“Ghostwriting” is a term that is often considered a negative thing by the public, and writers. The public feels duped that the celebrity “autobiography” they had just finished wasn’t written by that person, and many writers are reluctant to see their work in print – without their name.
However, when one investigates the career, ghostwriting is revealed to be a lucrative and growing career that allows writers to enjoy the independent lifestyle of a freelance writer, but actually have a steady income.
Ghostwriting can most easily be defined as writing blog posts, articles, press releases, books and other texts for a client who attaches their name to the final work, in exchange for a fee. Although it is not a necessity, having a degree in english, journalism, or creative writing will help your credentials. What you will need to work on will be your networking skills: many ghostwriting jobs are found through the referrals of satisfied clients. A beginning ghostwriter should also look at websites like craigslist and simplyhired.com to find ghostwriting jobs posted by potential clients.
80% of Americans say that they want to write a book, but less than 1% of us ever will. What does this exactly mean? That ghostwriting is a booming market. The internet has added to this boom, allowing ghostwrites to market themselves through websites, and created the market for ghostwriting blogs. The clients that you will work for will be celebrities, business leaders, and other professionals that wish to write a book, but either lack the time or talent to do so. Beyond books, these individuals will also hire ghost writers to write press releases, articles, blog posts, and even tweets. Your involvement in writing will vary; some clients will give you a carefully researched outline, while others will just send you an idea in an email.
Besides having the writing talent these people lack, ghostwriters will need to employ skills unique to writing for other people. They will need to master the voice of the client, make sure that they identify the key message, and that the writing is suited for the target audience. After the article or book chapter is finished, it is sent to the client for review. For that part of the process you will need to know how to deal with clients, particularly difficult ones who want you to make a change that goes against your writerly instincts.
Horror writer H.P. Lovecraft ghostwrote stories about ghosts for Harry Houdini in the 1920's.
The fee a client gives the ghostwriter varies greatly. For articles, press releases, and other small assignments, a flat fee is usually given, the amount of which will depend on the status of the client and the writer. For a long term project, like a book, a ghostwriter will either take a flat fee, a share of the royalties, or a share of the royalties. Most books don’t make much money from royalties, unless it is a big name celebrity whose book is guaranteed to become a bestseller. A flat fee is often the best option.
True to the name, ghostwriters will not be publicly acknowledged for their work. Sometimes they will be credited in the book in an indirect way: look for “co-authored by”, “with”, or “as told to.” While that is a downside, the career carries plenty of perks. You are fully independent, able to make your own schedule, work from home, enjoy solitude, and choose what projects you want to work on. In short, it carried the same lifestyle perks of the free lance writer, except you will be able to make a steady, satisfying salary. In addition, you do not have to be responsible for the marketing and publicity of the book, or dealing with publishers or agents. It is a “just add words” environment. It’s also great for those who love to learn; as you will find yourself researching topics and subjects that you may of never looked into otherwise.
If you want to be writer, the first thing that you should be sure of is that you enjoy your craft. Ghostwriting allows you to enjoy that craft and support yourself financially.
The median salary of a ghostwriter is $56,900. More experienced Ghost writers can earn up to $100,00 dollars or more. Ghostwriting is in increasing demand.
Some links:
Great interview with a ghostwriter, from art of Manliness:
U.S. News profile on ghostwriting, with links to some great interviews
An example of ghostwriter job listings:
a great way to start any career:
The Independent Association of Professional Ghost Writers
Careers for the Creative 