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Ghost Writer! A good job or not?

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Pooja Pradeep
from Bangalore |

Okay, so I have been bugged with this thought for a while.

I was just browing around some freelacing sites, and I found this job called "GHOST WRITERS". Apparantely, the person who offers the job, has a back story in his mind, but doesn't have good English and Grammar sense to actually make his story as a book. Hence he puts up this job, where people who have are good in English take it up and write out the story for him.

Now my wonder is, why would anyone want some stranger to take credit for their work?

You may say MONEY! But just imagine that the book was super hit, then he would have received more money himself than what the employer pays, and he'll be famous as well.

I just googled it up and found that many writers, good ones, usually take the help from Ghost writers as well.

To proof-read your work, and make some minor edits, its okay! I accept it. But getting the whole work done from someone else, and taking the credit for it?Surprised

I don't think that's very niceUndecided. What is your opinion on it?Surprised

Replies 1 to 4 of 4

conquer-the-self
from pondicherry |

ghost writing is a big industry. If the payment is good why should you hesitate? Ask any aspiring novelist how difficult and expensive it is to get a book published.

How many writers end up writing their own books? Not many, I think.

There are different kinds of sale rights like usage rights, unique rights and full rights. Even when you write an article and sell it to a buyer you arejust a ghost writer

Pooja Pradeep
from Bangalore |

I'm an aspiring novelist myselfTongue outSo yeah I know the trouble. All I'm saying is, if the book is super hit, won't you regret that you ever gave the rights to someone else? Someone is basking in your glory, and you'll be happy?

I don't mind giving articles, I'm a freelance writer, and usually people ask stuff about what I don't write in my blogTongue outso that's fine with me. But writing a whole book for someoneUndecided. That's difficult.

TF Carthick
from Bangalore |

Everyone has to make a living. All are not lucky to get the support of a good publisher. If you like writing just for the love of it and not inclined to do a day job, you may as well do this and earn your daily bread. Many master peices never make it past the slush pile of publishers. Only lucky ones become best seller. So when it is luck, who is to say whose luck sold the book, the ghost writer or front end writer?

Medha Nagur
from Bangalore |

I totally understand your feelings Pooja.

Even I am a freelance writer and I also do ghost writing but only for articles and blog posts.

But the thing is, they have the idea and you are paid to elaborate and present it well.

Think this way, there are people who sell their ideas (how about taking script writing for example, you are seeling your story and film makers get the name and fame!).

In ghost writing its vice-versa, you are selling your writing talent (that's a freelance writer's business any way!) and the idea generator is bagging the pats.

It's pure businessSealed

but frankly even I don't like this idea Wink

Dhaval Thakur
from Chennai |

I do ghost posting for posts.. But I am getting money for it.. And if I would. Write a novel or somewhat like that then sorry I would not indulge in that :ad ever..