Children’s Book Ghostwriter: Costs for Picture Books & More

People hire children’s book ghostwriters for many reasons. A grandparent wants a story starring the grandchildren. A therapist or teacher wants a book that helps kids through something hard, like a new sibling, divorce, anxiety or a diagnosis. A business owner wants a branded story, and a parent has told the same bedtime story for years and wants to see it in print. This guide covers what each kind of children’s book involves, what it costs, and how to avoid the common mistakes.

What kind of children’s book are you writing?

Format	Reader age	Typical length	Ghostwriting cost (text only)
Board book	0–3	50–200 words	$1,500–$5,000
Picture book	3–8	500–1,000 words, 32 pages	$2,500–$10,000
Early reader	5–8	1,000–2,500 words	$3,000–$10,000
Chapter book	6–10	6,000–15,000 words	$6,000–$20,000
Middle-grade novel	8–12	30,000–55,000 words	$15,000–$45,000

Picture books are by far the most common project. They also have the strictest conventions. Most are 32 pages, including front matter, and editors and readers expect it.

Why does a short book cost so much?

A 700-word picture book can take as long to get right as a 7,000-word essay. The writer has to:

• Leave room for the pictures. The text shouldn’t describe what the illustration shows.
• Plan page turns, so each spread ends with a reason to turn the page
• Write for reading aloud, with rhythm, repetition and words that are fun to say
• Pitch vocabulary and themes to the age group without talking down
• Produce illustration notes and a page-by-page layout for the illustrator

Rhyming picture books cost more and go wrong more often. Forced rhymes and broken meter are the most common reason self-published picture books get poor reviews. Choose rhyme only if your writer has a proven track record with it.

What about illustrations?

Illustrations are usually the bigger budget line. For a 32-page picture book with full-colour spreads, professional illustrators commonly charge $3,000–$15,000 or more, depending on style, experience and number of illustrations. Make sure the contract gives you the rights you need (print, ebook, merchandise) and says who owns the original artwork.

If you’re self-publishing, the usual order is to finish the text, then the page layout and illustration notes, then hire the illustrator, then do design and layout. If you’re aiming for a traditional publisher, submit the text only. Publishers usually choose the illustrator themselves.

Personalized and family children’s books

A book starring your own children or grandchildren, about the family farm, Grandpa’s boat or a family tradition, makes a lasting gift. These projects are usually shorter and cheaper, often $1,500–$5,000 for the text. They’re typically printed in small quantities. For other ideas, see children’s memory books and gifts for grandparents.

Books that help children through something

Therapists, paediatricians, teachers and parents commission books about specific experiences: going to hospital, a parent deploying, grief, anxiety, adoption, a new sibling. Here the writer’s job is to work closely with the expert so the book is emotionally accurate and age-appropriate. If you’re a professional, your expertise provides the content and the writer provides the story. See also ghostwriters for doctors.

How to choose a children’s book ghostwriter

• Ask for children’s book samples specifically, published or not. A good novelist isn’t automatically a good picture-book writer.
• Read the samples aloud. If you stumble, so will every parent at bedtime.
• Check they deliver page breakdowns and illustration notes, not just text.
• Confirm the rights. You should own the text outright, including characters and any series potential. Use the contract checker.
• Be wary of “write and publish” packages that bundle cheap text, template illustrations and overpriced publishing.

Not sure where to start? Take the writer match quiz, or read ghostwriting packages explained before comparing quotes.

Frequently asked questions