#183 Don't Give Up on Ghostwriting. What Still Pays and What's Dead

Ghostwriting isn't dead. It's just napping. The smart writers know exactly where to wake it up.

It can be one of the most lucrative paths for writers, but not all ghostwriting opportunities are created equal. In this solo episode, Estelle Erasmus reveals which ghostwriting gigs are thriving in 2026 and which ones are quietly disappearing.

If you've ever been curious about ghostwriting (or you're already doing it and wondering about your future), this episode is essential listening. Estelle shares insider predictions about the market, explains why the "whisper network" matters more than you think, and breaks down exactly what it takes to land high-paying ghostwriting projects.

In This Episode

• The surprising truth about which ghostwriting clients are worth pursuing—and which aren't

• Why AI is reshaping the ghostwriting landscape (and what this means for your income)

• Two key organizations every ghostwriter should know about

• The one skill that separates successful ghostwriters from everyone else

• Real talk about ghostwriting earnings: what you can actually make

• How to position yourself as the go-to ghostwriter (even if you're just starting out)

Resources Mentioned

Gotham Ghostwriters https://gothamghostwriters.com/

Association of Ghostwriters https://associationofghostwriters.org/

Jane Friedman's Newsletter https://janefriedman.com/

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g0DUVX2Xg_E

Get More From Estelle Erasmus

• Free NYU "Editor on Call" Event Join Estelle Erasmus and the editor-in-chief of PROVOKED on April 22 from 12:30–1:30 PM EDT to learn how to pitch and publish your work. Register here: https://events.nyu.edu/event/384509-editor-on-call-ready-to-pitch-publish-and-g

• Private Small-Group Memoir Class Next 6-week session begins September 2026. (May session is sold out). Email freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com for details.

• Read & Subscribe Substack: NEW POST — Why Your Memoir Draft Still Feels Flat (And How to Fix It) https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/why-your-memoir-draft-still-feels

• Newsletter Sign up at estelleserasmus.com for show updates and a free Pitching Guide.

• Watch Estelle's TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpcWmjpzSIQ

• Book Writing That Gets Noticed — named a Poets & Writers "Best Book for Writers." https://www.amazon.com/Writing-That-Gets-Noticed-Storyteller/dp/1608688364

• Listen Freelance Writing Direct Podcast — 2026 and 2025 Podcast of the Year (American Writing Awards) https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast/

About Estelle

Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist,TEDx Speaker, author of Writing That Gets Noticed, and host of Freelance Writing Direct. An adjunct professor at NYU, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP The Magazine. She has served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines.

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