Definition of a ghost-writer - a person, whose job it is to write material for someone else, who is the named author.

This week we celebrate ghost writers, which in itself is an oxymoron as to be a ghost writer your name is usually not mentioned in the body of the work you undertook. There are exceptions to that rule, of course. I know the hybrid marketing book I wrote is one such example. The client was more than happy to have my name mentioned. It was a fun project too, as I created the concept of the hybrid content.

However, other projects contracted to me have been truly ghost written and I am fine with that. The interesting part of ghost writing is you will write on subjects/topics that may not have been in your wheelhouse so to speak. This is the fun part of the job and a great way to expand your knowledge.

Ghostwriting may even be a back door to the prestigious corners of the publishing world, connections with select people and normally you have a partial, or full upfront payment, which is normally a flat fee. Another bonus is you do not have the marketing and promotion burden for the project. It is also an excellent way to build your writing skills.

So to all the ghost writers out there - Happy Ghost Writing Week - long may you write in the shadows.