Is it cheating to use a ghostwriter? Absolutely Not!

"Is it cheating to use a ghostwriter?" "Is it acceptable to use a ghostwriter for a children's book?" "Is it okay to hire a ghostwriter?"

These are all common worries amongst the magical folk who have incredible ideas for children's stories but not the specialised skills to write them.

The idea of using a ghostwriter can sometimes feel a bit… sneaky. You have this incredible story idea, or a vital message to share. But when it comes to putting words on paper, you feel stuck. You rack your brains for the way forward, thinking, "Gosh, it would be great if someone could just write this for me!"

So, you consider a ghostwriter, and suddenly, a little voice whispers, "Is this cheating?"

Let’s be clear: no, using a ghostwriter is not cheating.

Do you consider it cheating when you hire a mechanic to fix your car or an electrician to fix your wiring? Nope! You automatically search for someone who has skills and training in the area you don't and hire them to fix/create something for you. When you get to the point of commissioning an artist to illustrate your children’s book, will you feel like you're cheating? Of course not!

And to hire a writer is exactly the same thing. (Especially when you hire award-winning writers like ourselves!)

Why people struggle with this idea?

One explanation is that people naturally view art (illustrations) and writing as separate disciplines, but the creative process of a book requires both to be handled by experts.

---

Three Essential Cogs in the Writing Machine

Creating a professional book involves at least three distinct and valuable steps, (there's definitely more skills and steps - for example, we're not forgetting you, our wonderful editors 😉 but for the sake of a shorter blog please forgive us) each requiring a different skill set:

1. The 'Ideas' Cog: This is you, the author who conjures up the the core concept and the emotional heart of the story. The idea is the foundation of the entire project. Without the idea, there is no book.

   
   

2. The Word-wizard Cog (Ghostwriter - we'll assume this is us 😉): This magical being is trained and experienced in narrative structure, pacing, voice, and crafting age-appropriate language that engages young readers. They turn your raw, brilliant concept into a polished, publishable manuscript. It's a technical skill set separate from the initial idea. Not all ideas people can write and not all writers can 'idea' (this is a valid verb - don't ask our editors 👀)

   
   

3. The Artist Cog (Illustrator): This professional specialises in making picture-magic. They transform the manuscript into the visual experience that sells and enhances the story.

   
   

The discomfort with a ghostwriter often stems from the misconception that the writing is the idea, when in fact, the writing is the execution of your idea.

---

Your creative ownership lies in the idea and the vision. We simply provide the award-winning expertise to execute that vision professionally, ensuring it reaches its fullest potential.

A children's book (or any book for that matter) is a collaborative effort and a product of many specialised talents. Your role as the author is to be the visionary and come up with the brilliant idea, and maybe the heart of the story.

Not to be dramatic but, without your idea, there is nothing.

A ghostwriter is a wordsmith, a word-wizard, an expert in narrative structure, pacing, voice, and crafting engaging, age-appropriate language. They take your raw, beautiful concept and polish it into a professional, publishable manuscript. They bring the technical writing skill to your wonderful idea.

Major authors, celebrities, and busy professionals have used ghostwriters for decades. It's a standard industry practice that acknowledges the difference between having a fantastic idea and possessing the specific craft to write it. 

When you work with The Stardust Experience, you’re not cheating; you’re smart.

You’re leveraging expertise to ensure your story reaches its fullest, most professional potential, ready for you to proudly put your name on it.