Glossary · Writing & editing
What is a ghostwriter?
Definition
Ghostwriter: A ghostwriter is a professional writer paid to write a book that is published under someone else's name, usually with little or no credit.
A ghostwriter writes a book on behalf of the named author. It is common in nonfiction — memoirs of public figures, business books by executives, expert guides — and also happens in fiction, including long-running series. The named author usually supplies the ideas, stories and expertise through interviews and drafts; the ghostwriter turns them into a finished, readable book.
Arrangements vary. Some ghostwriters are fully anonymous; others are acknowledged on the copyright page or credited as "with" or "and" on the cover. Fees may be a flat fee, per-word rate, a share of royalties or a combination. Because the work is collaborative and the named author usually wants to own the result, the contract should clearly state who owns the copyright, how the ghostwriter will be credited (if at all), confidentiality, payment schedule, revision rounds and deadlines. Copyright ownership in commissioned work depends on the contract and local law; this is general information, not legal advice.
When hiring, read samples in your genre, check references, and agree a detailed brief: audience, voice, length, outline and timeline.
AI writing tools are sometimes compared to ghostwriting, but there are differences: with AI tools you remain the person directing, editing and taking responsibility for the content, and some stores ask whether AI was used to generate text or images — check each platform's current disclosure rules.