Writing a book is a decision that requires a significant commitment of time and energy. It’s a collaboration that will last six to ten months. And for me, it’s a full-time job.
Having a 40-year track record of bestselling books, major media reviews, TV promotion, and celebrity testimonials—and recently chosen by Publishers Weekly as a go-to authority on ghostwriting—my fees are commensurate with this level of experience.
The fee for writing a full-length memoir, a complex high visibility book, or a company history ranges from $195,00-$275,00 or more. This fee depends on the length of the book, the amount of time involved, the number of interviews, research, writing, re-writing, editing, and copy-editing. It’s like building a house from the ground up.
Once the fee is determined, it is all-inclusive, guaranteed not to change, and covers all writing, research, consultation, transcription costs, editing, copy-editing, and follow up. It also includes consultation with publishers, publicists, and digital marketing experts. From inception to book launch, I’m here for you all the way.
My services typically involve:
- Extensive interviews with the client (often many hours).
- Research, fact-checking, transcription and narrative development.
- Structuring the book, revising multiple drafts, and editorial guidance.
- Sometimes help with publishers and marketing strategy as well. Because of all that — and because I’m building a full book from scratch that sells —my listed ghostwriting fee compares competitively to the elite range of ghostwriters, depending on complexity and length.
All the terms for the scope of the work are summarized in the Author/Ghostwriter contract, a basic work for hire agreement which details the terms of engagement, the time frame, the delivery schedule, copyrights, and warranties. (Sample contracts available upon request.)
According to its terms, the fee is typically paid in (3) installments spread out over the length of the project in advance of each succeeding phase of the work.
Note: You own the copyrights and all versions of the book—the hardcover, softcover, audio, E-book, foreign and motion picture rights.
In many cases, the cost of ghostwriting can be tax deductible. (Check with your own accountant or CPA.)
Autobiography/Memoir
Books that capture your unique life experience.
Business Excellence
Your legacy, a book summarizing leadership principles and vision.
Self-help or Motivation
‘How-to-‘ books incorporating step-by-step concise direction, ideal for public speakers who need a back-of-the-room product to sell.
Inspiration
Meditative faith-based books that draw on any religious tradition, about fulfillment, love, gratitude, grace, forgiveness.
Psychology
Books about relationships, recovering from life challenges, changing attitudes and old habits.
Health & Diet, Exercise or Longevity
Books about mind, body, and soul.
Celebrity Autobiography/Corporate Portraits.
Full-length celebrity memoir dramatizing milestone events, books appropriate commercial publication.
Autobiographical Scrapbook
A short-format book of 50-75 pages illustrated with photographs and letters, with a narrative text to match.
Book Proposals
For commercial publication, Glenn produces a 50-page Book Proposal for submission to literary agents. Samples available here.