What does a ghost writer do? ABBW recently interviewed Sylvia Gredig, a ghost writer and editor in Cologne, Germany, to find out.

What appealed to you about becoming a ghost writer?

I was given my first chance at ghost writing during my training in proofreading and editing. That was great fun and it was exciting to ask the author about her life and anecdotes and to make a book out of them. I have mainly worked as a proof reader but time and again I was offered ghost writing and revision contracts.

What have been some of your most interesting projects since then?

Always what I have just written! Right now I am working on a colourful book by a carer for the elderly, who tells scurrilous stories from his professional life. It is thrilling to convey the good humour of the author without hurting the reader’s feelings.

Is it mostly books that you have ghost written?

Only books.

What qualities, qualifications and experience do you need to be a successful ghost writer?

Empathy is needed to write about life stories but dramatic skill as well because the authors, unable to write it themselves, want to tell you everything and that can be chaotic.

Did you learn about ghost writing through doing it or did you have or seek specific training and exposure, which equipped you in its craft?

Through doing it.

Along with writing skills, how important are good research skills in being a successful ghost writer?

Important, when there is historic material etc.

Do you work on projects one by one or do you ghost write a number of books simultaneously?

I work on only one ghost writing project at a time; never two in parallel. But often there are other jobs in proofreading and editing in between.

What sort of marketing have you had to do to ensure potential clients know you offer ghost writing services?

I already had an employer and was offered contracts. Recommendations have led to contact from new publishers.

One ghost writer I read about recently said: “Ghost writing is a unique collaborative-creative partnership.” How do you work?

I write anecdotes from the lives of others for these people. It is their life. And I try to reflect something of them also in the language. For me it is nice when the book pleases the author, the publisher and the readers; it is like Christmas and New Year together. Luckily I have never had the case of my ghost writing being rephrased, I would find that horrible. Small changes of course may be needed. But as a proof reader I have partly reworked a colleague’s ghost writing. So it does happen.

How important are written contracts?

Oh, until three years ago I did not have written contracts. I just received a lump sum. Meanwhile I make sure that I have a contract and when sales exceed the lump sum, I receive a shared commission.

Have you noticed any cap on the amount people or organisations are prepared to pay for a book to be ghost written?

If the book reads well, that is the least problem.

Once you have ghost written a book, is it usually then edited by a professional editor or is the ghost writer expected to have the necessary skills to complete this step in the book production process?

So far I have only written for large publishers; they are highly professional.

I understand you are from Australia (forgive me if I’m wrong about this) but have mostly worked in a German context. What do you see are the main differences between ghost writing in Germany and ghost writing here?

Oh no, that is why I answered in German* … I am only familiar with the German market.

Of what value are ghost writers to the reading public?

In Germany it is somewhat shady to have one’s book written by a ghost writer. And that is the case also for praiseworthy books.

What do you most love about your work?

Always new lives, themes and material to sort through and organise.

What would your advice be to others who are thinking of becoming ghost writers?

Be on the lookout for interesting stories and people. Many have lived through similar stories as others but their outlook and style make them special. That is the stuff that a good memoir needs.

*Translation from German to English by Ken Willy and Professor Wolfgang Weiss.

Author photo by Bettina Fürst-Fastré