Goodreads Librarians Group discussion

Joan Wilder has two books listed under her name, but both have the ghostwriter as the primary author. I thought the name on the cover was supposed to be the primary author. Clarify?

And how about when the ghostwriter's name IS on the cover, such as Aubrey Clark? The covers have L.J. Smith's name in huge letters with "Written by Aubrey Clark" underneath. Who is the primary author?

Sophie wrote: "Joan Wilder has two books listed under her name, but both have the ghostwriter as the primary author."

Only on some editions, actually. However, it appears that the earliest editions were published under Joan Wilder, so that should be the first author on all editions.

Sophie wrote: "And how about when the ghostwriter's name IS on the cover, such as Aubrey Clark? The covers have L.J. Smith's name in huge letters with "Written by Aubrey Clark" underneath. Who is the primary author?"

That one is a bit iffier. But it looks like L.J. Smith is listed first on all covers (at least all the ones I saw with a quick perusal), so she should be first on all editions. (And again, some editions are that way now.)