How to Hire a Book Writer
Book writing is exhilarating, exhausting, and a worthwhile journey to embark on — if you have the right creative partner in your corner. Whether you’re envisioning a powerful memoir, a thought-provoking nonfiction book, or a captivating novel, hiring a freelance book writer might be the key to finally getting your story out of your head and onto the page.
The good news? You just found the shortcut to getting your book written — without the burnout or blank-page staring contests.
If you’re searching for help with book writing, whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to establish thought leadership, a founder crafting a company origin story, or someone with a life story that deserves the page, this guide will walk you through how to hire the right book writer — and avoid common pitfalls.
Why Hire a Book Writer for Your Project?
Book writing is both an art and a science. Great writers don’t just understand grammar — they understand story structure, human psychology, and how to keep a reader turning pages from start to finish.
If you’d rather skip the ten-year crash course in story structure and avoid writing your book in fits of weekend guilt — hiring a book ghostwriter or freelance writer is a smart investment. A great book writer isn’t just putting words on paper — they’re conducting the full orchestra of your ideas, turning scattered notes into a symphony worth reading.
And when it comes to results, a compelling book can open doors: brand authority, speaking engagements, passive income, even film and TV deals. But only if it’s done right.
What’s the Difference Between a Book Writer and a Book Ghostwriter?
A book writer may receive credit on the cover or in the acknowledgments. A book ghostwriter typically does not — they write in your voice, from your perspective, and you retain full credit and copyright.
Ghostwriting isn’t shady — it’s strategic. With this investment, you’re buying clarity, craft, and a book that actually gets read.
Freelance vs. Full-Time Book Writers
Unless you’re running a publishing company, you don’t need a full-time writer on staff. Hiring a freelance writer or ghostwriter is the best path forward. Freelancers bring range — and freedom. No overhead, no office politics, just pure creative firepower on demand.
Freelance author jobs are in high demand because they attract top talent — often writers who also publish their own work and keep their skill sharp outside of their freelance work.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Book Ghostwriter?
Book ghostwriting rates vary widely. On the low end, you might find rates starting around $15,000. On the high end — for deeply researched books, in-person interviews, or highly experienced writers — rates can reach $500,000 or more.
You’re not just paying for time — you’re paying for taste. For story instincts. For the ability to make your ideas sing in your voice (but sharper, punchier, and maybe even funnier).
If you want your book to feel like you — or even better, the best version of your ideas — hire accordingly.
What to Look For in a Freelance Book Writer
Here are the key qualities you want to look for:
A strong sense of story structure (for both fiction and nonfiction)
Deep understanding of reader psychology
Experience working in your genre or subject area
A portfolio of polished work
The ability to write to be read, not just written
You also want someone who understands how layout, pacing, and paragraph rhythm impact readability. Yes, even sentence length matters. A seasoned writer knows how to direct the reader’s eye across the page.
How to Interview and Hire the Right Writer
Hiring a book writer isn’t like hiring someone to fix your sink. You’re hiring someone to build your legacy — word by word. Here’s what to do:
Read their portfolio. Are you hooked from the first sentence? Can they write with clarity and emotional resonance?
Meet over Zoom or phone. Get a sense of their personality, process, and communication style.
Ask about workflow. How do they manage feedback and revisions? What’s their process from outline to final draft?
Discuss contract and pricing early. This protects both of you.
Clarify credit. Ghostwritten or co-written? Set expectations up front.
Where to Find the Right Book Writer
Sure, you could toss your job into the abyss of a freelancing site and see what bites. Or — you could go where the professionals already are.
That’s where I come in. On my freelance writing job board, you’ll find a curated pool of professional writers with experience in book writing, ghostwriting, and developmental editing. From Silicon Valley to the Olympic podium, I’ve helped match remarkable clients with equally remarkable writers.
If you’re curious about working with me personally, you can explore my memoir ghostwriting and developmental editing services as well.
Work with Amy Suto | Final Thoughts on Hiring the Right Book Writer for You
The right freelance book writer isn’t just typing behind the curtain. They’re your co-pilot, your behind-the-scenes genius — the one helping your book not only get written, but actually get read.
If you’re ready to bring your book to life, post your project on the writing job board, or contact me below to discuss your vision.
