ghostwriting is a thing: who really wrote that book you love?

September 01, 2025

Ghostwriting Is a Thing: Who Really Wrote That Book You Love? 📚 

Did the author on the cover really write your latest favorite book? What about that viral post your #1 content creator has fashioned out of thin air?

At the risk of sounding serpent-ish, let me rephrase. Do you know for sure who really wrote those life-changing sentences you've highlighted, underlined, gushed about on social media, or can't stop thinking about?

Ghostwriters. Angel writers. Contributors. Unnamed co-writers. Word slingers. Whatever you want to call them, those might be the very writing professionals who really wrote the words you love. Those polished, beautiful sentences people are all wide-eyed about and sharing all over social media might just be the concepts the ghostwriter sweated over for hours in some lonely room (or coffee shop?) for the author who has now published them as their own.

As a freelancer, the more books I ghostwrite, the more invisible I become on competitive platforms that demand proof of value.

This is a sticky subject, to be sure. Stay with me. This post isn't about bashing authors who use ghostwriters or angel writers to help them perfect the words they want to share. The point here is that you need to know that this practice is out there and that it matters.

Why Is Ghostwriting a Thing Now? It's a Business

If you're reading books and content, you need to know about these hardworking people. They are writing away their lives and careers without ever having their name associated with the creative ideas or work they're producing. They aren't on the cover. Often, they're not even in the credits or acknowledgements.

Sure, some authors feel bad enough to mention their ghostwriter as a research assistant or collaborator in the book's acknowledgements. Most don't bother, though. After all, isn't authorship about credibility? Can a reader trust what you have to say if you admit that the words aren't really all yours?

This is a career path for tens of thousands of writing professionals. At least, that's what you might estimate without anyone being able to actually disclose the projects they've worked on or who they've provided ghostwriting services to without contravening a non-disclosure agreement. (Did I mention that NDAs are standard features of these angel writing arrangements so that the authors' credibility remains intact?)

At this point, I just shake my head and smile. When I share the truth, there's silence and a confused face looking back at me. "It's a ghostwriting project. My name won't be on this one."

Before you get all high and mighty, let's be clear: Ghostwriting puts food on the table for professional writers worldwide. Quality ghostwriting services also help authors get their stories into a form that's easy to read, impactful, and beautiful.

Maybe you "aren't really a writer," but you have some ideas you'd like to get out there or a story to tell. In that case, hiring a ghostwriter is an excellent choice. You can put together your outline, provide your book's objectives, pick the voice, vet the process, and watch as your book magically pours onto a page out of someone else's brain that "knows how to write." You might be a business professional with a message, a sports star with a desire to inspire, or an octogenarian who is ready to share your life story with your family. In all of these cases, a ghostwriter can make that process a breeze for you. You pay them money, and they give you a book you can confidently publish.

As someone who has reluctantly but consistently provided such services for many years now, I fully understand why people want ghostwriters. I'm just not sure that the man and woman on the street are aware that ghostwriting is a thing. It's happening daily all over the world. It's a real, paid service that individual freelancers and agencies specialize in so that everyone with a book idea can publish something they're proud of and can monetize.

Why Is Ghostwriting Such a Conundrum? It's a Question of Ethics and Professional PoV

When I'm working on a ghostwriting project and someone asks me what my latest project involves, I say something like, "Oh. I'm just writing a book about [the most interesting part of the topic or story]"

Inevitably, the person's face lights up. They say, "Oh, how wonderful. Writing a book? Wow!" Often, they'll follow up by asking where they can read what I've written or what title they should look out for on the shelves once it's published.

At this point, I just shake my head and smile. When I share the truth, there's silence and a confused face looking back at me. "It's a ghostwriting project. My name won't be on this one."

The questions after that aren't always voiced, but the non-verbal cues fill in the gaps. Why? Why spend hours and months of my life writing a book that my name will never be on? As a creative professional, why write about someone else's ideas for them? Can't they just write it themselves? Is it even ethical? Aren't they lying to their readers? That can of ghostwriting worms can't be unopened.

It's even more tender when a client asks for proof of what I've written for others. Some of my ghostwriting clients don't mind a snippet here and there, redacted to ensure it can't be linked to their material in public. Others flat out refuse, as is their right, thanks to the signed NDA.

So, what do I show the next client who wants regular writing services or ghostwriting services? There's no evidence of what I can do, is there? There are no statistics I can link to the actual book title selling on Amazon or some other platform. I can't show them the actual listing without giving away the book I've written and contravening the NDA. If I say it's a bestseller, should the client just believe me?

What exactly has a ghostwriter got to show for their skills, time, and collaborations? Often, it's just a single review under 100 words that says how wonderful it was to work with such a nice professional or what a good writer they are. No details. No samples. No telling whether it's fiction or nonfiction. No word about how their ideas really made the book shine or brought the message out more clearly than the "author" could have done themselves. Zip. Nada.

"Is Ghostwriting Okay?" Isn't the Right Question! Those Life-Changing Words You Love Might Not Exist Without a Professional Ghostwriter To Help Put Those Ideas Down in a Book

As a freelancer, the more books I ghostwrite, the more invisible I become on competitive platforms that demand proof of value. However, while that pains me, it probably isn't for the reason you think. Helping people realize their worth and potential is part of my calling on this earth. I'm a mother. I'm also a teacher at heart, I think.

I just love to see someone's dreams coming true, especially when it's due to something I've been able to contribute to their lives or support them in achieving. Ghostwriting certainly checks those boxes for me. It also checks the boxes of creative outlet, continuous writing skills development, storytelling, and, best of all, carving beauty out of chaos.

It's an art for me, and a service that others so appreciate when I provide. Is ghostwriting okay? You'll have to decide for yourself. Just know that it's out there, and you should question the things you read. With AI flooding in now, critical thought and human intuition are more important than ever.

Read smart, friends!

If you're one of those professionals who "doesn't really write," but has some ideas to get out there, I would love to tell you more about my ghostwriting services, even if that means you get the full credit. These are part of the professional writing services I love to provide. Please get in touch to learn more!