What You Actually Get at $20k, $60k & $120k in Memoir Ghostwriting
How much does ghostwriting cost?
This is usually one of the first questions I get from founders and creators who are considering hiring a ghostwriter.
The truth is, there’s no single standard price. Instead, you can think of the cost of ghostwriting in different price ranges.
In 2025, memoir ghostwriting typically falls into three ranges: $20k, $60k, and $120k+. But what exactly do you get (or don’t get) in each price range. This blog breaks it all down so you can make the right choice for your goals.
$20,000 Memoir Ghostwriting
At lower price ranges, the ghostwriting is a little less hands-on and collaborative. You may be working with a newer ghostwriter who is likely taking on other projects at the same time as yours.
📓 What you get:
A newer ghostwriter
Light interviewing to map out your story (6-10 hours)
A basic manuscript (usually between 40k - 50k words)
⚠️ What’s missing:
Intensive voice capture that comes from in-depth interviewing. Your tone may end up feeling a little generic.
Deep research into your chosen topic, company history, etc.
Hands-on revisions.
✨ Best for: early-stage founders, limited budgets, projects that are more personal without publishing ambitions.
$60,000 Memoir Ghostwriting
Mid-tier ghostwriting packages are typically more “all inclusive” than lower tier packages. You’ll be working with an established ghostwriter and end up with a manuscript that you can take to top publishers and agents or self-publish.
📓 What you get:
An experienced ghostwriter with multiple successful projects on their CV.
Extensive, in-depth interviews (20 - 30 hours) + light research.
A full manuscript (60k - 80k words, industry standard for memoirs).
2 - 3 full rounds of revision.
⚠️ What’s missing:
Concierge-level publishing support (proposal creation, social media strategy, brand development).
Deep integration of brand voice & strategy in the manuscript.
Continued support throughout the publishing and promotion process.
✨ Best for: CEOs and entrepreneurs who want a professional, publishable book that tells their story and positions them for future growth.
$120,000+ Memoir Ghostwriting
High-level ghostwriting will get you all the bells and whistles with a ghostwriter who is a seasoned professional. And when it comes to a well-written manuscript that sells in today’s market, those bells and whistles are a little more essential than they used to be.
📓 What you get:
A top-tier, experienced ghostwriter.
White glove service to build your book including in-depth interviews and research, as well as travel to shadow.
Strategy built into every chapter to support your brand and/or company growth for decades to come.
Multiple rounds of revision to get you to the perfect manuscript.
Publishing & promotional support including book proposal creation and social media strategy.
⚠️ What’s missing: Only the stories you don’t want to tell. At this level, you’re investing in a full-service partnership.
✨ Best for: influencers, high-profile CEOs, and innovators looking to publish their book traditionally, securing long-term legacy and maximum ROI.
So, Which Tier is Right for You?
If you…
See your memoir as primarily a personal project
Are comfortable self-publishing or don’t have set publishing plans
Are on a budget
Then a $20k ghostwritten memoir may be the best fit.
But, if you…
Are looking to land a publishing deal with a top publisher
Want to position yourself as an authority and thought leader in your field
Need a more custom service to create a memoir that tells your story, your way
Then you’ll want to set your budget for your ghostwritten memoir between $60 to $120k+.
Remember, if your memoir is meant to position you as a leader, generate deal flow, and sell your vision for years to come, it’s worth treating it like the high-value business asset it is.
Don’t sell yourself short. Invest in the right writer.
If you’re ready to stop dreaming about your book…
now is a great time to hire a ghostwriter for your memoir.
My ghostwriting services are designed to take founders, CEOs, influencers, and innovators from idea to polished manuscript with the right balance of voice, structure, and strategy.
Your story deserves to have impact that lasts a lifetime.
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