What Does a Good Ghostwriter Charge?

You may have been recently looking at your bucket list or rewriting your business goals. One of your goals may be to write a book and become an author because of the many benefits becoming an author can bring to the table.

If you work a full-time job, don’t like to write, or would like to write but have writer’s block consistently, you may want to consider hiring a ghostwriter. You can find out more about why you’d want to consider using a ghostwriter in my previous blog posts.

However, before you tie the knot with a ghostwriter, you’ll want to know how much they are going to charge. There are several different options to pay a ghostwriter - and each ghostwriter will most likely have their preferred payment available to you in a proposal after you speak with them about the ghostwriting job you would like them to perform so you can get your book finished.

Book Information You Need to Have Before You Speak with a Ghostwriter

Before you hire a ghostwriter and get a price for your ghostwriting work, you’ll need to have a few details in your pocket or on your checklist. Because there are so many different facets and details around ghostwriting, and each ghostwriter charges differently based on the work they are writing, you’ll want to have this basic information ready to go before you meet with the ghostwriter so you can use the time on your discovery call with the ghostwriter who you may potentially hire, before you hop on that Zoom or phone call with them.

You’ll want to have the following ready to go before you speak with the ghostwriter you’re looking to hire. Even better, send them this list via email ahead of your meeting, preferably at least two days in advance, so they can look it over and get more details about your book or book idea before you speak with them. This will save you time during your call and give you the ability to ask them additional questions you may not have thought of before your call. Make sure to record the call or take good notes about your meeting so you can refer back to them when you’re making you’re decision on who to hire.

Make sure to know the following about your book:

• The number of (or approximate number of) words your book will be - on average, books are about 200 pages or 40,000 words

• Your book idea, genre, and the subject you’ll talk about in your book

• A general outline of your book - remember you can always change your outline as you work through the content of your book

• The highlights or main points of your book

• Why you’re writing your book

• If your book has interviews, contributors, needs research, or other information that your ghostwriter will need to provide or write

• If you need assistance with writing the front and back matter of your book such as the dedication, copyright page, or about the author

• Will you need assistance with writing the book description on the back of your book?

• Are you also looking for book coaching?

• When you would like to publish your book?

Notice I didn’t list your title or subtitle in this list? That’s because you don’t need a final title or subtitle until you’re almost finished with the rough draft of your book. However, I always recommend to my ghostwriting clients that they keep a running list of titles that they like, as well as subtitles. Your title or subtitle could change slightly when you are writing your book as your book content could change, chapters may be rearranged, or you may want to change your book sub niche slightly. All of these changes are part of the process of writing, and a good ghostwriter can guide you through these changes as you work together with them.

Paying a Ghostwriter Using Project Pricing

Ghostwriters can give you a project cost for the entire book. They should have a detailed list of what will be involved in writing your book, how much each part of their work is going to cost, and a ghostwriting contract for you to review before you sign on the dotted line.

Paying a Ghostwriter By the Word

Other ghostwriters will charge you by the word for their work. For example, if a ghostwriter is charging $1 per word and your book has 40,000 words (which is an average book of 200 pages), then your ghostwriter will cost you $40,000. While most ghostwriters charge between .10 and .25 per word, ghostwriter fees vary, so make sure you know how much they are charging per word and if there is any editing included in the per word pricing.

This amount may seem pricey, but remember, your ghostwriter is going to be your writing BFF for six months to a year or maybe longer. Your project should be the primary focus of their work, and, where much of their time is spent.

Ghostwriter Pricing By the Hour

You may agree to pay for your ghostwriter by the hour. Estimating the number of hours a ghostwriter will work on your book can be tricky as you won’t know how long your ghostwriter will take to write your book. I would not recommend paying a ghostwriter by the hour, and if you do decide to pay by the hour, make sure your ghostwriter has a timesheet they keep updated each time they work on your book that is shared with you that has details such as time and work completed. This way, you will know what the ghostwriter is working on and how long they are taking to write your book. The good news is that you could walk away if you feel that your book is taking too long and you will have paid for the work you have received.

However, your ghostwriter decides to charge, be very clear about what services are offered with their cost. Is editing involved? Will they charge more for an index or table of contents? These are the items you will have to look for when pricing out a ghostwriter. Do your research and make sure you have a list of what services you will need to receive a price on the work you need to have done, and not the work you are willing to do on your own.

Find out how Write For You can work with you to create book content that tells your story. Book your complimentary discovery call today to find out how you can work together with Write For You to achieve your goals and sign up for my complimentary online course coming out soon: How to Write Your Book in 100 days or less.