What do ghostwriters and sex workers have in common?

Both operate in the shadows; client confidentiality is paramount; they often receive negative reactions; and we don't always shout about our careers from the rooftop – though we should!

I have been reading a fascinating book by Jennie Erdal about her experience as a ghostwriter. In it, she claimed that ghostwriting was the oldest profession, but sex work had taken that prized spot many years ago, so she settled for second oldest and drew a comparison between the two, which gave me something to think about. She discussed the agreed fee in advance for “services rendered” and that those who admit to being involved as a client or a service provider were often responded to in a negative way – from mild shock and disapproval to outright revulsion. I’m used to such reactions from my career as a journalist – we are not a popular crew either. Even one of my best friends curls her lips in disgust when journalists are discussed and unleashes, no sparing my feelings. Luckily, I have grown a hard shell, mandatory for anyone asking tough questions and publishing material that not everyone is happy about. I’ve lost count of the number of phone calls or run-ins I’ve had with irate criminals, and politicians, or their mums, partners, or even lawyers, furious about the story written about them in the paper – and threatening legal action. After the first few encounters, the shell forms and such attacks and name calling bounce off. “Do what you need to do. I’ll await correspondence from your lawyer”. Of course, the letter never comes, and eventually the hot air cools.

So, people’s reaction to me being a ghostwriter is a breath of fresh air. Mainly because it’s not as well-known as journalism. Not many people even know a ghostwriter. I don’t know any others on a personal level. Even finding books about the topic is difficult as it is still a relatively underground profession. We have not had the same positive movement as the sex workers who proudly discuss their work, and in some parts of the world (like here in Melbourne), pay taxes and have work rights. Perhaps ghostwriters should follow in their footsteps. Sure, most of us pay tax, but only a few of us are out there on Instagram telling the world what we do. The difficulty in marketing ghostwriting services, much like our sex worker friends, is client confidentiality. Ghostwriters may find a few clients to give testimonials about the work we’ve done; some even encourage us to co-author the book; mention us in their acknowledgements; or spruik our services to their friends. However, much like sex work, clients of both professions remain silent about this secret service they are receiving behind closed doors. And that’s an element of the profession that we must live with. Client confidentiality is paramount for ghostwriters. We hide in the shadows as our client, the author, stands in the spotlight, and it takes a degree of humility to embrace this.

We need to be happy within ourselves that our invisible services have helped this author succeed. When our clients' work is published, ghostwriters are the quiet cheerleaders in the background – privately popping the champagne away from the limelight.

@writeforyouec writeforyou.info

#copywriter #copywriters #freelancewriter #websitecopy #blogwriter #blogwriting #ghostwriting #ghostwriter #columnwriter #opinionwriter #bookeditor #copywriters  #copywritingservice #creativeagency #businsesswriting #editingandproofreading 

#friendlycopywriter #plainenglisheditor #plainenglishcopy #plainlanguageeditor 

#plainlanguagecopy #simplecopy #accessiblecopy #disabilitycopywriter

 #outsourcewriting #australiancopywriter #irishcopywriter #copywritersofinstagram 

#melbournecopywriter #melbourneghostwriter #melbourneghostwriters 

#melbournebusinesswriter #melbournebusinesswriters #melbourneeditor  #melbourneeditor #melbourneproofreader