Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter? 

That depends on how much help you need as well as on the skill and experience of the writer you recruit. There are lots of ghostwriters, particularly abroad, who are willing to write for a very low fee but your story is too important to go with the lowest bidder.  

I don’t work with hourly rates but charge a flat project fee that’s based on your specific requirements and clearly outlined before we start. Please understand that writing a book is a long-term project that involves multiple steps and many hours of work.  

That said, you can expect to pay a reputable, qualified ghostwriter a minimum of $45K USD for a full-on ghostwriting project and work up from there based on the number of pages, required services, etc. 

It’s standard practice to ask for a deposit of 25% to 50% upfront with the balance upon completion or at agreed-upon milestones.  

How long will it take? 

Again, that depends on too many variables to give you a fair answer. How much has already been written? Do you want in-person interviews? How available will you be and how quickly will you review the chapters I send you? This is a collaborative process that relies on the author’s input as much as the ghostwriter’s, just at different times. In my quote, I will include a detailed timeline for every stage and a payment schedule along with terms and conditions, kill fees, etc. 

What’s the process? 

It varies by writer and by project but my process for full-on ghostwriting (i.e., from idea to finished manuscript) consists of three steps: 

1. The Brain Dump. This is the research, discovery and development phase where we learn from and about each other. We’ll discuss your target audience and your reasons for writing the book. While you’re giving me details about your goals and book’s content, I’ll be asking lots of questions. I’ll also be listening attentively to gain an appreciation for the way you express yourself so that I can craft my words to reflect your style and personality. Based on the information we gather together, I’ll develop an outline for your book and confirm the proposed timeline for completing various stages of the work. 
2. The First Pass. I’ll prepare a first draft of the first chapter for your review to ensure that I’ve  successfully captured your voice and clearly communicated your ideas. Together, we’ll revise the text until you’re satisfied. Then, I’ll proceed with the next chapter. I’ll send you each chapter for revision before starting the next so that there won’t be any unpleasant surprises along the way.
3. The Three Rs: Review, Refine, Rejoice! Once all the chapters have been written, revised and approved by you, I’ll make sure the entire book’s flow is logical and as error-free as possible according to the agreed-upon style. I’ll make any necessary corrections and adjustments. You’ll have another chance to review the whole book after that and make further changes. Congratulations, author-to-be – you’re almost there! 

Let’s get going! 

Great! Please email me today to set up a free, no-obligation phone appointment to tell me your story! 

Have a question not answered here?  

Please email me and I’ll get back to you, usually within one business day or sooner.