The Devaluation of Writers and Ghostwriters in America: The Wake-up Call
By Jeffrey Mangus, CEO and Founder, Mangus Media Group
The other day, I came across a post discussing the silent killer: the slow devaluation of writers, ghostwriters, and the essential craft we deliver. I had to agree reluctantly, and as a writer and ghostwriter who’s been in the game for years, I’ve seen firsthand the value of our craft take a significant hit, and it’s been a tough pill to swallow.
It truly is the elephant in the room.
Many people consider writing a simple task. Some inexperienced game developers believe they can create a compelling narrative without proper training. Movie executives think they can pull it off and make a quality film. And finally, the internet has allowed many people to flood it with subpar writing, which often colors public perception. AI has recently been touted as a replacement for writers.
Speaking professionally, most people lack an understanding of writing and the craft. People often fail to appreciate the distinction between mechanically stringing words together and the artistry of crafting a compelling story, as well as the years of study and effort required to excel in this field. Even though many people value writers, the opinions of those not well-versed in specific writing skills can be distracting.
The devaluation of writers and ghostwriters in America stems from market shifts, new technology, and evolving expectations from clients and readers. Let me break it down from my perspective. Yes, the market has become a crowded place, with self-publishing booming and freelance AI platforms popping up everywhere. There’s no shortage of writers vying for work, and it’s a double-edged sword—I love that more people want to share their stories, but the flood of competition makes it harder to charge what our work is truly worth. On top of that, many clients, whether they’re companies or individuals, are tightening their budgets, hunting for the cheapest option. They often choose writers (or AI outfits) who’ll work for pennies over those of us who bring genuine experience and human depth to the table.
Breaking down the numbers, the freelance writing world is under siege from automation. Generative AI has led to the loss of work for 36% of translators and 26% of illustrators, fields closely associated with creative writing, according to a 2024 Society of Authors survey. Tools like ChatGPT, which produce content at a fraction of the cost, have a significant impact on writers and ghostwriters. Before AI’s disruption, the academic ghostwriting industry in the U.S. was worth $100-200 million annually.
However, experts predict that by 2025, AI-driven tools will reduce the need for traditional ghostwriters in sectors such as academia by up to 50%. From the viewpoint of an aspiring author, all this devalues writing and writers. Even the Authors Guild reports 90% of writers believe they should be compensated if their work is used to train AI models, reflecting a deep sense of exploitation.
Freelance rates have also experienced a decline: according to a 2023 Upwork report, the average hourly pay for writers has dropped by 15-20% since 2020, with many gigs offering as little as $0.01 per word, which is barely above the minimum wage after taxes and platform fees. This financial erosion carries a psychological weight, reducing skilled writers to interchangeable parts.
Technology, one of the most significant factors, has completely altered the landscape. AI writing tools and automation are pumping out content at lightning speed and dirt-cheap prices. I’ve seen how these tools are cutting into the demand for human writers. The pressure to produce a constant stream of blog posts, social media updates, and other content has intensified—clients are demanding more work at a lower cost, which is draining our resources.
While many say it’s not just about the money, I assure you it is. People’s perception of writing has changed, and the reduced value and pay for writers have seriously impacted our financial stability—speed and cost often outweigh quality in today’s world. Many clients see writing and writers as commodities, easily replaceable, rather than the art form I know it to be.
After writing over forty books, I understand the time, effort, skill, and all-out energy it takes to write a full-scale book over a more extended period. I spend countless hours honing my writing craft to bring engaging prose to the page. Such work is not easy, and it takes time to shape and perfect good writing—exemplary writing. This effort, which involves ensuring a client's book is the best it can be, should command a valued price tag. People value and compensate professionals not necessarily for their actions, but for their contributions. Writers are no different. Effective writers who dedicate themselves to their craft should be paid for their work. Compensation includes not only money but also respect, admiration, and trust from the other party that receives a high-quality product, like a book or content. People should consider the writer a skilled professional, not dismiss their work as a mere fleeting effort.
With so much content out there—think of the endless scroll on social media or the sea of blog posts—it’s easy for the uniqueness and care of a well-crafted piece to get lost in the noise. That saturation makes it harder for readers and clients to appreciate the skill behind the words.
This devaluation hits hard on many professional standards. Countless writers I've spoken with have experienced a decline in their rates, struggled to meet their financial obligations, and had difficulty securing projects that adequately compensate for their skills. This hardship is making it challenging to earn a decent living.
The push for quantity over quality is also dragging down the industry. When clients prioritize speed and cost, it’s no surprise that the bar for excellence is lowered.
As a ghostwriter, I feel this more deeply. As ghostwriters, we often work unnoticed, dedicating our hearts to narrating someone else's story without receiving public recognition. It’s a choice I’ve made, but it stings when the lack of acknowledgment adds to the sense that our work isn’t valued. Plus, the role of a writer today isn’t just about writing anymore. Clients expect us to be marketers, social media gurus, and more, which muddies our identity and makes it harder to focus on the craft we love.
These forces—market pressures, tech advancements, shifting expectations, and cultural changes—are all working together to chip away at the value of writers and ghostwriters in America. It’s a harsh reality, but I’m not giving up. Through my work with Mangus Media Group, I’m fighting to show the world that human-crafted stories, built with skill and heart, are irreplaceable. We’re not just wordsmiths; we’re storytellers who shape legacies.
As a freelance writer with over a decade of experience in the field, I’ve witnessed the craft I cherish evolve from a revered art form into something often treated like a commodity. When I began, securing a ghostwriting project for a business leader’s memoir involved weeks of in-depth interviews, meticulous storytelling, and compensation that honored the effort. Now, the landscape has shifted. The rise of AI tools, content mills, and gig economy platforms has saturated the market with cheap, instant alternatives, diminishing the human connection that makes writing resonate. The issue isn’t just my personal frustration—data and real-world stories confirm the toll it takes. Yet, through Mangus Media Group, I’m fighting back, championing writers and proving that exceptional craftsmanship still triumphs.
Allow me to share a story that resonates closely with me. A colleague named Tom went with an AI promise slob outfit, stealing two thousand dollars from him, delivering a plagiarized slop, flat and emotionless prose, and leaving him hanging high and dry. He tried to contact them, and they ghosted him. Gone forever. What makes this story even sadder is its impact on the writing industry. It’s a devaluation at its finest, with stories like this becoming too familiar, hurting the writing industry, and devaluing writers, often seen as cheap and worthless.
This reality stings, but I refuse to accept it as the definitive answer. I believe the antidote lies in organizations and writers alike rejecting commoditization and uplifting the writing profession by celebrating the irreplaceable value of human writers. That’s why I founded Mangus Media Group, a hybrid ghostwriting and publishing agency that uplifts creatives, rather than sidelining them. As an elite ghostwriter, I’ve built this company to bridge world-class leaders with top-tier authors, prioritizing focus, expertise, and human collaboration over mundane exploitation.
I’ve worked with various agencies, and as a writer, I’ve noticed that writers are often at the bottom of the hierarchy. This is wrong, and I believe it should be reversed. The writers collectively are the driving force, given that our words, skills, and craft are at the core. So, why shouldn’t accomplished writers be highly valued?
What makes Mangus Media Group different is our commitment to showcasing the expertise, experience, and artistry of our writers. Unlike faceless content farms, we curate an in-house team of award-winning, bestselling authors—professionals who’ve penned New York Times bestsellers and transformative memoirs. This isn’t just a tagline; it’s a deliberate stand against devaluation.
I constantly say this: there isn’t a barrier to entry. It’s the Wild, Wild West out there. Anyone with an idea and notion can call themselves a ghostwriter. This is a problem that undervalues writers. I want to change that. With Mangus Media Group, our services go beyond ghostwriting to include coaching, editing, and full-service publishing, involving writers from concept to completion. Our clients receive white-glove treatment, but so do our writers—we highlight their skills publicly, credit them in the process, and even offer co-authoring opportunities when appropriate, creating an environment rare in this industry.
Take our approach to business books, one of our core strengths. In a market where AI can churn out generic leadership advice, I insist on human-crafted narratives rooted in deep research and personal insight—qualities that AI can’t replicate, such as the nuance of interviews or sensitivity to emotional and cultural contexts. By partnering with high-profile clients, we’ve produced bestselling titles that showcase our writers’ talents, elevating ghostwriters to visible collaborators. I often say, “We bring world-class writers to world-class leaders,” and I mean it—it’s about positioning our agency as a champion of talent in a content and book mill, AI-dominated era.
This approach pays off: our writers report greater satisfaction and higher pay, as our reputation allows us to command premium rates that reflect their true worth.
Through Mangus Media Group, our team is working hard to reverse the devaluation one project at a time. We’re proving that when you prioritize human skills—elite storytelling, emotional intelligence, and ethical craftsmanship—clients choose quality over quantity. It’s a reminder that while AI can produce quick drafts, it can’t craft books that have real impact and transcend legacies.
As I reflect on this, I remain hopeful. The devaluation of writers is undeniable, backed by statistics and stories like my good friend's, but efforts like mine at Mangus Media Group light the way forward. If more agencies follow this path, uplifting creatives instead of undermining them, we can regain our place at the forefront. Writers aren’t obsolete or at the bottom of the hierarchy—we’re essential. I’m committed to supporting those who see that truth.
Click here to speak with our team about your book, and let's explore the valuable possibilities.
