On Being a Ghostwriter

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I went to a party about a year ago and when a woman asked me what I do, I told her I was a freelance ghostwriter, author, and speaker. She nodded and then asked “Do you like scary stories?”

I had to explain to her that a ghostwriter doesn’t write stories about ghosts or necessarily scary stories. Anyone else who may be a little confused, let me clarify that ghostwriters are hired to work with a person who has a good idea, a message, or information that they want to write into a book. They either don’t have time to do it themselves or can’t write. So, ghostwriters like myself collaborate with them and assist them in writing their book.

In cases with high profile clients, a ghostwriter has to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Sometimes, the ghostwriter’s name is given with the author’s name. For example, Don Piper with Cecile Murphy (90 Minutes in Heaven). Most of us work annonymously and are paid a flat fee for our work. Then, we move on to another project. It can be a very lucrative career.

Hope you’ll come back tomorrow to find out more about this life as a ghostwriter.

Author: diannegsagan

Dianne G. Sagan has written over 25 books and more than 300 articles in her 20 years as a ghostwriter and published her own work traditionally and indie. She writes fiction and nonfiction. She's an experienced speaker at writers' conferences in the region and an experienced facilitator for writers classes and workshops.

One thought on “On Being a Ghostwriter

  1. Dianne,
    Just a small correction. I believe you mean Don Piper, not John Piper.

    Don Piper is associated with 90 Minutes in Heaven, not John.

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