Features

Ghostwriters

Published

3 years ago

2023/05/21

Moehringer with book

This type of writer, OK author, has, I presume, been thrust into prominence with the publication of Prince Harry’s Spare. The first question asked when the book was sensationally out was: Who wrote the supposed-to-be autobiography? Prince Harry made no pretense he was the author who actually wrote his memoir with all its revelations. And in double quick time it was out that J. R. Moehringer had written the book for him and thus he was Prince Harry’s ghostwriter.

The name ghost writer is defined as “A person whose job it is to write material for someone else who is the named author”. He is Ghost because his name is not mentioned; not as co-author. He remains un-named on title page and elsewhere. Sometimes ghost writing is outsourced and this because getting a person to write in India or the Philippines may be cheaper for a British or American. Ease and cheapness of international communication facilitates this outsourcing. In some cases ghost writers are allowed to share credit. For example, a common method is to insert the client/author’s name on a book cover as the main byline and then have the ghostwriter’s name underneath it with the word ‘with’ added on.

This could be done in lieu of payment: fame instead of money paid. For nonfiction books, the ghostwriter could be credited as a ‘contributor’ or ‘research assistant’. Sometimes the ghostwriter is asked to sign a nondisclosure contract that legally forbids any mention of the actual writer’s role in the publication. Payments vary. The New York Times reported, according to an article I read, the payment made to the ghostwriter for Hillary Clinton’s memoirs was about $500,000. The amount promised by her publisher being 48 million. We read Harry paid his ghost an advance of $1 m.

Ghosting Spare

I was keenly interested in the article by Moehringer published in the New Yorker May 15, 2023 issue, titled Notes from Prince Harry’s Ghostwriter as a Personal History contribution. It was all about how he was approached to ghost-write Prince Harry’s tell all memoir. He traveled to their home in California and found Harry easy to talk with. One fact that made him agree was that there was no deadline set for completion of the book. The article details how they set about the job and the reception that ‘Spare’ earned.

The project was kept under strict wraps but the book was leaked in a bookshop in Madrid a week before it was officially launched. Criticism of the negative kind far exceeded any kudos. It was not only the fact that Harry ‘betrayed’ his family by describing squabbles and all but that in spite of the statement that facts stated had been scrupulously researched. “Within days,” as Moehringer writes, “the amorphous campaign against Spare seemed to narrow to a single point of attack that Harry’s memoirs rigorously fact-checked was rife with errors.

“I cannot think of anything that rankles quite like being called sloppy by people who routinely trample facts in pursuance of their royal prey, and this now happened every few minutes to Harry and by extension to me.” It was about a sale that had Harry going to, to buy at cheaper rates. The sharp criticism was that that particular retail outlet never had sales. However, Moehringer proves this was wrong, the sale had been on as noted in the book.

However, Spare won mention in the Guinness World Records by being certified as the fastest selling non-fiction book in the history of the publishing world. People were actually reading the book. Common comment was that Harry’s candour about family dysfunction and losing a parent gave solace to readers.

At a party to celebrate the book, a very confident Harry had thanked all involved and the ‘ghost’ too and said he was greatly encouraged by the ghost to continue with setting down his memoirs by ‘trusting the book’ which he did. “Harry first felt liberated when he fell in love with Meghan, and again when they fled Britain, and what he felt now, for the first time in his life, was heard. That imperious Windsor motto, ‘Never complain, never explain’ is really just a prettified omerta which my wife suggests might have prolonged Harry’s grief, His family actively discouraged talking, a stoicism for which they’re loudly lauded, but if you don’t speak your emotions you serve them, and you don’t tell your story you lose it – or, what might be worse, you get lost inside it. Telling is how we cement details, preserve continuity, stay same. We say ourselves into being every day, or else.”

Moehringer goes on to ask the question why writers take to ghost writing, which carries no school certification nor a degree of higher education. “No one ever says his ambition is to be a ghost writer. Writing under no name is safe; writing under someone else’s name is hedonic – a kind of hiding and seeking.” He details how he came to write Harry’s book. He ends his essay with a heart-warming family incident. His five year old daughter at breakfast had looked up from her cinnamon toast and asked what ghostwriting was. To the author and his wife it sounded like asking Who is God. Then he had said she loved art and hoped to be an artist. “Imagine if one of your classmates wanted to express something, but could not draw. Imagine if she asked you to draw a picture for her.” The little girl promptly said she would do it. “That’s ghost writing” he had succinctly proclaimed, but added: “Don’t paint other’s pictures, paint your own, sweetheart.”

The Ghostwriter – J. R. Moehringer

John Joseph Moehringer writes under the name J R Moehringer. He seems to have had a hard childhood growing up in Long Island with a father too fond of his alcoholic drinks. He was often comforted by the bar keeper. His mother was very ambitious for him and dreamed of and encouraged a Harvard education. He rewarded her by earning his degree in Yale.

He started his professional life as a journo in the New York Times, then moved West to write for the Rocky Mountain News, which paper, he says, still seemed to cater to the reading tastes of gold diggers, from its first issue in 1859. He was often called to write for a gossip columnist who was wont to taking it easy in a bar. That was when he discovered he wrote best when he substituted for another writer – the start of ghost writing. In 2000, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing while on the staff of the Los Angeles Times. He authored his first novel in 2005– Tender Bar: a memoir – which was autobiographical.

A successful film directed by George Clooney starring Ben Affleck resulted. Affleck won a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of the protagonist. Then came the call on behalf of tennis star Andre Agassi who wanted him to ghost write his autobiography. He met Agassi in Los Angeles and they clicked: Agassi not literary at all and Moehringer not into sports even in school. Agassi’s wife, Stefanie Graf, approved of the plan. And thus came to completion in 2009, Open, the very shy tennis champ Andre Agassi’s ghost written life story. In April 2016 he ghost wrote the autobiography of Phil Knight – creator of Nike shoes. The book was titled Shoe Dog.

JRM was now a well-known ghost writer and offers poured in. But he was choosy; avoided politicians and businessmen. When the offer came on behalf of Prince Harry his interest was rekindled. Discussions continued for a while and then the writing began, leading to his name and fame as a ghost writer spreading wide. He says he too was hounded by papparazi.

Personal tidbit

The offer to ghost write came my way twice. One was from an associate of a businessman, son of the entrepreneur who started a very paying enterprise. Work started with discussion of terms of the project. Being an utter novice I asked for a very small fee. I met the big man – very genial – and wrote an outline or skeleton of the book. A son asked me whether I was writing about the boardroom or bedroom! The work was taxing and I made the gross mistake of doing an Oliver Twist, this time for money. I was thrown out but my detailed outline was retained.

A second misadventure was being invited to ghost write the very remarkable life of a mercantile head. Given an elephantine pile of personal files, I asked for a literary friend as help. Permitted. The initial bit of writing was to be. The big man said – put it on or lay it on thick. So I compared him to Julius C as a colossus under whom lesser mortals cringed. Laughed at by two of his critics. We suggested that instead of ghost writing, he write his life story and we would edit and improve sections done, if necessary. I was, for some reason, getting cheesed off. Maybe I am not fit to ghost write, I surmised. Illness of the biographee intervened and the project was shelved, but my detailed notes again retained. The book was completed by a professional writer. My pal and I got thanks and a bottle of wine each. Enough of attempting ghosting, I decided.

All News Advertisement

Related Topics:Harry J. R. Moehringer Moehringer with book Personal tidbit

Up Next

Ban on agrochemicals:Where are we heading?

Don't Miss

Will Govt decriminalize same-sex relations?

Click to comment

Features

US’ drastic aid cut to UN poses moral challenge to world

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/1

Thilina Walpola

An UN humanitarian mission in the Gaza. [File: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency]

‘Adapt, shrink or die’ – thus runs the warning issued by the Trump administration to UN humanitarian agencies with brute insensitivity in the wake of its recent decision to drastically reduce to $2bn its humanitarian aid to the UN system. This is a substantial climb down from the $17bn the US usually provided to the UN for its humanitarian operations.

Considering that the US has hitherto been the UN’s biggest aid provider, it need hardly be said that the US decision would pose a daunting challenge to the UN’s humanitarian operations around the world. This would indeed mean that, among other things, people living in poverty and stifling material hardships, in particularly the Southern hemisphere, could dramatically increase. Coming on top of the US decision to bring to an end USAID operations, the poor of the world could be said to have been left to their devices as a consequence of these morally insensitive policy rethinks of the Trump administration.

Earlier, the UN had warned that it would be compelled to reduce its aid programs in the face of ‘the deepest funding cuts ever.’ In fact the UN is on record as requesting the world for $23bn for its 2026 aid operations.

If this UN appeal happens to go unheeded, the possibilities are that the UN would not be in a position to uphold the status it has hitherto held as the world’s foremost humanitarian aid provider. It would not be incorrect to state that a substantial part of the rationale for the UN’s existence could come in for questioning if its humanitarian identity is thus eroded.

Inherent in these developments is a challenge for those sections of the international community that wish to stand up and be counted as humanists and the ‘Conscience of the World.’ A responsibility is cast on them to not only keep the UN system going but to also ensure its increased efficiency as a humanitarian aid provider to particularly the poorest of the poor.

It is unfortunate that the US is increasingly opting for a position of international isolation. Such a policy position was adopted by it in the decades leading to World War Two and the consequences for the world as a result for this policy posture were most disquieting. For instance, it opened the door to the flourishing of dictatorial regimes in the West, such as that led by Adolph Hitler in Germany, which nearly paved the way for the subjugation of a good part of Europe by the Nazis.

If the US had not intervened militarily in the war on the side of the Allies, the West would have faced the distressing prospect of coming under the sway of the Nazis and as a result earned indefinite political and military repression. By entering World War Two the US helped to ward off these bleak outcomes and indeed helped the major democracies of Western Europe to hold their own and thrive against fascism and dictatorial rule.

Republican administrations in the US in particular have not proved the greatest defenders of democratic rule the world over, but by helping to keep the international power balance in favour of democracy and fundamental human rights they could keep under a tight leash fascism and linked anti-democratic forces even in contemporary times. Russia’s invasion and continued occupation of parts of Ukraine reminds us starkly that the democracy versus fascism battle is far from over.

Right now, the US needs to remain on the side of the rest of the West very firmly, lest fascism enjoys another unfettered lease of life through the absence of countervailing and substantial military and political power.

However, by reducing its financial support for the UN and backing away from sustaining its humanitarian programs the world over the US could be laying the ground work for an aggravation of poverty in the South in particular and its accompaniments, such as, political repression, runaway social discontent and anarchy.

What should not go unnoticed by the US is the fact that peace and social stability in the South and the flourishing of the same conditions in the global North are symbiotically linked, although not so apparent at first blush. For instance, if illegal migration from the South to the US is a major problem for the US today, it is because poor countries are not receiving development assistance from the UN system to the required degree. Such deprivation on the part of the South leads to aggravating social discontent in the latter and consequences such as illegal migratory movements from South to North.

Accordingly, it will be in the North’s best interests to ensure that the South is not deprived of sustained development assistance since the latter is an essential condition for social contentment and stable governance, which factors in turn would guard against the emergence of phenomena such as illegal migration.

Meanwhile, democratic sections of the rest of the world in particular need to consider it a matter of conscience to ensure the sustenance and flourishing of the UN system. To be sure, the UN system is considerably flawed but at present it could be called the most equitable and fair among international development organizations and the most far-flung one. Without it world poverty would have proved unmanageable along with the ills that come along with it.

Dehumanizing poverty is an indictment on humanity. It stands to reason that the world community should rally round the UN and ensure its survival lest the abomination which is poverty flourishes. In this undertaking the world needs to stand united. Ambiguities on this score could be self-defeating for the world community.

For example, all groupings of countries that could demonstrate economic muscle need to figure prominently in this initiative. One such grouping is BRICS. Inasmuch as the US and the West should shrug aside Realpolitik considerations in this enterprise, the same goes for organizations such as BRICS.

The arrival at the above international consensus would be greatly facilitated by stepped up dialogue among states on the continued importance of the UN system. Fresh efforts to speed-up UN reform would prove major catalysts in bringing about these positive changes as well. Also requiring to be shunned is the blind pursuit of narrow national interests.

Features

Egg white scene …

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/1

Thilina Walpola

Hi! Great to be back after my Christmas break.

Thought of starting this week with egg white.

Yes, eggs are brimming with nutrients beneficial for your overall health and wellness, but did you know that eggs, especially the whites, are excellent for your complexion?

OK, if you have no idea about how to use egg whites for your face, read on.

Egg White, Lemon, Honey:

Separate the yolk from the egg white and add about a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and about one and a half teaspoons of organic honey. Whisk all the ingredients together until they are mixed well.

Apply this mixture to your face and allow it to rest for about 15 minutes before cleansing your face with a gentle face wash.

Don’t forget to apply your favourite moisturiser, after using this face mask, to help seal in all the goodness.

Egg White, Avocado:

In a clean mixing bowl, start by mashing the avocado, until it turns into a soft, lump-free paste, and then add the whites of one egg, a teaspoon of yoghurt and mix everything together until it looks like a creamy paste.

Apply this mixture all over your face and neck area, and leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off with cold water and a gentle face wash.

Egg White, Cucumber, Yoghurt:

In a bowl, add one egg white, one teaspoon each of yoghurt, fresh cucumber juice and organic honey. Mix all the ingredients together until it forms a thick paste.

Apply this paste all over your face and neck area and leave it on for at least 20 minutes and then gently rinse off this face mask with lukewarm water and immediately follow it up with a gentle and nourishing moisturiser.

Egg White, Aloe Vera, Castor Oil:

To the egg white, add about a teaspoon each of aloe vera gel and castor oil and then mix all the ingredients together and apply it all over your face and neck area in a thin, even layer.

Leave it on for about 20 minutes and wash it off with a gentle face wash and some cold water. Follow it up with your favourite moisturiser.

Features

Confusion cropping up with Ne-Yo in the spotlight

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/1

Thilina Walpola

Ne-Yo: His management should clarify the last-minute cancellation

Superlatives galore were used, especially on social media, to highlight R&B singer Ne-Yo’s trip to Sri Lanka: Global superstar Ne-Yo to perform live in Colombo this December; Ne-Yo concert puts Sri Lanka back on the global entertainment map; A global music sensation is coming to Sri Lanka … and there were lots more!

At an official press conference, held at a five-star venue, in Colombo, it was indicated that the gathering marked a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s entertainment industry as international R&B powerhouse and three-time Grammy Award winner Ne-Yo prepares to take the stage in Colombo this December.

What’s more, the occasion was graced by the presence of Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs of Sri Lanka, and Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, alongside distinguished dignitaries, sponsors, and members of the media.

Shah Rukh Khan: Disappointed his fans in Sri Lanka

According to reports, the concert had received the official endorsement of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, recognising it as a flagship initiative in developing the country’s concert economy by attracting fans, and media, from all over South Asia.

Nick Carter: His concert, too, was cancelled due to “Unforeseen circumstances

However, I had that strange feeling that this concert would not become a reality, keeping in mind what happened to Nick Carter’s Colombo concert – cancelled at the very last moment.

Carter issued a video message announcing he had to return to the USA due to “unforeseen circumstances” and a “family emergency”.

Though “unforeseen circumstances” was the official reason provided by Carter and the local organisers, there was speculation that low ticket sales may also have been a factor in the cancellation.

Well, “Unforeseen Circumstances” has cropped up again!

In a brief statement, via social media, the organisers of the Ne-Yo concert said the decision was taken due to “unforeseen circumstances and factors beyond their control.”

Ne-Yo, too, subsequently made an announcement, citing “Unforeseen circumstances.”

The public has a right to know what these “unforeseen circumstances” are, and who is to be blamed – the organisers or Ne-Yo!

Ne-Yo’s management certainly need to come out with the truth.

However, those who are aware of some of the happenings in the setup here put it down to poor ticket sales, mentioning that the tickets for the concert, and a meet-and-greet event, were exorbitantly high, considering that Ne-Yo is not a current mega star.

We also had a cancellation coming our way from Shah Rukh Khan, who was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka for the City of Dreams resort launch, and then this was received: “Unfortunately due to unforeseen personal reasons beyond his control, Mr. Khan is no longer able to attend.”

Referring to this kind of mess up, a leading showbiz personality said that it will only make people reluctant to buy their tickets, online.

“Tickets will go mostly at the gate and it will be very bad for the industry,” he added.