The literary world is abuzz with a contentious debate sparked by The Wall Street Journal‘s publication of an opinion piece co-authored by artificial intelligence. This controversy has reignited discussions about authorship, reminiscent of the allegations surrounding President John F. Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage in 1957, and has introduced new questions about the role of AI in creative writing.
In an era where celebrities like Britney Spears enlist ghostwriters to craft their memoirs, the use of AI to assist in writing raises intriguing questions. Is it deceptive not to disclose AI assistance? Why is the image of a solitary artist so appealing? And will large language models eventually replace human ghostwriters?
Ghostwriters: more than just writers
Ghostwriters bring a unique blend of skills to the table. Dan Gerstein, CEO of Gotham Ghostwriters, explains that clients seek a writer, interviewer, and therapist all in one. The best collaborators are diplomats as much as they are writers, knowing when to push forward and when to hold back.
Unlike AI, human ghostwriters understand when to challenge a client’s narrative or encourage vulnerability. They recognize when to deviate from the expected to create compelling art. Despite the rise of AI, the demand for elite ghostwriters has increased, particularly in the celebrity memoir market.
The business of ghostwriting
Ghostwriting can be a lucrative career path, with advances ranging from $75,000 to over $500,000. David Kuhn, co-CEO of Aevitas Creative Management, compares the cost of hiring a ghostwriter to getting a haircut in New York City, with prices varying drastically based on quality and expertise.
The best ghostwriters are often accomplished journalists and memoirists. Talent agencies play a significant role in the ghostwriting market, pairing clients with writers they represent. For instance, J.R. Moehringer, represented by William Morris Endeavor, was chosen to ghostwrite Hollywood superagent Ari Emanuel’s upcoming memoir.
The challenges and controversies
Ghostwriting is not without its challenges and controversies. Buzz Bissinger, who has collaborated on memoirs with celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner, has expressed disillusionment with the profession. He admits to writing other people’s memoirs primarily for the money and has vowed to never do it again.
Moreover, some ghostwriters have publicly expressed regret about their work. Tony Schwartz, who ghostwrote President Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal has spoken about his remorse in creating the mythology around Trump.
The rise of AI and its implications
AI is forcing society to reconsider assumptions about authorship. While publishers cannot copyright AI-generated content, the use of AI in journalism and creative writing is becoming more prevalent. The Wall Street Journal’s decision to publish an AI-assisted op-ed has sparked debate about the ethics and transparency of AI use in writing.
As AI continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how it shapes the future of ghostwriting and authorship. Will AI replace human ghostwriters, or will it become another tool in their arsenal? Only time will tell.
