Some people believe that using a ghostwriter is unethical unless the ghostwriter receives credit for their contributions. It is compared to lying or, in some contexts, cheating on an English exam. I have this to ask. Why does it matter who wrote the test if no one is grading it?

Ghostwriting: Age-Old and Honorable Profession

The practice of ghostwriting has a long history. Even the possibility that Sir Francis Bacon wrote Shakespeare’s works in his place has been raised for debate. Since the inauguration of George Washington, speech writers have been a resource for our presidents. Although the unsung writers are rarely acknowledged, those who have provided them with work have not been charged with plagiarism.


They shouldn’t be, either. Ghostwriting offers someone with the ability to capture another person’s voice and shape their ideas into words that get the message across a means to make an honest living, so long as two people are ready to enter into a contractual arrangement where one does the job and another gets the credit.

GhostWriting: Let’s Put an End to the Shame of Poor Writing

Let’s be honest. People who can write well are still regarded as being wiser than those who cannot. It’s an inaccurate generalization.


Not every CEO of a corporation reached their position as a result of their writing abilities. This position was frequently obtained through strong interpersonal, commercial, and financial skills. It is not appropriate to characterize someone like this who uses a ghostwriter as unethical.


My daughter struggles with dyslexia. She speaks clearly and effectively. She is competent with computers. Her interpersonal abilities are top-notch. Writing is still challenging for her. Is it immoral for her to provide me writing instructions and allow me to create her marketing message? Keep in mind that I’m not assisting her with an English essay. So that her abilities aren’t obscured by shoddy writing, I’m helping her with written communications.

It’s time to consider ghostwriting a service

Let’s be honest. We are all aware that businesses work with advertising agencies to help them create marketing plans. Nobody anticipates that the CEO or board of executives will write the advertising content once those tactics have been defined. They participate in the decision-making process and provide their approval to the finished item. But the work is done by someone else. No one charges the business with being unethical for using an advertising agency.

What makes using a ghostwriter so special?

Someone who can write well assists someone who can’t (or just doesn’t have the time). Why shouldn’t employing authors who can turn a bunch of concepts into coherent messages also be morally right?


Is it unethical to spend money on the kind of help that makes you successful? One isn’t charged with being unethical if they hire a career coach, are they?

The authenticity of the message being conveyed by the ghostwriter is the fundamental ethical issue at hand. Does it fairly reflect the point the non-writer wants the ghostwriter to make? Therefore, the fundamental condition for continuing to be ethical has not been broken.