Ghostwriting Gold: What 200+ Ghostwriters Taught Me at Last Week’s Conference

Although I go to writers conferences expecting to take pages of notes from experts on the panel discussions I attend, I frequently pick up even more gems from the people around me.

This year at the 2025 Gathering of the Ghosts was no different. Co-hosted by the Association of Ghostwriters (AOG) and Gotham Ghostwriters, the event went smoothly due to the tireless efforts of Gotham’s own Alison Schwartz and Tommy Pagano. Yes, there were plenty of ghostwriters who provided backup, including several generous AOG members, but Alison and Tommy ran the show.

What Was Different this Year

Where the inaugural Gathering of the Ghosts in 2024 was a single-day convention, the 2025 event was one-and-a-half days, with breakout sessions that offered many more learning opportunities.

The focus of this year’s Gathering was two-fold: artificial intelligence (AI) and networking.

What that meant in practice was more sessions on both the big picture of what AI means for writers and practical tips on how to use it effectively—except for writing. Careful distinction was repeatedly made that no one should be using AI to generate writing, primarily because it is bad at it.

Networking-wise, there were agents, editors, and publishers in attendance both days, but the morning of the second day was devoted almost exclusively to meeting with agents and editors about their need for and use of ghostwriters. Many of those in attendance stated that aspect of the conference was among the most valuable for them.

There were also several other panels that delved into how to market yourself, find more work consistently, collaborate effectively with clients, guide clients on the best publishing path for them, and make more money, among other topics.

Some of the Conversations I Had at The Gathering of the Ghosts

Here are just some of the notes I took from conversations with knowledgeable panelists, sponsors, and friends in the hallway between sessions:

Kevin Anderson, of Kevin Anderson & Associates (KAA), the event’s lead sponsor and who moderated the marketing panel I was on, indicated that work has not slowed down for his ghostwriting agency, fueling the optimism I continue to feel about the ghostwriting profession. KAA helps more than 500 authors a year write and publish their books.

I think it was ghostwriter Josh Bernoff who made a point on his AI panel that eventually we will reach a point at which we don’t need to indicate how we have used AI platforms in our work, just as we don’t currently cite every time we Google something.  Josh is at the leading edge of AI use in writing, and his recent report on “AI and the Writing Profession” is a must-read.

Dan Gerstein, CEO of Gotham Ghostwriters and the mastermind behind the event, and I chatted about the types of ghostwriters who were in the room, many having to overcome obstacles that arose thanks to flights being cancelled. I don’t know that we came to any conclusions other than being in awe of the depth and breadth of talent on-site, but it was clear that wanting to uplevel skills and connections was one commonality.

Joanne Gordon, a ghostwriter who worked with Chairman Emeritus of Coach Lew Frankfort on his bestseller, Bag Man, shared that Harvard Business Review Press, their publisher, wants authors to have a framework. “Magic and logic” were this book’s secret to success.

Ghostwriter Becca Grischow shared her success in using TikTok to attract ghostwriting clients—lots of them! She had great tips for using social media to get noticed and attract the kind of clients you’re after.

Business strategist Naomi Haile has integrated AI into several aspects of her business, including using AI to research prospects. She built an AI agent to sift through existing content and prep her for upcoming meetings with experts who are considering writing a book.

Leah Nicholson of Jenkins Group, Inc., and I discussed the slew of commemorative and anniversary books the firm is currently producing. Jenkins Group has earned a solid reputation as the go-to firm for stunning coffee table books and published mementos that tell corporate histories.

On an AI panel, ghostwriter and speechwriter Mike Long stated that “Writers unwilling to use AI are being held back,” much like people who are unwilling to use a dictionary or calculator. As someone who has been tentatively exploring how AI could improve my business operations, this hit home.

Joseph Quaderer of Quaderer Media Group and I caught up and talked about a recent project we are working on together that is going well. Joseph’s network of thought leaders and big thinkers is impressive, and it’s no wonder his firm is scaling quickly.

Ghostwriter (and AOG member) Jeff Raderstrong discussed the importance of trust-building in the marketing and sales process. Given that we’ve been in a trust recession for a few years, with new ghostwriting scams popping up regularly, his advice is spot on.

Katia Walsh of Apollo says to never upload drafts of manuscripts or documents to AI platforms like ChatGPT or Claude if you’re using a free plan; “AI consumer versions expose your data.” Instead, pay for the Enterprise-level subscription.

Other Useful Notes I Took

My notebook overflows, but in many cases, I didn’t have time to identify who offered these nuggets of knowledge. Please speak up here and take credit:

• iThenticate can be a useful online tool for confirming whether AI was or was not used in the creation of a draft. Although ghostwriters aren’t using AI for writing tasks, clients increasingly are, sometimes without admitting to it or even outright denying it. This can be extremely problematic, so tools like iThenticate can offer a way to “trust but verify.”
• The Authors Guild offers a “Human Authored” certification for books that may become increasingly useful.
• During dry spells, it can be easy to become excited about the prospect of work. However, before you agree to take on a project, ask yourself: “Do I want to get the project, or do I want to do the project?”

This year’s Gathering of the Ghosts reconfirmed the power of in-person learning and connecting with colleagues, clients, and ghostwriting industry influencers. I had so many more conversations than the few I highlighted above, and I enjoyed every single one! It was such a pleasure to confirm that people I’ve conversed with online are just as funny, kind, and interesting as they are on Zoom.

What were some of your takeaways? I’d love to hear them!