LETTER
TO THE EDITOR
Personal Reflections
on the
Frightening Implications
of Ghostwriting
Greg E. Bradley-Popovich,
MSEP, MS, CSCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Candidate
Creighton University
Omaha, NE
Director of Clinical Research
Northwest Spine Management,
Rehabilitation, and Sports Conditioning
Portland, OR
GIVEN THE EXPLOSION of public
interest in health and fitness over the past two or so decades, freelance
writing for popular publications has become a viable means of secondary
income for exercise physiologists, with some fitness publications reportedly
paying up to $1 per word or $1,500-$2,000 per article (1).
In my experience, fitness magazines are eager to add exercise physiologists
and other health care professionals to their masthead featuring editorial
or advisory boards.
Webster’s Dictionary defines
a “ghostwriter” as “a person who writes speeches, articles, etc. for another
who professes to be the author” (2). Ghostwriting
may be an attractive avenue for the budding freelance writer who has yet
to establish an identity and loyal following in the popular literature.
Nevertheless, there are reasons why ghostwriting runs contrary to the best
interests of not only individuals but also of the health professions.
As an aspiring writer for
bodybuilding and other fitness publications, I received (and continue to
receive) offers to author articles on behalf of other individuals (i.e.,
ghostwrite). Although a few such jobs involved writing for other
qualified professionals who had simply over-extended themselves, most opportunities
involved writing for individuals who simply were not academically prepared
to address the content required of the article.
Admittedly, I was baited
by certain bodybuilding magazine publishers and editors to “help out” other
contributors who were struggling with producing clear and accurate articles.
In hindsight, this was not a wise professional maneuver on my part.
Ghost writing is a threat
to professions, particularly exercise physiology. When a well-articulated,
evidence-based article has been ghostwritten and appears under the name
of an athlete instead, it creates the illusion that no formal education
or credentials are required to evaluate and espouse such information.
In other words, this scenario detracts from the effort and preparation
involved in writing such an article because it falsely conveys that writing
scientific articles on exercise is something that virtually anyone can
do.
Yet another way professions
such as exercise physiology are negatively affected by ghostwriting is
that each time an article appears under another’s name, it is a missed
opportunity for professional exposure. Popular writing provides visibility
for a profession when authors’ credentials are displayed or, better yet,
are explained in a brief biography accompanying the article. When
I pen a popular article, I always have two objectives in mind: 1) accurately
educate the reader about the given topic and 2) educate the reader regarding
my professional preparation.
Ghostwriting obviously short-changes
the anonymous writer by decreasing the author’s exposure. As Dreyfack
indicates, “As a freelance [writer], anonymity and financial independence
are directly opposed to each other” (3). The importance
of “getting one’s name out” cannot be underestimated. This point
is dramatically underscored by my recent acceptance of a full-time clinical
research position (see second author affiliation) in which my employers
learned of me through a popular article I had written and its attached
succinct biography (4). Obviously, having my name
on the article was key to being offered a position! Furthermore,
the article was contributed au gratis, yet the value of exposure was inestimable.
Indeed, contributing an article without financial restitution can still
be a valuable career move as a writer, described by Dreyfack as “the profitable
freebie” (3).
Popular publications represent
not only a viable primary or secondary avenue of personal income for exercise
physiologists, but also represent a significant means of educating the
public about the emerging profession of exercise physiology. In contrast,
ghostwriting runs contrary to the professionlization of exercise physiology
and opposes long-term writing success for individual exercise physiologists
through limited exposure.
References
1. Holm,
K. C., ed. (1998). 1999 Writer’s Market. Cincinnati, OH: Writer’s Digest
Books.
2. Anonymous.
(1983). Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary. (2nd edition). New
York, NY: Simon and Schuster.
3. Dreyfack,
R. (2000). Achieving Financial Independence as a Freelance Writer. Portland,
OR: Blue Heron Publishing.
4. Bradley-Popovich,
G. E. The protein paradox: Part I. Exercise Protocol, Spring:9-14.
Copyright
©1997-2000 American Society of Exercise Physiologists. All Rights
Reserved.
ASEP
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