Guide
How to hire a ghost writer
Short answer
To hire a ghost writer, settle your book's genre and length, shortlist writers with samples in that genre, interview them and sign an agreement covering rights, credit, fees, schedule and revisions. Survey medians put full-length fiction at 25 to 50 cents a word: $15,000 to $30,000 for a 60,000-word novel.
How much does a ghost writer cost?
The Editorial Freelancers Association publishes median ghostwriting rates from its member survey. Checked October 2026, for full-length books:
| Type of book | Per word | 60,000 words |
|---|---|---|
| Fiction, full-length | 25¢ to 50¢ | $15,000 to $30,000 |
| Nonfiction, full-length | 33¢ to 50¢ | $19,800 to $30,000 |
| Memoir | 50¢ to $1 | $30,000 to $60,000 |
| Business | 50¢ to $1 | $30,000 to $60,000 |
These are medians: half of the surveyed writers charge more and half less, and well-known ghostwriters charge far more. Check your target length with the novel length checker and turn it into pages with word count to pages before you ask for quotes. For the rest of a self-publishing budget, see how much it costs to publish a book.
Why do ghostwriter prices vary so much?
- Length. Most quotes start from the word count.
- Research and interviews. A memoir built from many hours of interviews, or a book that needs fact checking, takes longer than a novel from a detailed outline.
- What you already have. Notes, recordings or a rough draft cut the work; starting from an idea adds to it.
- Deadline. A rush job costs more.
- Experience. Writers with published books in your genre charge for that track record.
- Credit and royalties. A writer who takes a cover credit or a royalty share may lower the fee.
How do you find a ghost writer for your book?
Start with referrals from authors, editors or agents you trust, then look at professional writers' associations, freelance marketplaces and ghostwriting companies. A solo writer gives you one consistent voice and often a lower fee; a company can add editing, design and publishing help and cover for a writer who drops out. Whichever route you take, judge the writer, not the platform.
How do you choose among the best ghostwriting services?
There is no independent ranking of ghostwriting services, and lists of the "best" are often written by the companies in them. Compare them on things you can check:
- Samples in your genre. Published books or long excerpts, with the client's permission.
- Who writes your book. The name and background of the actual writer, and whether you can speak to them before you sign.
- Rights and credit in writing. You should own all rights to the manuscript, with credit agreed upfront.
- A clear scope. Length, number of interviews, revision rounds, schedule and what happens if a deadline slips.
- Staged payments. A deposit and milestones, not the full fee before any writing.
- Honest promises. Nobody can promise sales, a bestseller ranking or reviews.
What should you ask a ghost writer before hiring?
- Which books like mine have you written, and can I read part of one?
- How do you capture an author's voice? How many interviews do you plan?
- Will you write a sample chapter or a detailed outline first?
- How many revision rounds are included, and what does an extra round cost?
- What is the schedule, and how often will I see chapters?
- Do you use AI tools in drafting, and if so, how?
- What happens to my notes and recordings, and will you sign an NDA?
What should a ghostwriting contract include?
- Ownership: all rights to the manuscript transfer to you on payment.
- Credit: whether the writer is named anywhere, and how.
- Confidentiality: what the writer may say about the project, if anything.
- Scope: length, deliverables, interviews and revision rounds.
- Fees and milestones: what is paid when, and what is owed if either side ends the project early.
- Schedule: dates for each stage, including your feedback times.
Can USA Book Studios ghostwrite my book?
Yes. Our ghostwriting services work the way this guide recommends: interviews, an outline you approve, chapters in batches, all rights and sole credit to you, and an NDA on request. Hold us to the same checklist as anyone else.
Rather have a pro handle this? Our studio can: ghostwriting.
Questions authors ask
How much does a ghost writer cost per word?
The Editorial Freelancers Association's survey medians, checked October 2026, are 25¢ to 50¢ a word for full-length fiction, 33¢ to 50¢ for full-length nonfiction and 50¢ to $1 for memoir. Many ghostwriters quote a flat project fee instead, worked out from the length.
Is it honest to publish a book written by a ghostwriter?
Yes. Ghostwriting is a long-standing, normal arrangement: the ideas, story and voice are yours, and the writer is paid for the craft. Memoirs and business books are often ghostwritten. What matters is that the agreement is clear about rights and credit.
Does a ghostwriter get credit or royalties?
Usually neither. Most ghostwriters are paid a fee, sign away all rights and stay uncredited. Some ask for an "as told to" or "with" credit, or a share of royalties in exchange for a lower fee. Whatever you agree, put it in the contract.
How long does it take a ghostwriter to write a book?
Plan for several months for a full-length book, longer with many interviews or heavy research. The schedule depends on length, how quickly you give feedback and the writer's other work, so ask for dates for each stage before you sign.
Should I pay a ghostwriter everything upfront?
No. A common structure is a deposit to start, then payments tied to milestones such as the approved outline, each batch of chapters and the final manuscript. That way you only pay for work you have seen.
Can I hire a ghost writer for a memoir?
Yes, and memoir suits ghostwriting well, because the writer can shape your stories from recorded interviews. Memoir tends to cost more per word than fiction: the EFA medians are 50¢ to $1, reflecting the interview time.
Sources
Every number in this guide comes from our spec data, last verified against the official help pages below. Retailers change their terms, so check the source before you rely on a figure.