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I'm a ghostwriter (but not Harry's!) - AMA

83 replies

Edithisoverthere · 06/01/2023 10:00

I've been a ghostwriter for more than ten years now - we're usually very much in the shadows, but Harry's book has perhaps made more people aware of what we do.

Amongst others, I've worked with bloggers, people who have done extraordinary things, instagrammers, business people, psychics, those who want to just record their own history for family reasons . . .

I find it really interesting and I'm fascinated by the lives of others. I have non disclosure agreements on a lot of books but if there's anything you'd like to ask, please do!

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Cakeandcoffee93 · 06/01/2023 15:15

I must admit this would be my dream job. I love writing but never went to university to pursue it. I’m currently writing my own book at the moment and I plan to hit 30,000 words by April 1st. I am on 11,000 so far. I’ve sent some to a publisher in London but I’m considering self publishing. It’s a whole new world to me but the thought of writing everyday and getting paid good money to do it would be amazing!

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Edithisoverthere · 06/01/2023 15:27

IncompleteSenten · 06/01/2023 15:01

I know you've said you wouldn't want the credit but have you ever written for anyone who's gone on to describe the hours they spent writing their book, their process and all that shit and not just let people think they wrote it but actually described themselves writing it iyswim

Yes! I've watched clients on daytime TV being asked about how in the world they fitted it in, and heard very detailed replies.

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Original poster
Edithisoverthere · 06/01/2023 15:27

NoSquirrels · 06/01/2023 15:03

I think what is interesting about reading an autobiography is as much the way the person puts things into words, their way of looking at the world, their use of vocabulary, their sense of humour, etc etc, and I would think most of that is lost if a ghost-writer is used.

That’s the art & craft of being a professional ghostwriter. Being able to ask the right questions as an interviewer to get the interesting parts of someone’s life, being able to capture their ‘voice’, their way of expressing themselves. It’s why they’re called ‘ghosts’ - you shouldn’t see them in the final work at all.

More autobiographies are ghostwritten than not, I’d say. Even for celebs you’d think are natural writers.

Absolutely all of this

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Original poster
Edithisoverthere · 06/01/2023 15:30

Cakeandcoffee93 · 06/01/2023 15:15

I must admit this would be my dream job. I love writing but never went to university to pursue it. I’m currently writing my own book at the moment and I plan to hit 30,000 words by April 1st. I am on 11,000 so far. I’ve sent some to a publisher in London but I’m considering self publishing. It’s a whole new world to me but the thought of writing everyday and getting paid good money to do it would be amazing!

I'm very fortunate. It can be lonely but also very intense at times. It definitely works for me as I don't like to be 'on' all the time and this gives the chance to just disappear into my own world. It's a real privilege to be told these stories and to be trusted with them - I hope I do them all justice.

Good luck with your book!

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TeenDivided · 10/01/2023 19:37

@Edithisoverthere Over on the RF topic people are musing that the ghostwriter should have fact checked things that were Google -able such as xbox's release date or when the Queen Mother died.
Is that in any way your remit? (I would assume not.)

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Edithisoverthere · 10/01/2023 20:23

TeenDivided · 10/01/2023 19:37

@Edithisoverthere Over on the RF topic people are musing that the ghostwriter should have fact checked things that were Google -able such as xbox's release date or when the Queen Mother died.
Is that in any way your remit? (I would assume not.)

Yes, I'd do basic stuff like that. Quite often it'll just come up as you go along though - someone could say they remember a particular song for example, and you might both wonder if that was actually released then or if you've got it muddled up. This book would have gone through so much editing that it's bewildering things have slipped through 🤷

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Peasepuddingbloodycold · 10/01/2023 22:00

Who would you love to write for?

What books have you enjoyed reading recently?

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Edithisoverthere · 11/01/2023 21:56

Peasepuddingbloodycold · 10/01/2023 22:00

Who would you love to write for?

What books have you enjoyed reading recently?

In fiction, I adored 'Lessons in Chemistry' and in non-fiction, 'The Premonitions Bureau' was great.

I love writing the stories of women looking back on their lives, stories that we're going to lose far too soon. Women in particular often think they haven't done anything remarkable, but there's usually something there, and I've been very privileged to listen to a number of end of life reflections that have really been a joy. I'd like more of those.

I really enjoy projects about people's work - any interesting jobs, unusual careers, groundbreaking studies - and I've a particular soft spot for medical memoirs!

Do you read non-fiction? What would you like to see in 2023?

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