An Analysis Of Hamsun s Hamsun - 1397 Words

In this work, Hamsun introduces the reader to many things, a changing social morals, taking nature to support industrialization, and finding a means to live a life one finds good. All this is viewed though the steady unchanging Isak the central character that the growing community in the book go from thinking it foolish to build so far from town to latter having the honorary title of margrave form the same people. Without Isak the reader would have a harder time seeing how dramatic some of the changes that happen thought the novel really are; Isak is a base line that one can see the changing meaning of comfort and success impact. This paper will go over the social moral changes, devolvement verses nature, and the changing meaning of success and a good life. Isak was always described as something more of nature than others, belonging to the woods like the other animals, not that he did not develop his land no but he did so the same way one can imagine his fore fathers for generations did, mostly alone, with their own strength with what means nature provided around them with. This is however not the only view we see of man and nature while Isak is often tied to the woods and described as not being human, other characters of human interaction, Brede Olsen, Axel Strom, Oline, Geissler, Aronsen, and his own sons Eleseus, and Sivert. While looking at the list of people none stand out who is without fault. The faults though can be put into two camps often those characterized oftenShow MoreRelatedPolicing Systems And International Police Corporation Essay1534 Words   |  7 Pagesset of institutions, agencies, and process that have been established by the government to control crime and impose penalties on persons violating the laws. Justice s ystems vary across the many jurisdictions in the world; this paper is a critical analysis and comparison of the judicial organization of America against another jurisdiction with an effective legal system. The parameters around which the comparison will be centered constitute factors like substantive and procedural law, judicial reviewRead MorePolicing Systems And International Police Corporation Essay1520 Words   |  7 Pagesset of institutions, agencies, and process that have been established by the government to control crime and impose penalties on persons violating the laws. Justice systems vary across the many jurisdictions in the world; this paper is a critical analysis and comparison of the judicial organization of America against another jurisdiction with an effective legal system. The parameters around which the comparison will be centered constitute factors like substantive and procedural law, judicial reviewRead MoreExistentialism vs Essentialism23287 Words   |  94 PagesThe philosophy that encompasses the absurd is referred to as  absurdism. While absurdism may be considered a branch of existentialism, it is a specific idea that is not necessary to an existentialist view. * It s easy to highlight the absurdity of the human quest for purpose. It s common to assume that everything must have a purpose, a higher reason for existence. However, if one thing has a higher purpose, what is the reason for that purpose? Each new height must then be validated by a higher

The Bay Of Pigs Invasion - 1108 Words

The Bay of Pigs is an inlet of the Gulf of Cazones located approximately 97 miles southeast of Havana (Capital of Cuba). The Bay of Pigs Invasion is one of the United States biggest invasion fails in history. The invasion was meant to overthrow communist Cuba and bring Fidel Castro’s power to an end. This was obviously a fail, because as we now know, Fidel had been in power until 2008, and now his brother Raul Castro is the president. The blame for this fail is on the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and of course, the president of the time Pr. John F Kennedy. To realize what happened during the Bay of Pigs, we must first look why the invasion happened and then we must see why the plan did not work. After World War II, a majority of Americans would say that communism was the world’s biggest threat. Because America is the known as â€Å"the land of the free, and the home of the brave† they were worried that communist wanted to destroy their freedom and corrupt them. Communism is a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state. January 1st 1959, Fulgencio Batista, the Cuban Dictator, formally resigned and boarded a plane to Dominican Republic and fled Cuba for his safety. Fidel Castro, who had previously run against Batista in the elections of 1952, overthrew Batista’s old dictated government. On February 16th 1959 Castro was officially declared premier. He hadShow MoreRelatedThe Bay of Pigs Invasion1313 Words   |  5 PagesThe Bay of Pigs Invasion Background The Bay of Pigs invasion of April, 1961 is considered to be one of the unsuccessful covert military invasions of the 20th century. In 1959, the Cuban revolutionist Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista through an armed conflict that lasted nearly five and a half years. Castro and his comrades were Socialists and they believed a Communist social system would better suit their nee. In order to fulfill this agenda, the new Cuban governmentRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion1147 Words   |  5 PagesLouis Tullo Mrs. Forsyth U.S. History II 30 March 2016 Bay of Pigs Invasion Bays in pigs invasion is a cold war planned and fought by American president John F. Kennedy in an attempt to overthrow in early 1960’s. This came after Fidel Castro overthrew the then Cuban president Fulgencio Batista. The president was corrupt and had allies in the United States allowing the Americans to control the Cuban economy (Khan 21). The incoming Castro did the opposite by disapproving the Americans and resistedRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion2240 Words   |  9 Pagescannot change the law of nature and they know it.† stated Allen Dulles, the fifth director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Bay of Pigs Invasion was an encounter that occurred on April 17, 1961, between Cuban exiles, armed and trained by the American Central Intelligence Agency and the military forces of Fidel Castro. With the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion the United States found itself more involved in the Cold War and experienced a new era in the military, political, and intelligen ceRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion1652 Words   |  7 PagesThe purpose of the Bay of Pigs Invasion was to overthrow Fidel Castro as leader of Cuba and help stabilize the Cuban government. Fidel Castro started the MR-26-7, an anti-Batista group. At the time, Batista was the so called president and he claimed to be running a disciplined democracy.The people saw this as a dictatorship takeover. Castro ran the group as a clandestine cell system with ten members in each cell and they did not know the whereabouts or activities of the other cells. He was buildingRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion1392 Words   |  6 PagesChapter 1 - The Bay of Pigs Invasion - 1961 Figure 1The above image is a primary source image of Fidel Castro (right) an infamous Cuban dictator, and Che Guevara who played a number of key roles within the Cuban government. This photo was taken in 1961, during which the Bay of Pigs Invasion took place. The photo was taken by Alberto Korda, a Cuban photographer. This photo allows us to peer into the past and see Castro presumably leading Cuban troops. There is a large possibility of bias when consideringRead MoreAnalysis Of The Bay Of Pigs Invasion2708 Words   |  11 Pagesanalysis the Bay of Pigs invasion that occurred 17 April 1961, to use the Butterfly effect and to introduce Intelligence Platforms not utilized before and during the invasion, to suggest a alternate outcome to the invasion if these factors were applied properly or if other events never happened. The Bay of Pigs resulted in the failure to remove Fidel Castro from Power. If the CIA used Human Intelligence properly and if the U-2 Spy Plane program was not revealed to the World, the invasion may haveRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion Of Cuba1036 Words   |  5 PagesThe Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba by the United States on April 17, 1961 was in the planning stages before John F. Kennedy became America s President. The plan was made by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) during the Eisenhower years, and JFK supported the decision with modifications. Kennedy’s goal was to remove Fidel Castro from power of Cuba, cut his ties with the Soviet Union and establish a friendly government of the United States. He wanted the invasion to seem just plainly anti-CastroRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion Into Cuba2257 Words   |  10 PagesThe Bay of Pigs invasion into Cuba can be seen as one of the most important political decisions in the history of the United States. Four months after John F. Kennedy took office as the thirty fifth President of the United States, he was blamed for the failed invasion of the Bay of Pigs. The failure was due to the lack of bad advice he received and then used to put into making his decision to invade. The decisions he made showed that the United States President and his Joint Chiefs were far fromRead MoreThe Invasion Of Cuba During The Bay Of Pigs2281 Words   |  10 Pagesunsuccessful invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs, that is located on the southern coast of Cuba about 95 miles southeast of Havana, was one of miscommunication, mismanagement, and horrible execution (Bay of Pigs 378). The responsibility for the failed invasion falls right on the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and a president by the name of John F. Kennedy. The intention of the invasion was to assault communist Cuba and put a halt to Fidel Castro. Ironically, 39 years after the Bay of Pigs, Fidel CastroRead MoreThe Cuban Missile Crisis : The Bay Of Pigs Invasion1272 Words   |  6 PagesProceeding to the Cuban Missile Crisis, American relationships with Castro were previously tense by the Bay of Pigs invasion (196 1) where the United States made an unorthodox action towards Cuba by financing and sending insurgent Cubans to help aid in overthrowing and attacking Castro’s supporters and Castro himself0000000. The Bay of Pigs was unsuccessful. This eventual lead to Castro’s joining with communist Soviet Union and leaving Castro cautious of American plans for Cuba. Castro’s suspicions

Darth Vader Great Movie Villain Essay Example For Students

Darth Vader Great Movie Villain Essay Darth Vader is the ultimate villain, mostly because we can easily see ourselves in him. Instead of him being born evil, we watch Darth Vader slowly transform into the monster we all enjoy watching on the big screen. Darth Vader is one of those characters that is unforgettable. Everyone who has seen these movies at the theatre can remember the ominous march that begins to play when this tall, masked man enters the scene; He is unrecognizable. At over seven feet tall, he seems too powerful to be human. Everything he wears is black, including the cape that swishes behind him as he walks past those he terrorizes. His motorized breathing has become something of a joke for many people, but the idea of a mechanical man is actually quite scary. That breathing mixed with the actor’s deep bass voice made for the perfect on-screen villain. He is able to control people with his mind, he is able to pick up and throw things with a motion, and he is a master with the light-saber; He seems unstoppable. (maybe add something about how he is harsh or non loving) However, like many of us, his childhood is filled with love for his family. This was shown in detail, in the first three movies with his mother. Anakin has a personality a lot like t mine; he would do anything for his family. He is hardworking and willing to do whatever it takes to save the people he loves. Even though he had to leave his mother as a very young age to start training as a Jedi. He was willing to do that in order to help her and his people. Starting at a very young age, Anakin was always different. He would tinker with inventions, like C3PO. He was also very instinctive when it came to racing pods; it was as if he had a sixth sense. His sixth sense can be attributed to being born with an incredible amount of midi-chlorians (the way to communicate with the force). That was why Obi Wan was so excited to train him after testing his blood. He was destined to make an enormous impact, the problem was that he is weak because of his fear of losing his loved ones. Even though he always has the right intentions, he continuously misuses his powers due to his immaturity and pent-up anger. In fact, that is what he attempted to use to convince his son, Luke Skywalker, to join him on the Dark Side. Before they fought a light saber battle, Darth Vader told Luke that he could give him power to protect those he loves-even though Darth Vader himself had lost everyone he loved; Darth Vader was driven by a false hope. He hoped that commitment to the Emperor would provide order and safety. But under the shiny, black mask was a withered, sad man that was no longer able to live apart from the role that he was playing. The turning point in Anakin’s life comes early, as a teenager, when he discovers his mother after she had been taken and killed by the Tusken Raiders. This tragic event planted a seed in Anakin. In that moment he took the loyalty he has for his mother, and decided he would never allow anyone he cared about to be hurt again. His commitment was a real vulnerability. Anakin was very susceptible to Emperor Palpatine’s who had not yet revealed himself for the evil man he was- manipulation. He continually exploits Anakin’s desire to be important and to use his powers sooner-rather than-later. Anakin was constantly seeking approval; so Palpatine played him with flattery and Anakin completely fell for it contradicting Obi-Wan’s instructions. .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c , .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .postImageUrl , .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c , .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c:hover , .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c:visited , .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c:active { border:0!important; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c:active , .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud6b40f76c62f8e0f5b04d61ccd089e6c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Causes Of The French Revolution EssayUltimately, Anakin bought into Palpatine’s lies because of his desire to protect his love, Padme, from dying. As Anakin’s transition to becoming Darth Vader reached its peak, he went so far as to choke , Padme as she carried their twin children in her womb. In an attempt to protect her, Anakin had handed his soul over to a man who actually turned him against her and everything else he stood for. The movie doesnt make clear how Padme dies, but it is clear she died with a broken heart. When Darth Vader discovered Padme dead, he assumed that his two unborn children, Luke and Leia were dead. However, she gave birth before she died and both children were immediately taken and hidden in different places so that Anakin would not be able to interfere with them. Obi-Wan and Yoda decided to send Leah to Alderaan and Luke to Tatooine to be raised by his father’s step brother, Owen Lars. Luke was raised in Tatooine by his father’s stepbrother who was a moisture farmer and his wife Beru. Luke and Owen clashed almost the entire time before Owen died because of Luke’s adventurous tendencies and Owen disliking any adventure. While Luke shared similar traits with his father, he lived a different life given the circumstances. Like Anakin, Luke was an exceptional person and there was an enormous amount of potential that could be used for good if he was trained in the right way but Owen was very overprotective of him because of his fear of Luke’s potential and the outside world. He seemed to be just as reckless as his father. He ran away when he was ten years old when Owen wouldnt tell him who his real father was. Luke, just like Anakin his father, was very adventurous, confident, hardworking and loving towards his family and friends. He constantly finds himself in trouble more often than not because of how impatient and careless he is about his own personal safety. Like his father, he cares very much about his loved ones and when he set his mind to doing something he gets it done at all costs. During his raising, Luke took more after his mother than his father. As mentioned above, there were some similarities he shared with his father, but his upbringing was much more calm and collected. Even his green lightsaber (green being more of a calm color) shows more of a calm personality. Lukes childhood was a lot different than his father’s; His father grew up without his father present and his mother in slavery, but Luke grew up with a fairly normal life, (school, work, 2 good parents) and that obviously helped him contain his recklessness. He doesnt really have a very exciting upbringing in the story and he isn’t really introduced to the Empire during his childhood. He shows more of his mother’s traits in that he is more optimistic and trusting; he sees the good in people. When he finds out whom his father is he is willing to trust him as well. An example of where their similarities end comes toward the end of Episode VI, when Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker meet and engage in a light-saber duel. When the fight first started, Luke seemed angry and Emperor Palpatine was cheering him on to engage that emotion. However, Luke’s battle was within. When he allowed his anger to drive him during the battle he would gain an upper hand against his father, but then he would pull back knowing what he was doing wasnt right. Luke recognizes that there is still some good in Darth Vader-mainly because when Vader had the opportunity to kill Luke earlier, he did not. .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 , .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .postImageUrl , .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 , .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43:hover , .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43:visited , .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43:active { border:0!important; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43:active , .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43 .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uaa4e255c63cde15c5297cabaaaa71f43:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Swan Lake Higher Learning by John Singleton EssayThroughout the scene, Vader continually spoke about how the dark side should not be underestimated. I am not sure if he was trying to convince Luke or himself. Vader begins to treat his son Luke, the same way that Palpatine treated him,by manipulation. By taunting him, he attempts to play off his anger-causing Luke to be more like Vader. It appeared to work, as Luke gets more angry, he beats up darth vader while Palpatine cheers him on; luke stops short.. Luke tells Palpatine that he is a Jedi, this causes Palpatine to try to destroy luke.. Darth Vader looks on as Palpatine begins to injure his son Luke. It is impossible to read Vader’s expression since his face is covered, but there is a change that comes over him. It is as if the very thing that he joined Palpatine for in the first place was within reach for him. And so he picks up the withered, evil emperor and throws him down what seems like a bottomless shaft to his death. The emotional scene ends with Darth Vader wanting to connect eye to eye with his son by removing his helmet. He knew doing this would end his life, however reconnecting with his own flesh and blood son was more important to him than carrying on as the less-than-human Darth Vader. In the end, Darth Vader ends up being a tragic hero. The ending where Luke is almost killed by the corrupt Emperor Palpatine and he intervened and saved his son’s life symbolized purification with the realization of his mistakes. Darth Vader’s character kind of hits home for a lot of people because of how he portrays good and bad qualities. We can see ourselves in him and I think that one of the reasons these films are so successful, even today, is because of how Darth Vader redeems himself at the end. These days, the news is usually pretty depressing so when we see a villain change his ways it can be really refreshing for people.

The Truth About Ghostwriting

THE TRUTH ABOUT GHOSTWRITING Ronald Reagan once quipped about his autobiography, â€Å"I hear it’s a terrific book. One of these days I’m going to read it myself.† Rarely does a celebrity exhibit such candor in acknowledging their partnership with a ghostwriter. In fact, the entire practice of ghostwriting seems shaded in mystery. To deconstruct the myths and doubts surrounding the practice, we’re shining light on some of the most common questions about ghostwriting: What is a ghostwriter? The Free Dictionary defines the term as â€Å"one who writes for and gives credit of authorship to another† while Oxford Dictionary specifies that a ghostwriter is â€Å"a person whose job it is to write material for someone else who is the named author.† The practice dates back as far as the 5th century B.C., when scribes wrote material for royalty. And world leaders throughout history have relied on ghostwriters to present an amenable front to their constituents. Even venerable George Washington didn’t craft his own Farewell Address; he left that to Alexander Hamilton. Christy Walsh – known as America’s first sports agent – coined the word in 1921, as he found ghostwriters to write autobiographies for sports stars, including the legendary Babe Ruth. Walsh was open about his practice of using ghostwriters, famously saying, â€Å"Dont insult the intelligence of the public by claiming these men write their own stuff.† But the practice existed as a   mostly hidden secret of the publishing world for many years. Today, electronic publishing options have made producing a book or other works a more affordable prospect. Coupled with the rise of electronic media, celebrity memoirs have become an industry standard, increasing demand for ghostwriting assistance. Why use a ghostwriter? If you lack the time or skill to articulate your ideas into written form, a ghostwriter can help. Whether you need assistance crafting a compelling whitepaper or compiling your family history into a memoir, you can find ghostwriters with experience in a wide variety of written form. When evaluating the prospect of bringing a ghostwriter on to your project, ask yourself the following questions: Do I have the time to devote to writing and proofreading this project? Do I have the discipline to write this material in an efficient manner? Do I have the skill to professionally communicate my ideas in written form? Do I enjoy the writing process? Do I have the skills necessary to research and conduct interviews on this topic? Do I have the budget to hire a quality ghostwriter? Who uses ghostwriters? Busy professionals often lack the time to devote to an intensive writing project. While many people enjoy writing as a creative outlet – journaling their thoughts or sharing ideas on social media – they may lack the professional polish needed for certain publications. In these instances, a creative thinker pairs well with a ghostwriter. Politicians, celebrities, business leaders, and even family historians use ghostwriters. Ghostwriters tackle not only the well-known formats of memoirs and works of fiction. They also work on a diverse range of projects, including: blogs, thought leadership pieces, speeches, scripts, ebooks, Wikipedia entries, song lyrics, op-eds, and editorial content. Which celebrities use ghostwriters? The better question is â€Å"Which celebrities don’t use ghostwriters?† In the world of celebrity memoir, ghostwriting rates approach 100%. Even highly-regarded, award-winning books like John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage often have a ghostwriter behind them. On the flip side, some celebrities have taken their turn as ghostwriters. Before becoming a household name, Barry Manilow wrote advertising jingles such as State Farm’s enduring â€Å"Like a Good Neighbor† and Band-Aid’s â€Å"I am Stuck on Band-Aid.† Which authors use ghostwriters? A Priceonomics article on ghostwriting suggests that at least 25% of the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list is ghostwritten. The practice is rampant in fiction genres as well. Perhaps the most famous examples of ghostwritten fiction are the iconic Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series. These children’s books, launched in the 1920s and 1930s and having accumulated nearly 200 books in each series to date, were written by various ghostwriters under a common pseudonym. More recently, Tom Clancy and James Patterson owned up to using ghostwriters for some of their works. If you notice an author’s successive books debuting on shelves at a rapid pace, chances are good that there’s a ghostwriter involved. How do I find a ghostwriter? Comb through trade journals, newspaper articles, and websites for authors who have worked on material in your field. These authors may be open to ghostwriting work. When perusing books, look for keywords on the cover such as â€Å"with† in smaller print after the primary author’s name. The acknowledgements page also sometimes gives a nod to a ghostwriter. Professional writing firms often offer ghostwriting services along with in-house editing. These firms may offer a team approach that involves a ghostwriter working alongside a proofreader and editor. Such collaboration often leads to a more polished manuscript. Look for these attributes as you evaluate potential ghostwriters: Portfolio – Ask to see examples of the writer’s work. Organization – The writer should meet deadlines and communicate efficiently. Professionalism – The writer should maintain a non-judgmental air, enabling you to comfortably share ideas and research without fear of criticism. Respect – The writer gives you final say and the opportunity to approve, ask questions, and give feedback on all material. Discretion – The writer agrees to sign a non-disclosure agreement. How much do ghostwriters charge? Ghostwriting fees vary dramatically, depending on the amount of work required and experience level of the writer. Ghostwriters may bill hourly, by the word, or by the project. Some ghostwriters looking to build their portfolios may agree to a lower upfront fee accompanied by a percentage of royalties. Reputable ghostwriters’ rates usually start in the hundreds for the smallest projects and go up from there. Expect to pay at least $20,000 for a full length book. Elite ghostwriters charge upwards of $500,000 for their work on celebrity memoirs. As in many industries, ghostwriting costs can be reduced through outsourcing the trade to locations like India and China. While outsourced prices may seem like a bargain, the savings should be weighed against the value of writing produced in one’s native language. The English language contains numerous nuances that can lead to choppy and awkward outsourced or translated copy. In ghostwriting, the adage â€Å"you get what you pay for† usually rings true. How do ghostwriters work? â€Å"I’m fulfilling a similar function to a barrister in court, pleading the case of their client,† says prolific ghostwriter Andrew Crofts. â€Å"I listen to their story and then tell it for them, helping to get across their view of the world and the way things happen in it.† Early in a project, the named author conferences with the ghostwriter, sharing notes, outlines, and ideas. The ghostwriter conducts a series of interviews with the named author and other relevant parties. The ghostwriter typically spends significant time researching through interviews and other means. Finally, the ghostwriter composes the manuscript, communicating with the named author on any pertinent questions. The named author receives the manuscript for review prior to publication. Some ghostwriters share their work with the named author throughout the process. Others feel sharing the work in progress disturbs their creative flow and argue they can work more efficiently with minimal client interaction. If you are considering hiring a ghostwriter, choose a working relationship – collaborative or turnkey – that feels right to you. Collaborative relationships often require more from the named author in terms of time and dedication to the project, but the danger of getting a â€Å"surprise† at the end of the process is generally reduced. What are some common myths about ghostwriting? Given the unusual name, the ghostwriting field garners much intrigue and misunderstanding. Common myths include: Ghostwriters are hard to find – With careful research, you should be able to find a ghostwriter skilled to write in your content area. Ghostwriters work on commission – Most ghostwriters work on a flat rate and are open to discussing payment options prior to beginning work on your project. Any writer can effectively ghostwrite – It takes a special skill set to conduct the necessary research, provide customer service, and convincingly write in someone else’s voice. Many prominent authors fail as ghostwriters. Is it illegal to use ghostwriters? Ghostwriting is not illegal. In fact, Calvin Coolidge was the last U.S. President who did not keep a full-time ghostwriter on staff. The practice is widely embraced by politicians, the business world, and the publishing industry alike. Are ghostwriters credited? Ghostwriters are usually not credited, though some named authors may choose to acknowledge a ghostwriter using â€Å"with† or â€Å"as told to† on the cover of their publication. Other named authors show appreciation to their ghostwriter on the acknowledgements page. Make sense of the semantics by considering that Webster defines author as â€Å"one that originates or creates.† The word derived from the Latin auctor (one who gives increase), as in â€Å"an originator or causer.† Since a ghostwriter does not â€Å"originate† an idea, but works to bring the ideas of others to written fruition, the originator of the work takes credit as the named author. Some confusion exists between the terms â€Å"ghostwriter† and â€Å"co-author.† These terms differ in that – although a ghostwriter should provide proactive feedback or suggestions – a ghostwriter typically provides content based on the instructions and ideas of another person. A co-author expects to work as a partner in the venture, will be a named author on the book, and will share in proceeds. Their subject-matter expertise is often essential to forming the material concept for the work. Is it ethical to use ghostwriters? Ghostwriting is accepted without much ado in most fields, with two notable exceptions. Ethical concerns can present regarding medical ghostwriting, the practice of attaching the names of scientists or physicians to ghostwritten articles and publishing the material in medical journals. â€Å"This behavior creates obvious conflicts of interest, distorts medical evidence, [and] affects consumers by their bias towards certain drugs,† writes Ernesto Spinak on SciELO in Perspective. A 2008 survey published in the British Medical Journal found the â€Å"prevalence of articles with honorary authorship, ghost authorship, or both† at around 20% of articles published in a selection of general medical journals. Academic ghostwriting also creates concern. Naturally, some college students are keen on avoiding the arduous task of essay writing. So-called â€Å"essay mills† step in and ghostwrite papers for students. The practice is not illegal in the United States or the United Kingdom. However, the practice is considered unethical and is subject to the charge of â€Å"academic fraud,† with subsequent university penalties. Is ghostwriting plagiarism? Ghostwriting is not considered plagiarism because plagiarism involves the theft of original writing. Ghostwriting involves a mutually agreed upon collaboration and compensated exchange of written material.