Ghostwriting is writing a book or any other literal work like a blog or a business plan or speech for someone else who takes the credit for the writing or is named the author.

Ghostwriting is astonishingly common today, particularly in the traditional publishing industry. Many famous celebrities, actors, chefs, and even novelists hire ghostwriters to write books for them.

Ghostwriting also happens in other creative fields. For long composers have hired ghostwriters to help them to write musical compositions and songs. Ghosting also happens in popular music. A pop music ghostwriter writes lyrics in the style of the credited musician.