The Roles of Author and Writer

You’re the Author.

The author has the vision and the story to tell.

I’m the ghostwriter.

I bring an in-depth knowledge of story structure and experience in crafting books to bring your vision to the printed page.

Collaborating with a ghostwriter underscores the difference between an author and a writer. The author of a work is the architect or producer of the work. The writer is the tradesman or craftsman who helps put it together. The author is the project manager while the writer is the specialist worker.

When claiming work as your own when it simply isn’t – particularly in an environment like academia where the understanding is that it’s your own work – then there are some further issues to consider.

Does this make Ghostwriting immoral or illegal?

While there are some less than legitimate practices around forging work in a way that blurs this line, ghostwriting itself is not immoral or illegal. Many people expect the author to be the sole creator of a book. A book is often a long process of collaboration. Film directors hire cinematographers who they know will be able to capture the film the way they want it but they don’t do the shooting or acting themselves.

Many high profile authors hire ghostwriters to either help project timelines or produce more work in a short amount of time. The confusion over the roles of author and writer can sometimes lead to disappointment in the traditional romantic view of the author.

In any case, when working with me, the project and role of the ghostwriter is kept confidential. A Non-Disclosure Agreement is standard in any ghostwriting work, and all intellectual property remains the property of the author.

Writing a book can raise your profile, cement your authority, extend your brand, establish you as a leader in your field, and open opportunities for business or speaking engagements.

Writing a book takes time and expertise.

That’s where I come in.

Writing is something that everyone can do. Everyone learns to write at school, and they might do it every day at work. Writing a project like a book, a script, or addressing a larger audience than usual, requires a specialist approach. Everyone can all talk, too, but being able to engage and deliver a powerful message on point, in a public or private setting, takes a different skill set.

When writing is done properly then the writing itself goes unnoticed, leaving just the ideas to linger in the reader’s memory.

A ghostwriter helps you craft your ideas and hone your message in a way that best suits your audience and medium. Working with a ghostwriter brings extra talent and refinement to your message, while perfectly capturing your tone and style.

Often people choose to work with a ghostwriter on a longer term basis, in the same way that politicians or CEOs choose to work with the same speechwriters over their career. Whether it’s a longer term collaboration or a single project, working with a ghostwriter brings a strength and professionalism to your manuscripts, speeches, and articles.

Our collaboration begins with understanding your project, your audience, your motivations, and what you expect from a ghostwriting relationship.

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My policy for using AI in the writing process is detailed further here. In short, I do not use any AI to write your book, but I do use an AI service to transcribe interviews.