WHAT IS A GHOSTWRITER or GHOST WRITER? 

By Karen S. Cole — describing what is a ghostwriter for the past three decades. What a ghostwriter is: one professional writer helping you to become the author of almost any writing project. YOUR WAY!!! 

This lucrative, productive industry. How to tell you what it entails, in a few choice, briefly succinct words…

What is a Ghostwriter, and why is there Ghostwriting? 

I now have the knowledge to explain this: what is a ghostwriter and what do they do? In some ways, it’s primarily editing work. Ghost writers for hire take money but no credit for the work produced. Related works may include book manuscripts, short stories, scripts for TV shows or screenplays for films. Also music, lyrics and soundtracks, whitepapers, statements of purpose, speeches etc. The original writer, or author, is hiring the ghost as a freelance writer to produce copy for a fee. The author takes the credit for all the original work produced, including all the writing produced by the ghost writer. The ghost, usually paid in advance of completing the project, gets the money as a “work for hire” job and assumes none of the credit for the ghostwriting work.

This may sound odd, illegal, fattening or unethical. But it’s a common practice. When someone wants to create new copy for a website, a ghost writer may be hired to rewrite it. There are many similar jobs such as writing ad or business copy, or supplying new or rewritten material for personal or professional use. The ghost is hired primarily as a professional freelance writer, in order to produce high quality copy writing and so that the writing reads professionally and smoothly. Every ghost knows what is a ghostwriter. It’s a writer who aspires to help clients (or authors) to write their own work through a proxy. One way or another, the work belongs to the client, not the ghostwriter.

What is a Ghostwriter when he or she is a Freelance Ghostwriter too?

A freelance ghost writer is often the only source for well-written website or other professional copy. You can hire a ghost to bring this about, either as a contracted employee, or as a freelance writer paid specifically for the job at hand. Some clients, unable to spell, refer to ghost writers as something like ghosts writer – another reason people need to hire them. But this is not a business to help “stupid people” or people who are completely unable to write. Nobody is stupid. The key is some author clients don’t have the time, inclination, knowledge or resources to edit, ghostwrite or work on their own writing.

Ghost writers can be “work for hire” to write books, scripts, music etc, for clients. In such cases, the author of the book is the person who hires the ghost writer, not the ghost, unless the book author wants to share credit. In this case, a ghost may list as a coauthor or the “editor” of the book. Generally you will see this showing on the acknowledgements page. Sometimes the infamous “As told to —–” with the name of the ghost writer listed on the book cover. This may occur when well-known ghost writers are used by either famous or newbie book authors, or for advertising reasons. Unfortunately, ordinary people with a book often want to pay the ghostwriter a percentage. Fortunately, depending on different sets of circumstances, some of these books will become best sellers after all.

What do Ghost Writers do when they charge a fee?

What is a ghostwriter exactly? Book ghost writers often work for high sums of money. Third world countries such as India and China set lower competition standards. Bidding service agencies look for the lowest bid on ghostwriting projects. But in many cases, editing or writing fees of $3,000 to $35,000 (USD) are charged by a realistic professional freelance ghostwriter. These ghostwriting fees can involve book editing, doctoring, rewriting or coaching. Or ghost writer fees might be based solely on ideas and notes. Pricing may be based on the total length in words of the finished manuscript. Costs might be included, with the ghostwriter or editor charging either hourly, per word, per page, or per a portion of the project while it’s completed.

The book author hires a book writer to produce exceptional quality, polished, magical, expert ghost writing. This may involve two to six months of work on a single project. You should generally hire a ghost for the quality of the work, not for the “name game” or notoriety of a famous author. There are various deals a ghostwriter can “cut” with an author to produce a fair agreement. Of necessity, the ghost and the author must sign a legal contract. One fair to both parties! In most cases, full copyrights for all original material in the book assigns to the author, no matter whether the ghost or the author created it.

How can you tell who’s a Ghostwriter – what is a Ghostwriter when it comes to Fees?

The book writer attains more affordable ghost writer fees when a book is likely to sell widely. Such as $10K+ paid during course of completion of the book manuscript. You can often receive a book publishing advance. The writer gets 5-15% of the net profits as the book is sold, with a cap on what the book’s ghost is allowed to make. You use this method when the book is by a popular celebrity; about a timely or newsworthy event; guaranteed to be commercially published; or is certain to sell high.

Business books for elite firms fall into this category. Sometimes, the ghost gets a lower fee if credit is shared. This is suggested solely when the book is likely to sell, or the “ghosts writer” wants to include his or her name on the cover for reason of better sales, prestige, credit, or possibly advertising.

Once again: what is a ghostwriter and what does a ghostwriter do? However you slice it, the ghost writing business can be lucrative. In order to become a professional ghostwriter, you should first gain experience as a freelancer. This includes books published under your own name, or expertise at writing web copy. Even when the economy is slow, there’s room in the writing profession for a new freelance ghostwriter. It can become a sustainable career, once you learn how to handle it. In the end, you must always deal with your clients as a professional ghostwriter should.

So now you know what is a ghostwriter so that you can see fit to hire a ghost. To help craft, polish and/or sell your work…whatever it might happen to be…to the right people.

About your Ghostwriter

How to find a ghostwriter for my book? What is a ghostwriter really, what are you? Hi, I’m a professional freelance writer with three decades of experience. A beloved book ghost since 2003. Hire someone to write a book through Ghost Writer, Inc. If you need help writing a book, musical work, a screenplay or you’re thinking “I want to write a book,” talk to me. GWI has 180+ ghosts, editors, publishers and marketers. Contact: GHOSTWRITING SERVICES – BOOK GHOST WRITER – (425) 205-9707 – call or text a detailed message. I’m here mainly from 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm Pacific Standard Time, the Seattle area, every day.