Ghostwriting is when a professional writer drafts a book that is published under someone else’s name, usually for a flat fee and without public credit. For authors, hiring a ghostwriter is mainly a question of budget, a clear contract and a good working fit: costs range from a few thousand dollars for short fiction to six figures for major non-fiction, and the contract must transfer copyright to you in writing.

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This guide covers what ghostwriters do, realistic cost ranges by book type, what the contract must say (including AI use), how to vet samples, and how ghostwriting compares with editing and AI-assisted drafting.

At a glance

• A ghostwriter writes; you are the named author and, with the right contract, the copyright owner.
• Reedsy’s 2026 marketplace data puts novels at roughly US$3,500 to $18,000 and non-fiction at roughly US$18,000 to $50,000, with top ghostwriters charging much more.
• In the US, a commissioned novel or memoir generally cannot be a “work made for hire”, so you need an explicit written copyright assignment.
• Agree on credit, confidentiality, revisions, payment stages and AI use before any writing starts.
• Ghostwriting is not a shortcut to sales. Editing, cover, marketing and platform rules still apply.

What does a ghostwriter do?

A ghostwriter turns your ideas, knowledge or story into a full manuscript in your voice. The work usually includes interviews or briefing sessions, research, an outline, drafting chapters and revising based on your feedback. You approve the content and are named as the author.

Common reasons authors hire one include:

• A business owner or expert with valuable knowledge but little time to write.
• A memoir or family history where the person has the story but not the writing experience.
• A series author who wants help drafting books from detailed outlines.
• A children’s picture book where the concept is strong but the text needs a specialist.

Ghostwriting is long-established in publishing, especially for memoirs and business books. What matters ethically is that the contract is fair, the writer is paid what was agreed, and any claims you make about the book are true.

Ghostwriting vs developmental editing vs AI-assisted drafting

Option	Who writes the words	Typical cost level	Best for	Main watch-out
Ghostwriting	The ghostwriter, from your material	Highest	Little time or writing experience, but a clear idea or story	Contract must assign copyright; costs add up fast
Book coaching or developmental editing	You, with expert guidance	Moderate	You can write but need structure and feedback	You still have to find time to write
Collaboration or “as told to”	A named co-writer	Varies; sometimes shared royalties	Memoirs where joint credit is acceptable	Credit and royalty split must be clear
AI-assisted drafting	You, using AI tools as help	Low cash cost	Confident writers who want help with outlines or ideas	Platform disclosure rules; copyright limits on purely AI-generated text; voice and accuracy

If what you actually need is help shaping a draft you have already written, start with finding the right editor. If you want to write it yourself with a solid process, how to write a novel sets out the steps.

How much does a ghostwriter cost?

Prices vary widely by experience, genre, length and how much research and interviewing is needed. The figures below are from Reedsy’s ghostwriting cost data (2026, in US dollars) at the time of writing (October 2026). Prices change, and rates differ by country and currency.

Book type	Typical price range (US$)
Biography and memoir	$18,000 to $50,000
Business and management	$30,000 to $48,000
Self-help	$24,000 to $42,000
Fantasy	$14,000 to $18,000
Science fiction	$10,000 to $18,000
Action and adventure	$5,000 to $14,000
Middle grade	$3,500 to $10,000
Picture book	$1,500 to $5,000

The same data describes book proposals at roughly $1,000 to $10,000, and notes that pricing may be quoted per word (about $0.10 to $3), per hour ($35 to $200 or more) or, most often for full books, as a flat project fee. Highly experienced ghostwriters with major-publisher credits can charge six figures.

What pushes the price up or down

• Research and interviews. Memoir and expert non-fiction need many hours of conversation and fact-checking.
• How much you already have. A detailed outline, recordings or a partial draft can reduce the fee.
• Experience and track record. Writers with major-publisher credits charge more.
• Extras. Travel, transcription, legal review of the contract and copyediting are often separate. Reedsy’s data notes that ghostwriters typically do not provide copyediting.

Build the ghostwriter’s fee into a full budget that also covers editing, cover design and marketing. The guide to self-publishing costs shows the other line items.

What the ghostwriting contract must say

The contract is where most problems are prevented. This is general information, not legal advice; for a large project, have a lawyer in your country review it.

1. Copyright assignment, in writing

In general, the person who writes a work owns its copyright unless it is transferred. In the US, Copyright Office Circular 30 explains that a commissioned work can be a “work made for hire” only if it falls into one of nine specific categories (such as a contribution to a collective work, a translation or an instructional text) and both parties sign a written agreement saying so. A commissioned novel or memoir does not fit those categories, so a “work for hire” clause on its own may not give you ownership. The safer approach is an explicit written assignment of copyright from the ghostwriter to you. In Australia and the UK too, a transfer of copyright generally needs to be in writing and signed.

2. Credit and confidentiality

State whether the writer will be named anywhere (cover, acknowledgements, their portfolio) or not at all. Many ghostwriting agreements include a non-disclosure clause. Some countries, including Australia, also have moral rights such as the right of attribution, so the contract should record the writer’s written consent to not being named.

3. AI use

Decide whether the writer may use AI tools, for what, and whether they must tell you. This matters because Amazon KDP asks publishers to disclose AI-generated content (text, images or translations) when publishing, and because purely AI-generated material may not be protected by copyright in the US. Ask for a warranty that the work is original and not copied, and that any AI use was agreed in advance.

4. Scope, schedule and revisions

Specify the target word count, number of chapters, deadlines for each stage and how many rounds of revisions are included. Define what counts as a revision versus a new request.

5. Payment stages and termination

Ghostwriters usually take part of the fee up front and the rest in instalments tied to milestones. Spell out what happens if either side ends the project early: what is paid, and who owns the work completed so far.

6. Royalties

Most ghostwriters work for a fee. Reedsy’s data notes they are unlikely to accept a royalty share instead, especially without an established publisher. If you do agree a royalty, define it exactly. For more on rights clauses in general, see publishing rights explained.

How to find and vet a ghostwriter: step by step

1. Write a one-page brief. Genre, target length, audience, what material you already have, your deadline and your budget range.
2. Shortlist writers with books in your genre. A brilliant business-book ghost may not suit a romance series.
3. Ask for relevant samples. Because many projects are confidential, writers may share excerpts with permission or write a short paid sample.
4. Check references. Ask past clients about deadlines, communication and how revisions were handled.
5. Hold a discovery call. Notice whether they ask good questions and whether you would be comfortable spending months working together.
6. Compare written quotes. Make sure each quote covers the same scope: interviews, drafts, revisions and timeline.
7. Get the contract reviewed, especially the copyright assignment, credit, AI use and termination clauses.
8. Start with a milestone. An outline or first chapter as the first paid stage lets both of you confirm the fit.

Questions to ask before you hire

• How do you capture a client’s voice?
• How many interviews or calls are included?
• Do you use AI tools at any stage, and if so, how?
• What happens if we disagree on the direction of the book?
• Who pays for transcription, travel or research costs?
• Can I speak to two past clients?

Common mistakes

• Relying on a “work for hire” clause for a novel or memoir. In the US it may not transfer ownership. Use a written assignment.
• Choosing on price alone. Very low quotes can mean copied, recycled or unedited AI text.
• No agreement on AI use. This can create problems with platform disclosure and copyright.
• Vague scope. Without word counts, revision limits and deadlines, disputes are likely.
• Skipping editing. A ghostwritten manuscript still needs a copyedit and proofread.
• Expecting the book to earn back the fee. Sales depend on the market, the cover, the description and marketing. No ghostwriter can promise earnings.
• Paying everything up front. Tie payments to clear milestones.

Ghostwriter hiring checklist

• Brief written with genre, length, audience, deadline and budget
• At least three candidates with relevant genre experience
• Samples reviewed and references checked
• Written quotes covering identical scope
• Contract includes copyright assignment, credit and confidentiality, AI use, revisions, payment stages and termination
• Budget set aside for editing, cover and marketing
• First milestone agreed before full commitment

If you plan to publish under a pen name, the guide to using pen names explains how that interacts with credit and branding. For wider rules on AI in publishing, see how to use AI in self-publishing safely.

Related guide: How to Write a Memoir Without Regret: Simple, Smart Steps.

Sources this guide draws on: US Copyright Office Circular 30, Works Made for Hire; Reedsy ghostwriting cost data (2026); Australian Copyright Council information on copyright ownership; Amazon KDP content guidelines on AI disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

Is ghostwriting legal?

Yes. Ghostwriting is a normal, long-standing arrangement in publishing. It becomes a problem only if the contract is unfair, the writer is not paid, or the book is used for misleading claims. Some settings, such as academic assessments, prohibit it.

Who owns the copyright in a ghostwritten book?

The writer owns it by default unless it is transferred. In the US, a commissioned novel or memoir generally cannot be a work made for hire, so the contract should include a signed written assignment of copyright to you. Check local law for your country.

How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter for a novel?

Reedsy’s 2026 data puts novels at roughly US$3,500 to $18,000, depending on genre, length and the writer’s experience. Prices change and differ by country. Always get a written quote for your specific scope.

Do ghostwriters get royalties?

Usually not. Most work for a flat fee paid in stages, and Reedsy’s data notes they are unlikely to accept a royalty share instead of a fee. Some collaborations do include royalties, so define any split clearly in the contract.

Do I have to disclose that my book was ghostwritten?

There is generally no rule requiring you to name a human ghostwriter, though some authors thank them in the acknowledgements. AI is different: KDP asks you to disclose AI-generated content when publishing. Agree with your ghostwriter in writing how AI will and will not be used.

Can I use AI instead of a ghostwriter?

AI tools can help with outlines and ideas, but they do not replace a writer’s judgement, voice or fact-checking, and purely AI-generated text may not be protected by copyright in the US. Platform disclosure rules also apply. Many authors use AI as a helper while doing the writing themselves.

A good ghostwriting project starts long before the first chapter: a clear brief, an honest budget, and a contract that settles ownership, credit and AI use. Get those right and you can focus on the part that matters most, which is making the book genuinely worth reading.