book samples: Non-Ghostwritten collaborations

You may be surprised to hear that at least 60 percent of bestsellers are ghostwritten. It never ceases to amaze me when respectable-appearing bloggers suggest that if you’re thinking about hiring a ghostwriter, ask to see a list of the books the ghostwriter has written. Even in an NPR interview, a "ghostwriter" rattles off the names of dozens of branded clients. Pardon me? 

Since my first ghostwriting project in 1994, I’ve worked under the definition of ghostwriter as “one who writes for and in the name of another who is considered the author." My ghostwriting contracts put in place nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with authors who trust that, as a "ghost," I remain invisible.

For obvious reasons, It’s more expensive to hire a ghostwriter than a collaborative writer who is partially compensated with cover real estate. I’m proud of all the books on which I've been privileged to collaborate. Yet, I admit to wishing my name had appeared on the cover of every book I've ghosted. That choice, ultimately, is a factor of an author's mindset, personal needs, or professional strategy. Until a client/author dissolves or terminates an NDA, I honor it. 

So, please, don’t ask me for a list of books I’ve ghosted. Instead, let's discover how artfully I can turn your idea into a book.

The breath of Mother Earth is called sah-laugh-woun. It’s the most beautiful word in our language. When I go up to the mountain and the gentle breeze kisses the trees, it’s sah-laugh- woun. When I visit a waterfall and feel the cool mist, it’s the breath of the waterfall. I’ve always loved that, because everything has its breath. The breath of life of Mother Nature. The breath of life of water. The breath of life of our first born.