The opening scene of Disney’s hit drama Rivals is a particularly memorable one, a mile high up in the sky on the now redundant Concorde, our hero, Rupert Campbell-Black is bonking his ghostwriter in the toilets as the plane goes supersonic.
What a brilliant piece Anna. And I would love to read that book about you and Wendy, it’s a *great* idea. There’s been many books about the intimacy between male authors and their male editors (which I have enjoyed reading but cue tiny eye roll). A book about a ghost and author getting close is a gorgeous premise. I hope it happens one day.
This does seem a very unfair system and as a reader, there is a real sense of being misled. Overall though I’m left hoping your will write and publish (maybe on here?) your book about your friendship with Wendy. With the assisted dying debate in the news, and having talked it through with a friend who is considering their options, I feel there is an important perspective missing from the discussion - the people who support, and are left after someone makes this choice - which I understand is very complex but agree with, and have thought through in relation to the choice I would prefer to make myself.
Thank you for your thoughts, Jaimie, yes I would like to think that there is a way of me still achieving what Wendy had hoped for me. We shall see. But the assisted dying debate is a complex one, from all angles, and something I am going through again personally, and so I hear you and I am sending strength to you and your friend. Thank you for sharing.
Former newspaper editor who misses that industry dreadfully and modestly successful current freelance writer here.
I haven’t ever ghostwritten, mainly because I lack contacts. But I’ve read the big celebrity books cover publishing houses’ bills enough to allow them to pay a few writers whose books just are not going to pay otherwise. Writing books is indeed hard, but selling them is infinitely harder! As a self-publishing one-woman show, I understand that very well. Getting eyes on your book is the hardest part. But not for celebrities. You can publish practically anything with a big name on it and make money. I’m glad you walked away from a project that wouldn’t pay you fairly. The more of that, the better.
As a reader, ghostwriters do an incredible job of turning someone else’s perspective or personal story into books that are a pleasure to read. I don’t know what is needed to persuade publishers to value ghostwriters more and pay fairly. But I am wary of fiction books by the increasing numbers of celebrities. Especially those with apparent busy schedules and no previous experience in fiction!
Yes, I think there is a fine line when it comes to ghosted novels between acknowledging you worked with a professional writer and pretending to be that professional writer, and ultimately wouldn’t this corrode trust in the celebrity brand? Thanks for your thoughts, Karen.
Thank you so much for this. It helped me untangle some of the complicated feelings I have about my own ghosting work, as I am often pondering whether my invisibility plays into the idea that "anyone can write a book" and undervalues our skill. I also thought I was getting paid fairly for my work until I considered what the celebrities were being paid and also actually factored in the amount of time I spent on my last two projects. Then there's my personal wrangle as to do with ego and why I write things, and feeling upset I can't tell people that (some) of those books are my work... But then am I not writing for the love of writing but instead simply to bolster my own ego? But then... Is that really a bad thing? To feel proud of something and want to tell them about it?! X
Thanks Catriona. It's a difficult one this idea of how 'fairly' ghostwriters are paid because it might seem fair to you, but put it in context of what someone else is receiving for potentially not doing any work at all, just lending their name, and then it's so horribly unfair. I think that this can end up, as you say, making us feel devalued and an unimportant part of the process, when actually we are so vital. Are those celebrities happy to take the fee (and the credit) because of this lack of transparency? I guess so, if they thought that the public would know they hadn't written books but they had taken the lion's share of the money, I assume they might think twice about accepting it because celebrity is, after all, all down to reputation and perception. I'm glad that this piece helped you to feel less tangled, and of course it is only natural to tell people how proud you are of your work -- I think editors are paying you to be proud of something. Thank you for sharing. x
Twenty years ago, when my agent was trying to sell my book, she asked me if there was anything famous, any celebrity angle that she could use, even a teeny tidbit. Sadly, I had nothing…
Love this piece Anna, and so important to stay transparent when it comes to defending the value of writing. And I hate the way the publishing industry bows down to celebrities - It's actually quite refreshing when they cock up and get themselves into trouble, like the recent situation with Jamie Oliver and his offensive children's book. (do you know if it was ghostwritten, or did he write that?)
Thanks for this, Anna, really insightful. I was just chatting the other day to a couple of writer friends about all the celebrity books out there, and how publishers say the revenue helps support less shiny, quieter books, or authors who don't have such a big profile, but we don't see that playing out in the real world. It seems harder than ever to get a book published or get a decent advance!
I follow a writer I'm a fan of who sometimes does ghost writing but credited and a celeb who credits her ghost writer and does promo with her. I much prefer that honesty in the way of, I have story ideas or a biography to share but I'm not a writer, this brilliant person helped me get the story out. Especially as it helps add to the profile of the writer. But I'm hoping that also means the writer gets a decent deal pay wise out of it.
There are so many aspects of this industry that I have only learnt about since I started writing - as a reader, it never occurred to me to consider ghostwriters and all the nuances you have covered in your article!
Such an interesting topic Anna. I have been really keen to break into ghost writing, as it speaks to the things I care so deeply about - connecting with others, and writing. It's invaluable to hear your perspective. I hold out some hope that things may shift as in the music industry, song writers are becoming increasingly recognised and the superficial 'hit' factories don to appear to be as prevalent as they used to be. Also the high focus on Hollywood script/screen writers may support the idea that the quality content often comes from sources under the radar. What you are doing by talking about it, is so important, and I applaud you for doing that. What I find most sad about this piece is that your own book proposal hasn't gained traction - I think it would be fascinating to read about the intimacy of the relationship between the 'ghost' and the subject, and particularly within the context of assisted dying which is so topical. It's so disappointing, but I wouldn't give up - it's too important - that's a book which should be out in the world. Thanks as always for the insight. I think for me as an aspiring ghost, I need to be careful what I wish for! xx
It's the sad world we live in that celebrity still sells. In the same way that Hollywood stars aren't paid vast sums for their acting ability but to promote the film. Having said that, at least in this scenario the actors are actually acting. I have to say, I was always aware that ghost writers wrote memoirs but hadn't considered that celeb-penned fiction was also ghosted. How does it work? Does the celeb come up with a story and characters and the writer has to write the novel from their idea?
I think it varies, Claire. Sometimes the celeb has the entire idea (though I wonder how common this is), sometimes they have part of the idea, sometimes it is the ghost’s idea based on things the celeb is knowledgeable about/their world, or sometimes it’s the editor/agents who have shaped the idea and need someone to write it/put their name to it.
Is it true that all David Walliams books are ghost written? That seems obscene that he passes himself off as a latter day Dahl and all the associated money and public status as a creative force. It is an absolute con and the reader deserves to know the truth, if it is indeed all fiction..
I love the title of this and the points you are making. It's a brilliant start, too, with Riders! :D Sort of f*** the ghostwriters.
And the subtle Osman shade. :D Although at least he has actually written his books.
The saturation of the industry with celebrities is so tiresome. I could maybe forgive it if it led to more support for real writers and ghostwriters, but it doesn't seem to. I don't know if people think much about whether this or that celebrity has actually sat down and grafted that book, and not enough people seem to care. And as you say, the celebrities seem happy to take large fees for not doing much work, and at the expense of the ghostwriter. It seems dishonest, but sadly it's the way of things at the moment. A 50/50 share of however the payment is arranged seems fair to me, but. I don't know if fairness comes into anything these days.
It's strange, I was thinking about this earlier when I opened my phone and it was immediately trying to sell me something, a celebrity x/some fashion brand, perhaps I am not the target market, but a celebrity does not make me buy something. I can see that in fashion, or even beauty, they are selling a lifestyle, a lazy way of knowing you are following the crowd, that you are on trend, but it doesn't translate to books, does it. For example this ill-fated Jamie Oliver children's book, would his name on the cover really make people more likely to buy it? Obviously the publishers think so...
Gosh no, a celebrity confection never appeals to me, even in fashion. But yes, perhaps we are not the targets.
And I did think of the Jamie Oliver book and the mess that that's turned out to be. I doubt that any lessons will be learned and that it will make any difference to anything.
YES!!! This might be me being bitter or petty or this might be an unpopular opinion, but not everyone who is famous needs a book deal. Not everyone is an author, and that is fine. Writing a book requires a very specific skillset like you said, and it's not because you're in the public eye that you have that.
I've also heard many times that if you do write your own book, it's so much easier to get a book deal if you have a large social media following. I understand why, but it's so frustrating that such a large part of the process depends on who you are or how well you can sell yourself. I 100% think that in the case of a celebrity memoir the standard should be that the ghostwriter gets 50%, and the celebrity can choose to take on more of the writing process for a bigger percentage.
I've got a perhaps naive view, yet if I am a celebrity and someone writes a book about me, I feel I would be honest enough to put their name in my book and admit I did not write it; in fact, I needed a ghostwriter to write my book.
What a brilliant piece Anna. And I would love to read that book about you and Wendy, it’s a *great* idea. There’s been many books about the intimacy between male authors and their male editors (which I have enjoyed reading but cue tiny eye roll). A book about a ghost and author getting close is a gorgeous premise. I hope it happens one day.
Thanks Emma, I hope it happens one day too. I’m sure I’ll find a way, for Wendy. X
This does seem a very unfair system and as a reader, there is a real sense of being misled. Overall though I’m left hoping your will write and publish (maybe on here?) your book about your friendship with Wendy. With the assisted dying debate in the news, and having talked it through with a friend who is considering their options, I feel there is an important perspective missing from the discussion - the people who support, and are left after someone makes this choice - which I understand is very complex but agree with, and have thought through in relation to the choice I would prefer to make myself.
Thank you for your thoughts, Jaimie, yes I would like to think that there is a way of me still achieving what Wendy had hoped for me. We shall see. But the assisted dying debate is a complex one, from all angles, and something I am going through again personally, and so I hear you and I am sending strength to you and your friend. Thank you for sharing.
And me to you, and your loved one 🫂💕
❤️🙏🏼
Former newspaper editor who misses that industry dreadfully and modestly successful current freelance writer here.
I haven’t ever ghostwritten, mainly because I lack contacts. But I’ve read the big celebrity books cover publishing houses’ bills enough to allow them to pay a few writers whose books just are not going to pay otherwise. Writing books is indeed hard, but selling them is infinitely harder! As a self-publishing one-woman show, I understand that very well. Getting eyes on your book is the hardest part. But not for celebrities. You can publish practically anything with a big name on it and make money. I’m glad you walked away from a project that wouldn’t pay you fairly. The more of that, the better.
Thanks Michelle, really interesting to hear your thoughts.
As a reader, ghostwriters do an incredible job of turning someone else’s perspective or personal story into books that are a pleasure to read. I don’t know what is needed to persuade publishers to value ghostwriters more and pay fairly. But I am wary of fiction books by the increasing numbers of celebrities. Especially those with apparent busy schedules and no previous experience in fiction!
Yes, I think there is a fine line when it comes to ghosted novels between acknowledging you worked with a professional writer and pretending to be that professional writer, and ultimately wouldn’t this corrode trust in the celebrity brand? Thanks for your thoughts, Karen.
Well done Anna. Writers getting thrown tuppence PISSES ME OFF
Thank you so much for this. It helped me untangle some of the complicated feelings I have about my own ghosting work, as I am often pondering whether my invisibility plays into the idea that "anyone can write a book" and undervalues our skill. I also thought I was getting paid fairly for my work until I considered what the celebrities were being paid and also actually factored in the amount of time I spent on my last two projects. Then there's my personal wrangle as to do with ego and why I write things, and feeling upset I can't tell people that (some) of those books are my work... But then am I not writing for the love of writing but instead simply to bolster my own ego? But then... Is that really a bad thing? To feel proud of something and want to tell them about it?! X
Thanks Catriona. It's a difficult one this idea of how 'fairly' ghostwriters are paid because it might seem fair to you, but put it in context of what someone else is receiving for potentially not doing any work at all, just lending their name, and then it's so horribly unfair. I think that this can end up, as you say, making us feel devalued and an unimportant part of the process, when actually we are so vital. Are those celebrities happy to take the fee (and the credit) because of this lack of transparency? I guess so, if they thought that the public would know they hadn't written books but they had taken the lion's share of the money, I assume they might think twice about accepting it because celebrity is, after all, all down to reputation and perception. I'm glad that this piece helped you to feel less tangled, and of course it is only natural to tell people how proud you are of your work -- I think editors are paying you to be proud of something. Thank you for sharing. x
Twenty years ago, when my agent was trying to sell my book, she asked me if there was anything famous, any celebrity angle that she could use, even a teeny tidbit. Sadly, I had nothing…
Love this piece Anna, and so important to stay transparent when it comes to defending the value of writing. And I hate the way the publishing industry bows down to celebrities - It's actually quite refreshing when they cock up and get themselves into trouble, like the recent situation with Jamie Oliver and his offensive children's book. (do you know if it was ghostwritten, or did he write that?)
Yes, that was a little … awkward, wasn’t it?! 😬
Thanks for this, Anna, really insightful. I was just chatting the other day to a couple of writer friends about all the celebrity books out there, and how publishers say the revenue helps support less shiny, quieter books, or authors who don't have such a big profile, but we don't see that playing out in the real world. It seems harder than ever to get a book published or get a decent advance!
Hmmm i don’t think they’re being entirely honest
, I would say their HUGE backlist supports less shiny, quieter books rather than all the money wasted on celebs. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece xx
I follow a writer I'm a fan of who sometimes does ghost writing but credited and a celeb who credits her ghost writer and does promo with her. I much prefer that honesty in the way of, I have story ideas or a biography to share but I'm not a writer, this brilliant person helped me get the story out. Especially as it helps add to the profile of the writer. But I'm hoping that also means the writer gets a decent deal pay wise out of it.
Thanks for sharing, Clare
There are so many aspects of this industry that I have only learnt about since I started writing - as a reader, it never occurred to me to consider ghostwriters and all the nuances you have covered in your article!
Thanks for reading Simi, I’m glad it gave you some food for thought!
Such an interesting topic Anna. I have been really keen to break into ghost writing, as it speaks to the things I care so deeply about - connecting with others, and writing. It's invaluable to hear your perspective. I hold out some hope that things may shift as in the music industry, song writers are becoming increasingly recognised and the superficial 'hit' factories don to appear to be as prevalent as they used to be. Also the high focus on Hollywood script/screen writers may support the idea that the quality content often comes from sources under the radar. What you are doing by talking about it, is so important, and I applaud you for doing that. What I find most sad about this piece is that your own book proposal hasn't gained traction - I think it would be fascinating to read about the intimacy of the relationship between the 'ghost' and the subject, and particularly within the context of assisted dying which is so topical. It's so disappointing, but I wouldn't give up - it's too important - that's a book which should be out in the world. Thanks as always for the insight. I think for me as an aspiring ghost, I need to be careful what I wish for! xx
It's the sad world we live in that celebrity still sells. In the same way that Hollywood stars aren't paid vast sums for their acting ability but to promote the film. Having said that, at least in this scenario the actors are actually acting. I have to say, I was always aware that ghost writers wrote memoirs but hadn't considered that celeb-penned fiction was also ghosted. How does it work? Does the celeb come up with a story and characters and the writer has to write the novel from their idea?
I think it varies, Claire. Sometimes the celeb has the entire idea (though I wonder how common this is), sometimes they have part of the idea, sometimes it is the ghost’s idea based on things the celeb is knowledgeable about/their world, or sometimes it’s the editor/agents who have shaped the idea and need someone to write it/put their name to it.
Is it true that all David Walliams books are ghost written? That seems obscene that he passes himself off as a latter day Dahl and all the associated money and public status as a creative force. It is an absolute con and the reader deserves to know the truth, if it is indeed all fiction..
I don’t know, I’m afraid, and wouldn’t like to hazard a guess.
I love the title of this and the points you are making. It's a brilliant start, too, with Riders! :D Sort of f*** the ghostwriters.
And the subtle Osman shade. :D Although at least he has actually written his books.
The saturation of the industry with celebrities is so tiresome. I could maybe forgive it if it led to more support for real writers and ghostwriters, but it doesn't seem to. I don't know if people think much about whether this or that celebrity has actually sat down and grafted that book, and not enough people seem to care. And as you say, the celebrities seem happy to take large fees for not doing much work, and at the expense of the ghostwriter. It seems dishonest, but sadly it's the way of things at the moment. A 50/50 share of however the payment is arranged seems fair to me, but. I don't know if fairness comes into anything these days.
It's strange, I was thinking about this earlier when I opened my phone and it was immediately trying to sell me something, a celebrity x/some fashion brand, perhaps I am not the target market, but a celebrity does not make me buy something. I can see that in fashion, or even beauty, they are selling a lifestyle, a lazy way of knowing you are following the crowd, that you are on trend, but it doesn't translate to books, does it. For example this ill-fated Jamie Oliver children's book, would his name on the cover really make people more likely to buy it? Obviously the publishers think so...
Gosh no, a celebrity confection never appeals to me, even in fashion. But yes, perhaps we are not the targets.
And I did think of the Jamie Oliver book and the mess that that's turned out to be. I doubt that any lessons will be learned and that it will make any difference to anything.
Surely this celebrity obsession has to end soon...
YES!!! This might be me being bitter or petty or this might be an unpopular opinion, but not everyone who is famous needs a book deal. Not everyone is an author, and that is fine. Writing a book requires a very specific skillset like you said, and it's not because you're in the public eye that you have that.
I've also heard many times that if you do write your own book, it's so much easier to get a book deal if you have a large social media following. I understand why, but it's so frustrating that such a large part of the process depends on who you are or how well you can sell yourself. I 100% think that in the case of a celebrity memoir the standard should be that the ghostwriter gets 50%, and the celebrity can choose to take on more of the writing process for a bigger percentage.
I've got a perhaps naive view, yet if I am a celebrity and someone writes a book about me, I feel I would be honest enough to put their name in my book and admit I did not write it; in fact, I needed a ghostwriter to write my book.