Ghostwriter Pricing: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter?

Last Updated: 

September 9, 2024

Joining hands with a ghostwriter can open the doors to many valuable aspects. A partner that can assist you with researching, outlining, book writing, and editing. 

Hiring a ghostwriter is a perfect idea when you want to transform your vision of becoming an author into real life. A ghostwriter essentially can write the book completely for you on his/ her own including research, research outline, writing the book as well as editing. If you have ever wanted to write a book but consider yourself unsure of where to start, a ghostwriter is the ideal person to ally oneself with.

However, applying for such services requires a hefty amount which is a challenging part. Without knowing how much you have to pay, you won’t be able to apply for the services with confidence. 

Worry not! In this blog, we have done the hard part for you by researching and providing you with an estimate that’ll give you an overview of how costly ghostwriter services are. If you are curious to know the prices then, continue reading to discover. 

Key Takeaways on Ghostwriting Pricing

  1. Ghostwriters turn ideas into reality: Ghostwriters assist with research, outlining, writing, and editing, making it easier for aspiring authors to realise their vision.
  2. Cost varies by project: Hiring a professional ghostwriter for non-fiction books can cost between $6,000 and $40,000, while fiction and picture books typically cost less.
  3. Genre and word count affect pricing: Ghostwriting costs depend on the genre and word count, with biographies and life stories being more expensive than children's picture books.
  4. Additional costs to consider: Beyond the project fee, additional expenses like travel, legal fees, transcription services, and editing costs can add thousands to the overall price.
  5. Travel and accommodation expenses: If your project requires in-person meetings or research, factor in the travel costs for the ghostwriter, which can significantly increase your budget.
  6. Legal and contractual requirements: Hiring a ghostwriter involves legal considerations such as contracts, copyright agreements, and non-disclosure agreements, which may require legal fees.
  7. Editing and proofreading may be needed: Even after ghostwriting, additional polishing through copy editing and proofreading by a third party may be necessary, adding to the overall cost.
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Why Do We Invest in a Ghostwriter?  

Individuals who possess great imagination and have ideas to share are the perfect fit to invest in a ghostwriter. The greatest aspect of getting help from a ghostwriter is that they transform your vision, ideas, and rough imaginations into a polished one. A work that can speak perfection and can sell better than any other book in the market. 

Now ghostwriting services are not only used for book writing or editing. You can hire a ghostwriter for multiple reasons including writing an article or website copy. The goal is to bring perfect writing to the table and that’s something only a ghostwriter can achieve. 

Since writing a book is a huge commitment, time, and hefty prices, it becomes impossible. Instead, you can invest the same amount in hiring a ghostwriter. A writer will help publish your work while you focus on other aspects of life. 

What is the Average Fee for Hiring a Ghostwriter? 

Deepening on what roles and responsibilities you have assigned a ghostwriter, the price varies. For every task whether is book writing, publishing, or editing, the prices may be different. 

According to research conducted by the officials, hiring a professional ghostwriter can cost you $6,000 to $40,000 for non-fiction books. While books containing pictures and fiction can cost $1,500 to $5000. Further, it can all depend on the additional services you provide with book writing. These prices are just an estimation and might be different in every agency. To get the best ghostwriting help, you can reach out to an agency that offers exceptional ghostwriter services at budget-friendly prices. 

Ghostwriting Pricing Structure by Genre and Word Count

Category Price Range Word Count
Life Stories & Narratives $12,000 to $42,000 75K
Business & Leadership $8,000 to $32,000 60K
Personal Development $6,500 to $26,000 52K
Fantasy Worlds $4,500 to $16,000 80K
Sci-Fi $4,500 to $16,000 67K
Action & Thrillers $4,000 to $16,000 68K
Middle Grade Fiction $3,500 to $15,000 43K
Children's Picture Books $1,500 to $5,000 2K

The above chart explains the most popular genres and their prices according to the word count. Based on the research conducted by the officials, it shows that biographies are the most used service which makes it quite expensive than others. However, picture books that are mostly used for middle-grade books can cost you less than $5000. 

The chart is an estimation and you can inquire about these prices before applying for the services by the team of the agency. The prices may be different, so you must consult with the customer support team of the agency you have hired to do the task. 

What are the Additional Costs of Hiring a Ghostwriter?

A customer must keep in mind that the project fee may not be the only price you have to pay. Instead, you must be aware of the additional costs that include travel costs, legal costs, and in some cases copy editing costs. 

In the paragraphs below we have explained how these expenses work. 

Expenses for Travel

If you have to conduct face-to-face interviews or gather information that is specific to a physical location, then transportation, meals, and accommodation of a ghostwriter should be included in your budget. Additional costs for such living expenses can put a dent in your wallet as they may bring your costs to tens of thousands of dollars. 

Costs for Transcription Services

Another cost may be in transcribing interviews that are conducted when collecting data. In this case, you may need to look at a more secure and perhaps premium transcription service depending on your privacy needs. For instance, whereas some authors are familiar with the relatively cheap service of Descript, they might not be as knowledgeable about ventures that involve human transcriptions. 

Legal Fees and Considerations

Basically, legal issues form an important part of the interaction with a ghostwriter. First of all, it is necessary to draw up a contract including mainly such factors as the work’s scope, time frame, and payment schedule as well as crucial questions related to copyrights and non-disclosure. Simple contracts are either available or can be ordered, however, if the task is more complicated, or if it involves legal advice, one needs to consult a lawyer. 

Editing and Proofreading Costs

While taking the best ghostwriting services will get the author a polished manuscript, there may still be further polishing that needs to be done before the work is published. Certain tasks such as copy editing and proofreading should be done by another person since even the writer can get so used to a certain word or phrase that he or she overlooks it in writing. Normally, depending on the workload and general requirements, one is likely to receive a quotation of about $2,000 for copyediting on a 75, 000-word, non-fiction book. 

What Should You Do Before Hiring a Ghostwriter?

Hiring a ghostwriter means you are placing your trust and dreams in their hands. But before you make the final commitment, there are three basic things that you must keep in mind:

  1. Review the Writer's Experience Through Their Portfolio
  2. Request a Book Proposal from the Writer
  3. Provide a Legal Contract and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

Taking these steps into consideration before signing will allow you to find the best ghostwriting services. 

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