The Most Famous Ghostwriter, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the ghostwriter you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 3, 2024 07:07

In the literary world, ghostwriters remain the unsung heroes of many popular works. Their anonymity allows them to impart their writing prowess without the constraints of fame, often producing results that resonate deeply with readers. Understanding the influence of these writers sheds light on the intricate layers of the publishing industry. By creating a list where individuals can vote on these influential ghostwriters, we provide a space for acknowledgment and recognition of their work. This dynamic ranking not only honors their contributions but also gives insights into which authors have shaped significant pieces of literature behind the scenes. Your votes help celebrate and illuminate the hidden architects of the written word.

Who Is the Most Famous Ghostwriter?

1

24
votes

Andrew Neiderman

Andrew Neiderman is an American author who is most famous for being the ghostwriter of the V.C. Andrews series of novels, including "Flowers in the Attic". He has also written many other books under his own name, and has been a ghostwriter for other authors as well.
2

39
votes

Tony Schwartz

Tony Schwartz is a journalist and author who is best known for being the ghostwriter of Donald Trump's book "The Art of the Deal". He has also written many other books and articles, and has been a ghostwriter for other politicians and business leaders.
3

21
votes

Carolyn Keene

Carolyn Keene is the pseudonym used by a number of different authors who have written the Nancy Drew mystery series. Although the true identity of the original Carolyn Keene is unknown, many of the books in the series were written by ghostwriters.
4

14
votes
James Patterson

James Patterson is an American author who is famous for writing thrillers and mystery novels. He has also been a ghostwriter for other authors, and has written many books for young adults.
James Patterson in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular author in America
5

16
votes
Tom Clancy

Tom Clancy was an American author who is best known for his military and espionage novels, including "The Hunt for Red October" and "Clear and Present Danger". He has also been a ghostwriter for other authors, and has written many books under his own name.
Tom Clancy in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular author in America
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Tom
6

5
votes

Robert Ludlum

Robert Ludlum was an American author who is famous for his spy and thriller novels, including "The Bourne Identity" and "The Matarese Circle". He has also been a ghostwriter for other authors, and has written many books under his own name.
7

14
votes

Franklin W. Dixon

Franklin W. Dixon is the pseudonym used by a number of different authors who have written the Hardy Boys mystery series. Although the true identity of the original Franklin W. Dixon is unknown, many of the books in the series were written by ghostwriters.
8

5
votes

Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark is an American author who is famous for her suspense and mystery novels, including "Where Are the Children?" and "A Cry in the Night". She has also been a ghostwriter for other authors, and has written many books under her own name.
9

4
votes

Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming was a British author who is best known for creating the character of James Bond. He also wrote many other books and articles, and was a ghostwriter for other authors as well.
10

5
votes

William Novak

William Novak is an American author who has ghostwritten many books for other people, including the autobiography of Lee Iacocca and the memoirs of Nancy Reagan. He has also written many books under his own name, and is a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers.

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Ranking factors for famous ghostwriter

Quality of writing

Ghostwriters who have a strong reputation for producing high-quality writing are likely to be more famous.
Number of books and clients

Ghostwriters who have worked on a large number of books for a variety of clients may be considered more famous.
Association with famous authors

Ghostwriters who have worked with well-known or best-selling authors may be considered to be more famous.
Public recognition

Ghostwriters who have achieved public recognition for their work or have won literary awards or prizes may be considered more famous.
Impact on the industry

Ghostwriters who have had a significant impact on the publishing industry or on the art of ghostwriting itself may be considered more famous.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous ghostwriter. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or ghostwriter is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1814 views
146 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each ghostwriter once every 24 hours. The rank of each ghostwriter is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous ghostwriter

Ghostwriters are the unsung heroes of the publishing world. These talented writers are hired to pen books and articles, but their work is credited to other authors. Ghostwriting has been around for centuries, but it has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the growth of self-publishing and the demand for celebrity memoirs. Despite their invisible role, ghostwriters have played a significant part in shaping the literary landscape. Some of the most famous works in history have been ghostwritten, including many bestsellers and award-winning books. But who are the most famous ghostwriters of all time? This is a question that has been hotly debated among literary circles. Some of the most well-known ghostwriters include Andrew Crofts, who has written over 80 books for his clients, and Robert Harris, who ghostwrote Tony Blair's memoirs. Other notable ghostwriters include William Novak, who worked with Nancy Reagan on her autobiography, and Peter Golenbock, who wrote books for baseball legends Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson. While the identity of many ghostwriters remains a secret, there is no doubt that their work has had a profound impact on the literary world. Ghostwriting is a fascinating and often misunderstood profession, and it will continue to be an important part of the publishing industry for years to come.