There’s a long-standing tradition of ghosting in the communications profession, and it’s time to call it out.
I’m referring to the art of “ghostwriting.”
Dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, ghostwriters were hired to write speeches and letters on behalf of public figures. According to author E. Danielle Butler, a self-proclaimed ghostwriter, the practice grew in the Middle Ages, when monks were commissioned to copy manuscripts. However, it was the invention of the printing press, and subsequent rise of the novel, which led to the career familiar to us today.
We commonly associate ghostwriting with authors who are contracted to write books under the name of a celebrity, political leader, or high profile executive who want their stories told but need help getting their thoughts across. According to Wright Book Associates, approximately 70 to 80% of memoirs are ghostwritten. Mark Twain played a large part in writing the autobiography of President Ulysses S. Grant, for example. It might surprise you to learn that authors themselves sometimes enlist the services of a ghostwriter to help with clarity. New York Times bestselling author, James Patterson, readily admits that he uses ghostwriters, allowing him to focus on the creative side of developing a plot and storyline. His books have sold more than 425 million copies.
Ghostwriting can involve a host of communications including speeches, leadership messages, press releases, op-eds, quotes, articles, and lyrics. These are commonly written by someone other than the credited person. Ghostwriting requires an understanding of how a person thinks and speaks, because you are setting their tone and message. It’s not an easy skill to master, and you definitely have to set your pride aside. However, it’s a standard part of the job description for most writers in the marketing, public relations, and communications fields.
I believe ghostwriting is a huge compliment, and for me, a source of accomplishment. My clients are letting me know they value my skills to say what they mean to say. They earn the credit. I remain quietly in the background.
Boo!
Categories: Content