The Rise of Ghostwriters

I believe ghostwriting is becoming more widely known and accepted. It’s always been done. It was just more in the shadows.

A few years ago, I often needed to explain what a ghostwriter even was. I’d then have to explain why anyone would willingly sign up to be a ghostwriter. 

These days, I find that most people have an understanding of what a ghostwriter is and why it makes sense. The conversations often start at a deeper level, such as what it’s like to work with someone else to write their book, what the process is like, how long it takes, how many I write at once, etc. 

I think there are many factors contributing to increased knowledge surrounding ghostwriters, and much of it relates to how we’re evolving as a society. 

So if you still can’t get over the whole “ghostwriting” thing, you should read on.  

A Boost from AI

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think it’s possible that ghostwriting may have gotten a bump from AI. It seems counterintuitive, but hear me out. 

The use of AI has made it common to outsource writing. People now see it as an efficiency and a way to stay in their area of genius while delegating other tasks. Many people used to ask me if ghostwriting was “cheating,” and I rarely hear that now. It’s commonplace to delegate writing. The question now is whether you outsource to a human or a robot. 

In one sense, I think ghostwriters also have an advantage here. While AI has been the new, shiny object, I believe people are craving humanity, especially in something as deep and personal as a book. Plus, many people are seeing the “AI slop” that is being put out into the world and recognize the different type of quality that can come from a human. 

On the other hand, the nature of the work that many people are expecting ghostwriters to do has changed. I have many people reach out to me saying their manuscript is somewhere between 70% and 90% of the way done because they used AI. They want me to help them “take it to the finish line” and “humanize it.” Some ghostwriters are okay with those projects; others are not (I personally don’t work well that way). 

Any way you slice it, ghostwriting has gained awareness and acceptability. 

Books Are a Business Tool

Books are becoming more widely used as a business tool. Executives and entrepreneurs are leveraging them to build their brand, gain credibility, generate more business, increase speaking opportunities, and, in general, make an impact through their knowledge. 

Businesses using books as business tools beget more businesses using books as business tools. If your competitors have a book and you don’t, that can put you behind. They’ve built authority and differentiated themselves in a very accessible and yet personal way. That leaves the ball in your court to do the same. Hence, the rise of books as a tool in the business world. 

But most CEOs and entrepreneurs don’t have the time or expertise to write a book. Being an author is not their primary mission in life, but a book is something that they can heavily leverage to fulfill their primary mission. So it makes sense for these aspiring authors to partner with an expert to bring the book to life. A ghostwriter brings their knowledge of book writing and the process while also taking care of the heavy lifting. 

Out in the Open

Because of the rise of independently published books and the social acceptability of outsourcing writing, I think more authors talk about the use of their ghostwriter. While most people won’t publicly advertise that they used a ghostwriter (although some will!), I do think more people are talking about ghostwriters. 

Anecdotally, I see authors telling their friends or colleagues that they’ve used one. I also see people being open with others that they’re considering using one. These types of conversations contribute to ghostwriters being more commonplace and seamlessly integrated into many authors’ journeys.  

If you’ve been struggling with the idea of using a ghostwriter, let this be your permission to explore it further. If you’re curious to learn more, request a book consult using the button below.