Appreciation for Ghostwriters
In this informative article, Hailie will discuss ghostwriters and the ways in which they contribute to society, as well as why they are worthy of our appreciation.
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Appreciation for Ghostwriters
Appreciation for Ghostwriters
By Hailie Zintzun
By Hailie Zintzun
Ghostwriting is known to be a thankless job. It requires hours of long, tedious work on projects that will be put under another person’s name in the end. Similar to the inevitable group projects, one person will get the credit while the other does the majority of the labor. Ghostwriting certainly isn’t for everyone, and even those who are comfortable with staying out of the spotlight can still struggle with someone else claiming it for themselves. Due to the anonymity of this position, ghostwriters often go unrecognized. In times of gratitude, it would be in good nature to consider the position of the ghostwriter and recognize them as the humble forces they are.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Not everyone is aware of what goes on behind the curtains of ghostwriting. There can be different forms that ghostwriting takes, whether that be writing a book, novel, essay, website, marketing copy, or a social media post. Keeping this in mind, one might want to remember that the next time they read a post from their favorite influencer, it may not necessarily be them behind the words. While it is up to the ghostwriter to create the overall finished product, it is the responsibility of their client to submit a well-formed idea of what they want and how they wish for it to be presented. According to Crowd Content, “Ghostwriters are professional writers who craft material for others, taking a client’s vision, story, or idea and creating a polished, publication-worthy product that the client can attach his name to and call his own.” It is possible for a client to give some credit to their ghostwriter either directly or subtly by including them in the acknowledgments but, given the nature of the agreement made between the two, this is not expected of the client.
Ghostwriters have an intense amount of duties to uphold, usually with a strict deadline. One of the easier tasks given to ghostwriters is rewriting. In occasional circumstances, a ghostwriter can be assigned a work that just needs a little editing to improve upon the given content. In other cases, a client will provide thorough details on what they wish to publish, sometimes with a rough draft already completed. The ghostwriter will have to expand on their ideas, taking into account the voice of their client and how they would want the piece to be written. Other times, a simple or vague idea may be supplied to the ghostwriter. As Crowd Content puts it, “You may be given a general subject or title with an overview of the appropriate style, word count, target audience, or points to touch on. You’ll then have the freedom to approach the content from any angle he chooses.” For one who desires more creative freedom in their work, this type of ghostwriting may be the best option. However, the fact remains that it is not the individual who writes the product who will be the one known for doing so. Some might say that a benefit to this is that it is a generally well-paying job without having to be concerned about how the writing will reflect on one’s own image. ZipRecruiter states that the average annual pay in the United States for ghostwriters is $150,000 a year. In Oregon specifically, there is an average annual salary of $49,999 per year. The pay of a ghostwriter is determined by location, the size of the project, and the hours spent working on the project. It varies greatly depending on these factors. Some may find this salary to be a decent trade-off for the loss of credit, and yet, for others, it still cannot compare to the recognition that comes with other types of work. Even a few of the most successful ghostwriters hold reservations regarding their line of work, making it truly a job that a select couple of individuals can do in good comfort.
A distaste for ghostwriters is often built not on the basis of the profession itself, but the implications that come with their line of work. When the media is producing content in all forms that are being put under one name but are the creations made possible by another, it is not uncommon for one to feel as though they are being lied to. The ethical dilemma that revolves around ghostwriting is one of the reasons why it is not a line of work often spoken about. In the past, clients took a considerate amount of caution if or when mentioning that they collaborated with a ghostwriter, as this dislike for the concept would spill over into their own career. In more recent years, ghostwriting has become slightly more accepted as people have started to realize the benefits of the profession. Gail Ross, a veteran literary agent in Washington, D.C. was quoted in Publishers Weekly, stating, “It’s also acknowledged by most people [who use collaborators] that it’s the only way they could get their book done.”
Often, ghostwriters write for celebrities or people who have multiple other projects that they are working on. Collaboration is an opportune chance to be committed to several works without being overwhelmed or unable to complete them all. In large corporations or businesses, there can be several hired ghostwriters who write on a regular basis for the company. Will Lippincott of Aevitas Creative Management told Publishers Weekly “that in the past three years he’s done more business with ‘collaborative agents and their writers than in the prior 10.’” A surge in the use of ghostwriters has caused many more writers to be employed and receive a steady source of income.
Andrew Crofts is a well-known ghostwriter. He has written over eighty books, some of which include titles such as The Freelance Writer’s Handbook and Confessions of a Ghostwriter. He has worked with names like Lyndsey Harris, Jane Elliot, and Pete Bennett to produce some multiple best-selling books. In spite of the nature of his work, he has been able to express his experience as a ghostwriter and become as big of a name as those he writes for. He described the joy of a ghostwriter to The Guardian: “It’s a perfect arrangement. You get the commission, have the adventure …. and return to the security of your own home.” Most ghostwrites do not have to deal with the plights behind celebrity names or being famous. They can share their work with the world without worrying about the consequences it will have on their reputation in the public eye. Some ghostwriters, like Crofts, can reach the point of success where they can charge for their work as they see accordingly.
By working on projects, ghostwriters can build relationships and establish themselves in the publishing world, in some cases leading to becoming an author of their own works. Ghostwriters contribute much more to the world’s media than most are aware of. Although a few (like Crofts) are able to get their own turn in the sun, it should be remembered that there are far more going nameless and working behind the scenes to give us and their clients works of quality.
Photo Credit: Writing Studio
Being a ghostwriter is not suitable for the glory-seeking, independent go-getter. To do the job of a ghostwriter is to do twice the amount of work with little compensation other than the payment. It requires collaboration with the client to ensure their vision is being seen to, putting the preferences of others above oneself, and being willing to network and work freelance in order to obtain a client. It can be assumed that most would prefer a career that is stable, simple, and offers a sense of personal fulfillment or accomplishment. This is a rarity for ghostwriters. There are many jobs in the world that “someone has to do” that would be a nightmare for a good portion of people. Even when there are certain benefits to such a job, there are certain personalities that don’t jive with the responsibilities of a ghostwriter, such as those that require strong communication skills and being able to work on demand under a deadline. Ghostwriting is a niche that will not be the right fit for everyone. It is astonishing that there are people willing to provide such a service that is able to help so many people and organizations. Let us some time out of our busy lives to look out for the little guy, whether that be your local janitor, mailman, or friendly-neighborhood ghostwriter. They contribute more than you believe and work harder than you know, and they deserve the appropriate amount of appreciation.
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