Ghostwriter

Contents

• What is ghostwriting?
• Main duties of a ghostwriter
• Key skills of a ghostwriter
• Pros and cons of the profession
• Demand for the profession
• How much does a ghostwriter earn?
• Where to study to become a ghostwriter?

What is ghostwriting?

A ghostwriter is a professional writer who creates texts on behalf of another person, transferring all copyright to them. Literally translated from English, the term means "phantom writer." Such specialists often remain in the shadows, receiving payment for their work while all the fame and recognition go to the client. Primarily, ghostwriters engage in writing fiction, academic, and popular science books, but their services can also include creating song lyrics and speeches for politicians, although there are separate titles for those professions — songwriter and speechwriter.

Some ghostwriters may work in various genres on request, including scripts for events or posts for social media. However, in this article, we will focus on the specifics of their work in the field of book writing. An example of a ghostwriter's work is Donald Trump's book "The Art of the Deal," written with the help of Tony Schwartz, whose name is listed on the cover.

Main duties of a ghostwriter

Although it may seem at first glance that the main task of a ghostwriter is to write texts, in reality, a large part of their work involves preliminary interviews with clients. Some clients already have a clear idea of what book they want to create, and the ghostwriter then needs to gather all the necessary materials, including text drafts, documents, and other resources. If the client does not know what they want to write about, the ghostwriter's task is to help them formulate a topic that will be interesting and rich in information.

After gathering materials and agreeing on the structure of the chapters, the ghostwriter begins the writing process. Each chapter is sent to the client for approval, after which necessary revisions are made. Some ghostwriters may also deal with publishing and promoting the book, which makes their work even more multifaceted.

Key skills of a ghostwriter

Professional skills (hard skills)

• Conducting interviews: The ghostwriter must be able to extract necessary information from clients.
• Writing texts: The ability to write in various genres and adapt the text to the client's style.
• Creating a plot: It is important for the text to be logically structured.
• Editing: The ghostwriter must be able to select important materials and structure them.
• In-depth research: The necessity to dive into the topic and study the market to create quality material.

Personal skills (soft skills)

• Communication: The ability to build relationships with clients and publishers.
• Management skills: The ability to allocate time and involve additional specialists when necessary.
• Attention to detail: Paying attention to details and fact-checking.

Pros and cons of the profession

Pros

• Interesting projects and the opportunity to interact with famous personalities.
• High fees, especially when working with wealthy clients.
• Experience that can aid in future development as an independent author.

Cons

• Lack of a stable salary, as orders may come irregularly.
• The need to combine skills from various specialists, which requires a lot of time and effort.

Demand for the profession

It is difficult to assess the demand for the ghostwriter profession, as such vacancies are rarely published, and many specialists find clients through personal connections. However, according to data from the book market in Russia, there is a growth in sales of both print and electronic books. This suggests that interest in literature remains high, which means that the ghostwriter profession will continue to be relevant.

How much does a ghostwriter earn?

The cost of ghostwriting services can vary significantly. For instance, the average price for writing a book can range from 100,000 to several million rubles, depending on experience and the complexity of the project. Some specialists estimate their work by author sheets, which also affects the final amount. On average, the fee can range from 500 to 1000 rubles per 1000 characters of text.

Where to study to become a ghostwriter?

For those who want to become a ghostwriter, it is worth considering studying in fields related to literary creativity or journalism. The Gorky Literary Institute, as well as various courses in copywriting and editing, can help develop the necessary skills. It is also helpful to study literature on ghostwriting, such as Katya Mayorova's book "Ghostwriter," to better understand the specifics of the profession.