Trivia question: what do Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Harry Houdini, Carolyn Keene, and Tom Clancy all have in common?
…You can probably guess, considering this is a blog about ghostwriting.
Do you have your answer?
It’s ghostwriting! I threw you a real curveball there, I know. These four people are famous figures in ghostwriting history, a profession that actually stretches back centuries. While ghostwriting has gained more prominence in modern times, the arts have long been filled with figures who did creative work anonymously for others.
Mozart, despite being a child prodigy who, obviously, left behind a staggering collection of influential musical works, was at times contracted to write music for others. That’s right – ghostwriting extends to music as well. Even in the 1700s, artists had to find a way to pay their bills, and composing on behalf of others gave Mozart a little extra income.
In Houdini’s case, he was the one hiring a writer, not doing the writing himself. The one doing the writing was none other than H.P. Lovecraft. In a bid to boost sales, pulp magazine Weird Tales contacted Lovecraft about writing on behalf of Houdini. The result was “Imprisoned with the Pharaohs“, a fictionalized account supposedly based on an experience Houdini had in Egypt. The magician was impressed with Lovecraft’s work, leading to further collaborations between the two. Eventually, Lovecraft was given credit for writing the story, leaving behind a great anecdote in ghostwriting history.
Famous as the author of the Nancy Drew series, Carolyn Keene is a name familiar to several generations of mystery lovers. However, in a twist fitting of the genre to which she belonged, Keene doesn’t actually exist. The pseudonym was used by multiple ghostwriters, who penned the books according to templates to create a consistent style. In essence, Carolyn Keene is the Dread Pirate Roberts of the ghostwriting world.
On occasion, when a popular author dies while in the middle of a series, a ghostwriter will be hired to complete the unfinished works. Such was the case for Tom Clancy, author of several successful political thrillers featuring character Jack Ryan. Following Clancy’s death, the series was continued with the help of ghostwriters, many of whom received credit for their work. Even now, products associated with Clancy’s estate are being produced in various forms.
As is expected, the history of the ghostwriting profession is one of secrecy. For all the famous examples of works written by ghostwriters on behalf of notable figures or in service to an established series, there are undoubtedly countless other works penned in collaboration with unknown authors. Yet the above known examples give the public a peek at the many ways ghostwriters are involved in multiple aspects of the writing and publishing industries. These four cases highlight the flexibility of the profession, the many ways in which artists can collaborate, and the role of ghostwriters in sustaining beloved stories and characters.
Plus, how often do you find common ground between a classical composer, a Jazz Age escape artist, a mystery writer who doesn’t exist, and the man who created Jack Ryan?