ghost-writer
Definition
- Noun:
- A professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, or other texts for another person: A ghost-writer creates written content that is officially credited to someone else, typically a public figure, celebrity, or expert who lacks the time or skill to write themselves.
Usage Examples
- (A writer was paid to write the book under the politician's name.)
- (The credited author did not write the book themselves.)
- (She wrote articles and speeches attributed to others.)
Advanced Usage
"to ghost-write for someone": to perform the work of a ghost-writer for a specific person.
- He ghost-wrote the entire novel for the retired actor. (He wrote the novel but the actor received the credit.)
"a ghost-writing project": a specific assignment where a writer produces content for another person.
- The ghost-writing project was kept confidential. (The writer's involvement was not publicly disclosed.)
Variants and Related Words
Ghost-write (verb): to write for someone else as a ghost-writer.
- She ghost-writes articles for a tech CEO. (She writes the articles, but the CEO is listed as the author.)
Ghost-written (adjective): describing a text that has been produced by a ghost-writer.
- The autobiography was ghost-written by a journalist. (The work was not written by the person whose name appears on the cover.)
Synonyms
- Hack writer: a writer who produces work for hire, often of lower quality.
- Pen for hire: a writer who works as a freelance writer for others.
- Anonymous author: a writer whose identity is not revealed.
Related Idioms
"to write in someone's voice": to produce text that matches the style and perspective of the credited author.
- A good ghost-writer can write in someone's voice perfectly. (They can mimic the author's tone and manner.)
"to be a ghost in the machine": a metaphorical phrase referring to an invisible force (the ghost-writer) that produces the actual work.
- The ghost-writer is a ghost in the machine of the publishing industry. (They are hidden but essential.)