Ghostwriters!

Storr. “When talented writers are basically just having to give over their creativity to a celebrity, I think that’s a disgrace.”

In other cases, however, the dynamic between ghostwriter and celebrity is a mutually benefcial relationship.

“I’ve ghosted several books that have been number one,” says Whyman. “If I’d written that book, it probably wouldn’t have even broken into the top ten thousand. So that person is doing you a service too, by promoting it, by being the face that everyone wants to hear from—so in that way it’s a collaborative effort to make the book a success.” job. “Together, we create something that’s [their own],” he says. “I’m happy for people when the book is embraced and they’re proud of it. When that person is promoting the book and talking about it as if it’s theirs, that’s a job well done.”

With so much work being put into a book only to remain anonymous, some may think that being a ghostwriter could brew jealousy or resentment. “Sometimes you see reviews that say, ‘Wow this person is so lyrical and has a great future as a writer,’” Whyman laughs. “If you don’t admit you had a ghost, you’re sort of doing a deal with the devil.”

Still, neither Whyman nor Storr are naive – they know what they’re getting into and don’t let their ego show up in the process.

“Sometimes it can feel deeply unfair, if that person is saying that they wrote it and they haven’t done a single word. They may say things like, ‘It was a labour of love,’ or ‘I wrote every word,’” says Whyman. “You could eat yourself up about it but at the end of the day, it’s not worth it. If you think you’re going to get your ego wrapped up in it, it’s probably not the type of writing you want to do.”

In fact, Whyman knows that if his clients are out happily promoting the book he’s written and feeling ownership over it, then he’s done his