The Hidden Costs of Writing Your Own Memoir (And How a Ghostwriter Saves You Time and Money)
April 11, 2025
Thinking about writing your memoir? You’re not alone. Many people feel a deep calling to preserve their life stories—not just for themselves, but for their families, communities, and even future generations.
Writing a memoir can be one of the most meaningful projects you ever take on. But it’s also one of the most time-consuming and emotionally demanding. If you’re not a professional writer, the process can quickly become overwhelming.
On the surface, writing your memoir yourself might seem more cost-effective. But while hiring a ghostwriter is a financial investment, doing it alone comes with hidden costs—in time, emotional energy, and opportunity cost.
In this post, we’ll explore the true costs of writing your own memoir and how a ghostwriter can ultimately save you time, money, and stress.
Time Is Money: What Does It Really Cost to Write a Memoir?
Writing a memoir is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes consistency, self-discipline, and hundreds—sometimes thousands—of hours. Many memoirists spend months or even years completing a draft, especially when juggling work, family, or other commitments.
You’ll also need time for:
- Research
- Revisions
- Rewrites
- Editing
Publishing industry expert Jane Friedman notes that memoirists without large platforms often spend more on writing than they ever earn back—unless they have other income streams or a strategic plan.
Time Cost Breakdown
Hiring a ghostwriter for a full-length memoir (60,000–80,000 words) typically costs between $25,000–$100,000, depending on the complexity of the project and the ghostwriter’s experience.
If you write it yourself, the time investment alone is significant. Let’s break it down:
- Estimated hours to write a memoir: 500–1,000+
- Estimated value of your time (at $30/hr): $15,000–$30,000
That doesn’t include costs for writing workshops, coaching, editing services, or the lost income from time diverted away from your job or business.
When you factor in the full scope of the work required, hiring a ghostwriter often becomes more cost-efficient than it initially appears.
The Emotional Investment of Memoir Writing
Writing about your life—especially difficult or traumatic experiences—can be emotionally draining. Mary Karr, author of The Liars’ Club and The Art of Memoir, puts it this way:
“To write a memoir, you must manufacture a self strong enough to stand back and watch you at your worst. You have to endure being misunderstood, even by those you love most.”
That vulnerability is part of what makes memoir powerful—but it can also stall or derail the writing process if you don’t have the right support.
A ghostwriter can help you navigate emotionally sensitive material with care and empathy, creating space for you to share your truth without reliving every painful moment alone.
There’s a Learning Curve
A compelling memoir isn’t just a collection of memories—it’s a carefully crafted story. That requires mastery of:
- Narrative structure
- Character development
- Dialogue
- Pacing
- Grammar and style
Dani Shapiro, author of Inheritance and Hourglass, stresses that memoir isn’t just about what happened. It’s about how you tell it:
“Life doesn’t come with a narrative arc—you have to create one.”
If you’re not a professional writer, learning these skills can feel like a second full-time job. Ghostwriters bring years of experience in storytelling, ensuring your memoir has the structure, voice, and pacing it needs to resonate with readers.
The Challenge of Objectivity
When you’re writing your own story, it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. You may struggle with:
- What to include or leave out
- How to organize events
- Whether your tone feels authentic or overly emotional
Vivian Gornick, in The Situation and the Story, says memoir demands emotional clarity—not neutrality, but reflection.
A great memoirist must show they’ve made sense of their experience and are no longer inside the drama, but looking in.
A ghostwriter provides that much-needed distance and perspective, helping shape your story into a focused, impactful narrative.
The Editing Equation: What Comes After Writing
Even after you’ve written your memoir, the real work has just begun. Most manuscripts require multiple rounds of editing:
- Developmental Editing (big picture: structure, tone, and content)
- Line Editing (style, tone, clarity, and flow)
- Copy Editing (grammar, punctuation, consistency)
Estimated Editing Costs (for a 70,000–100,000-word manuscript):
- Developmental Editing: $2,000–$8,000
- Line + Copy Editing: $1,000–$8,000
While hiring a ghostwriter won’t eliminate the need for editing, it significantly reduces the editing workload (and cost). The manuscript they deliver will already be polished and professionally written, saving you both time and money down the line.
Publishing and Marketing: A Separate Journey
Publishing and marketing come after your manuscript is complete—and whether you go solo or work with a ghostwriter, you’ll still need to invest in this stage.
However, a seasoned ghostwriter often brings added value here too:
- Industry knowledge
- Professional contacts
- Guidance on traditional vs. self-publishing
- Advice on building your author platform
Some ghostwriters even offer support with book proposals or can refer you to trusted editors, designers, and publicists.
Final Thoughts: Should You Write It Yourself or Hire a Ghostwriter?
Writing your own memoir may seem like the more affordable path—but the hidden costs can add up fast:
- Lost income from time spent writing
- Emotional toll from reliving difficult moments
- Financial investment in editing, coaching, and publishing
- Steep learning curve in both writing and publishing
A ghostwriter is more than a writer-for-hire. They’re a collaborative partner who brings structure, support, and storytelling skill to help you share your story powerfully and professionally.
If you want a compelling, polished memoir that connects with readers—and you want to get there faster and with less stress—investing in a ghostwriter may be the smartest decision you make on your publishing journey.
