A lot of people uses ghostwriters to write down their words. So is this a job one would be interested in or not? Well, the definition of a ghostwriter according to Freelancewriting.com is: ghost writers are writers for hire who take money but none of the credit for the work produced. The original writer, or author, is hiring the ghost as a freelance writer to produce copy writer work for a fee. The author takes all the credit for all the original work produced, including all the original writing produced by the ghost writer. The ghost, who is usually paid in advance of completing the job, gets the money as a “work for hire” job and assumes none of the credit for the ghost writing work.
The plus side is you get paid and if you do a good job you might get hired again. The bad side is you get no credit at all for your work. And to anyone who is a writer that is a lot of work to put into someone’s else name to be on the book.
So why do I bring this up? I was listing to a podcast and the person listed a host of big names from athletes, artists and others who have used a ghostwriter.
So, do you consider the people who hire a ghostwriter to be an author? From the accolades I have seen given to those who have used a ghostwriters it sounds like they are getting the credit. They did pay for the service that can never be forgotten. But can they be considered by all account an author?
I guess it all depends on who you ask. From those I have asked the answer has been no. But still asking others to get a fuller sample for the question.
Sharon C. Williams-Author 