What Does a Ghostwriter Do?

Martha Stewart: “When you write a book, you’re an expert, and people look at you in a different way”

Simply put a ghostwriter is a professional writer who is commissioned to create written content on behalf of someone else. The ghostwriter's role is to write books, articles, speeches, blog posts, or other forms of written material while passing credit to the client as the author. Ghostwriters are typically hired by individuals who lack the time, expertise, or writing skills to produce the desired content themselves.

That said, the process of ghostwriting involves close collaboration between the ghostwriter and the client. The client provides the ghostwriter with their ideas, outlines, research materials, and any other relevant information and the ghostwriter then uses that input to write the content, ensuring that it matches the client's voice, style, and vision.

Confidentiality and anonymity are crucial aspects of ghostwriting. The ghostwriter agrees not to disclose their involvement in the writing process, and the client maintains sole authorship and copyright ownership of the work. For that reason, ghostwriters often sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to ensure the privacy of their clients.

Ghostwriting is far more common that many think - especially prevalent in the publishing industry, where famous personalities, politicians, and business leaders often use ghostwriters to write their memoirs or books. Ghostwriters also work in the entertainment industry, creating scripts, screenplays, and song lyrics for musicians, actors, and other performers.

The goal of a ghostwriter is to help the client communicate their ideas effectively and professionally while maintaining the illusion that the client is the sole author.

The precise remit for a ghostwriter is not set in stone – and can differ according to the nature of the project, the time availability and skill level of the client, and the extent of the work. Top of Form

I’ve outlined below the various options available:

Writing/Editing

Coaching – You research, write, with my guidance (10 meetings over 3-6 months)

Research – I research, you write (£25 per hour)

Proofreading – You research and write, I check

Copy Editing – You research and write, I proofread and propose changes

Ghostwrite – I research and write, you proofread and copy-edit

Ghostwrite+ - I research and write, proofread and copy-edit

Publication

Submissions – I create Sample/Synopsis/Covering Letter for Agents and Publishers

Submissions+ - I use Submissions material to approach Agents and Publishers on your behalf

Publisher – We agree price, design, format and then publish under GP Creative – Print Copy, E-Book or both (set fee or royalty %)

Marketing

Book Marketing – We agree stationery/PR/social media marketing package (set fee or royalty %)

Simply drop me an email at geoff@geoffpoundeseditor.co.uk, or call me on 07547 338673 and we’ll talk through the many options, confidentially and with no obligation. If you’d like to know a little more about me and what I can do – go to www.geoffpoundeseditor.co.uk

After all: “They only speak who have recorded their speech in writing before they die – the rest go silent forever”. (Bangambiki Habyarimana)

Geoff Poundes is a professional developmental editor, specialising in non-fiction and in particular business, sport and history, biography and memoir. Go to www.geoffpoundeseditor.co.uk to find out more.