So Who Uses Ghostwriters Anyway?

Ghostwriting is far more common than most people would ever imagine. Not only are there countless words written and released each day in the businesses of consulting and Internet marketing, ghostwriting is also a routine practice in the world of publishing. Not only in traditional print, but in the newest wave of self-published and print on demand books as well.

Take for example the racks and stacks of celebrity books that come out each year. Nearly all of these are written with the assistance of ghostwriters, if not penned by them entirely. Sometimes these writers receive credit, but far more often they don’t.

Once a ghostwriter has been able to establish a name for themselves, and have proven they can work across a wide spectrum of subject matters, the game may change. At that point, the writer can not only charge more money per project, they can sometimes request credit as collaborators or co-authors as well.

This is, however the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, ghostwriters are comfortable surrendering their byline, and even the most well known are usually willing to release it for the right price.

Is ghostwriting considered an ethical practice?

Some people may draw the parallel between ghostwriting and cheating in school, or turning in work that’s not yours and eagerly accepting the good grade you didn’t deserve, but of course this is not the same. Though it is possible to find ghostwriters who will do academic work, it is in no way considered an ethical practice – even by fellow ghostwriters. Yet there is no ethical issue with using a ghostwriter for business writing or to help an author polish their fiction, at least no more than there would be in hiring a mechanic to fix your car or a chef to cook your meals.

It is a common practice that is widely accepted. Intelligent business understand that it is mutually beneficial for one professional to hire another to help them accomplish those things they could not do as well themselves. When success is on the line, using the best tools available is often the best practice.

There is zero shame in using a ghostwriter. There would be far more shame in neglecting to use a ghostwriter who could help you to make your dreams come true, or provide a large benefit to the bottom line of your business simply because you were too afraid to make the leap.

Ghostwriter Dad