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(Think: Buying a Bike vs. Building a Rocket)
There are many ghostwriters out there. Most say they make “high-quality books,” but few give clear prices at the start. You send some inquiries and receive vague responses like, “It depends, let’s jump on a call!” This is aggravating – and It’s hard to tell who is real and who you can trust.
Here is the truth:
A personal story, like a legacy memoir, costs less than a CEO’s business book. The two take very different efforts. One is like riding a bike. The other is like launching a rocket.!
A ghostwriter is a creative partner that works in the background. You bring the idea. The ghost writer writes the book. Your name goes on the cover. The story and message are yours..
You can think of it as:
· Hiring a builder to build you a new home – you still choose your colors, layout, and finishes.
· Hiring a chef to prepare your private dinner – you pick the menu and the chef provides the experience.
Why do people hire ghostwriters?
Because:
· They don’t have time
· They don’t feel confident in their writing
· They want the book, done right, fast, and professionally
1.Book Type
Not all books need the same level of thinking and effort. A feel-good memoir or an inspirational guide is usually simpler. These need less work than a book about a big business deal. They also take less time than writing about new AI ideas.
Basic Projects: Memoirs, self-help books, and lifestyle guides. These often use your outlines, notes, or blog posts and need little research.
Example: “How I Found My Purpose After 40”
Average Cost: $10,000 – $25,000
Advanced Projects: Some books are for a small group of experts. These include technical writing and financial strategies. They need deep knowledge of the industry.
Example: “Blockchain & Regulatory Frameworks for Investors”
Average Cost: $30,000 – $100,000+
Why this matters: Expert topics are hard to write. The ghost writer must know the field or do strong research.
2. Research
The deeper the research study or expertise your ghostwriter requires, the cost increases.
Low Research: You already have an outline, blog posts, or a rough draft. So, the ghost writer will focus mostly on editing and organizing your content.
Add approx. $0 – $2,000
High Research: Your ghostwriter needs to talk to people. They must learn hard topics. They also have to check each claim. They will build the book from the ground up.
Add approx. $3,000 – 15,000+
Example: A health coach hired a ghostwriter to write a book using old blog posts. The cost stayed low. In another case, I worked with a surgeon. He needed 50 pages of clinical research added to a patient-focused story. This extra research raised the cost by $12,000.
3. Length of the Book
Longer books cost more. Many ghostwriters charge by the word, but I prefer to price by length. Either way, I often skip step four. Most clients don’t use all their word count—they just want to get it done and send it out.
Short Books (20k–40k words): These are great as lead magnets, personal stories, or mini guides.
Estimated Price: $8,000 – $20,000
Standard nonfiction books are usually 50,000 to 70,000 words long. This is the typical length for business, self-help, or professional books.
Estimated Price: $20,000 – $45,000
Long books range from 80,000 to 100,000 words or more. These work well for deep memoirs, academic nonfiction, or technical content.
Estimated Price: $30,000 – $75,000+
Tip: Be realistic. A 40k-word book can still have an impact—it’s long for a reason.
4. Revisions
Every writer will include at least one revision round. The more rounds, or the more lenient the scope, the more it’ll cost you.
Standard Plans: 2–3 revision rounds (for a specified time).
Most mid-range packages include the writer’s revisions.
Unlimited Revisions: Sounds good, right? Always read the fine print in a package that offers “unlimited” revisions. It might only cover changes made within 30 days.
️ Add $3,000 – $7,000+
Advice: Always check what “unlimited” means. Can you change direction halfway and not incur an extra charge? Or are changes limited to grammar corrections?
5. Your Involvement
Want to go hands off? Then expect to pay extra.
Hands Off Client: The ghost does it all, from outlining to clean up.
High convenience = High costs.
Hands On Client: You can give stories, drafts, or written pieces (any length) that the ghost can refine.
This will save you money, but not your time.
6. Deadline: How Fast Do You Need It?
· Speed creates pressure, you can guess the rest.
· Standard Timeline: 6 to 12 months = regular pricing.
· Rush Timeline: 3 to 6 months = 20–50% surcharge.
· It’s like ordering books on Amazon Prime—fast = pay more.
Example: A client wanted to publish before their TEDx talk. They paid an extra $8,000 to get the book done in 3 months..
7. Experience
Not all ghostwriters are equal and that’s okay. You can find a project that matches your budget. Just be mindful of experience level.
Beginning Ghostwriters: ($5,000 – $15,000)
Pros: Relatively low cost
️ Cons: More drafts, more coaching, less chance at matching voice
Mid-Level Professionals: ($15,000 – $35,000)
Mid range usually provides good, reliable quality
High-End Ghostwriters: ($40,000 – $100,000 or more)
A ghostwriter who has worked with a publisher, celebrity, or top author writes fast. Their work is also clean and professional.
Fast tip: Ask to see books they’ve written before. Get client references. Request a sample chapter before you hire.
A) Business Books (For Execs, Coaches, Experts)
Ghostwriting costs change based on the project. The price depends on the topic, the research needed, and the writer’s skills. Business books for coaches cost at least $18,000. Books for executives or entrepreneurs can go up to $65,000. High-level projects for CEOs can go over $130,000. Simple books need little research. Detailed books need planning, interviews, and expert advice..
Example: Sarah (a business coach) paid $28k for a 50k-word book. It helped her land $5k–$10k speaking gigs.
B) Non-fiction (Memoirs, Self-Help, History)
Writers charge $15,000 to $50,000 for books like memoirs, self-help, and history. The price depends on the content provided and the research required. Intricate, research-intensive narratives can surpass $100,000.
Example: Miguel spent $22,000 on his father’s immigration memoir and sold over 2,000 copies in the region.
Red Alert: Too-Cheap = Danger!
Ghostwriters who charge less than $15,000 may use AI, quit before finishing, or deliver bad or copied work. Check their past work, ask for samples, and go with your gut.
You know those numbers: $25k, $40k—even $100k.
And immediately you say to yourself: Why does ghostwriting cost so darn much?!
Here’s the truth: good ghostwriters do more than write. They also research, edit, tell stories, and help shape the message like a business expert.. Let’s break down where that money goes—and how to hire smart people without getting ripped off.
A) Time = Money
Writing a book is not a weekend project,it takes a lot of time, often 500-1,000 hours from start to finish. Even at a conservative $50/hour, that time alone could cost you $25,000 to $50,000. That time covers outlining, writing, and revising. It also includes making sure every sentence sounds like you.
B) Hidden Work You Don’t See:
Behind every clean manuscript is mountains of unseen work:
● Interviews with you or your contacts (sometimes: 10-50+ hours)
● Fact-checking historical dates, names, or technical terms
● Organizing the chaos of messy notes, journals, or voice memos into a readable story
● Money aside, it is not just writing; it is content excavation. It’s like hiring someone to clean a packed garage and make it look ready for a magazine photo..
C) Skills = Training
Professional ghostwriters do not improvise,they train
● They study storytelling, character development, and pacing.
● They know what agents and publishers expect.
● They can take boring, dry writing and convert it into page-turning writing.
● You’re not paying for time and energy,you’re paying for talent and experience.
D) ROI = Return on Investment
A ghostwritten book is not an indulgence,it is a business asset.
● A realtor who paid $40,000 for a book, ended up with over $200,000 in high-value clients.
● A chef paid $30,000 for a memoir and landed a television deal.
If your book builds your brand, gets you paid speaking gigs, or helps you close sales, it pays for itself. Quickly.
HOW TO GET A FAIR PRICE
Hiring a fairly priced ghostwriter doesn’t have to be a gamble. You can take simple steps to protect your money and get good work.
Step 1: Prep the Project
Prior to reaching out to writers, consider what you are asking for:
● What type of book are you writing? (Memoir, business, self-help?)
● What length? (Thinking 50k-70k words)
● What will be their research requirements?
Step 2: Reach out to 3–5 Ghostwriters
Send a well-crafted introduction email:
Subject: Ghostwriter needed for [Your Book Type]
Hello! I am looking for a ghostwriter for my [book type]. Here is the plan:
• Topic: [e.g., My life growing up in Chicago]
• Length: Approximately 200 pages
• Research: [e.g., I have journals; 10 interviews needed to supplement.]
• Timeline: [e.g., 8 months]
• Budget: [e.g., $20k-35k]
Can you share:
● Samples of where the content is similar?
● What is included within your fee?
● What are your contract terms? Thank you
Step 3: Identify Red Flags
Be cautious of the following red flags:
● No contract to sign? That’s a risk. Get into an agreement with them.
● 100% upfront? No, I walk away immediately. This is a scam.
● Not a good answer or “trust me” answer? No; I ask the questions and expect direct, confident answers.
Step 4: Compare Quotes
It’s not just about the price, consider the value. Compare what is included:
· Is the writer providing revisions, editing, and formatting?
· Are there real samples of previous work?
· Is there a clear understanding of timeline and deliverables?
· You’re hiring a professional, treat it like any sizable investment.
Can You Get It Cheaper? (Yes, But…)
If you’re watching your budget, here are some real ways to cut costs without hurting your project:
· Co-Write: Write half of the book, and have the ghostwrite finish, shape and edit. You’ll save 20-40%.
· Go Short: A 30,000 word book gives you savings of $10k+ versus writing an 80,000-word book.
· Hire Less Experienced Writers: Some ghostwriters charge less while building their portfolio. Just be sure to ask for writing samples..
Don’t Ever Do This:
· Don’t hire random “65k ghostwriters” from Craigslist or shady FB Groups. Most will quit mid-project, or won’t deliver.
· Don’t use AI-based writing tools for your book. Publishers and readers will know. And yes, many will flat out reject any AI-written manuscripts.
Considering a career as a ghostwriter? If you have the right skills, and you’re patient, ghostwriting can be a great path. It’s rewarding and pays well.
What Pros Earn:
Ghostwriting is not an insignificant sum. Depending on your experience, here’s what writers really earn per book:
● Entry-level ghostwriters can earn about $15,000–$25,000 per book.
● (Typically memory, co-writing or light research projects.)
● Established, experienced ghostwriters can earn $50,000–$100,000+ per book.
● (These writers typically cover complex non-fiction, business, or large biographies.)
If you work well, meet deadlines, and are easy to work with, ghostwriting can lead to a 6-figure income. You don’t need fame or a public profile.
Skills you will need:
You don’t need a degree. But, if you have the skills listed below, you’re off to the races:
● Ability to type fast: There are deadlines.
● Listening skills: You are recounting someone else’s story. You’re going to want to capture every detail.
· Researcher extraordinaire: Once you interview, you typically tend to the subject’s research. But if you want to be compensated at the higher ranges, your curiosity will pay off when you can dig into the datasets.
Whether you’re an author hiring a ghostwriter or hiring a writer to ghostwrite, quality > shortcuts every time.
· Pay $25,000 – $50,000 for a quality book → It builds your brand, credibility, and career.
· Pay $8,000 for something sloppy → You get a forgettable book and publicly disgrace yourself.
A great book is an asset that keeps on giving—not just a one-off project.
YOUR NEXT STEPS:
1. Download: [Free Budget Planner]
2. Quiz: [“What’s My Book’s Real Cost?“]
3. Fun Fact: J.K. Rowling used a ghostwriter for spin-off books!