by Abdullah Faraz
February 23, 2025
The demand for ghostwriters is consistently increasing, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift drove the world toward digitization, with emerging technologies creating new opportunities for people to write and publish more.
The global market for ghostwriting services is expected to grow by an average of 6.8% every year between 2023 and 2030. The trend of self-publishing is increasing, and every celebrity, founder, and entrepreneur wants to publish their content. However, they are often too busy and prefer to hire ghostwriters.
Source: Cognitive market research
For further information about ghostwriters, read on.
- Overview of Ghostwriting Statistics
- Ghostwriting in the Publishing Industry
- Ghostwriting Costs and Earnings
- Ghostwriter Demographics and Statistics in the US
- Ghostwriting for Celebrities and Public Figures
- Ghostwriting in Entertainment
Ghostwriting Statistics (Top Picks)
- 70-80% of celebrity memoirs are ghostwritten.
- 50-60% of business books are ghostwritten.
- 8,000 ghostwriters are on LinkedIn.
- 3,300 are from the USA.
- 6.8% annual growth is expected between 2025 and 2030.
- J.R. Moehringer is the highest-paid ghostwriter.
- Only 30 out of 1,000 writers complete their books.
- Out of every 100 submissions, just 1 or 2 are selected for publishing.
Overview of Ghostwriting Statistics
How many ghostwriters are there?
There are 8,000 people globally who identify themselves as ghostwriters on LinkedIn, and 3,300 of them are from the USA. While this provides a useful estimate, the actual number of active, full-time ghostwriters could vary significantly based on market dynamics.
How common is ghostwriting?
An estimated 70-80% of celebrity memoirs and 50-60% of business books are ghostwritten. In genres such as romance and thrillers, ghostwriters contribute to about 20-30% of books. While ghostwriting is also widely used by self-published authors, precise numbers remain unclear.
Source: Wrightbook associates
How many ghostwriters are there in America?
There are 3,300 ghostwriters in the USA who claim this profession on LinkedIn profiles. However, this number is not definitive, as many ghostwriters may not use LinkedIn or identify as such on their profiles.
Who is the highest-paid ghostwriter?
J.R. Moehringer is the highest-paid ghostwriter. He has received accolades such as the 1997 Livingston Award for Young Journalists, the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing, and the 2001 Nieman Fellowship.
Who is the most famous ghostwriter?
Alan Dean Foster is one of the most famous ghostwriters, known for his work on Star Wars and Star Trek. Other notable ghostwriters include Peter Lerangis, H.P. Lovecraft, Raymond Benson, Andrew Neiderman, and Ryan Nerz/Daniel Ehrenhaft.
Ghostwriting in the Publishing Industry
How many writers actually finish a book?
According to Self-Publishing US, only 30 out of 1,000 writers who start writing a book actually finish it. This small number highlights the growing need for ghostwriters.
How many authors actually get published?
Editors and publishers often agree that only a tiny fraction of manuscripts make it to publication. Out of every 100 submissions, just 1 or 2 are selected for publishing.
How many books does a ghostwriter write in a year?
Most ghostwriters write two to three books per year. However, with the help of generative AI, the number has increased, as AI saves time in structuring, outlining, and editing.
Ghostwriting Costs and Earnings
What is the average cost of a ghostwriter?
According to Reedsy data:
- Nonfiction books: $6,500–$42,000
- Novels: $3,500–$16,000
- Picture books: $1,500–$5,000
The exact cost depends on the ghostwriter’s expertise and the book’s genre.
How much do ghostwriters make?
A survey of 269 working ghostwriters revealed that one-third earn over $100,000 annually from ghostwriting books.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for writers and authors is $73,690, with an hourly rate of $35.43.
Sources: Publishers Weekly, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ghostwriter Demographics and Statistics in the US
- 66.4% of ghostwriters are women, and 33.6% are men.
- Race demographics:
- White: 71.3%
- Asian: 8.8%
- Hispanic or Latino: 7.9%
- Black or African American: 6.7%
- Unknown: 5.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3%
Source: Zippia
Ghostwriting for Celebrities and Public Figures
Did Michelle Obama use a ghostwriter?
Yes, Michelle Obama used ghostwriters, crediting Chris Haugh for assisting with her book.
Does Stephen King use ghostwriters?
No, Stephen King does not use ghostwriters. He has shared his daily writing routine in a podcast, emphasizing his commitment to personally completing his works.
Does James Patterson use ghostwriters?
Yes, James Patterson uses ghostwriters. However, his creative vision remains central to his works.
Does Nora Roberts use ghostwriters?
No, Nora Roberts has publicly stated that she has never used ghostwriters.
Does Dean Koontz use ghostwriters?
No, Dean Koontz has written all his books himself.
Does Colleen Hoover use ghostwriters?
No, there is no evidence to suggest Colleen Hoover uses ghostwriters.
Did J.K. Rowling have ghostwriters?
While there is speculation, credible sources confirm that J.K. Rowling did not employ ghostwriters for the Harry Potter series.
Ghostwriting in Entertainment
Did George Lucas use ghostwriters?
Yes, Alan Dean Foster ghostwrote the novelization of Star Wars (1977) for George Lucas, based on the screenplay.
Did Linkin Park have ghostwriters?
While Linkin Park is credited for their music, external songwriters have contributed to some tracks.
Does Brandon Sanderson have ghostwriters?
No, Brandon Sanderson is known for writing all his books himself, showcasing his distinctive style and productivity.
Conclusion
Here you have 30 ghostwriting statistics in one place. I hope you’ve gained valuable knowledge and saved time without navigating multiple websites!
Further Read: How many prompt engineers are there?