Your Costs
There are several ideas to consider when figuring out the possible costs for writing your book.
*Hourly rate
*Payment plans
What is an average size and length book?
An average size and length book in genres like memoirs, family histories, self-help, psychology and so on runs about 200 to 250 pages in a finished 6 inch x 9 inch format (the width is 6, the length or height is 9). Called a "trade paperback," that's a standard size in the publishing industry where good quality paper and cover stock are used for a book that readers would cherish and want to keep.
At the same time, many successful, bestselling books have run from 125 to 200 pages and are often presented in smaller formats.
How long does it take to write an average length book?
A 250-page book manuscript could need about 300 to 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, author review of drafts, preparation of transcripts, or selection of photographs (if any).
In particular, historical or current affairs books that require a great deal of research and fact-checking would take the longest. Having said that, I estimate that an uncomplicated book would take about 5 to 6 months to write, but more complex books could take much longer. I mean, the 1,440 page epic masterpiece War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy was not written in a few months. (It took him 72 months using a feather quill and ink).
Okay, War and Peace is fiction. We hope it is, anyway. But the nonfiction book The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer, a 1,280 page monster, took the author more than 15 years to write.
I promise you that I will not take that long writing your book!
Payment Plans
When working with a fixed fee or hourly rate, I require a retainer, scheduled payments and then the final amount upon completion. On a payment plan, we would figure out a smaller retainer and monthly payments over a longer period of time, usually no longer than 24 months. Those payments would likely continue after the book manuscript has been completed.
Option #1: Fixed or set fee for your project
Because
there are so many variables including anticipated length, amount of research, interviews with the author, editing or rewriting previously written material, that estimating an overall cost for your
book writing project takes lots of discussion to come up with an amount that works for both of us. The fixed fee can range from $10K to $30K, more or less.
Option #2: Hourly rate
Many authors prefer an hourly rate, particularly for books that require lots of research and fact-checking, or where not all the elements are known at the beginning of the project. As we would be in constant contact, authors can easily track my progress and hours. If we decide on an hourly rate, I charge $50 per hour.
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.
Option #4: Writing on spec
I do not generally ghostwrite books on spec, hoping there will be a sale to a publisher sometime in the future, but I am open to discussing what you have in mind. However, if you are George Clooney or Jennifer Lopez and you need somebody to write your book on spec, please call. I'm your guy...
Sample of Allen's Writing: What's My Style?
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
