Here's one of the more extreme examples of ghostwriting I've ever encountered. This was listed on craigslist:
"Very busy executive would like to hire a writer to send emails on his behalf on personal dating websites. And do a few emails back and forth to get the ball rolling.
This person needs to know how to write in a masculine, but romantic way and at the same time create a challenge for the reader of the emails."
Does it surprise you that this ad appeared in Los Angeles?
And, in a more aggravating story, at least for writers, Coleen McLoughlin, 21-year-old girlfriend of UK footballer Wayne Rooney, already had a deal worth a reported £2 million ($4 million) to "write" two volumes of autobiography, and has now signed a big deal with HarperCollins to "write" five novels. Unkind observers have suggested that she may never have read five novels. Even her fiance, when asked what she had on her bedside table, replied, "The phone." Well, at least some ghostwriter should make a bit of money...
