “Even things such as music lyrics. If you need something written, there is a ghostwriter who can be hired to do it.”
We have no problem outsourcing our taxes to accountants when our skill set doesn’t include a proficiency in spreadsheets, so why should writing be any different? When you’re a non-writer and you need something written well, hire a writer to do it. It’s as simple as that.
Myth 5: Hiring a Ghostwriter is Unaffordable
In an era when virtual everything is offered online, you can bet it’s easy to find a relatively cheap ghostwriter for your project. Just be aware that you might not get much bang for your buck if your budget is too low.
“Be cautious of ghostwriters who promise to get you an entire book for little money and in a short period. As with most things, you get what you pay for,” says Rizzo.
It just means you need to do a bit of research to find someone who comes with the necessary skillset, references, and pricing structure. (Click here to have a look at the pricing model we use here at TWFH.)
Myth 6: Ghostwriters Don’t Care About the Subject Matter:
Going into a project with a ghostwriter is like joining a partnership. If you choose the right partner, you can be sure they’ll have a vested interest in the project’s success, rather than in simply getting paid.
For ghostwriters like Rizzo, being a part of the process of writing a biography is more than a worthwhile business transaction: “I love being let into people’s lives and being trusted with their stories. I have gotten to know some of my ghostwriting clients on a more intimate level than even some of their closest friends and family members. I also really love helping them share their stories with their loved ones and seeing the reactions they get.”
Myth 7: Ghostwriting is a Modern Phenomenon:
“I wish more people knew how common ghostwriting is,” says Rizzo. “In fact, it is one of the world’s oldest careers.”
Perhaps because more and more people are open about using a ghostwriter to pen their bestsellers, ghostwriting is perceived as a relatively modern practice. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Ghostwriting goes as far back as the ancient Greeks and Romans,” says Rizzo, and she’s not exaggerating.
In ancient times, when few people could read or write, scribes were employed to write speeches and letters. Later, monks copied important scripts by hand, inadvertently stamping their influence onto texts.
Even such works as “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Victorian author Alexandre Dumas may have been written with the help of a collaborator, Auguste Maquet.
Myth 8: Ghostwriting Undermines the Credibility of the Author
Some people might be wary of using a ghostwriter, scared that it could undermine their role as author.
“A lot of people worry that if they hire a ghostwriter, then their book isn’t actually theirs,” reflects Rizzo.
Let’s dispel this myth right here: when you hire a ghostwriter, you aren’t giving them authorship of your idea. You are simply entering into a partnership with them to bring your idea out into the light of day.
The author’s role is to provide the idea, while the ghostwriter’s role is to write the idea. As the author, you will still retain all rights of ownership. In addition, depending on your agreement with your ghostwriter, you could be the sole person to earn anything from the sale of your book.
We’ll repeat this one for the people in the back: hiring a ghostwriter does not make the ghostwriter the author of your idea.
Myth 9: Ghostwriting is an Easy Job
Now that we’ve explained how common the practice of using ghostwriters is, we need to reiterate one thing: ghostwriting is not easy.
“When I’m ghostwriting a book, the content and the language in the book is not mine. Some writers don’t really understand that,” Rizzo says.
A ghostwriter is translating what is inside the author’s head onto paper, but that takes a precise skillset many writers simply don’t possess.
It’s not about being a good writer. A writer might have a fantastic style they use to create imaginary worlds in print.
Such a writer may, however, struggle to let go of their characteristic turns of phrase to take on the “voice” of another author. That’s an essential ghostwriting skill.
Rizzo advises aspiring authors: “Look for a ghostwriter who wants (and is able) to write the book that the author wants, in the author’s voice.”
Myth 10: Ghostwriters are irrelevant because of ChatGPT
We live in an age when Artificial Intelligence (AI) will impact almost every industry, including publishing. So, will AI one day replace ghostwriters?
Says Rizzo: “I think that the advances in AI technologies will inspire many people to try to write books on their own. And there’s nothing wrong with that. ChatGPT and Grammarly can be very helpful in coming up with ideas and outlines and helping with basic editing.”
However, as she explains, AI has its limits. “It doesn’t have the human experience and emotional capabilities that make a person’s narrative worth reading. You can plug a bunch of data into ChatGPT and come up with a factually accurate retelling of your story, but it will lack any depth or feeling.”
As we’ve said before, hiring a ghostwriter is entering into a partnership with a writer who can translate your ideas in a way that is true to what you had in mind. For now, AI does not have that ability.
Using a ghostwriter for your next project
Now that we’ve dispelled all the most common myths surrounding ghostwriting, you might be wondering how to find a ghostwriter for your project.
The first step is to research options such as independent ghostwriters or agencies. Look at existing content similar to what you want written and discover which ghostwriters were responsible. You could also investigate freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr.
If you find someone that seems promising, reach out to them and ask any questions you might have. Find out about the types of projects they have completed and the process they use. You could also request a few samples to see if they can adapt their writing to suit each client.
When you find a ghostwriter you’d like to work with, be sure to set up a proper contract to protect both of you (have a look at this blog post on how to do just that).
Lastly, complete your knowledge of ghostwriters and publishing by checking out this blog post on a few common questions we get about ghostwriting.
