- Most ghostwriters charge by the word or by the project — roughly £0.08 to £1.20+ per word depending on experience.
- A full-length book (around 60,000 words) typically lands somewhere between £5,000 and £70,000+.
- Memoirs and business books usually cost more than genre fiction because of interviews and research.
- Editing, cover design, formatting and publishing are often not included — check before you compare quotes.
The quick answer
There’s no single price for a ghostwriter, because you’re paying for a skilled person’s time over several months. In the UK, most professional ghostwriters quote either a rate per word or a fixed project fee based on the length and complexity of your book.
As a rough guide, an 80,000-word book averages around £26,000 according to marketplace data cited by StoryTerrace — but budgets range from a few thousand pounds for a short, simple book to well over £60,000 for an experienced writer on a research-heavy project.
Typical UK ghostwriting rates
Here’s how per-word rates usually break down by the writer’s experience, with what that means for a typical 60,000-word book:
| Writer level | Per word | 60,000-word book |
|---|---|---|
| Newer writers | £0.08–£0.24 | £4,800–£14,400 |
| Mid-level professionals | £0.24–£0.60 | £14,400–£36,000 |
| Experienced specialists | £0.60–£1.20+ | £36,000–£72,000+ |
Per-word ranges from StoryTerrace’s 2026 pricing guide; book totals are simple multiplications for illustration.
For a real-world example, one established UK novelist who ghostwrites publishes a rate of £22,000 for a 70,000-word novel — including one round of developmental revisions, a copy-edit and a proofread. That works out at roughly 31p per word.
“The cheapest quote isn’t the cheapest book if it needs rewriting before anyone will read it.”
What affects the price
Two books of the same length can be quoted very differently. These are the biggest drivers:
1. Length
Word count is the starting point for almost every quote. A 30,000-word business book and a 100,000-word fantasy novel are very different jobs.
2. Research and interviews
Memoirs and biographies need hours of recorded conversations. Business and self-help books often need fact-checking and sources. Both add time — so they usually cost more per word than fiction.
3. The writer’s experience
A ghostwriter with a track record of published books in your genre charges more, but usually needs fewer revision rounds to get it right.
4. Revisions and timeline
Most quotes include two or three rounds of revisions. Extra rounds, or a rushed deadline, raise the price.
Freelancer, agency or platform?
- Freelance ghostwriters — often the best value per word, but you’ll need to find your own editor, designer and publisher.
- Full-service agencies — cost more overall, but bundle writing with editing, cover design, publishing and marketing under one project manager.
- Freelance marketplaces — the cheapest headline prices, with the widest variation in quality. Ask for samples in your genre.
What a quote often leaves out
A ghostwriting fee usually covers the manuscript only. When comparing quotes, check whether these are included or extra:
These can add several thousand pounds if bought separately — which is why an all-in package can work out cheaper than the lowest writing-only quote.
How to get an accurate quote
You’ll get a faster, more accurate price if you can share:
- The type of book and your target readers
- Your best guess at length (or a book you’d like it to resemble)
- How much material you already have — notes, recordings, a partial draft
- Your ideal timeline and whether you need publishing help too
Frequently asked questions
Do ghostwriters take a share of royalties?+
Most professional ghostwriters charge a fee and take no royalties. Always check the contract says copyright transfers fully to you.
Will my name be on the cover?+
Yes — that’s the point of ghostwriting. The writer’s involvement is normally kept confidential under an NDA.
How long does a ghostwritten book take?+
Most full-length books take several months from first interview to final draft, depending on length and how quickly you review chapters.
Can I pay in instalments?+
Many writers and agencies split payment into milestones. At UK Book Writer, you pay as you approve each stage.
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