Thinking of hiring a ghostwriter? If you’re like most people, the first question that comes to mind is, “How much will this cost me?” It’s a valid concern. After all you want to ensure you’re investing your hard-earned money wisely. Knowing how much a ghostwriter costs only makes sense.
Keep reading for the answer to your question.
Financial Cost of Using a Ghostwriter
How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter? There’s no simple answer to this question.
Ghostwriter cost varies significantly based on several factors. Some ghostwriters charge by the hour—$15 to $150 or more—while others (such as me, the Southern Ghostwriter) charge per word or by the project. This puts your overall cost at a few thousand dollars to $100,000 or more.
I charge between $1 and $3 per word, based on the complexity of the story. If I get everything I need from our interviews, your book will cost less. Research and interviews with other contacts raise the price.
Before you let these numbers intimidate you, consider what you’re paying for: expertise, experience, and time. A skilled ghostwriter brings your vision to life and shapes your narrative so that your story resonates with readers. Ghostwriters understand pacing, tone, and structure—elements that elevate a story from mediocre to unforgettable.
When you consider the financial cost, remember that your main purpose in hiring a ghostwriter is to save time and create a quality book manuscript. If you’re serious about sharing your story with the world—and if you’re reading this, you are—then the financial cost won’t stop you from partnering with a ghostwriter to speed up your journey to authorship.
Emotional Ghostwriter Cost
While ghostwriting speeds up the writing process and takes a lot of heavy lifting from your hands, outsourcing your story can come with emotional challenges.
- Vulnerability. When you work with a ghostwriter, you’re required to share your thoughts and experiences with someone else. Unless you know a ghostwriter, you’re trusting a stranger to capture the essence of your experience. You share your dreams, fears, struggles, and triumphs—hoping the story comes out as you envision. Finding a ghostwriter with the right personality makes this easier. If you suspect I may be the ghostwriter for you, contact me to schedule a consultation, and you’ll get to know my personality a bit better.
- Missing the mark. You may fear your book won’t reflect who you are if you hire a ghostwriter. Perhaps your story will become another polished piece devoid of your unique voice, something AI could have written. This concern can weigh heavily, since your book is your legacy. Also, if a ghostwriter doesn’t fully grasp what makes your story special or write in your voice, it could lead to frustration and disappointment—a hefty emotional cost. Fortunately, there is a way around this. Ask your potential ghostwriter for a sample chapter.
The Bottom Line
So, is the payoff more than the cost to hire a ghostwriter? With at least half of all nonfiction books penned by ghostwriters and a growing number of satisfied authors, it seems the answer is yes. If you’re ready to reap the rewards of hiring a ghostwriter, let’s chat about your story.