Is it legal to pay someone to write a story for me, then get it published under my name?

Is it legal to pay someone to write a story for me, then get it published under my name?
by

1 Answer

Answer :

Ever since there have been books there have been ghost writers who do precisely that. They will write a book for someone else.
by

Related questions

Where should I submit a short story if I actually want to see it published?

Description : Where should I submit a short story if I actually want to see it published?

Last Answer : Submit it anywhere you’d like to see it published. The New Yorker, the Atlantic, the Paris Review, wherever.

Need advice on how to become a published Author in India and the process involved ?

Description : Need advice on how to become a published Author in India and the process involved ?

Last Answer : There's no money in being published by a publishing house these days unless you're a world-famous author who has been on Oprah. Even award-winning writers with critical acclaim starve in the post- ... parasites between you and your buyers, you don't need to sell a million copies to make money.

Are you planning to, or have actually you written one or more books that were published?

Description : Are you planning to, or have actually you written one or more books that were published?

Last Answer : My wife is about to submit to harlequin novels. But they are as voracious as Galactus, so it’s almost a path of least resistance, especially compared to the rest of the print media world.

When a memoir is published, do the names of the real people within it have to be changed or can they remain?

Description : When a memoir is published, do the names of the real people within it have to be changed or can they remain?

Last Answer : It seems to depend on a few factors. Like is the person previously unknown, or already sort of famous? If you're a former president publishing a memoir, you can't really change the name of your chief ... want an alias or not. The rest, you probably change because it's easier for everyone that way.

How does one go about getting something published in High School?

Description : How does one go about getting something published in High School?

Last Answer : answer:Since you want them published in a paper or something like this you need to talk to the editors there and give them your material then see what happens. You could write good pieces and still ... work on other pieces. [ this because you want them published and not write just to have them ]

What's the best way to get a book published?

Description : What's the best way to get a book published?

Last Answer : You need to look into query letters.

I'm reading "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop... and the writing is terrible. Did nobody notice before it got published?

Description : I'm reading "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop... and the writing is terrible. Did nobody notice before it got published?

Last Answer : Even if you don’t appreciate the writing quality, others may. And good writing is not the only reason to read a book. Maybe you can look past the writing and find some things to enjoy.

What is the best way to get published?

Description : What is the best way to get published?

Last Answer : Practice, practice, practice. (I know it’s the answer to another question, but it works here too.)

If I want to submit a story for publication under a pen name, do I have to do anything legally if I receive payment?

Description : If I want to submit a story for publication under a pen name, do I have to do anything legally if I receive payment?

Last Answer : You will want to copyright it under your legal name or an established business entity,

Who would like to write a story?

Description : Who would like to write a story?

Last Answer : The creature sat only feet away, but it could not see me. I was hidden to everyone.

Could you write a one-sentence story to break the day's tedium?

Description : Could you write a one-sentence story to break the day's tedium?

Last Answer : answer:“Clarissa said she would buy the flowers herself.” (Okay – I cheated.)

Story Game: If you could only see the last answer in the thread, what story line would you write?

Description : Story Game: If you could only see the last answer in the thread, what story line would you write?

Last Answer : Little did she know that the wine glass flew all its way and hit a nearby policeman before smashing her neighbor’s window.

How to write a story?

Description : How to write a story?

Last Answer : answer:Can you briefly outline what’s happened so far in your story ? There are some pretty sharp people around here who can help make your story sing ( I’m not one of them….I’m just the ‘ask for an outline’ guy….)

How can I get my inspiration back to write my story?

Description : How can I get my inspiration back to write my story?

Last Answer : Read some great books, look at poetry, watch a movie about a great poet or literary genius. Take a note pad with you and go outside and keep a dream pad to scribble on next to your bed.

What kind of story should a 13-year-old write for a book/novel?

Description : What kind of story should a 13-year-old write for a book/novel?

Last Answer : I’d appreciate all types of opinions.. :DD Thanks a lot!! :DD

Can you write or post a scary story that is written in two sentences or less?

Description : Can you write or post a scary story that is written in two sentences or less?

Last Answer : Michele Bachman has a shot, however remote, at being elected President of the United States.

What is the opening paragraph of that story you may never write?

Description : What is the opening paragraph of that story you may never write?

Last Answer : answer:I have actually started writing a story. It is a murder mystery. Here is the first paragraph: Jack Merrill was stoned. As he drove the winding road, aluminum canoes clattered against the metal rack ... and humid and the rear windows of the van opened only as far as their latches would allow.

Lets write a story!

Description : Lets write a story!

Last Answer : Elliot peered into the sink and felt a frothy sensation rise in his throat, as he gazed upon the unidentifiable remains in the drain. What had Martha been preparing for the evening meal of last?

I need to write a short story for an assignment and I need some crazy, creative ideas. Anyone have any?

Description : I need to write a short story for an assignment and I need some crazy, creative ideas. Anyone have any?

Last Answer : oh yes, but it could well be detrimental to your health

People who write fiction: Do you lay out the entire elaborate story before-hand, or figure it out as your characters do?

Description : People who write fiction: Do you lay out the entire elaborate story before-hand, or figure it out as your characters do?

Last Answer : You need to know where you are going before you plan your route.

Can someone critique my (rough) story?

Description : Can someone critique my (rough) story?

Last Answer : Find a better place to post it. That site is an abomination to any kind of writing. And this is the first time I’ve seen it.

If you rebuild a story for someone, do you have any ownership of it?

Description : If you rebuild a story for someone, do you have any ownership of it?

Last Answer : You’d basically be stealing someones idea, I wouldn’t do that

Can someone still write and have published a good, new Thriller, Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Horror story (with extensive background) nowadays?

Description : Can someone still write and have published a good, new Thriller, Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Horror story (with extensive background) nowadays?

Last Answer : In this day and age anyone can write and publish anything, even if it is utter crap. Self-publishing through Amazon (and other sources) make it easy to do. Quality doesn't seem to be an issue - some people ... . The best that happens is that it is a success. Try it. The barrier to entry is very low.

What occupations are legal yet slightly nefarious and/or seedy?

Description : What occupations are legal yet slightly nefarious and/or seedy?

Last Answer : Pawn broker.

Fiction Question: What would legal proceedings look like in a situation like this? (Details inside)

Description : Fiction Question: What would legal proceedings look like in a situation like this? (Details inside)

Last Answer : answer:Here's one data point. The shooting was recorded on video, so the timing is certainly at the extreme short end. 06/24/2010 Convenience clerk kills robber. 06/30/2010 DA says he will not ... one was a second-degree murder trial. Three years between the killing and a not-guilty verdict. Link

(Legal Question) How would I include this form into a legal document prepared for the court?

Description : (Legal Question) How would I include this form into a legal document prepared for the court?

Last Answer : The court to which you are making the application will have both general (state or federal) and specific (county, district, etc.) rules regarding court procedure. The court website should contain the relevant procedural rules for you to follow, including format, page allowances, fonts, etc.

How can I copyright my story when I haven't written it yet?

Description : How can I copyright my story when I haven't written it yet?

Last Answer : You have a copyright to your outline, as written. No one gets to own story ideas, though. What you do, is don't share story outlines with people you think are going to use your ideas ... them for stealing your story line (and for being crazy maniac story-outline bandits, which is ridiculous).

In /r/goforgold on Reddit, what kind of award should be awarded for a 500 word story?

Description : In /r/goforgold on Reddit, what kind of award should be awarded for a 500 word story?

Last Answer : Why don’t you check out the rule and/or observe how other users operate?

In what dimension is the reader of a story in relation to the story?

Description : In what dimension is the reader of a story in relation to the story?

Last Answer : Omniscient observer

Is the prologue of my story interesting enough?

Description : Is the prologue of my story interesting enough?

Last Answer : answer:Why is this a prologue and not simply Chapter 1? There's something potentially interesting here, but it's a little too coy and evasive-doesn't tell me enough of what's going on and who's ... on. Even just saying what industry would supply a little bit of a hook to hang my curiosity on.

Do you ever have serial dreams, or dreams that tell an on-going story, episode after episode?

Description : Do you ever have serial dreams, or dreams that tell an on-going story, episode after episode?

Last Answer : Yes, I often have what I call “Saga Dreams” which are highly detailed, quite logical, and seem to go on forever. I’ve even awakened from some of these dreams—or at least thought I awakened—then went back to sleep and picked up the dream where I off.

Is this a good way to begin a story?

Description : Is this a good way to begin a story?

Last Answer : For a harlequin novel perfect. You have a talent for description. Keep it up.

Is this a good opening to a short story?

Description : Is this a good opening to a short story?

Last Answer : answer:Welcome to ask-public. Whether or not you have a good opening for a story of any kind always depends upon the rest of the story. Instead of offering criticism, I will offer some advice instead. In ... . The art to telling short stories is knowing not what to put in, but what to leave out.

Would you like to play the game: continue this story?

Description : Would you like to play the game: continue this story?

Last Answer : It was a dark and stormy night.

Writers, how do you prepare for a big story before writing?

Description : Writers, how do you prepare for a big story before writing?

Last Answer : I wrote ideas on index cards, which I then taped to my bedroom wall. That way, I could add, take away, and move around scenes easily.

How do you describe pain in a story?

Description : How do you describe pain in a story?

Last Answer : Absolutely depends on the type of pain. Throb, burning, sharp, stabbing, etc.?

If you wrote a Faulkneresque story, what elements would you incorporate?

Description : If you wrote a Faulkneresque story, what elements would you incorporate?

Last Answer : answer:Google “William Faulker Parody contests.” Here’s one year’s winner. “As I Lay Kvetching”

What story is this?

Description : What story is this?

Last Answer : answer:Is it “Black Boy” ? by Richard Wright Just a guess… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Boy

Care to share a scary story?

Description : Care to share a scary story?

Last Answer : answer:When I went to the dentist today, they said the tooth that was causing me serious pain needed a root canal, which would cost me $800 + 200 for a steel crown (luckily it's a molar). A thousand ... t have. Either that, or pull it for $125. I'm still shaken from the experience. Someone hold me.

What do you think makes a good story?

Description : What do you think makes a good story?

Last Answer : I love to see how the story changes the characters involved.

Can I use the phrase "black man" in a story without being thought of as a racist?

Description : Can I use the phrase "black man" in a story without being thought of as a racist?

Last Answer : If the guy who refers to the black man as a black man doesn't know any other terms, then I'm pretty sure it's acceptable. In fact all terms are acceptable, unless obviously racist words like ' ... racist, or the story delivering some infamy on the matter. I think the words black man are safe. :/

How can I advertise my story on Wattpad.com more?

Description : How can I advertise my story on Wattpad.com more?

Last Answer : I’m not sure about how to advertise your Wattpad account, but if you just want more feedback on the story, you could also post it to other sites. One I know of is fictionpress.com. Stories there tend to get a pretty good amount of traffic and reviews.

What genre would you assign to this story?

Description : What genre would you assign to this story?

Last Answer : sounds like sci-fi to me

Who wants to do a round robin story?

Description : Who wants to do a round robin story?

Last Answer : It was extremly crowded in there. Everyone was Christmas shopping. Nooks and books were all being rung up. Then, I looked across the crowded, chaotic space and saw….

What are two good names for two (evil) characters in my story?

Description : What are two good names for two (evil) characters in my story?

Last Answer : answer:Jenifer and Marilyn. (Names of my ex-wife and my ex-mother-in-law.)

How do I spot and fix continuity errors in my story?

Description : How do I spot and fix continuity errors in my story?

Last Answer : Set it aside and read it anew in a few months. Or join Critters.

Which of your relatives has the strangest life story?

Description : Which of your relatives has the strangest life story?

Last Answer : I suppose that would be me, what with some of the things I’ve been through… like in Vietnam almost being captured twice.

How did you learn to tell a story?

Description : How did you learn to tell a story?

Last Answer : answer:I dunno but when I was at Kindergarten I was the only kid who could already read fluently before I started school, and the other kids always begged me to ready the story at storytime, instead ... of life into a story. I've also written stories that were specifically intended to be read aloud.

What's your story writing process?

Description : What's your story writing process?

Last Answer : To write a story, I have to be required to do it for a creative writing class or something – first, I just let it all come out, then edit. When I write on Fluther, I write how I speak without too much editing.

What one of these two would make the better Sci-Fi story?

Description : What one of these two would make the better Sci-Fi story?

Last Answer : answer:The 33 billion years in the future story is kind of far fetched in my mind. Do you really think humans will be able to survive for that long? I prefer the immortality one. There is a lot ... that concept. It would make a great novel or comic, but might be hard to fit into a short story.