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The debate on ghostwriting elicits strong reactions from most people across the world. Some people have contempt for it because they think it’s a form of cheating. Others feel that it’s more of a collaborative process that is no different than hiring an editor or coach to help in shaping a piece before its publication. While it’s easy to take sides, the truth of the matter is – it’s complicated. To find out whether ghostwriting is ethical, you need to understand what it is. And think from both the writer’s and owner’s perspectives. In this post, we are going to help you understand everything about the ethics of ghostwriting.
What is ghostwriting?
There is a shallow understanding of ghostwriting among laypeople. And a deeper understanding of what it entails. If you ask most people what ghostwriting is, they’ll tell you that it’s when a person writes in the name of another individual or institution without receiving credit. However, it’s much more than that. It is a complex form of collaboration that covers a wide range of services that are closely tied to the needs and goals of the author. As the author, you need to work with Penfellow professional ghostwriting service online to avoid unethical issues. Hiring skilled writers online will ensure that you get high-quality work all the time.
The ghostwriter’s perspective
On the ghost’s side, ethics are not an issue. It is largely a transaction. They are selling a product – their writing skills to the author. Once they have an agreement, they sign over all the rights to the books or articles to the author. The result is no different than someone who buys a computer on Amazon. They can do whatever they want with it once the transaction is done. They paid to have the power to do whatever they want with it.
The author’s perspective
On the author’s side, the situation can be quite complicated. The ghostwriter is supposed to reflect the thinking process of the author. In short, they should write like the author if they had the time, energy, or skill to work on their project. Hiring a ghostwriter is not unethical in any way. A project completed in this manner is a perfect collaboration between the author and the ghost just like a normal business transaction.
When does it become unethical?
Ghostwriting can become unethical when the ghost and author have different expectations and goals. When the author fails to participate fully in the process and expects the writer to fill in the blanks or come up with a huge part of the content, the ghost is supposed to take credit for this. If this doesn’t happen, it can be unethical. The author is also supposed to proofread the pieces submitted by the ghost to ensure that they are credible and accurate. While most writers always do their best to submit high-quality work, it’s easy to misinterpret what the author means.
Important ethical guidelines
- The essence of the story told by the ghost must be the author’s experience
Let’s face it. Capturing another person’s thoughts and voice is not a walk in the park. The ghost and the author have to interact for hours to understand each other. The story written by the writer should be the author’s. Therefore, the author has to be deeply immersed in the process. The author cannot just give brief instructions and make payment to the writer. If the writer has to do most of the thinking and writing, then the piece doesn’t belong to the author.
- The reader should know who did the work
In most instances, ghostwriters and authors are usually secretive about their collaboration. And this is largely due to the stigma that surrounds the practice. Most ghosts will be happy to forego the rights of ownership in exchange for money. And this can become an issue when the author doesn’t want to be involved in the process. In the world of writing, transparency is important. If the author hasn’t been involved in the process, the reader needs to be informed about the person who did all the work.
- There’s nothing wrong with hiring a ghostwriter
You may have a clear idea of how you want your books, articles, or journals to look. However, a lack of time, energy, or skills can hinder you from achieving your goals. Fortunately, you don’t have to struggle alone. There are millions of writers across the world who are willing to do the work for you. All you have to do is find the right one and communicate with them. As long you came up with the ideas and are involved in the writing process, there’s nothing unethical about ghostwriting.
Conclusion
Thanks to technological advancement, ghostwriting has gradually evolved to become an accepted job by many. As long as there is no deception between the two parties, it is a great way to get projects done and achieve big goals. Communicating with your preferred writer clearly and staying up to date with everything they are doing will not only save you time but also help you get your message across to your target market. We all need each other to thrive in our modern world.
Author’s Bio:
Kathy Mercado is a professional business and academic writer. She spends most of her hours interacting with business leaders and college students. She is passionate about helping others unlock their potential and visiting new places.