The Beauty of Going ‘Ghost’

My friend has a fashion empire. Her hot-or-not list can make or break you. With one small mention she can sell hundreds, nay, thousands of frilly pink tutus if she so desires. And you, mere civilian, can’t do anything to stop her… because you don’t know who she is.

With a major aspect of freelance writing being how to market yourself, it’s bold to write anonymously. It’s hard for people to contact you about a job when they don’t know who you are. However, so many writers ghost-pen for various publications. Fashion and ranting in particular seem to draw out those who wish to remain nameless. For those who like to role-play, you might find ghost-penning eroticism to be up your alley.

In a world so focused on personal branding it’s novel to find writers whose business’ not only benefit but depend on their anonymity. Let’s face it, ranting wouldn’t be the same if all of your friends knew whose birthday gift you hated. The believability of an anonymous writer’s candor is at the core of how that online persona is made and sustained. We have to think that they can say and do whatever they want.

Why people ghost pen or anonymously write may remain as mysterious as the author’s personality, but one thing’s for sure. Whatever their reasons are… it’s working. Some anonymous blogs have led to anonymous book deals, revenue checks to anonymous bank accounts and being ‘outed’ into anonymous fame.

So how can you generate some buzz around an anonymous you? Well, do an anonymous guest post on a friend’s blog or do an anonymous guest post on your own blog! Goand get out there. Let’s see what you come up with once you lose your inhibitions.

Rachel Fachner is a writer, choreographer, and theatre director living, at the moment, in Australia. In the literary world she has worked for Jill Grinberg Literary Management and Tin House Books in addition to being a freelance editor. She runs project: transparence and builds work for Collective Dance NY.