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Updated October 2026Fiction Ghostwriters: Who Writes Novels for Hire (2026)
Most famous ghostwriters work in nonfiction, so finding someone who will ghostwrite a novel takes more digging. These are the fiction ghostwriters and firms we profile, from a fiction-only specialist with published rates to veterans who write both.
Quick answer: Cyn Balog is a fiction-only ghostwriter for thrillers, YA, horror and romance, with published rates from $0.25 per word. Claudia Suzanne has ghostwritten fiction across many genres. Kevin Anderson & Associates is one of the few large firms that takes novels. Andrew Crofts, Joni Rodgers and Daniel Paisner are published novelists who mainly ghostwrite nonfiction.
At a glance
| Name | Known for | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cyn Balog | Fiction-only, 12 published novels | YA, thriller, horror and romance authors |
| Claudia Suzanne | 200+ ghostwritten books | Novels in most genres |
| Kevin Anderson & Associates | Large firm that takes novels | Novelists who want a managed process |
| Gotham Ghostwriters | Matched writers, including creative writing | Authors who want an agency match |
| Andrew Crofts | Novelist and true-life ghostwriter | Stories based on real events |
| Joni Rodgers | Novelist, screenplay-to-novel adaptations | Novelizations of scripts |
| Daniel Paisner | Four published novels | Authors who value a novelist’s ear |
Fiction specialists
Ghostwriter · Quakertown, Pennsylvania
Cyn Balog
Cyn Balog is a fiction-only ghostwriter and novelist with 12 novels from Random House, Sourcebooks and Harlequin. She ghostwrites thrillers, YA, horror, mystery and romance, and as of October 2026 lists rates from $0.25 per word on Reedsy.
Best for: Novelists and series authors who need a genre fiction ghostwriter.
Ghostwriter · United States
Claudia Suzanne
Claudia Suzanne has more than 200 uncredited books across fiction, memoir and nonfiction, with genres from mystery and thrillers to fantasy and science fiction.
Best for: Authors who want a novel ghostwritten by a seasoned generalist.
Not sure which ghostwriter fits your book? Our free five-question Writer Match Quiz looks at your book type, stage, budget and timeline, then points you to the right kind of writer.
Take the Writer Match QuizFirms that take novels
Agency · New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and London
Kevin Anderson & Associates
KAA writes fiction alongside memoir, business and children’s books, with a project manager, multiple editorial reviews and beta reader testing on each project.
Best for: Novelists who want a managed process.
Agency · New York, New York
Gotham Ghostwriters
Gotham matches clients with writers from a large network and lists novels and other creative writing among its services.
Best for: Authors who want an agency to find the right fiction writer.
Novelists who mainly ghostwrite nonfiction
Ghostwriter · United Kingdom
Andrew Crofts
Andrew Crofts has ghostwritten more than 80 books and published novels including Secrets of the Italian Gardener and The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride.
Best for: Fiction rooted in real events and international settings.
Ghostwriter · Washington State
Joni Rodgers
Joni Rodgers is a #1 New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and published novelist who also adapts screenplays into novels.
Best for: Authors who need a screenplay turned into a novel.
Ghostwriter · United States
Daniel Paisner
Daniel Paisner has more than 80 books to his credit and four published novels, including Balloon Dog.
Best for: Authors who want a collaborator with a novelist’s ear.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ghostwrite a novel?
Published rates give a useful benchmark: one fiction specialist on this list charges from $0.25 per word, about $20,000 for an 80,000-word novel. Experienced fiction ghostwriters and agencies often charge more.
Can a ghostwriter write a series under my name?
Yes. Series ghostwriting is common in genre fiction, especially romance, thrillers and YA. Agree on series rights and confidentiality in the contract.
Who owns a ghostwritten novel?
Normally you do. A standard ghostwriting contract assigns copyright to the client. Check this before you sign; our contract checker can help.
Listings are independent and compiled from public sources. Nobody pays to be included. See the full ghostwriter directory.
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