Comments on: Ghostwriters in Religious Publishing http://philcooke.com/media_director/ Change Revolution Tue, 22 May 2012 02:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Aweaver3 http://philcooke.com/media_director/#comment-247 Aweaver3 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/media_director#comment-247 Ultimately, it is about integrity and having what we DO match up with what we SAY - IF we say we follow Christ. The temptation be more concerned about what humans think than what God thinks is always present. And quite honestly, I am afraid to think about when we all stand before God and have to give an account for the times when we went with popular perception instead of truth. I've heard of popular Christian authors, some of whom have writing teams which research and bring together the information, after the Minsitry leader tells them the topic and gives a few scriptures. When I first heard about this being done - by one of my favorite authors - I was somewhat dissapointed for all of the reasons stated above in the post. The work means something different when you know that the author "slaved" over its pages and poured from his/her heart. However, I reconciled my feelings by telling myself that "I'm sure the ministry leader has to read the work and at least sign off on it before it goes to print." I guess we hear about similar things happening in the corporate world where an employee works hard on a project, practically putting the entire thing together from start to finish only to have the boss take all the credit. But that's a little different... You get right at the issue: What's the motivation behind what we do? Are we doing this to really help others or to only make money and receive status and fame? I don't know anyone who doesn't want to look good in front of others, but this cannot be our motivaiton; otherwise we move from being genuine to being fake. Personally, I seek to be genuine, but there are times when I run right into my fake self... and then the battle begins. But being fake to please others helps no one - but only perpetrates a lie at some level. At least being real with someone allows everyone to SEE the situation clearly (as close as possible) and make judgments based on what is really standing in front of us. This might be slightly off topic, but for example - those Verizon commercials with the fake "can you hear me now" guy and his fake "wireless network" which looks like a whole bunch of people but are only three persons with a ton of cardboard cut outs. I want a real book, not a cardboard cut out. And now that I'm thinking about it, what is the deal with many popular Christian authors writing books that are "triple spaced," "eighteen size font" and whose book is filled with "50% or more scriptures?" Why not be honest and write the book with the proper format for your genre? If it only turns out to be 98 or 67 pages - that's better than 150 pages of fluff. (Ok, I'm done... just needed to get that out) As a Christian who is a newly published author who has labored over my first book and labors over my current manuscripts - I think it's important to pour one's heart and mind and spirit into a work. It really is about being authentic. That is what we want and need. That is what God wants. Only through authentic conversation can people truly grow as they should. Thank you for bringing this issue to light. I wonder how many books I have on my shelf that were not directly written by the person who's name is on the cover? And ultimately, what does this mean to those who read and write? In school, to not give credit for someone elses writing would be called plagiarism. Allen Paul Weaver III author, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers www.allenpaulweaveriii.com Ultimately, it is about integrity and having what we DO match up with what we SAY – IF we say we follow Christ. The temptation be more concerned about what humans think than what God thinks is always present. And quite honestly, I am afraid to think about when we all stand before God and have to give an account for the times when we went with popular perception instead of truth. I’ve heard of popular Christian authors, some of whom have writing teams which research and bring together the information, after the Minsitry leader tells them the topic and gives a few scriptures. When I first heard about this being done – by one of my favorite authors – I was somewhat dissapointed for all of the reasons stated above in the post. The work means something different when you know that the author “slaved” over its pages and poured from his/her heart. However, I reconciled my feelings by telling myself that “I’m sure the ministry leader has to read the work and at least sign off on it before it goes to print.” I guess we hear about similar things happening in the corporate world where an employee works hard on a project, practically putting the entire thing together from start to finish only to have the boss take all the credit. But that’s a little different…

You get right at the issue: What’s the motivation behind what we do? Are we doing this to really help others or to only make money and receive status and fame? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to look good in front of others, but this cannot be our motivaiton; otherwise we move from being genuine to being fake. Personally, I seek to be genuine, but there are times when I run right into my fake self… and then the battle begins. But being fake to please others helps no one – but only perpetrates a lie at some level. At least being real with someone allows everyone to SEE the situation clearly (as close as possible) and make judgments based on what is really standing in front of us.

This might be slightly off topic, but for example – those Verizon commercials with the fake “can you hear me now” guy and his fake “wireless network” which looks like a whole bunch of people but are only three persons with a ton of cardboard cut outs.

I want a real book, not a cardboard cut out. And now that I’m thinking about it, what is the deal with many popular Christian authors writing books that are “triple spaced,” “eighteen size font” and whose book is filled with “50% or more scriptures?” Why not be honest and write the book with the proper format for your genre? If it only turns out to be 98 or 67 pages – that’s better than 150 pages of fluff. (Ok, I’m done… just needed to get that out)

As a Christian who is a newly published author who has labored over my first book and labors over my current manuscripts – I think it’s important to pour one’s heart and mind and spirit into a work. It really is about being authentic. That is what we want and need. That is what God wants. Only through authentic conversation can people truly grow as they should.

Thank you for bringing this issue to light. I wonder how many books I have on my shelf that were not directly written by the person who’s name is on the cover? And ultimately, what does this mean to those who read and write? In school, to not give credit for someone elses writing would be called plagiarism.
Allen Paul Weaver III
author, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers
http://www.allenpaulweaveriii.com

]]> By: Peter Smythe http://philcooke.com/media_director/#comment-248 Peter Smythe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/media_director#comment-248 Phil, as a Rhema grad, I'm familiar with the idea of taking a bunch of sermons and putting them together in a book.  Kenneth Hagin, Sr., to my knowledge, did not actually write his books, but rather had his sermons edited for book form.  I never had a problem with that because the sermon material was all his.  <div><br /></div><div>A ghostwriter brings in quite a different dynamic in terms of the gospel and truth, both in content and in process. (I'm not speaking of a scrivener.)  As to content, the ghostwriter may attempt to assimilate the minister's thoughts to write a book, but he is not the one called of God to preach the gospel.  As to process, ghostwriting allows the minister to skimp the hard stuff.  You are right to say that writing is difficult because it forces the writer to think through on his thoughts and his theology.  It's readily apparent that many of our Pentecostal/Charismatic preachers haven't done that. </div><div><br /></div><div>On a personal note, if I saw the name of a ghostwriter on the cover, I wouldn't buy the book.   </div> Phil, as a Rhema grad, I'm familiar with the idea of taking a bunch of sermons and putting them together in a book.  Kenneth Hagin, Sr., to my knowledge, did not actually write his books, but rather had his sermons edited for book form.  I never had a problem with that because the sermon material was all his.  
A ghostwriter brings in quite a different dynamic in terms of the gospel and truth, both in content and in process. (I'm not speaking of a scrivener.)  As to content, the ghostwriter may attempt to assimilate the minister's thoughts to write a book, but he is not the one called of God to preach the gospel.  As to process, ghostwriting allows the minister to skimp the hard stuff.  You are right to say that writing is difficult because it forces the writer to think through on his thoughts and his theology.  It's readily apparent that many of our Pentecostal/Charismatic preachers haven't done that. 
On a personal note, if I saw the name of a ghostwriter on the cover, I wouldn't buy the book.   
]]> By: WritersRUS http://philcooke.com/media_director/#comment-249 WritersRUS Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/media_director#comment-249 <p>Amen, Phil!  I, too, have written book for some of the best known ministries in America. Like you, I start with their sermon material and it is indeed their work. I am a mere editor. Other times I have been given a five minute chat over lunch and asked to produce a book from that, a mere concept of a book. Then I am indeed the writer.  I am okay with no credit for being an editor...but when it is more than that, it has been a bit hurtful. However, I did not require it as part of the deal, so what could I say?</p><p> </p> Amen, Phil!  I, too, have written book for some of the best known ministries in America. Like you, I start with their sermon material and it is indeed their work. I am a mere editor. Other times I have been given a five minute chat over lunch and asked to produce a book from that, a mere concept of a book. Then I am indeed the writer.  I am okay with no credit for being an editor…but when it is more than that, it has been a bit hurtful. However, I did not require it as part of the deal, so what could I say?

 

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