The honest answer to "how much does a ghostwritten book cost?" is: it depends, and any agency that gives you a flat figure on the first call is either guessing or padding.
The three big drivers
Three things change the price: length, complexity, and how much research is required.
- Length — A 30,000 word book is half the work of a 60,000 word one. That math is unavoidable.
- Complexity — Technical, legal, or scientific subjects need a writer who can handle the material.
- Research — A memoir built from existing voice recordings is different from a business book that requires 12 stakeholder interviews.
Typical ranges
For a 50,000-word non-fiction book by a working professional ghostwriter, expect the project to land somewhere between $8,000 and $35,000.
If a quote is wildly below that, ask carefully who is doing the writing. If a quote is wildly above, ask exactly what extra is included.
What should always be included
- A signed NDA
- An IP assignment agreement (you own everything)
- A milestone calendar with named deliverables
- A defined number of revision rounds
- Direct access to your writer — not an account manager
If you'd like a real number for your specific project, book a free call and we'll walk you through it.