Your Costs
There are several ways to figure out the possible costs for writing your book.
Option #1: Hourly rate
I charge $50 per hour to ghostwrite your memoir, autobiography, life story, family history, biography, self-help, current affairs, psychology or history book.
For instance, a 250-page finished 6x9 book may require about 400-700 hours to complete, but there are many variables that affect how long the project may take and cost such as content complexity, author availability, author's previous writings to be blended into the book, number of interviews, research, fact-checking, and selection of photographs (if any).
I use an example of a 250-page 6x9 book as that is a standard size in the publishing industry. However, many successful books run from 125 to 200 pages or so and are presented in smaller (or larger) formats.
Most ghostwriters work by the hour and most of my clients choose this option as it gives them a great deal of control. I'm in constant contact with them about hours spent and where we are going with the project. After I know what your book is about I can give you a reasonable estimate of what it may cost.
Option #2: By the project
Because there are so many variables, estimating an overall cost for your book writing project takes lots of discussion. After we have finished working out all the possibilities we can think of, then I will draw up a Writing and Cost Plan. After I begin, if it looks like there will be expenses or hours beyond our plan, we'll discuss how to handle them.
Option #3: Grants, sponsors, creative funding
Sometimes projects are funded by grants, trusts, publisher advances, sponsors, nonprofits or other sources. If you have an idea for funding your project, let's talk. I do not generally ghostwrite books on spec, hoping there will be a sale sometime in the future, but I am open to discussing what you have in mind.
Sample of Allen's Writing
When ghostwriting books, I write in the author's "voice." I use the author's words from interviews, transcripts and conversations. Sometimes people ask me what my style is. My style is different in every book, as it captures the essence of the author, the way the author speaks, thinks and dreams. Examples are at: http://www.holbrookstreetpress.com/our-books.php.
CopShock Gifts My Father Gave Me Just Plain Dorothy
by Allen R. Kates by Sharon Knutson-Felix by Dorothy H. Finley
Purchase these books at www.HolbrookStreetPress.com
“I feel safe, believed and respected in exposing my heart,soul,
and mind on paper to Allen. He is astute and honest in his
comments and suggestions, filling me with encouragement and
belief in my ability to write a horrifying story beautifully.”
—Dawn Rafferty, memoir in progress
