A LinkedIn post by Chartered Accountant and writer Nishtha Gehija boasting about ghostwriting Ankur Warikoo’s second book in under three months went viral, sparking a humorous public exchange between the two. Gehija’s post highlighted her ability to balance ghostwriting with a full-time job, contrasting her success with the struggles of others aspiring to write their own books. She concluded her post by advertising her ghostwriting and book-writing consulting services.
The post’s viral spread, however, revealed a surprising revelation for many: the authorship of Warikoo’s books. A user shared a screenshot on X (formerly Twitter), prompting Warikoo to respond directly. With characteristic humor, he clarified that Gehija’s claim was inaccurate; she had ghostwritten his *first* book, not the second. He added, with a touch of self-deprecating amusement, “Can’t believe people are discovering ghostwriting as a profession.”
Despite the correction, Warikoo praised Gehija’s work, sharing an image of his book’s acknowledgment page, which explicitly credited her contribution. He detailed the extensive process, involving numerous Zoom calls that were recorded, transcribed, and then meticulously crafted into the book. He described the process as “an incredibly tough task which she accomplished commendably well,” emphasizing that it was a paid professional assignment. Furthermore, Warikoo openly stated his intention to continue using ghostwriters for all his future books.
Finally, addressing criticism about him identifying as an “author” despite not writing the books himself, Warikoo offered a pragmatic explanation: “Author seemed the simplest way to indicate that I publish books. If you can suggest a better term, I’d be happy to use it instead.” This candid response further highlighted the complexities and sometimes-unconventional nature of modern authorship.