A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is hired to write literary or journalistic works, speeches, or other texts that are officially credited to another person as the author. Ghostwriters are often hired by celebrities, corporate executives, consultants, news witnesses, political leaders, and other notable people who want to create written material. They are widely used by celebrities and public figures who wish to publish their autobiographies or memoirs. Ghostwriters can write books, outlines, plotlines, and other materials based on the specifications of, or in collaboration with, the credited author. They can also coach authors to develop a concept and organizational structure, identify their target audience, capture their authentic voice, manage the project, conduct interviews with outside sources, and find pertinent research studies. Ghostwriters are often required to sign a contract with the credited author that requires them to keep their work confidential, often through a nondisclosure agreement. Usually, there is a confidentiality clause in the contract between the ghostwriter and the credited author that obligates the former to remain anonymous. Ghostwriters are hired for numerous reasons, including lack of time, discipline, or writing skills of the credited author. Ghostwriters are talented impersonators who can mix their ideas, tone, and word choice with those of the person for whom they’re writing. They are often acknowledged by the author or publisher for their writing services, euphemistically called a "researcher" or "research assistant," but often the ghostwriter is not credited.