How do ghostwriters work?

A ghostwriter’s job is to take your story idea and turn it into a book manuscript, screenplay or speech, written in your “voice.” The goal is to tell your story effectively in such a way that anyone reading it, watching or listening to it will recognize that the words and manner are identifiably yours.

By definition, a ghostwriter is to be your collaborator but unknown to all but you, the client. Like a ghost. Your unknown, invisible assistant writer, writing as though he or she is you. Discretion is assured by the use of a non-disclosure agreement. Ghostwriters receive no author credit or recognition. By contrast, those who receive credit alongside the client are not ghostwriters; they are co-authors.

Those who hire ghostwriters are usually busy people who don’t have the time to write it themselves, or just don’t possess the necessary writing skills.