Did you know Prince Harry’s memoir was ghostwritten?
Not every day you see a book, much more a memoir, get that much attention even before its intended release.
“Spare,” Prince Harry’s highly anticipated memoir, was projected to be a “record-setter” in pre-publication orders, and it didn’t disappoint.
Save for some last-minute blunders by the publisher (some copies were sold in Spain before the official January 10 release), the book took the world by storm.
To give you a preview: around 1.4 million copies were sold on the first day. Remember that this figure is supposed to be netted after a week or so.
Most of us were too busy devouring Harry’s personal story to pay close attention to the authorship credits.
As it turns out, Spare wasn’t exclusively penned by Harry himself – he had help from acclaimed novelist JR Moehringer.
JR Moehringer himself is no stranger to critical success. The American author has a Pulitzer Prize under his belt, not for any book he wrote, but for his contributions to newspaper feature writing.
Famous people choose to collaborate with ghostwriters like Moehringer for some reason. In the case of “Spare,” we can only speculate, but for writers like JR Moehringer, it’s all about giving voice to those who need or want help telling their stories.
Why Did Prince Harry Opt to Partner with a Ghostwriter?
For one, JR Moehringer isn’t just any “ghost.” He is an award-winning writer and commands a certain level of respect in the writing circles.
But why settle for a ghostwriter in the first place?
Well, it’s no secret that Harry can write – during his days at Eton.
However, it’s common for public figures to look for external assistance when penning such books.
In the case of Spare, there was an obvious need for someone to help Harry get his thoughts in order and aid with necessary editing.
It’s also possible that Harry wanted to take a more “creative” approach to telling his story – an approach he couldn’t have achieved alone.
Though “Spare” is told in the first person, it’s clear that JR Moehringer had a major role in it.
His contributions as an editor, mentor and partner were essential to the success of this project.
In light of the response Spare has received so far, we can safely say that Harry made the right decision by choosing his ghostwriter.
And neither Harry nor JR Moehringer could have predicted the success of this project.
And rightfully so, there’s talk about Moehringer getting a seven-figure payment for his work on Spare. If that’s not enough motivation, we don’t know what is.
Background of a “Ghost” and JR Moehringer
JR Moehringer was a journalist first and an author second.
His memoir, The Tender Bar (2005), was adapted into a film via Amazon Prime last year. Directed by George Clooney, the movie starred Ben Affleck, Tye Sheridan, and Daniel Ranieri.
Although the memoir didn’t achieve noteworthy financial success compared to Spare, it received some critical acclaim and ultimately captured tennis legend Andre Agassi’s attention.
Agassi contacted Moehringer and arranged for a partnership to write a memoir titled “Open: An Autobiography.
From then on, Moehringer’s career as a ghostwriter began to pick up steam.
Besides Prince Harry’s “Spare,” Moehringer’s most prominent ghostwriting gig is Phil Knight’s “Shoe Dog.”
Spare: What’s Behind the Hype?
“Spare” is a memoir, meaning it chronicles the life and trials of the author (in this case, Harry).
However, it isn’t just any memoir. It’s a book written at a time when there is an undeniable appetite for information about the Royal Family – especially regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
So far, reviews have centred around Harry’s candidness and openness – with no short supply of nostalgia-inducing moments.
But there are also some hidden gems that only a ghostwriter could have possibly extracted from Harry.
In particular, reviews have praised the book for its “genuine insights” into Harry’s upbringing, his struggles as he transitioned to adulthood, his relationships, and his unreserved take on Diana’s death.
In Spare, Harry touches on the pressures of being a royal and his clashes with Prince William.
The book attempts to make sense of his relationship with the royal family and reclaim his identity.
But arguably, the biggest reason the memoir tickles everyone’s fancy is the prince’s complicated relationship with the British Monarchy.
Showing a Vulnerable Side of Prince Harry
Prince Harry has done something remarkable by placing himself so vulnerably in front of the world.
For this book, it’s necessarily a bad thing. Prince Harry’s willingness to expose himself made Spare an instant hit.
The book was written with a certain purpose – to explain why he chose to step back from his royal duties and go off on his chosen path.
The Value of a Ghostwriter
Spare is a reminder that ghosts can have a significant, even if not explicitly credited, role in the success of any creative project.
And JR Moehringer’s work on this particular project speaks for itself.
It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that he played an integral part in propelling Spare to its level of success. And the book isn’t even a week old yet.
Further Reading
Joel Mark Harris graduated from the Langara School of Journalism in 2007. Joel is an award-winning journalist, novelist, screenwriter and producer.
He has ghostwritten numerous books in all types of genres including true life crime, business, memoir, and self help. With over 1,000 blog posts to his name, he has helped hundreds of business owners scale their business and increase their visibility. You can email him at info@ghostwritersandco.com
