When it comes to writing and publishing a book, many aspiring authors consider enlisting the help of a ghostwriter or coauthor. While both roles involve collaborating with you to create your book, there are significant differences between the two that you should be aware of before making a decision.
Key Takeaways
- Coauthors share ownership and creative control of the book, while ghostwriters help bring the author’s vision to life.
- Coauthors are credited as authors, while ghostwriters remain anonymous.
- Coauthors may have divergent goals for the book after writing, while ghostwriters support the author’s success and vision.
- Ghostwriting is an ethical and accepted practice in the publishing industry.
Ghostwriters vs Coauthors Key Differences
Ownership and Creative Control
Coauthors: Sharing the Spotlight
If you choose to work with a coauthor, then the resulting book will be a shared creation. A coauthor brings their own ideas, voice, and creative vision to the project, which means the final product will be a blend of your perspectives. In this arrangement, the coauthor is not just a writer but also an author, with a stake in the book’s direction and outcome.
Ghostwriters: Bringing Your Vision to Life
On the other hand, when you hire a ghostwriter, the book remains entirely yours. A ghostwriter is a skilled craftsperson who focuses on executing your vision for the book as faithfully as possible. They are the writer, but you maintain full authorship and control over the ideas, tone, and direction of the work. A ghostwriter’s primary concern is your satisfaction with the final manuscript.
Authorship Credit and Recognition
Coauthors: Sharing the Byline
As the name suggests, a coauthor is credited as an author of your book. Their name appears on the cover alongside yours, acknowledging their contribution and creative input. This shared credit reflects the collaborative nature of the writing process and the coauthor’s investment in the project as their own creative endeavor.
Ghostwriters: The Invisible Pen
In contrast, a ghostwriter remains invisible when it comes to authorship credit. The term “ghost” emphasizes the anonymity of their role. When you hire a ghostwriter, the published book is solely yours, and the ghostwriter receives no public recognition for their work. They focus on the technical aspects of writing, allowing you to maintain complete authorship and control over the book’s content and message.
Post-Writing Considerations
Coauthors: Potentially Divergent Paths
Even after the manuscript is completed, a coauthor may have personal goals and aspirations that differ from your own. As a credited author, they may have specific ideas about marketing, genre categorization, or the book’s overall direction. These goals may not always align with your vision, potentially leading to disagreements or compromises.
Ghostwriters: Supporting Your Success
A ghostwriter’s primary objective is to support your success and ensure that you are completely satisfied with the book as you envisioned it. While they can provide professional advice and input, the final decisions rest with you. A ghostwriter will offer guidance to help you achieve your goals, but they will not attempt to steer the book in a direction that deviates from your vision.
The Ethics of Ghostwriting
Some may question the ethics of ghostwriting, wondering if it is akin to plagiarism since the ghostwriter receives no authorship credit. However, this is far from the truth. Ghostwriting is an accepted and legitimate practice in the publishing industry.
A skilled ghostwriter acts as a technical expert, collaborating closely with you to bring your book to life. Just as you might design a building but hire a contractor to construct it, a ghostwriter helps you transform your ideas and vision into a polished manuscript. The process is transparent and consensual, with both parties fully aware of their roles and responsibilities.
For more insight into the ethics of ghostwriting, read our article, “The Ethics of Hiring a Ghostwriter.”
FAQs
What is the main difference between a ghostwriter and a coauthor?
A coauthor shares authorship credit and creative control of the book, while a ghostwriter writes the book according to the author’s vision and receives no public recognition.
Can a ghostwriter help me publish my book?
While a ghostwriter’s primary role is to write the book, many ghostwriting services, like Kevin Anderson & Associates, offer additional support and guidance throughout the publishing process.
How do I know if I should work with a ghostwriter or a coauthor?
If you want to maintain full ownership and control over your book’s content and vision, a ghostwriter is the better choice. If you’re open to collaborating and sharing credit with another writer who will contribute their own ideas, a coauthor may be a good fit.
Hire a Ghostwriter from Kevin Anderson & Associates
If you’re looking to hire a skilled ghostwriter, you don’t need to look much further. The ghostwriters on staff at Kevin Anderson & Associates are the best of the best, and our whole team is eager to help you with your book.
Schedule a free consultation with our experts. We’ll discuss your project in detail, answer any questions you may have, and help you determine the best course of action to bring your book to life.
You can read also more about our ghostwriting and editing services, or contact us at 1-844-997-4837 / (844-9-WRITER) to get your book started.
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