Interview: The Hidden Craft of Ghostwritten Fiction with Matty Dalrymple and Jon McGoran

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with author and ghostwriter Jon McGoran about the craft and business of ghostwriting fiction. They discuss how Jon got started through an agency, the difference between fiction and nonfiction ghostwriting, the challenges of working in someone else's creative world, and how clear contracts and good collaboration can make ghostwriting a steady income stream for authors. About the Host Matty Dalrymple podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. She has written books on the business of short fiction and podcasting for authors, and her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine. She serves as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Matty is also the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with Rock Paper Scissors; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with The Sense of Death; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including Close These Eyes. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. About the Guest Jon McGoran is the author of eleven novels for adults and young adults, including his latest thriller, The Price of Everything, which Publishers Weekly called "a page-turning thrill ride." His other books include the YA science-fiction thrillers Spliced, Splintered, and Spiked, as well as the science-based thrillers Drift, Deadout, and Dust Up. Jon is also a developmental editor, ghostwriter, and teacher in Drexel University's Creative Writing MFA program, and he lives outside Philadelphia. You can find Jon through his website, Facebook, Goodreads, Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.