Publishing News Roundup Series: Is Ghostwriting Dangerous to Authors?
by Maureen Crisp • March 5, 2019 • Follow
Published in News • No comments
Ghostwriting has been a long since practice in modern publishing. But are there risks involved?
When you hire a ghostwriter it is important to remember that they are utilizing your name for the work being created. If anything goes astray, you are responsible. Though ghostwriters can be a major help to writers, it is important to remember to think before you hire.
Running To Stand Still
This week around the blogosphere there was consternation as a plagiarism scandal erupted and grew bigger by the hour.
As events unfolded the writer in question blamed the ghost writers that she hired to write books
with her name on it… and therein lies the problem. If you have your name on it then it must have
come from you and been approved by you. As the plagiarized writer, an ex-supreme court lawyer,
said on Twitter… you picked the wrong person here.
Unfortunately she was not the only writer targeted… at last count 27 writers had been picked up.
As events unfolded the writer in question blamed the ghost writers that she hired to write books
with her name on it… and therein lies the problem. If you have your name on it then it must have
come from you and been approved by you. As the plagiarized writer, an ex-supreme court lawyer,
said on Twitter… you picked the wrong person here.
Unfortunately she was not the only writer targeted… at last count 27 writers had been picked up.
Kris Rusch outlines the very reasons why this mess happened and why you should be very
clear in writing cooperatively, however you do it.
clear in writing cooperatively, however you do it.
If you have been on social media lately you will have seen all the hype around the new Masterclass
with Neil Gaiman. Actually Neil is everywhere… Good Omens is coming out, American Gods is in
a second season… Masterclass must be rubbing hands all the way to the bank. So if you have been
on the fence about shelling out for this…you might like this article about
whether it is worth doing a class with Mr Gaiman…or Ms Attwood.
with Neil Gaiman. Actually Neil is everywhere… Good Omens is coming out, American Gods is in
a second season… Masterclass must be rubbing hands all the way to the bank. So if you have been
on the fence about shelling out for this…you might like this article about
whether it is worth doing a class with Mr Gaiman…or Ms Attwood.
Are you a company of one?
Joanna Penn interviewed Paul Jarvis on how to approach your writer business if it’s just you.
Joanna Penn interviewed Paul Jarvis on how to approach your writer business if it’s just you.
It’s Book Fair season around the world. The New Publishing Standard keeps an eye on
the international book fairs with India having record attendances lately but they aren’t the only ones.
Belgium has just racked up record attendances too Is print back?
Meanwhile London is expanding their offering and opening up to podcasts.
(It’s all about audio you know….)
the international book fairs with India having record attendances lately but they aren’t the only ones.
Belgium has just racked up record attendances too Is print back?
Meanwhile London is expanding their offering and opening up to podcasts.
(It’s all about audio you know….)
Nate Hoffelder pointed out in his blog this week that there is a new wordpress plugin that gets
Alexa to read your blog for you as a podcast and if that isn’t enough to be going on with…
in Joanna Penn’s latest podcast interview with Will Dages of Findaway voices the discussion touched on
a future copyright IP- for your author voice.
Alexa to read your blog for you as a podcast and if that isn’t enough to be going on with…
in Joanna Penn’s latest podcast interview with Will Dages of Findaway voices the discussion touched on
a future copyright IP- for your author voice.
Are you worried about finding your ideal reader- The Superfan who will
buy all your books, shout your name to the heavens, and leap to do your every bidding?
Anne R Allen has the blog post for you… Should writers despair if they don’t have superfans?
It must have struck a chord… there are a pile of comments.
buy all your books, shout your name to the heavens, and leap to do your every bidding?
Anne R Allen has the blog post for you… Should writers despair if they don’t have superfans?
It must have struck a chord… there are a pile of comments.
Penny Sansevieri has an interesting post on 4 common book marketing complaints.
Check them out just in case you are doing something wrong and don’t know it.
Check them out just in case you are doing something wrong and don’t know it.
Reedsy is getting into the book review business… which surprised me.
They have trusted book reviewers for a price… but then you are just marketing to other authors…
Maybe I’m missing something.
They have trusted book reviewers for a price… but then you are just marketing to other authors…
Maybe I’m missing something.
Scott Meyers has a great post on his screenwriting blog about writing sprints…
Yes you can achieve much when you write against the clock especially with others…
but don’t forget that a writing walk is just as good… you’ll need your running shoes tho.
Yes you can achieve much when you write against the clock especially with others…
but don’t forget that a writing walk is just as good… you’ll need your running shoes tho.
In The Craft Section,
2 great posts from Angela Ackerman- When character flaws go too far and Exploring the dark side of your hero – Bookmark Both.
Creating an easy habit of writing– Write to Done
Kill your darlings – editing– Write for Kids
How to write authentic injuries– Scriptmedic
What the ‘Friends’ pilot can teach writers– Bang2Write- Bookmark
Should you join a writing group?– Leigh Shulman
10 steps guide to the likable hero – Captain America –K M Weiland– Bookmark
In The Marketing Section,
5 tips to spice up your Amazon Profile– Chrys Fey- Bookmark
How your reader profiles informs your book marketing– Bookworks- Bookmark
Is distribution of your print worth it- LM Preston
How to cut down on your business expenses– Creatifwriting
What’s in your signature– Judith Briles
Using Twitter for your author platform– No wasted ink- Bookmark
To Finish,
If you are really in a hurry for that book… check out the Book Espresso machine.
They are becoming more common in book stores in the U.S. Walk in… order the book…
it gets printed while you wait…
Print can be almost as fast as buying an ebook.
They are becoming more common in book stores in the U.S. Walk in… order the book…
it gets printed while you wait…
Print can be almost as fast as buying an ebook.
Maureen
@craicer
About Maureen Crisp
Maureen Crisp has been writing her weekly publishing roundups for over seven years. She is a traditionally published children's author as well as indie-published. She lives in New Zealand and is heading the team organising the 4th National Conference of Children's Writers and Illustrators. She is currently trying her hand at writing a children’s book series if she can drag herself away from forever tweaking her Mars novel or obsessing over space.