{"title":"Leslie McFarlane","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection dedicated to Leslie McFarlane, a talented author best known as the original ghostwriter for the iconic Hardy Boys series. While his name may not be as instantly recognisable, his contributions to children's literature have left a lasting impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDive into the fascinating life of McFarlane with \u003cem\u003eGhost of the Hardy Boys\u003c\/em\u003e, a captivating memoir that offers a behind-the-scenes look at his experience crafting thrilling mysteries that captivated young readers for generations. This intriguing memoir delves deeply into the world of ghostwriting, revealing the challenges and triumphs McFarlane faced as he brought the Hardy Boys to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur Biography \u0026amp; Memoir category showcases Leslie McFarlane's prowess in weaving compelling true-life stories, providing insights not only into his life's journey but also into the broader world of early 20th-century literature and publishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the life and legacy of Leslie McFarlane, and gain a deeper appreciation for the stories that continue to enchant readers to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ghost-of-the-hardy-boys-by-leslie-mcfarlane-9781567927177","title":"Ghost of the Hardy Boys","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGhost of the Hardy Boys\u003c\/em\u003e is an elegant book, full of charm and pathos and whimsy. The writing is restrained, the characterisations deep and rich, the humour nuanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003cem\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs millions of boys and girls devoured the early adventures of the Hardy Boys, little did the young readers and aspiring sleuths know: the series' author was not Franklin W. Dixon, as the cover trumpeted. It was Leslie McFarlane, a nearly penniless scribbler, who hammered out the first adventures while living in a remote cabin without electricity or running water in Northern Ontario. McFarlane was among the first bestselling ghostwriters and this, at last, is his story - as much fun as the stories he wrote.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1926, 23-year-old cub newspaper reporter Leslie McFarlane responded to an ad: \"Experienced Fiction Writer Wanted to Work from Publisher's Outlines.\" The ad was signed by Edward Stratemeyer, whose syndicate effectively invented mass-market children's book publishing in America. McFarlane, who had a few published adventure stories to his name, was hired and his first job was to write \u003cem\u003eDave Fearless Under the Ocean\u003c\/em\u003e as Roy Rockwood - for a flat fee of $100, no royalties. His pay increased to $125 when Stratemeyer proposed a new series of detective stories for kids involving two high school aged brothers who would solve mysteries. The title of the series was \u003cem\u003eThe Hardy Boys\u003c\/em\u003e. McFarlane's pseudonym would be Franklin W. Dixon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMcFarlane went on to write twenty-one Hardy Boys adventures. From \u003cem\u003eThe Tower Treasure\u003c\/em\u003e in 1927 to \u003cem\u003eThe Phantom Freighter\u003c\/em\u003e in 1947, the adventures evolved into full-fledged classics filled with perilous scrapes, loyal chums, and breakneck races to solve the mystery. McFarlane kept his ghostwriting gig secret until late in life when his son urged him to share the story of being the real Franklin W. Dixon. By the time McFarlane died in 1977, unofficial sales estimates of The Hardy Boys series already topped 50 million copies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGhost of the Hardy Boys\u003c\/em\u003e is a fascinating, funny, and always charming look back at a vanished era of journalism, writing, and book publishing. It is for anyone who loves a great story and who's curious about solving the mystery of the fascinating man behind one of the most widely read and enduring children's book series in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46843803795692,"sku":"9781567927177","price":47.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/6492433482746.jpg?v=1758813041"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/leslie-mcfarlane.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}