8 chapters across the catalog
An anecdote describes how IDG founder Pat McGovern allegedly used non-existent, ghostwritten personas to write scathing reviews of companies that did not advertise in his magazines. When the targeted companies complained, McGovern would offer to "fire" the fictional writer in exchange for an advertising contract.
Kamala Harris appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to promote her book "107 Days," which the hosts describe as a standard ghostwritten political product. The discussion explores the mechanics of the publishing industry, where recorded interviews are transcribed and polished by specialists. A suggestion is made to use AI to turn the podcast's own 1,700+ transcripts into a book.
During a congressional hearing, Special Counsel Robert Hur was questioned about President Joe Biden's retention of classified documents. The discussion focuses on Biden's alleged motive: an $8 million book advance from Flatiron Press. Evidence suggests Biden shared classified notebooks with his ghostwriter while still serving as Vice President.
A "humor segment" tests whether the hosts can distinguish between real audio and AI-generated voices. The clips feature Hillary Clinton reading from her book "What Happened," including a poem about the 2016 election. The hosts conclude that while the voice is real, the stilted delivery suggests Clinton did not write the text herself.
Steve Bannon, Allegations of Ghostwriting Bolton's Memoir
Analysis of John Bolton's book suggests that Steve Bannon may have served as an uncredited ghostwriter. The text contains specific "ultra-Catholic" metaphors, such as "extreme unction," and vocabulary choices that align more closely with Bannon's speaking style than Bolton's. Furthermore, the book's formatting in the "Ariel" font is cited as a potential editorial snub or a sign of a rushed production process.
Ghostwriting, Dictionary Copyrights and Glossary Licenses
A discussion on the mechanics of the publishing industry suggests that high-profile authors often use ghostwriters who may inadvertently plagiarize material. An interesting legal detail is revealed: dictionaries are copyrighted, meaning new word definitions must be rewritten to avoid infringement. The segment explains that minor plagiarism claims are often settled quietly through small licensing fees paid by agents or publishers.
Karen Attiah, Washington Post and Khashoggi Ghostwriting
Karen Attiah, the global opinions editor at the Washington Post, recruited Jamal Khashoggi and oversaw his columns. Analysis of her interviews suggests she may have been ghostwriting or heavily editing his work, as she accidentally referred to "the last column that I write" before correcting herself. The discussion explores the possibility that Khashoggi served as a brand name for broader institutional messaging.
The role of ghostwriters is analyzed through the lens of Tony Schwartz, the co-author of Donald Trump's "The Art of the Deal." Schwartz has recently been vocal in the media criticizing Trump, leading to a debate over the nature of their original contract and the distinction between "with" and "and" credits on book covers. The hosts question Schwartz's motivations and suggest his sudden media presence may be politically influenced.
