Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Ghostwriters, book deals, and AI: What you didn’t know about publishing, with Dan Gerstein
Apr 24, 2025
Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, has spent over 30 years in writing and communications. He reveals the intricacies of ghostwriting, explaining how it works beyond celebrity authors to include everyday individuals. Lists of negotiation strategies for royalties and rights highlight the complexities of contracts. Gerstein discusses the evolving role of ghostwriters in a world increasingly influenced by AI, emphasizing that human storytelling remains irreplaceable for emotional depth. He also touches on the blurred lines of authorship in celebrity collaborations.
22:44
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Quick takeaways
- Ghostwriting fiction requires specialized skills in creative collaboration, as clients often need guidance in narrative and character development.
- The rise of AI in writing is reshaping the industry, but the unique human touch of experienced ghostwriters is still irreplaceable.
Deep dives
The Unique Challenges of Fiction Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting for fiction presents distinct challenges compared to nonfiction, primarily due to the creative nature of the projects involved. While nonfiction authors often have a clear vision for their book and seek help to refine and execute that vision, fiction clients typically grapple with how to construct narrative and character development. This often requires specialized talent, as many aspiring novelists may only have a general idea or inspiration but lack knowledge in storytelling mechanics. Consequently, ghostwriters need to possess not only writing skill but also the ability to collaborate creatively, guiding authors through the complexities of fiction writing.
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