What does it cost to hire a ghostwriter?
Cost Ranges & Factors
How much do ghostwriters charge?
A reputable independent ghostwriter will charge between $40,000 to $50,000 for about 80,000 words (280-300 pages).
Factors influence cost.
Fees, however, can fluctuate, depending on circumstances. If you have a solid partial manuscript, you’ll pay less. Tight deadline requiring a fast turnaround? Price goes up. I’ve earned as much as $100,000 for a book and as little as $25,000.
Payment Details
Payment structure is typically three parts:
1st Payment
Contract Signing
One-third due on contract signing.
2nd Payment
A Predetermined Milestone
One-third due at a predetermined milestone (first full draft or halfway point)
3rd Payment
Publisher Acceptance
One-third on publisher acceptance or final draft completion
So, for a $50,000 contract, each payment would run around $16,660. Most writers offer flexibility in payment schedules to work with different budget situations.
What if you’re unhappy with the work?
Most reputable ghostwriters will negotiate a refund, though maybe not full repayment. Remember, when a ghostwriter takes on your book, they’ve likely passed on other projects. Ghosting a book is a massive time commitment.
Stay patient.
Don’t make snap judgments. It might take a little time for a ghost to capture your vision and voice.
Beyond the Writing: Extra Benefits
The added value: Most reputable ghosts will lend their expertise and contacts in the publishing world—editors, agents, publishers—to shepherd you through the labyrinth of book publishing.
Hiring a Ghostwriter—Is It Worth It?
Paying more for a top-notch ghost is absolutely a wise investment. Once your book is in print, you live with those words forever. You want to be happy with them and give yourself the best shot at success.
Ultimately, you want readers to enjoy your book.
Click here to read a blog I wrote with some additional information on cost.
Have additional questions?
If you still have questions about the costs of hiring a ghostwriter, payment structures, negotiating a refund or anything else, reach out to us anytime.
Want to know more?
In our next section, I’ll walk you through the actual process of working with a ghostwriter, explaining the steps you’ll take to create your book.
