Quick answer
- Books: a professional ghostwriter typically costs $18,000-$50,000 for a nonfiction book and $3,500-$18,000 for a novel.1 A standard 150-200 page book commonly runs $25,000-$75,000.2
- Experience spreads the range: memoir ghostwriters run from about $10,000-$25,000 for a junior freelancer to $150,000+ at the top.4
- Canada: the Writers' Union of Canada sets a minimum fee of $40,000 CAD for a 200-300 page book,7 and Canadian memoir ghostwriting typically runs $25,000-$100,000+.8
Ghostwriting fees for a book
| Book | Published fee |
|---|---|
| Nonfiction | $18,000-$50,0001 |
| Novel | $3,500-$18,0001 |
| Standard 150-200 page book (US company) | $25,000-$75,0002 |
| Memoir | $10,000-$25,000 junior to $150,000+ elite4; $25,000-$100,000+ (Canada)8 |
| Overall range | $20,000-$200,000+3; $40,000-$150,000 for a professional book9 |
| Writers' Union of Canada minimum (200-300 pages) | $40,000 CAD7 |
The low end of these ranges is usually newer writers, shorter books, or clients who supply a lot of material; the high end is experienced ghosts with published credits, extensive interviewing and research, and tight deadlines.
What that works out to per word, page or hour
Most book ghostwriting is quoted as a flat project fee, but it helps to know the per-word equivalent. At Reedsy's $18,000-$50,000 for nonfiction,1 a 50,000-word book works out to roughly $0.36-$1.00 a word. For shorter work, many ghostwriters bill hourly: about $30-$50 for junior writers, $60-$100 mid-career, and $125-$250+ for senior corporate or literary ghosts.10 One long-time book coach notes book fees often start around $15,000 and rise from there.6
Payment schedules
Book projects run for months, so fees are paid in stages. The Writers' Union of Canada's guidance for its $40,000 minimum, for example, starts with $6,000 on signing, $4,000 on delivery of a detailed outline and $10,000 on the first draft of a chapter, with the rest tied to later drafts.7 Whatever schedule you use, take a meaningful deposit before you start, tie payments to deliverables (outline, chapters, full draft), and keep the last installment small enough that a slow-paying client isn't sitting on most of your fee.
Credit and royalties
Most ghostwriters are paid a flat fee and the client keeps the royalties and the byline. Some negotiate a share of royalties, a lower fee plus royalties, or an "as told to" or "with" credit - all are negotiable, so put whatever you agree in the contract, along with confidentiality terms.
Shorter work: posts, articles and speeches
Not all ghostwriting is books. LinkedIn ghostwriters typically charge $500-$10,000 a month, with budget writers at $50-$100 a post.5 For articles, speeches and website copy, price per piece from your hourly rate.
Ghostwriting rates in Canada
- Writers' Union of Canada minimum: $40,000 CAD for a 200-300 page book, paid in installments.7
- Memoirs: $25,000-$100,000+ for a full-length professional manuscript.8
- Shorter pieces: one Canadian publishing group lists book descriptions up to 300 words at $75 and press releases from $125.11
Quote in CAD before tax and register for GST/HST once your taxable revenue passes $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. For services, the rate you charge generally depends on where your client is located, and work for clients outside Canada is often zero-rated - check CRA's rules for your situation.
Common questions
How much do ghostwriters charge to write a book?
Typically $18,000-$50,000 for nonfiction and $3,500-$18,000 for novels, with top memoir ghostwriters charging $150,000 and up. In Canada, the Writers' Union minimum for a 200-300 page book is $40,000 CAD.
How much do ghostwriters charge per word?
Book fees usually work out to roughly $0.36-$1.00 a word for a 50,000-word nonfiction book, though most are quoted as a flat project fee.
How much do ghostwriters charge per hour?
About $30-$50 for junior writers, $60-$100 mid-career and $125-$250+ for senior ghostwriters.
How much should a beginner ghostwriter charge?
Junior ghostwriters commonly bill about $30-$50 an hour, and junior memoir freelancers charge around $10,000-$25,000 a book. Rates climb with published credits and referrals.
Do ghostwriters get royalties?
Usually not - most are paid a flat fee and the client keeps royalties and credit, though royalty shares and credits can be negotiated.
How much does a ghostwriter cost in Canada?
The Writers' Union of Canada sets a $40,000 CAD minimum for a 200-300 page book; Canadian memoir ghostwriting commonly runs $25,000-$100,000+.
Book discovery calls with the project already described
On 1MinuteBooking, prospective clients book a free discovery call or send a quote request with the type of project, approximate length, deadline and budget. Free plan, no time limit.
See the ghostwriting booking pageSources
- Reedsy, How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter? [Rates and
- Verity Ghostwriting, How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter? (2026 Price (one company's guide)
- Scribe Media, How Much Does Ghostwriting Cost in 2026?
- Amy Suto, How Much Does a Memoir Ghostwriter Cost? (2026 Guide) (a memoir ghostwriter's guide)
- Windmill Growth, How Much Does a LinkedIn Ghostwriter Cost in 2026?
- Lisa Tener, Ghostwriting Advice: What to charge? (2018 article)
- The Writers' Union of Canada, Ghostwriting Requests
- Canadian Ghostwriters, Memoir Ghostwriting Cost Guide for 2026
- Sally Collings, Why Ghostwriting Fees Are So High
- Ghostwriting Outreach, How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Ghostwriter?
- Indie Publishing Group (Canada), Ghostwriter Services for Canadian Authors
Prices are what these sources published as of September-October 2026. Rates vary by city, season and the job itself - use them as a starting point, not a rule.