A Sydney mom's secret success: The lucrative world of ghostwriting
When Kristy Lee Kelly, a 32-year-old from Sydney, lost her job in 2020, she never imagined her next move would be shrouded in secrecy. But here's where it gets intriguing: she stumbled upon ghostwriting, a hidden gem in the writing world.
Ghostwriting, a profession unknown to Kelly until a colleague's suggestion, involves crafting words for others to claim as their own. And she thought, why not give it a shot?
Little did she know, this decision would shape the next four years of her life. Ghostwriters, the unsung heroes of literature, are paid handsomely to pen books for others, from celebrities to royalty. Take Prince Harry's book, 'Spare,' written by J. R. Moehringer, a renowned journalist and author who commands seven-figure fees per book.
But here's the catch: most ghostwriters remain in the shadows, their names absent from the books they write. It's a trade-off, as they receive no credit, but the financial rewards can be substantial.
Kelly, a wordsmith at heart, initially embraced the anonymity. The extra income was a lifeline, especially as the cost of living soared. She quickly progressed from beginner projects to lucrative romance writing gigs, a genre that Australians spent a whopping $50 million on in 2024 alone, according to Nielsen BookScan.
And this is the part most people miss: many authors in popular genres don't write their own books. Kelly was amazed to discover the extent of ghostwriting in the publishing industry.
Ghostwriting jobs are advertised online, much like any other job, but with a twist—a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is often required, ensuring the ghostwriter's silence. Kelly signed countless NDAs, each one a promise of confidentiality.
Her talent led her to work for major publishers in the US and UK, and her income soared. But the demanding schedule required writing before and after work and during lunch breaks to meet tight deadlines.
The downside? Kelly's words, even those born from her creative genius, were never truly hers. One project, a series she poured her heart into, was published under a stranger's name, its fate unknown.
Out of 20 books, she's only stumbled upon two in stores by chance. The rest remain a mystery. It was only after becoming a mother that Kelly decided to reclaim her voice, stepping away from ghostwriting.
"I gave so much of myself to others' stories," she reflected. "It was time to bring my own stories to life." Now, Kelly juggles part-time work, motherhood, and writing original fiction, inspired to show her daughter the power of pursuing passions.
But here's a controversial twist: does ghostwriting exploit writers, or is it a fair exchange? Share your thoughts below!
