Mackenzie Phillips, Sarah Palin and ghost writers
The sordid tell-all by Mackenzie Phillips and Sarah Palin's upcoming memoir bring us to the issue of ghost writing. Palin has been upfront from the beginning about her collaboration with Lynn Vincent, but Phillips doesn't list any co-author. Ghosting has a long tradition among celebrities and athletes (and speechifying politicians of all parties), and author Gail Farrelly, a frequent contributor to Read Street, gives us her view:
When I read about celebrity memoirs, my thoughts turn to ghostwriters, since it's rare for celebrities to write their own books. The concept of ghostwriting has always intrigued me, because it's hard for me to understand the willingness to let your own words, the product of your brain and imagination, be published under someone else's name. On the positive side, though, if you love to write and are good at it, maybe ghostwriting is not a bad gig. You earn a living at what you like to do, make good contacts, and see your work in print.
Ghostwriter Sandford Dody (he died this year on July 4 at the age of 90) was the subject of a recent article Ghostwriter Struggled With Life in Shadows in the Wall Street Journal. Celebrities such as Bette Davis, Helen Hayes, and Robert Merrill were among his subjects.
My favorite story in the article was the one about the book, First Person Plural, he ghosted for silent-screen star Dagmar Godowsky. The article quotes the opening sentences of her memoir: "It is my tragedy that the years have deprived me of my bad reputation. At one time my notoriety assured me of a marvelous evening. Now, Euclid would be fascinated to know, my circle has been squared." Terrific writing, no? Godowsky tried to convince the publisher that she had written the book herself. No dice. "They talked to her and realized she hadn't even read it," reports Granville McGee, Sandford Dody's partner.
In 1980 Dody published his own memoir, Giving Up the Ghost. Love the title. At that point (he somewhat softened his stance later), he was disgusted with celebrities and wrote, "The most suitable way to view stars is from a long way off.'' But in the 29 years since that comment was published, celebrities seem to be getting closer and closer. Right in our faces blabbing about their lives seems to be just where they want to be. Good grief! If they won't go away, couldn't they at least step back a little?
Although it seemed Dody didn't particularly like his ghostwriting job, one online commenter (Peter Parrott) to the Wall Street Journal article reported that his own dad, sportswriter and baseball executive Harold Parrott, a ghostwriter of many baseball books, was very proud of his work and "never seemed to think it diminished him." Interesting. But then Parrott also had (as his son describes) a very successful executive career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. In contrast, Sandford Dody was never a big success at the show business career he had once sought.
I wouldn't do well as a ghostwriter. No matter what the pay, I'd still be annoyed that the work wasn't acknowledged as mine. In addition, I'd be concerned that what I was writing wasn't true. I'm a compulsive fact checker; instead of getting on with the writing, I'd be out in the field checking and double checking. That wouldn't go over well with publishers these days!
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
Sarah Palin's book- "Going Rogue- An American Life" has yet to be published- but is #1 and #3 on Barnes and Noble and Amazon, respectively.
Sarah's book isn't sordid - but thanks for the puvblicity.
I hope she sells 5 million copies and makes millions on speaking tours.
God bless America, Capitlism and Sarah Palin.
Posted by: Alec Martin | September 30, 2009 7:11 PM
Just proves that Americans will buy a crap sandwich as long as a celebrity is selling it. I don't think Palin's fans shhould take it as a sign that she's going to be a great contender in 2012. After all, Vanna White's book was a bestseller, too.
Posted by: anna | September 30, 2009 7:50 PM
Alec, thanks for the update. Very interesting.
I hope you didn't interpret the post as referring to Ms. Palin's book as "sordid." This was the description in the post: "Sarah Palin's upcoming memoir."
Posted by: Gail Farrelly | September 30, 2009 8:42 PM
I really don't understand why people are more upfront about ghost writers.
I mean, if I am interested in hearing the story of someone I am interested in, a politician or an entertainer or a sports figure, I realize they are not professional writers. So why would I be surprised they need the help of a writer to tell their story?
Posted by: caite | October 1, 2009 7:35 AM
that should have read, "I really don't understand why people are NOT more upfront about ghost writers...."
sorry..lol
Posted by: caite | October 1, 2009 10:35 AM
Gail informs and entertains as usual. The concept and practice of checking and double checking makes Gail very desirable as any type of writer. Her existing books (e.g., Beaned in Boston) are works of fiction, but reality based. I always love reading anything that Gail Farrelly writes. This article met my expectations (which are very high) for her contributions. Keep them coming!!
Posted by: Dahli Gray | October 1, 2009 2:38 PM
After 35 years of struggling as a writer, having my books rejected and my articles barely pay for their ink, I started ghosting a year ago, and am making more money than I ever have. And, I enjoy it. I do feel a little bit neglected for the lack of acknowledgment, and I'll just die if a book I ghost becomes a big best-seller for somebody else--but I guess some people can get either fortune or fame, but not both.
Posted by: Marcy Sheiner | October 8, 2009 12:00 AM