Costco Connection - June 2006

book beat

A ghostwriter

tells (almost) all

^By ^Eva ^Shawstrings and make it hard to WHAT DO HILLARY CLINTON, Dennis swallow.

Rodman, Madonna and Lee Iacocca have in Like many in my field, I’ve common? They’ve used ghosts—ghostwrit- ghosted how-to books, business ers,thatis. books, diet manuals, cookbooks,

Celebrities, entrepreneurs, politicians autobiographies and even speeches. I’ve and business leaders routinely hire ghost- worked with stay-at-home moms and writers to capture their words for print. It’s headline newsmakers. Ghostwriting is estimated that 60 percent (and maybe up to far from boring, but it’s not for ego-

80 percent) of nonfiction books have been driven writers. ^{KEN BROMAN}ghosted. There are whispers among ghost- “Civilians” (that is, people who do not writers that a few bestselling novelists have know the book publishing industry) look doing something the public wants to read “help” writing, too. confused when I say I’m a ghost, but the about. After writing about the hottest new

While the ghostwriting I have created is career choice is on the rise. Ghosts get busi- diet plan, the next book may be the life story as varied as the genres of writing, there is one ness through referrals and publishing con- of a media darling. constant: I am confidential. I don’t spill the tacts such as agents and publishers, and by Why are ghosts hired? To streamline the beans unless I’m told it’s OK. I don’t just asking for it. Some advertise their services. writing process because the author is busy or write for high-profile types, but for those Savvy ghosts often seek work by contact- unable to write the book that America wants who have stories that snatch at your heart- ing news-making men and women who are to read.

E ncourage y our k id’s q uest f or k nowledge

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