Is Your Favorite Writer an Undercover Ghostwriter?

IS YOUR FAVORITE WRITER AN UNDERCOVER GHOSTWRITER?

If you grew up in the late 1980s or early 1990s, you are almost certainly familiar with the insanely popular teen book series, The Baby-Sitters Club. But, did you know that the books in that series were not all written by Ann M. Martin (who is credited as the author on all of the books)?

It turns out that many of The Baby-Sitters Club books were actually written by Peter Lerangis. Lerangis, who is known for writing some of the books in The 39 Clues series and the critically acclaimed historical fiction, Smiler’s Bones, also did some ghostwriting for another popular ’80s teen series: Sweet Valley High.

It may seem strange that a well accomplished author would ghostwrite books under someone else’s name, but Peter Lerangis is definitely not the only one to have done so.

In fact, this great article from Mental Floss reveals six well-known authors who have ghostwritten books for other people.

From Harry Houdini’s famous ghostwriter to books secretly written by Raymond Benson (best known for his 12 James Bond novels), you are sure to find some surprises in this list.

You may also find yourself wondering how you never suspected that the adventures of your favorite teen girls were actually written by grown men.