On a recent episode of the literary podcast Missing Pages, host Bethanne Patrick pulls back the curtain on the questionable but widespread publishing practice of ghostwriting. This is when a professional writer pens a book that is officially credited to someone else – often a celebrity, business leader, or other public figure.
Bethanne Patrick maintains an esteemed presence in publishing as a critic and runs a popular Twitter account with over 200,000 followers. There, she regularly comments on literary topics and created viral hashtags like #FridayReads. With such industry insider expertise, she provides unique insight into the world of ghostwriting.
Big Business in Books
Ghostwriting has become big business in the book industry. Many celebrities and influencers yearn to have a published book but lack the time or writing skills to produce an entire manuscript solo. By hiring an experienced ghostwriter, their ideas and stories can be transformed into a polished book carrying their famous name – perfect for selling copies based on that branding and platform.
“Publishers know celebrity names on covers sell books regardless of the actual writing talent behind them,” Bethanne explained on the podcast. “In our celeb-obsessed culture, giving fans an inside look fuels major book deals even when writing skills aren’t there.”
In fact, social media has intensified this demand. As Instagram stars, reality personalities, YouTube moguls, and podcast hosts accrue such massive, devoted audiences, publishers spot opportunities to give them lucrative book deals. This is where ghostwriters slide in – replicating the celebrity’s voice and viewpoint into what shapes up as a memoir or advice guide. As such, many ghostwritten titles have soared up the bestseller charts lately, ensuring this practice will only expand.
Behind the Ethics Debates
However, Patrick presses beyond dollars to explore the array of ethical questions raised when unnamed writers do the grunt work while famous figures reap the rewards. Doesn’t ghostwriting essentially allow people with means and notoriety to buy their way onto bookshelves? Does it erode what authorship and creative output genuinely signify?
There’s much to unpack regarding the authenticity of voice, who merits author credit, and whether readers are being misled on writing credentials – not simple topics by any means. When books billed as “written by” a celebrity prove to be ghostwritten by an uncredited scribe, it fuels thorny debate.
In fact, scandals around high-profile figures failing to initially disclose their ghostwriters until post-publication have amplified media skepticism of late. Some politicians, celebs and their publishers have faced outrage when it emerged their heavily promoted memoirs were actually penned by unknown writers behind the scenes.
Even when no outright deception occurs, many insist ghostwriting still enables famous names to purchase undue credibility as “authors” thanks purely to their marketability rather than any real writing ability. Doesn’t this give them an unfair platform and competitive edge?
Perspectives from Within Publishing
On the Missing Pages episode, Claire Knowles contributed an insider viewpoint – asserting transparency around ghostwriting collaborations has room to coexist with the understanding that big names on covers remain key for sales.
Jen Atchinson shared firsthand context as a ghostwriter herself, countering the view that all creatives in this field yearn for spotlight recognition: “I never wanted pressure around publicly promoting novels under my own name. Ghostwriting lets me author commercially successful works discreetly while also writing fiction privately that I adore.”
At the same time, Atchinson acknowledges broader misgivings some authors harbor around ghostwriting practices related to authenticity and ethics. These concerns certainly deserve examination, not suppression.
Why Some Writers Become Ghostwriters
Many skilled writers ghostwrite purely for the passion of writing, not acclaim. They relish authoring numerous manuscripts that become published books but without the draining publicity expectations placed on traditionally credited authors.
“I have fiction books under a pseudonym that have done very well, but as an introvert I shunned the marketing side – conferences, tours, social media campaigns. Ghostwriting provides income while letting me focus purely on crafting content,” explained Marcy Holmes, a veteran ghostwriter.
Additionally, ghostwriting enables flexing one’s talents across genres by teaming up with celebrity clients, executives, and public figures. As Holmes described: “It allows me to help compose memoirs way more fascinating than my own life or business books beyond my direct experience. I get immersed in captivating worlds.”
For instance, as a long-time ghostwriter myself, I cherish writing yet shun publicity duties. I’m more than happy to quietly author quality books for others without chasing acclaim.
The Rising Celebrity Backlash
However, accusations of deception around ghostwriting have intensified lately as media probes whether readers were misguided on certain celebrities’ level of authorship. Several politicians and influencers faced sharp criticism when it emerged their heavily-touted memoirs were essentially penned by uncredited writers.
Others insist celebrities and public figures overly utilize ghostwriters to purchase bestseller status rather than earning it through literary prowess. Doesn’t this undermine the badge of “author” when writing itself is outsourced?
As Bethanne Patrick noted in an interview: “There’s a feeling readers are being misled when a book says written by a celebrity but the actual writing was ghostwritten. But it’s unrealistic to expect most public figures to possess the writing chops needed for authorship. A ghostwriter provides those skills, not the story itself.”
Setting the Record Straight
Patrick contends that enhanced transparency about ghostwriting collaboration would be constructive. Celebrities can openly acknowledge when they partner with a writer instead of pretending solo authorship. It all depends on the agreement forged between the ghostwriter and the “author.”
“Ghostwriting itself isn’t the core issue – it’s being forthright when another creative contributor was involved rather than passing it off as written solely by the famous name. That can look like an acknowledgment, an editing credit, or an author credit. But not all ghostwriters want those type of credits. Many prefer to remain anonymous.”
I concur with this assessment. Ghostwriters need not apologize for enjoying the craft of writing without chasing spotlight credit. There is certainly artistry to shaping someone’s vision and ideas into an enthralling book.
Ghostwriters also often have creative latitude around structure, pacing, and translating stories in their own style. Clients provide raw experiences and direction while we package that into an appealing arc and narrative.
The Path Ahead
For those interested in hiring a ghostwriter, Patrick advises requesting writing samples showing skills at long-form work and matching your desired tone. Supply clear expectations around the purpose and themes of your book upfront.
“Understand that ghostwriters can’t produce an entire manuscript from a short phone call. Expect to actively collaborate, explaining pertinent experiences, insights, and other details they can mold into chapters. It’s an in-depth partnership.”
This expanding realm of ghostwriting will likely only grow as more public figures leverage social media fame into lucrative book deals. Still, properly implementing ghostwritten works – with transparency about their co-creation – remains vital to maintaining reader trust and upholding ethics.
The revealing Missing Pages episode sheds light on an often opaque industry. As celebrity platforms and access to book deals broaden, so does the demand for ghostwriters. Yet so too will debates around authorship integrity and creative ownership.
There are no straightforward solutions, Patrick concludes. One certainty she stresses: ghostwriting will keep playing a substantial, albeit obscured, role in connecting writers, publishers, celebrities, and readers.
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