Home / Writing and digital / Ghostwriting
How much does ghostwriting really pay?
Reedsy says its ghostwriters charge an average of 35 cents a word on book projects. It says a nonfiction book typically costs a client $18,000 to $50,000.
You write under someone else’s name, for a fee. These are prices clients pay professionals on a marketplace, not what a beginner earns, and a book is a long job. No official wage exists for ghostwriters, so treat each figure as a range.
What do you need for ghostwriting?
- Writing samplesClients want to see your work.
- Interview skillsYou write in someone else’s voice.
- A written contractAgree the fee, stages and credit first.
What ghostwriting really pays
| Item | Figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Book work, per word | 35 cents | Reedsy’s average on book projects |
| Range by genre | $0.15 to $2.50 | Reedsy’s data. Children’s and picture books are the top end, at $1 to $2.50 |
| Per hour | $50 to $150 | Reedsy’s range |
| Nonfiction book | $18,000 to $50,000 | What a client typically pays, Reedsy’s 2026 data |
| Novel | $3,500 to $18,000 | Reedsy’s 2026 data |
| Nonfiction, another guide | $20,000 to $75,000 | SelfPublishing.com’s 2026 figure |
What it adds up to
| Words | At Reedsy’s 35-cent average |
|---|---|
| 5,000 words | $1,750 |
| 20,000 words | $7,000 |
| 60,000 words | $21,000 |
What a client pays. Genre moves the rate from $0.15 to $2.50 a word. Our sums on Reedsy’s numbers above: an example, not a promise.
When does ghostwriting pay you?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Paid out at | Set by your contract |
| First money | No published figure |
What is the catch with ghostwriting?
- These are marketplace rates for professionals, not a beginner’s wage.
- Reedsy says its per-project averages are skewed by short-form work.
- Guides differ on book prices, so treat any figure as a range.
- Your name does not go on the book, so agree what you may show future clients.
How to start with ghostwriting
- Write 3 samplesShow you can match a voice.
- Start with short workArticles and speeches come before books.
- Charge by the projectAgree stages and payments first.
Read next
Way to earnVOLTIX referral program60% of the full price, every renewalTruth checkCan you really get paid to read books?Not for readingWay to earnAmazon KDP70% or 35%Way to earnCopywriting$36.98 US median per hourWay to earnBlogging68% AdSense shareTopicMore in Writing and digital
Sources
- Reedsy: how much do ghostwriters make, checked 5 Nov 2026
- Reedsy: how much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter, checked 5 Nov 2026
- SelfPublishing.com: the cost of a ghostwriter in 2026, checked 5 Nov 2026