Ghostwriter vs editor: which do you need?
Ghostwriter vs editor: a ghostwriter writes the book for you; an editor improves a book you have written. Here is how to choose.
A ghostwriter writes your book for you, from your ideas and interviews. An editor improves a book you have already written. If you have no draft, you need a ghostwriter; if you have a full draft, you probably need an editor.
The key difference
The question is who puts the words on the page. With a ghostwriter, they do. With an editor, you do, and the editor makes those words better.
Both are professional writers, and many people do both jobs. But the work, the timeline and the cost are very different.
Choose a ghostwriter if…
- You have a story or expertise but no draft
- You have started several times and stalled
- You do not have the months it takes to write a book
- Your draft needs to be rewritten rather than polished
Choose an editor if…
- You have a complete draft, even a rough one
- You enjoy writing and want to keep your own words
- You want feedback on structure, pacing or clarity
- You are preparing to self-publish or submit to agents
The middle ground
Some projects need a mix. A writer might edit the strong chapters of your draft and rewrite the weaker ones. This is sometimes called book doctoring. We assess your manuscript and recommend the most cost-effective approach.
Cost and time compared
Ghostwriting a full book in the UK typically costs £18,000 or more and takes three to six months. Editing is usually charged by the hour; the CIEP suggests minimum UK rates of about £37 an hour for copy-editing, and a full edit usually takes two to six weeks.
