How Many Ghostwriters Are There in the United States? (2024)

How Many Ghostwriters Are There in the United States?

The book industry is filled with success stories borne out of the collaborative efforts of authors and ghostwriters.

While the latter work their magic behind the scenes (which usually means they’re uncredited), their contributions to a book’s success are undeniably valuable.

The universal acceptance of “ghosts” has led to this profession becoming increasingly tenable, even lucrative. And so, it’s no surprise that we’ve seen an influx of new ghostwriters joining the fray each year.

That said, it’s impossible to accurately determine how many ghostwriters there are in the United States.

One reason is that no specific license or certification is required to become a ghostwriter. This means that anyone may technically claim to be one, and there’s no official record of their existence.

How Common Are These Ghostwriters?

A little over 50% of all books published in the United States are written by ghostwriters.

That’s an astonishing number, considering these guys remain largely invisible and unknown.

But why do authors and publishers choose to work with ghostwriters?

Well, the most common denominator has something to do with genre.

We know that books come in either fiction or non-fiction, and the latter is likelier to be written by a ghostwriter. Here are the reasons why:

• Non-fiction books often require a high level of expertise or knowledge in a particular field, which the credited author may possess. However, these experts seldom have sufficient writing skills or the time to write a book. As such, ghostwriters are hired to bridge this gap, translating the subject-matter expert’s knowledge into a compelling and readable book.
• Writing a book is a time-consuming endeavour, even for seasoned authors. For professionals or public figures who want to share their insights or experiences, finding the time to write is arguably challenging amid their other responsibilities. Ghostwriters will address this predicament by taking on the bulk of the writing work, allowing the credited author to focus on their primary duties.
• Non-fiction books, i.e., biographies, how-to guides, or business books, are in high demand. Publishers often need to quickly produce high-quality books to meet this demand and keep up with current trends or hot topics. Ghostwriters play an irreplaceable role in meeting these tight deadlines, turning around polished manuscripts in a relatively short time frame.

A Tale of Two Contrasts

The book industry often bears witness to an intriguing dichotomy in ghostwriting.

On the one hand, are those best-selling books that readers widely believe were penned solely by the credited author. A prime example of this would be the Jason Bourne series by Robert Ludlum.

These thrillers have gained a massive following over the years, with audiences enamoured by Bourne’s complex character and high-stakes missions. Yet few are aware of the fact that Ludlum’s untimely death led to a continuation of the series through the skillful hand of a ghostwriter, Eric Van Lustbader.

Another illustration of this trend is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. This enduring tale of revenge has mesmerized readers for generations. However, Dumas was known to collaborate with a ghostwriter, Auguste Maquet, who made a significant contribution to this novel and others, shaping the complex plotlines and memorable characters that Dumas is celebrated for.

On the opposite side of this argument are non-fiction books, often autobiographies and memoirs, where it is an open secret that a ghostwriter played a pivotal role.

The Art of the Deal is one such book.

The credited author is Donald Trump, but it is widely acknowledged that the book was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz, who has since openly discussed his role in creating this best-seller.

Another instance is Becoming by Michelle Obama. This deeply personal and inspiring memoir has been lauded by critics and readers alike.

While Michelle Obama is a gifted orator and writer in her own right, she worked closely with an uncredited ghostwriter.

It’s a contradiction that reflects the complex landscape of ghostwriting.

While some ghostwriters remain in the shadows of the works they’ve helped create, others are recognized for their instrumental role in bringing these books to life. These trends underscore the diversity and dynamism inherent in ghostwriting as a profession.

Business Books Are a Staple for Ghostwriters

The surge in the number of ghostwriters in the United States is closely tied to the growing trend of business leaders and influencers writing books.

These individuals, often at the pinnacle of their industries or fields, hold unique insights and experiences that garner a high demand from readers.

Yet, despite their expertise, few of these industry leaders have the time or writing skills to communicate their knowledge in book form.

Ghostwriters are good at what they do – the transformation of raw expertise and ideas into polished and engaging manuscripts.

They work tirelessly to create a seamless voice for the book, often through extensive interviews with the credited author.

Business leaders who preferred this route have reaped immeasurable perks, including enhanced credibility and thought leadership, increased brand awareness, and even speaking engagements.

This dynamic has led to a symbiotic relationship between business leaders and ghostwriters.

Business icons get to share their wisdom and establish their reputation, while ghostwriters enjoy a steady stream of work, rewarding them for their valuable skills.

This relationship explains the high demand and burgeoning growth of ghostwriting in business books in the United States.

A Noble, Albeit Invisible, Profession

Despite the contrasting views on how ghostwriters are perceived, ghostwriting remains a necessary and thriving career.

Yes, ghostwriters are well-paid for their services, but like any other profession, there’s no one-size-fits-all arrangement or remuneration structure.

We can all agree that ghostwriting involves immense knowledge and skill to execute successfully while remaining invisible.

Ultimately, readers should be delighted with any book purchase, never suspecting that a ghostwriter may have played a key role in its creation.

As for these ghosts, they shall remain ever-ghostly presences in books, committing themselves to translating the ideas and thoughts of others into compelling reads. After all, isn’t that what makes it worthwhile – creating something that will be remembered forever?

So long as a book deserves a read, a ghostwriter remains indelible.