Understanding Ghostwriting Rates Per Word: A Pricing Guide
- wearecatalystx
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read

Knowing about ghostwriting rates per word can help you plan how much money you might need. It can also help you know if the price someone is asking is reasonable. The cost can be different depending on how much experience the writer has. It also depends on how hard your book project will be. This blog will help you understand what to expect when it comes to ghostwriting rates per word.
At British Noble, we know a lot about books and how they get written. We are a leading company that provides ready-made best-selling books. We also help authors connect with talented ghostwriters. Understanding how ghostwriters set their prices, like using ghostwriting rates per word, is important for anyone who wants to turn their book ideas into reality.
Five Most Asked Questions About Ghostwriting Rates Per Word:
What does "per word" mean when we talk about how much ghostwriters cost?
What are some typical ghostwriting rates per word?
Does the kind of book I want written change the ghostwriting rates per word?
Besides ghostwriting rates per word, are there other ways ghostwriters charge?
How can I figure out if a ghostwriting rate per word is fair?
Table of Contents
Breaking Down "Per Word" in Ghostwriting
Counting Up the Words
A Simple Way to See the Cost
What Makes Ghostwriting Rates Per Word Change?
How Much Experience the Writer Has
How Hard the Project Is
How Long the Book Will Be
If the Writer Needs to Do Research
How Quickly You Need the Book
What Kind of Ghostwriting Rates Per Word Can You Expect?
Writers Who Are Just Starting Out
Writers Who Have Experience
Writers Who Are Experts in a Certain Area
Other Ways Ghostwriters Might Charge
A Set Price for the Whole Project
An Hourly Rate
Sharing the Money the Book Makes (Royalties)
Why Charging "Per Word" Can Make Sense
It's Clear and Easy to Understand
It Rewards Writers for Doing More Work
Things to Think About Besides Just the Price Per Word
How Good the Writing Is
How Well You Talk to the Writer
If Changes Are Included
What the Contract Says
How to Get Good Value for Your Money When Hiring a Ghostwriter
Be Clear About What You Need
Get Prices from Different Writers
Don't Just Pick the Cheapest One
British Noble: Helping You Find the Right Writer
We Care About Quality
We Understand Fair Prices
What a Happy Client Said
Advice from an Expert on Ghostwriting Costs
1. Breaking Down "Per Word" in Ghostwriting
Counting Up the Words
When a ghostwriter charges "per word," they will take the total number of words in your finished book. Then they will multiply that number by the price they charge for each word. For instance, the writing cost would be $6,000 (0.15 x 40,000) if a writer costs 15 cents for every word and your book comes out to be 40,000 words long.
A Simple Way to See the Cost
This way of charging can be pretty easy to understand. You have an idea of how long your book will be. You also know the writer's price per word. This makes it easier to figure out about how much the writing part will cost.
2. What Makes Ghostwriting Rates Per Word Change?
How Much Experience the Writer Has
Like with most jobs, ghostwriters who have been doing it for a long time usually charge more. They have shown they can write good books. They also have the skills to handle more complicated projects. Writers who are new might charge less per word to get more work.
How Hard the Project Is
A simple story might have a different price than a book that needs a lot of research. If your book is about a difficult topic or needs the writer to be an expert in something, the ghostwriting rates per word might be higher.
How Long the Book Will Be
Sometimes, the length of your book can change the price per word. For very long books, a writer might be willing to charge a little less per word because they will still be making a good amount of money overall.
If the Writer Needs to Do Research
If your book needs the ghostwriter to spend a lot of time doing research, this will likely make the ghostwriting rates per word go up. Research takes time, and the writer needs to be paid for that work.
How Quickly You Need the Book
If you need your book written very fast, some ghostwriters might charge more per word. This is because they will have to spend more time and effort in a shorter amount of time.
3. What Kind of Ghostwriting Rates Per Word Can You Expect?
Remember that these are just general ideas. The actual prices can be different.
Writers Who Are Just Starting Out
Ghostwriters who don't have a lot of experience might charge anywhere from 5 cents to 15 cents per word. They are still building their reputation. They might not have a big collection of books they've written.
Writers Who Have Experience
Ghostwriters who have written several books and have good reviews often charge between 20 cents and 75 cents per word. They have more skills and know-how.
Writers Who Are Experts in a Certain Area
If your book needs someone who knows a lot about a specific topic, or if you hire a well-known writer, the ghostwriting rates per word can be $1 or even more. These writers have special knowledge and a strong understanding of the subject.
4. Other Ways Ghostwriters Might Charge
Charging by the word is just one way. Many ghostwriters use other ways to set their prices.
A Set Price for the Whole Project
Some writers prefer to give you one total price for writing your entire book. This price is based on how long they think it will take, how hard it will be, and how long the book will be. This can make it easier to plan your money, but you need to make sure you both agree on what the project includes.
An Hourly Rate
Another common way to charge is by the hour. This can work well if it's hard to guess how many words the book will be. It also works if there will be a lot of meetings or talking involved.
Sharing the Money the Book Makes (Royalties)
Sometimes, a ghostwriter might agree to take a percentage of the money your book makes after it's sold. This is less common and can be risky for the writer, but it can pay off if the book does really well.
5. Why Charging "Per Word" Can Make Sense
It's Clear and Easy to Understand
For writers, understanding the cost per word is really straightforward. You may quickly determine roughly how much the writing will cost if you know how many words your book will feature.
It Rewards Writers for Doing More Work
For ghostwriters, charging by the word means they get paid for the amount of writing they do. Longer and more detailed books will result in them making more money.
6. Things to Think About Besides Just the Price Per Word
The price per word is important. But it's not the only thing you should think about when you hire a ghostwriter.
How Good the Writing Is
The most important thing is how good the writer's work is. A low price per word doesn't mean it's a good deal if the writing isn't interesting or well done.
How Well You Talk to the Writer
Choose a writer who effectively communicates what you need and knows. A excellent working relationship will enable your project to run without problems.
If Changes Are Included
Find out how many times you can ask the writer to make changes without paying extra. You want to make sure you can give feedback and get revisions done.
What the Contract Says
Always get a written agreement. This should explain what the writer will do, how long it will take, how much you will pay, and who owns the rights to the book.
7. How to Get Good Value for Your Money When Hiring a Ghostwriter
Be Clear About What You Need
Before you start looking for a ghostwriter, know what kind of book you want, who you want to read it, and how much money you have to spend.
Get Prices from Different Writers
Don't just hire the first ghostwriter you find. Ask several different writers for quotes. Compare their prices and how much experience they have.
Don't Just Pick the Cheapest One
While it's important to stay within your budget, don't just go with the writer who charges the least. Think about their writing samples and what other people have said about them.
8. British Noble: Helping You Find the Right Writer
At British Noble, we know how important it is to find a good ghostwriter at a fair price. While we are known for our ready-made best-selling books, we also have connections with many skilled ghostwriters. They offer different ways to charge, including per word. Our goal is to help you share your story well and at a price that works for you.
Happy Client Testimonial:
"I was worried about how much a ghostwriter would cost, but British Noble made the process easy to understand. They helped me find a talented writer who charged a reasonable rate per word. I am thrilled with the book they helped me create!" - David L.
9. Advice from an Expert on Ghostwriting Costs
Garry Wilson has 9 years of experience as a senior content writer. He knows a lot about how ghostwriters set their prices.
"When you're looking at ghostwriting rates per word, remember that you're paying for the writer's skills and their time," says Garry. "Investing a bit more in an experienced writer can often lead to a better book that saves you headaches later on. Be open about your project and talk about pricing clearly with the writers you're considering."
10. Final Thoughts
If you're considering working with a ghostwriter, first step is knowing ghostwriting fees per word. Remember that a lot of factors might affect the price. Consider the writer's experience, the difficulty of your work will be, and your general objectives. Finding a decent ghostwriter at a reasonable cost will enable you to share your tale with the world by means of research and clear definition of your needs.