ghost-writing
Uncredited prose work
Ghost-writing is writing something that will be credited to someone else.
A ghost-writer produces speeches, books, or articles published under another person's name—often a celebrity or executive who lacks the time or skill to write themselves.
Most political memoirs involve some ghost-writing.
The practice is standard in publishing and politics, though usually undisclosed.
Written personal recollection
- autobiographySelf-penned life narrative
- biographyWritten life account
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
- narrativeAccount of events
storytelling · prose · nonfiction · drafting · revision · editing · cowriting · collaboration
Not formally recognized
- unnamedNot identified or specified
- behind-the-scenesHidden from public view
- invisibleCannot be seen
- undisclosedNot made known
off-the-record · pseudonym · pen-name · hidden · unacknowledged · unattributed · faceless · secret
Systematic fact-finding effort
- interviewFormal questioning session
- outlineSummary of key elements
- draftPreliminary version of text
- revisionAltering to improve
fact-checking · transcription · tone · style · structure · chapter · manuscript · notes
One who hires professionals
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- commissionPayment for services rendered
- feePayment for service
- deadlineTime limit for completion
briefing · confidentiality · NDA · assignment · deliverable · freelance · outsourcing · work-for-hire
Written personal recollection
- tell-allRevealing, candid account
- as-told-toShared authorship credit phrase
- publicistMedia relations professional
- brandCompany's product line name
influencer · politician · executive · athlete · speaker · thought-leader · personality · endorsement
memoir
Written personal recollection
- autobiographySelf-penned life narrative
- biographyWritten life account
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
narrative · storytelling · prose · nonfiction · drafting · revision · editing · cowriting · collaboration · contributor
uncredited
Not formally recognized
- unnamedNot identified or specified
- behind-the-scenesHidden from public view
- invisibleCannot be seen
undisclosed · off-the-record · pseudonym · pen-name · hidden · unacknowledged · unattributed · faceless · secret · confidential
research
Systematic fact-finding effort
revision · fact-checking · transcription · tone · style · structure · chapter · manuscript · notes · recording
client
One who hires professionals
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- commissionPayment for services rendered
- feePayment for service
deadline · briefing · confidentiality · NDA · assignment · deliverable · freelance · outsourcing · work-for-hire · royalties
memoir
Written personal recollection
- tell-allRevealing, candid account
- as-told-toShared authorship credit phrase
- publicistMedia relations professional
brand · influencer · politician · executive · athlete · speaker · thought-leader · personality · endorsement · platform