Does James Patterson use a ghostwriter?
The answer is… it depends on what you consider a ghostwriter!
James Patterson is a prolific, world-renowned, bestselling author.
He has written thriller, young adult, and romance novels.
He published his first book in 1976 and continued to write novels as he moved up the corporate ladder as an advertising executive.
In 1996, he decided to leave the world of advertising behind and make a full-time career as an author.
Besides being one of the most prolific writers in history, he holds the Guinness World Record for the largest number of books by a single author on The New York Times bestseller list.
However, with many of his bestselling works containing a large volume of co-written work, he faces criticism that he is not co-authoring his books but using ghostwriters instead.
We examine his history, the process behind the production of his novels, and some of his more notable collaborators.
We will try and establish whether there is any truth to the claims of his contemporaries.
Who Is James Patterson?
Born in Newburgh, New York, in 1947, James was a good student but confessed that he did not enjoy reading until well after he graduated from high school.
He then attended Manhattan College for his undergraduate studies before starting his coursework at Vanderbilt University for a master’s degree in English literature.
After a year at Vanderbilt, Patterson left in 1971 to take up a position as a copywriter at advertising agency J. Walter Thompson.
Although he steadily rose through the company ranks to eventually become the firm’s CEO for North America, he still wrote fiction novels in his spare time.
The Thomas Berryman Number, his first published book, was released in 1976, winning an Edgar Allan Poe Award, one of the top prizes for mystery writers.
He then penned several more novels, but only achieved breakout success in 1993 with his book Along Came a Spider.
Patterson took advantage of his experience in advertising to launch a televised ad campaign that played a crucial role in the book’s success.
Finally, in 1996, he put behind his life as an ad executive to focus exclusively on his writing.
As he continued to scale the ladder of success as a writer, he started doing more and more collaborations with other authors.
However, the fact that his collaborators now write most of his novels is frowned upon by many literary experts.
As a result, Patterson is not very highly regarded by his peers and literary critics, but the popularity of his novels among the reading public is undoubted.
He is a behemoth in the industry and one of the best-selling authors of all time.
His process can be better described as conception, outlining, or curating stories that people love.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
James Patterson is a staunch advocate for literacy and education.
He understands these as the foundations for a better society.
Patterson has made substantial donations to schools…
libraries… and literacy programs.
He emphasizing the importance of reading in personal and intellectual development.
Patterson has established scholarships and grants for teachers and students, recognizing educators’ critical role in fostering a love of reading.
His initiatives include donating millions of books to schools and the military.
He also participates in various campaigns to get books into the hands of young readers.
These efforts not only provide essential resources but also help cultivate a culture of reading among the youth.
Patterson’s public advocacy for reading and education, using his platform to raise awareness, sets an example for other authors. T
his commitment to philanthropy in the literary world has made Patterson an important figure both within and outside the literary community.
James Patterson’s Earnings
James Patterson’s earnings are a testament to his unparalleled success in the literary world.
His books consistently topping bestseller lists and his expansive portfolio that includes over 300 titles.
Patterson’s financial gains are substantial. According to Forbes, Patterson has frequently topped the list of the world’s highest-paid authors, earning tens of millions of dollars annually.
Sources of Income
Book Sales: The primary source of Patterson’s income comes from his book sales. With hundreds of millions of copies sold worldwide, his books have generated a significant revenue stream. His ability to release multiple titles in a year across various genres keeps his sales figures consistently high.
Film and TV Adaptations: Many of Patterson’s novels have been adapted into movies and TV shows. These adaptations not only bring in direct earnings from the sale of film rights but also boost book sales, contributing to his overall income.
Audiobook Sales: In the digital age, audiobooks have become increasingly popular, and Patterson’s works are no exception. The sales of audiobooks have added a significant sum to his earnings.
The Business Model Behind His Success
Patterson’s financial success can also be attributed to his unique business model.
His collaboration with co-authors allows for a higher output of books, which translates into more sales. This model has not only maximized his earnings but also changed the way traditional publishing works.
James Patterson’s Ghostwriting Process
Since he began his career in 1976, James Patterson has had more than 200 titles to his name, with many being bestsellers.
What’s more, he has sold more than 400 million copies.
To maintain this incredible production rate, he now co-authors almost all his books, functioning partly as executive producer and partly as head writer.
Patterson’s formula for the many novels that have made him the best-selling author on the planet since 2001 is simple.
He sketches out all the action in detail, includes extensive outlines and notes, sets out the novel’s plot and characters, and then works with a writer to turn the outline into a full-length book.
Patterson reads the writer’s draft for each chapter, suggests revisions, and carries out rewrites when necessary.
With time, and as the writer understands the process, there are fewer edits and rewrites.
While he does not do the line-by-line writing himself, Patterson’s vision directs each novel or series.
This strategy is hardly surprising, given his background.
This type of collaborative workflow is common in ad agencies or TV show writing rooms.
His method is different from the traditional way of writing books, which depends on one person’s imagination and sensibilities rendered in their unique voice and style.
In a Washington Post article, he claims that when he writes the outline for a novel, the success rate of the resulting book is almost 100%, but drops to about 50-60% when a co-author produces the book’s outline.
Uniquely, he is intimately involved in the entire process of publishing his books.
Patterson takes charge of all his advertising and closely monitors each step of publication, from the jacket design and timing of the book release to placement in stores.
Are Patterson’s Collaborators Co-Authors Or Ghostwriters?
It is clear that Patterson long decided to be a successful popular author instead of being a mediocre literary writer.
Many critics compare his work to a showrunner on television, which sets a TV series in motion, guiding its tone and pace, regardless of who writes the individual episodes.
He justifies his process by saying that his true skill is not crafting one sentence after another but developing the plots’ intricacies in his books.
There is nothing new about an author writing a book under another author’s name, and ghostwriting has been a feature of the publishing business since it began.
For instance, Auguste Maquet worked with Alexandre Dumas as a ghostwriter on several of his works, including the celebrated The Three Musketeers.
When the Flowers in the Attic series author, Virginia Andrews, passed away in 1986, her estate hired a ghostwriter to produce more novels under her name.
Similarly, it might surprise many that Carolyn Keene, who wrote the Nancy Drew detective books, never existed.
She was a pseudonym used by a group of ghostwriters who produced the series.
Today’s only difference is that partners or ghostwriters are more common than in the past and are often disclosed within the book’s jacket.
Using collaborators or ghostwriters does not put off Patterson’s readers, as his earnings indicate.
His collaborative process appears – on the surface, at least – to be a winning formula.
He gets to churn out novels at a barely believable rate, while his collaborators get a byline as co-author with the most successful producers of bestsellers in the world and ride on the success of his brand.
Whether you consider Patterson a brand manager or a writer, it is clear that he provides millions of people with plenty of reading enjoyment.
As the former CEO of a leading advertising firm, Patterson is well-versed in creating and developing brands.
The only difference is that now he markets himself.
He is so successful at marketing himself that the Harvard Business School wrote a case study titled ‘Marketing James Patterson,’ which the school runs as part of its business courses.
If James Patterson is a brand, it is a successful one since his fans seem to identify with it and want more.
It is hard to find fault with his process, whether he co-authors his work or gets it ghostwritten.
Books Written by James Patterson
As one of the most polific authors ever to live (I’m not exaggerating) it would be nearly impossible to list ALL of James Patterson’s books.
However, here are some of the more well-known ones…
Famous James Patterson Collaborators and Ghostwriters
Patterson has co-written his novels with more than two dozen different writers, but a few stands out as the most successful collaborators:
Maxine Paetro
Maxine Paetro is a celebrated novelist who was first published in 1979.
She has collaborated with Patterson on several novels.
Still, She is best known for her work on his Women’s Murder Club series, which gathers four women to investigate homicide mysteries using their different skill sets.
One of the reasons for the success of the Women’s Murder Club series is that each book is independent of the other.
What’s more, Maxine’s fast-paced writing and short chapters make them quick reads.
Before co-authoring Patterson’s books, Maxine wrote three successful novels of her own – Man share, Babydreams, and Windfall between 1986 and 1991.
Maxine is also the author of Dream Lovers: The Magnificent Shattered Lives of Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee – by Their Son Dodd Darin, a biography released in 1993.
Michael Ledwidge
Michael Lewidge is an Irish-American author who was born and raised in the Bronx.
Initially, he wanted to be a police officer but had to bide his time for an opening in the force by working as a doorman.
Bored by the tedious job, he whiled away the time by writing.
He then met his old college professor and sought his help to find an agent.
The professor introduced him to James Patterson, and the rest is history.
Patterson took him under his wing and, today, Lewidge is the co-author of some of Patterson’s most profitable books.
Michael has risen from a talented but mostly unread writer to receiving a byline on the Michael Bennet series of novels by Patterson – the highest-selling detective series of all time from New York – with more than 20 million copies in print.
The titles in the series include Bullseye, Alert, Burn, and Gone. What’s more, one of the novels in the Michael Bennet series, Zoo, was made into a three-season TV series aired on CBS.
Mark Sullivan
Mark Sullivan is one of the most prominent co-authors who has also enjoyed massive success as a writer in his own right.
He has co-written five titles in Patterson’s Private series – The Games, Private Paris, Private L.A., Private Berlin, and Private Games.
Mark was born in a Boston suburb in 1958 and joined the Peace Corps after completing his college studies.
He lived with a tribe of nomads in the Sahara as part of his Peace Corps experience.
When he returned to the United States, he took up a job at Reuters at the start of a decade-long career as a journalist, where he would also work for the San Diego Tribune as an investigative reporter.
In 1990, Mark spent the winter living with a team of skiers in Wyoming and Utah, using the experience as the inspiration for his first book, The Fall Line, published in 1994.
In 1995, he released Hard News, a thriller novel based on his years as a reporter.
The next year, he published the critically acclaimed book, The Purification Ceremony, winner of the Best New Talent category of the WH Smith Awards.
Celebrity Co-Authors
Patterson has also co-written several books with renowned personalities from outside the literary circle, including:
Dolly Parton
The country music superstar says that she has always dreamed of writing a novel, as she is an avid reader.
Well, her dream is about to come true, thanks to a collaboration with Patterson.
On March 7, 2022, she will publish her first book, titled Run, Rose, Run, with James as co-author.
Parton will also release a new original album of the same name to accompany the book.
Run, Rose, Run is set in Nashville and is the emotional story of a young woman who journeys to Music City to chase her dream of becoming the next big country star.
A secret from her brutal past inspires the character’s songwriting.
Bill Clinton
Yes Bill Clinton wrote a book with James Patterson!
Bill Clinton needs no introduction.
Bringing together former President Bill Clinton’s intimate knowledge of how the presidency works and Patterson’s knack for weaving a suspenseful story, the two men have co-written two books; The President is Missing (2018) and The President’s Daughter (2021).
The first is about a progressive Southerner President who is on the verge of being impeached by a conservative house determined to undermine his government.
Three years later, the duo released their second bestselling novel, which follows a former president, an ex-Navy SEAL.
The protagonist must rescue his kidnapped daughter in a tale that takes its readers from political machinations in the capital to violence in New Hampshire to Libyan terrorist hideouts.
James Patterson’s Impact on the Publishing Industry
James Patterson’s influence in the publishing world is profound.
His staggering sales of over 300 million copies worldwide are just the tip of the iceberg.
Here are key aspects that underscore Patterson’s significant role in the publishing industry:
Revolutionizing Publishing Models: Patterson’s approach to book production, often working with co-authors, has revolutionized the traditional publishing model.
His method allows for a rapid and consistent release of new titles, keeping readers engaged and constantly anticipating his next book.
This model has influenced how publishers approach book production and author collaborations, leading to a surge in similar partnerships across the industry.
Boosting Sales and Revenue: Patterson’s books are a guaranteed success in terms of sales, making him a valuable asset for publishers.
His ability to consistently produce bestsellers has provided a stable and significant revenue stream for publishers, contributing to their financial health and ability to invest in new authors and projects.
Setting Publishing Trends: The genres and themes Patterson chooses often set trends within the industry.
His focus on crime, thriller, and mystery has reinforced these genres’ popularity.
This prompts publishers to seek out similar works and authors, thereby shaping the literary market’s direction.
Global Reach and Translation: Patterson’s appeal is not limited to the English-speaking world.
His books are translated into multiple languages, expanding their global reach.
This not only boosts sales internationally but also opens doors for publishers and authors to explore and invest in global markets.
Influencing Retail and Marketing Strategies: The marketing and retail strategies for Patterson’s books, including prominent placement in bookstores and aggressive advertising campaigns, have set benchmarks for the industry.
His launch strategies are often studied by marketing professionals.
Digital and Multimedia: Patterson has been at the forefront of exploring digital platforms and multimedia adaptations, from e-books to audiobooks, and branching into film and television.
His foray into these areas has encouraged publishers to look beyond traditional print media and invest in diverse content formats.
The Final Word on James Patterson’s Ghostwriters
Interestingly, the best-selling author in the world does not appear to be primarily a writer but someone who has turned storytelling into a commodity.
Calling James Patterson an author in the generally accepted sense of the word may not be completely accurate, given his role in the process used to write the books sold under his name.
However, Patterson is philosophical about his critics.
He says that he considers himself – first and foremost – to be an entertainer rather than a wordsmith. In that case, he has succeeded spectacularly.
Further Reading
Did Michelle Obama Use a Ghostwriter?
The Ethics of Bulk Book Buying
The Ultimate Guide To Hiring An Editor To Your Book
How To Pitch Your Book To Hollywood
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
