National Ghostwriters Week – March 1-7, 2025

History of National Ghostwriters Week

Though the history of National Ghostwriters Week is unclear, the history of ghostwriting can be traced back to the 5th century. It’s been reported that royal scribes wrote material for monarchs, who then claimed the work as theirs.

A ghostwriter is a person who writes for another person and gives credit to that person as the author. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “a person whose job it is to write material for someone else who is the named author.” The word ‘ghostwriter’ was, apparently, coined in 1921 by Christy Walsh, who employed the services of ghostwriters himself. He was quoted as saying, “Don’t insult the intelligence of the public by claiming these men write their own stuff.”

In the past, ghostwriting was shrouded in secrecy as most people were wary of revealing the fact that certain works were not written by them. However, it is common knowledge that most memoirs, autobiographies, and even fiction books are ghostwritten. Furthermore, it has become more expedient for people to hire and work with ghostwriters, thanks to technology. One of the main reasons for hiring ghostwriters is that they have the skill and dexterity to express the thoughts of the named author in a palatable and engaging way. For instance, a politician who may not have the time or skill to pen down his thoughts accurately — but wants to write an autobiography — may hire a ghostwriter. Most times, these writers have to work closely with the named authors, interviewing them to come up with the information necessary to write the content. Ghostwriters are a vital part of the literary world, as their work is faceless and goes unrecognized, most times forever. So let’s celebrate these talented and discreet individuals this week!