How much does a ghostwriter cost? UK fees and royalties explained
How much should you really pay for a ghostwriter? If you’re serious about taking the next step towards turning your idea for a book into a reality, it's a question you’ll need a clear answer to, but the truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all response.
In the UK, how much a ghostwriter costs can range from the suspiciously low to the eye-wateringly high – and everything in between. Some inexperienced ghostwriters might offer to pen your book for an incredibly low fee or even work for royalties alone. But while those bargain rates might be tempting, they often mean the writer is earning well below minimum wage and juggling multiple projects just to get by. So it’s important to ask yourself what your goal is; are you aiming for a professional, bestselling book – or just the cheapest way to get words on a page?
How much does a professional ghostwriter cost in the UK?
In the UK, experienced ghostwriters will charge you upwards of £20,000 for their services – but this can vary significantly depending on their experience, reputation, and the type of book you’re writing. As a general guide, you can expect to pay:
At least £20,000 for a memoir.
Around £30,000 upwards for a business book.
For a bestselling ghostwriter’s services, it can cost up to £100,000, and even more.
At the higher end of the market, the cost of a ghostwriter doesn’t just cover their writing ability – you're investing in insight, structure, storytelling, and often, publishing industry connections. If your book is a passion project or part of a broader business or personal brand strategy, the investment in professional ghostwriting services is worth every penny.
For those considering a less experienced ghost, fees may range from as little as £0 (in cases where writers work on the promise of royalties – which, in reality, rarely pay off), to under £10,000. While that might seem like an attractive option, it often results in a rushed or subpar manuscript, as the writer may need to juggle multiple projects to stay afloat.
In ghostwriting, as with most things, you get what you pay for.
How much a ghostwriter costs in the UK depends on several factors, including your project timeline and the ghostwriter’s experience
What factors affect how much a ghostwriter costs?
The cost of hiring a ghostwriter isn’t fixed – it depends on the scope and complexity of the project. A professional ghostwriter will take several key factors into account when quoting a fee:
Project timeline: The time it takes to write a book can vary widely, but most projects take between three to six months. If the process involves additional commitments – such as global travel, attending conferences, or spending time with the author’s family – this will be reflected in the fee. These extras add to the ghostwriter’s time and workload, especially when deadlines are tight.
Manuscript length: Length matters, but not always in the way you’d expect. A memoir typically ranges from 70,000 to 90,000 words, while a business book might be shorter – around 40,000 to 60,000 words – but require more planning, structure, and specialist research. A shorter book isn’t necessarily a simpler one.
Research requirements: Some projects require extensive research. This might include reading comparable titles, interviewing additional contributors, or brainstorming with the author to generate missing content. When an author is unclear on the direction of their narrative or lacking material, it’s often the ghostwriter’s job to fill in the gaps – which can add significant time to the process, which then in turn impacts the cost of a ghostwriter.
Deadline: Tight deadlines often come with a price. If a manuscript needs to be completed urgently, a ghostwriter may need to work weekends, evenings, or even travel at short notice to meet the schedule – and that additional pressure is usually factored into the cost of a ghostwriter.
Travel expectation: Some clients prefer to work face-to-face, which means building in travel time and costs. If regular in-person meetings or interviews are required, these logistics and expenses will influence how much a ghostwriter costs.
How much a ghostwriter wants to do a project. Yes, this is a factor too! If a ghostwriter feels especially inspired by a project – perhaps it’s with a dream client, a celebrity they admire, or the story resonates on a personal level – they may be open to negotiating the fees of their ghostwriting services. Sometimes, creative enthusiasm outweighs commercial considerations.
Can I just pay my ghostwriter royalties?
In most cases, no. While some ghostwriters may be open to a royalty-based deal, it's quite rare. That’s because most books don’t generate significant income – only a small percentage of authors earn large royalties like high-profile names (think Stephen King or Prince Harry).
At The Ghostwriting Agency, ghostwriters work on a flat-fee basis only. Royalties are generally not in a ghostwriter’s interest unless the project is exceptionally high-profile and backed by a major publisher. For the vast majority of projects, ghostwriters are paid a one-time fee for their work.
When it comes to choosing a ghostwriter for your book, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for
How do royalties work?
Royalties are the percentage of a book’s sale price that the author earns for each copy sold. The specific rate and how royalties are paid depend on your publishing contract – so it's essential to read the payment terms closely. For traditionally published books:
Hardbacks typically pay around 10% of the recommended retail price (RRP). Example: A £14.99 hardback would earn the author about £1.50 per copy.
Paperbacks usually pay around 7.5% of the RRP. Example: A £7.99 paperback would earn about 60p per copy
If you’re self-publishing, royalty rates are higher — often between 30% to 60%, depending on the platform. But self-published authors are also responsible for all associated costs, including editing, design, marketing, and distribution.
How much does a ghostwriter cost with The Ghostwriters Agency?
At The Ghostwriters Agency, we work exclusively with award-winning, bestselling ghostwriters – professionals at the top of their field. We specialise in premium ghostwriting services for clients who are serious about creating high-quality, publishable books. While ghostwriting services may cost less from others, this is very much an industry where you get what you pay for. Quality, experience, and proven success come at a premium.
As a guide, memoirs typically start from £25,000, while for more complex or high-profile projects, six figure sums are realistic quotes.
If you would like more information about our ghostwriting services or how much a ghostwriter costs with The Ghostwriters Agency, please contact us today.