Ghosts With Typewriters

Your Thoughts,

Our Words.

An Introduction

Welcome to Ghosts with Typewriters, a professional ghostwriting service, spearheaded by myself, Eric Bishara. At GWT, we’re dedicated to the practice of helping people communicate their ideas through the written word. As you’ll see below, there’s really no limit to the type of services that we offer, so if you have a project in mind that you need help with, feel free to contact us and we’ll try to help you out in any way that we can. However before you do that, you should probably scroll down to learn what we’re all about.

What We Do

Our Services

Short-Term Projects

This option is for anyone looking to commission a small-scale project that can be accomplished over a short period of time (1-3 days). This type of work incorporates guest blogging, copywriting, writing blurbs, among other services.

Long-Term Projects

This option is for anyone looking to commission a large-scale project that can be accomplished over a long period of time. This type of work could take a few weeks, or a few months, and it incorporates scripts, books, memoirs, short stories, among other services.

Informal Projects

This option is for those looking to commission an anomalous project, whose duration can vary depending on the complexity of work, emotional stakes, etc. This type of work typically requires your active involvement during the initial stages, and it incorporates letters, marital vows, speeches, cards, gifts, etc.

Informal Project Examples:
- In terms of letters, I’ve written to other peoples’ friends, loved ones, ex-girlfriends. In terms of speeches, it could be for a wedding, an anniversary; or it could be for your staff, students. In terms of gift ideas, this really could be anything, but to give you an example, I was once tasked with compiling messages into a book format, which proved to be very time-consuming, and rather costly, but the reaction seems to have justified the expense.

Our Mission

'Converting Thoughts into Words'

In this day and age, there's no question that time is our most valuable commodity, but in many respects, time can also serve as our greatest enemy. When it comes to writing, the simple truth is that very few people have the time or the inclination to learn the craft, and for that reason, most people are forced to either bury their ideas, or they can choose to write something haphazardly, which rarely produces anything more than a shadow of what they originally intended. For most people, these unfettered ideas can be a great source of frustration, as they’re denying themselves their inherent right to self-expression. It is for those people that we created this service. If you decide to put us to work, you won’t have to bury your ideas, and you won’t have to waste your time, labouring over something that will leave you frustrated and disheartened. At Ghosts with Typewriters, it is our mission to produce content that not only exceeds your expectations, but also to make sure that everything we do is fully in line with your unique thoughts, ideas, and overall intentions.

With us, ghostwriting doesn't need to be a secret. Every project will be rooted in your ideas, so there’s no reason to feel like you’re taking credit for someone else’s work. Everything on that page is you. We just helped get it out.

What You'll Get

Brevity

When a paragraph is reduced to a sentence, there's an indelible power given to those words, which is why 'less is more' is arguably the most important principle for a writer to grasp. However good writing isn’t just about depth, as it also requires varying rhythmic patterns, which is what allows brevity to pack its punch.

Structure

Writing is also about momentum. Knowing how to navigate the peaks and valleys of a written work is an essential tool of the professional. This remains true for every piece of writing. From love letters to mission statements, structure remains essential.

Unity

Although structure deals with the strategic placement of content, unity is what allows the whole to become greater than the sum of its parts. It is the act of binding ideas, so that they can come together to create something meaningful. Whether you're writing a book or a blurb, unity should always be a focus.

Voice

Although the contents of our toolbox can be similar to those of our competitors, what separates us is our voice. Words are nothing without the voice behind them, and here you'll get that in spades, leading to distinct works that are uniquely unconventional. Irrespective of your chosen topic, we'll find the hook.

Why it's Important

The Perils of Miscommunication

In the age of social media, people have been given unparalleled access to each other, and the irony is that in spite of all those new outlets, how we communicate has never been worse. Although technology certainly has its benefits, it’s also had some detrimental effects on the written language, as there’s been a well-documented decline in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The reasons for this are plentiful, but when you consider the fact that most of our communication occurs through social media, it’s not surprising to see informalities becoming the norm, with form falling by the wayside. From text speak (or the ‘deliberate use of misspelled words’ that are employed to save characters) to predictive text technology, there has been a generational shift towards lazy writing, and for that reason, miscommunication has become an all-too-common trend.

Although one piece of writing can always elicit varied reactions, a writer is still very much in control over how their work is received, and in many ways, it is their ability to exercise this control that makes the difference between writing something that effectively reaches the desired impact, versus something that does not.

The Power of Objectivity

One of the more liberating aspects of ghostwriting is the clarity that comes from seeing things from another’s perspective. Although in some instances we might know exactly what we want to say, for most people, communicating something important can be very difficult, as our personal thoughts, feelings, and biases tend to cloud our judgment.

When you put yourself in another person’s shoes, it can be very easy to find the truth of what needs to be communicated, which can make all the difference when it comes to writing. In the best-cases, objectivity can lead to revelations that were completely lost on you, and in other cases, it can simply lead to a piece of writing that’s clearly focused around its most inextricable ideas.

"After all, the ultimate goal of all research is not objectivity, but truth."Helene Deutsch

What Separates Us

Who We Are

Our History

Like most good things, we didn't start out as a business. This all began with a few personal letters, which were given to me years ago, prior to being sent out. All they wanted was a quick assessment, but in each case there was a very clear gap between what they wanted to say and how they were saying it, and rather than trying to vocalize the issues, I figured it would be easier to just write the letters myself. Although initially they were reluctant to pass it off as their own, it was evident that these letters were crafted with their thoughts and ideas in mind, so in essence, the letters came from them, I just helped get it out.

Through those experiences, I began to see the impact an idea could have when properly communicated, and I also learned just how consequential misunderstandings could be. From then on, it became a personal mission of mine to help people communicate their ideas, and as I began to see the demand for this type of work, this website naturally evolved from that. Although there’s no denying that time costs money, it’s certainly not the only reason we do this.

Our Pillars

Trust

With certain projects, you may need to share some of your innermost secrets, so it’s really important that you feel safe and comfortable. That's why we encourage everyone to message us beforehand. From there, you can make the decision on whether or not you feel comfortable with us.

Personality

Most businesses have a tendency to hide the human element within a series of protocols, which can be a great source of frustration for consumers. However with us, we always strive to do better. At GWT, every transaction is a relationship, and throughout our process, that fact will never be lost on us.

The Way We Work

Our Process

One of the great benefits of using our service is that we will always give you the option to receive your project in intervals, which ensures that you will get exactly what you want every step of the way. The reason we do this is because, for the most part, ghostwriting has long been a broken system, as consumers would never know what they’re getting until it’s delivered, at which point it’s usually too late. However, with our step-by-step model, it reduces the risk for buyers, as you’ll be given every opportunity to right the course.

Furthermore, by breaking down the work into payable steps, you will have the ability to exercise a no-risk option that allows you opt out at any point in time, keeping everything that’s been done up to that point. This ensures that the price will never go beyond what’s expected, and also that the work will never stray off course. With us, you are not simply paying for the time, you are paying for the process, and the safety and assurance that the process will provide.

That’s what makes us different.

Our Methodology

Although most freelancers sell themselves with a quick turnaround time, with us you’ll get a much more detail-oriented approach, as we believe in making projects as good as they can possibly be. Like Hemingway and other modernists, we subscribe to Gustave Flaubert’s pursuit of le mot juste (or the ‘exact’ word). It was his contention that words are not interchangeable, and he believed that finding the right words is the key to writing with clarity and precision. At GWT, we won't stop until we find them.

Additional Information

How Much it Costs

An Introduction to Pricing

Navigating the Tabs
To get a good grasp of the way our pricing works, simply click through the tabs on the left side of the screen. With the ‘pricing overview’, you’ll get an explanation of how variable pricing works, and also why fixed pricing does not. Then with the ‘payment structure’, you’ll receive details on why it’s best to pay in instalments. With the ‘payment method’, you’ll receive an overview of how email payments work with Paypal. Then finally with the ‘rough numbers’, you’ll receive some standard ghostwriting rates, which will just give you an idea of some actual figures.

Variable Pricing

Our System
Although we do have some base per-word rates (see ‘rough numbers’), our prices usually vary based on a number of factors, all of which would be laid out within our initial quote. So if you have a project in mind, your best bet is to get in touch and we’ll go from there.

Our Reasoning
Simply put, the easiest way to recognize an amateur ghostwriter is to check out their pricing plans, as they typically offer standardized rates regardless of the type of project. These types of services can be found all over websites such as Fiverr and Upwork, but with the exception of a few, most of these writers are outsourced labor who will try to write as quickly as possible, focusing primarily on the word count. However, when you’re dealing with a professional ghostwriter, we understand that no two works are the same, which is why we tend to gather all the requisite information before providing any accurate quotes.

Our Promise
At GWT, not only do we take pride in being able to accurately gauge how much time and effort a project will require, but we also believe in transparency. Within our initial quote, not only will you will receive a thorough breakdown of how much it costs, but you will also receive a full breakdown of how we got to those figures based on a variety of factors, such as the length of work, sophistication of topic, target deadline, and so on. This ensures that you won’t get taken advantage of, and that you’ll always be comfortable knowing that you’re getting exactly what you want.

Paying in Instalments

Overview
If you exercise your right to pay in instalments, the project will get divided up into three payments. The first payment commissions the outline (+ 1 revision), the second payment commissions the draft (+ 1 revision), and the third payment commissions any additional revisions (up to two). Although in most cases the additional revisions aren’t necessary, if you decide to pay for the entire process up front, you’ll get everything at a reduced rate.

Initial Quote (Free)
As indicated, it is completely free to seek out an initial quote for your project. Although most short-term works are pretty standard, it’s always helpful when you provide us with extensive details beforehand, as this will guarantee an accurate appraisal.

Outline
If you purchase the outline, you’ll receive a thorough, in-depth explanation of what the project will look like based on all the information that you provided, as well as some of our preliminary research on the topic. This initial proposal will include key details such as how it will be structured, what the tone will be, and we will also provide an assessment of the idea itself, with suggestions on how it could be improved. Furthermore, you will also receive a detailed breakdown of the actual work that it entails, with updates on how long it will take, how much it will cost, etc. With the outline you’ll know exactly what to expect every step of the way, and it’ll give you a great opportunity to provide feedback on the direction of the work.

Draft
Once you feel comfortable about the price and the direction of the project, you will then have the opportunity to commission us to actually do the work. With short-term projects, you’ll receive word that it’s finished within a couple of days, but with long-term projects you’ll also receive a number of progress reports based on the expected delivery date. Once it’s delivered, you’ll have the option to provide notes if you would like some minor revisions to be done, which will be included as part of the initial fee.

Revisions
In the off-chance that you’re not satisfied with the final work, you will always have the option to request up to two additional revisions for a supplemental fee. So for example, if you like the work but you think that it could be even better if certain elements were changed, then what you would do is provide us with detailed notes and then we’ll be able to give you a final quote based on the scale of changes. Although in some cases some creative differences may arise, we’ll always do our best to accommodate you as much as possible, as your satisfaction is very important to us.

Additional Information
Paying for the entire process up front: With every project you’ll always have the option to commission us for the entire process, which would require you to pay half of the total cost up front, with the remaining balance getting paid within the usual instalment periods. This option is especially useful if you’re working with a tight deadline, as it ensures that you’ll never fall behind on the queue, which can sometimes be the case during busy periods.

Paying through Email

Paypal Email Payments
The moment the contract is signed, you will receive a secure Paypal 'payment request' via the email of your choice, which guarantees a safe transaction on both ends. Within this email, you’ll be able to pay for our service using your Paypal account, or if you don’t have one, you can do the money transfer with any credit card through Paypal’s secure website. If you’re paying in instalments, you will receive a new invoice during every instalment period, which would be paid using the same method.

Initial Costs

Money Up Front
- 50% down: Although there are different pricing plans for different types of projects, it’s standard in this industry to pay half of the money up front, with the remaining balance getting paid during the instalment periods, and upon delivery of the final draft.

Per-Word Rates
- For professional ghostwriters there are some standard per-word rates based on the Writers Market, which ranges from $.50 cents to $3 dollars a word, averaging out at about $1.65. Although our rates will vary based on the complexity of the work, if you choose to pay per-word, you can expect the price to be somewhere within that range.

Other Rates
– Per Hour: If you prefer to pay an hourly rate, the standard price ranges from $50-150 per hour, with an average rate of $100. Depending on the the type of work, you can expect to pay somewhere in between.
- Per Page: If you prefer to pay by the page, the standard price ranges between $60-100 for one single-spaced page, which equates to about 500 words. However once again these rates could vary based on a number of factors.

Projected Figures
- For a Manuscript: If you’re looking to commission a long-term project, such as a manuscript, there are a lot of factors that go into the actual price. For example, if you would like us to write from existing material, then that will significantly drop the price when compared to a project that we’ll be starting from scratch. However just to give you an idea, for a 50,000 word manuscript, which equates to about 180-220 pages, you can expect to pay anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000. For a much shorter book (say 80-180 pages) it can go as low as $8,000, and with a longer book (say 300+), it can sometimes go as high as $25,000. Although these prices may seem high at first glance, keep in mind that we’ve strategically kept our prices below the line that was set by Canadian Writer’s Union, which calls for a minimum fee of $25,000 for a 200-300 page book. The reason we do this is simply to remain competitive in a somewhat saturated market.
- For a Screenplay: If you’d like us to turn your idea into a 90-120 page screenplay, your best bet is to contact us beforehand, just so that we can explain the process. Unlike a manuscript, which leaves most of the work on the page, a screenplay relies heavily on an economy of words, and for that reason, much of your ideas will need to be conveyed through actions and subtext, as opposed to dialogue and description. For that reason, most of our time will be spent outlining and editing, as opposed to actually writing, which is why most standard ghostwriting fares don’t apply. However just to give you a rough idea, if you go with our standard package, which includes the outline, a first draft, and one wave of edits, it could run you anywhere between $8,000 to $18,000, depending on the amount of work that’s involved.

A final word on Screenplays
- One thing to keep in mind is that a complex screenplay may require several waves of edits, as the editing stage can sometimes be a very long, arduous process even for working professionals. So if you’re looking to create something that’s ready for market (while keeping costs down), our recommendation is to use our service up until the second draft, and then if you want to go beyond that, we recommend that you seek out a reputable script doctor, which can give you pointed advice on how to proceed from there. This will allow you to take the screenplay as far as it needs to go (without going bankrupt).

How it works

1 Start by sending an email with a breakdown of what you're looking for. Within forty-eight hours, you'll receive a response that contains a rough estimate of how long it will take, along with some pricing options. From there, you can decide if you'd like to sign the contract, which contains a base fee that varies based on the type of project.

- Note: Within your initial email, try to include as much information as possible. The more details we have, the more accurate our quote will be. So be thorough!

2 Once the initial payment goes through, you will receive a detailed outline of the entire project, which explains how your ideas will be organized, what research needs to be done, as well as some other preliminary details. Then if you agree with the direction, you would then pay the second instalment, allowing us to move on to step 3.

- Note: If after this step you decide that the project is too big of a job, or if you decide that you’d like to undertake it yourself using the structure that we provided, keep in mind that you can easily close the project at any point in time, keeping everything that's been done up to that point.

3 Step three is where we go to work, so it's time to put your feet up, and wait for that satisfyingly unprompted new email, whose subject line appropriately indicates that 'We're Done!'

Another satisfied customer.

FAQs

The Basics

What is a Ghostwriter?

Ghostwriters are an anonymous subgroup of writers that are known primarily for their ability to adapt to the conventions of a variety of mediums. These projects often require writers to work very closely with the customer, which is why patience and strong communication skills are very important for this type of work. Furthermore, a ghostwriter also has to be very adept in interviewing, researching, and they must have the unique ability to embody others in their writing, which typically comes from gaining a full understanding of the person and of the topic itself. Although some ghostwriting agencies do exist around the world, these writers mostly work as freelancers.

Will I own the rights?

Is 'taking credit' Ethical?

Although in some cases the ethics of ghostwriting can be questioned, our process ensures that the work will always remain a product of the buyer, so there’s no reason to feel dishonest in any way. At the end of the day, it’s your ideas that we’re transcribing, and it’s your initial involvement that will determine the direction of the project. So whether it’s a book or a love letter, you can sleep soundly knowing that it still came from you. All we did was help get it out.

Pros and Cons

What are the benefits of hiring a Ghostwriter?

You'll save time
This is the most obvious benefit of ghostwriting. Even for a professional, writing requires a huge time commitment, and that commitment would be considerably longer for anyone who hasn’t taken the time to learn the craft. Although some people may have the time and the volition to pursue their own writing, most us do not, which is why ghostwriting can be a great help for anyone who wants to pursue their ideas without putting in the time.

You can get it done without learning the subject.
Although most customers tend to have a working knowledge of their chosen subject matter, to be able to write about it, you’ll often need to have a deeper understanding of the chosen topic, which may require extensive research. This is another benefit of hiring a ghostwriter, as it will be their job to do the necessary research so that they’ll be able to fill in any gaps of knowledge.

You can get it done without learning the craft.
Although the excitability of coffeeshop writers has made writing look easy, the fact remains that it is one of the most difficult crafts to learn. With every medium there are a unique set of rules and guidelines, which should only be broken on the rarest of occasions, and for good reasons. It is a craft that can take years to learn, and even then, it’s a process that is truly unending. With that being said, by hiring a ghostwriter you can save yourself the trouble of having to learn it, which is yet another great benefit.

It will get done.
When procrastination sets in, it can be very easy for a project to fall into neglect. There can be many reasons as to why this happens, but in any case, it tends to become a lot more difficult and a lot more impractical to actually finish something once enough time has passed. Although for some people these ideas can be forgotten with time, for others, they’ll remain in the back of your mind, serving as a constant reminder of what could have been. However, if you choose to hire a ghostwriter it will get done, which is by far the most understated benefit of all.

What are the risks of hiring a Ghostwriter?

The biggest problem with hiring a ghostwriter is that the market has become increasingly saturated with unqualified writers that are mostly selling their time. For that reason, it’s become very important to choose wisely, because by the time you get the project, the hours will have already been put in, and in most cases the buyer will have no choice but to live with whatever product they put forth. Furthermore, even if you do choose a good one, there’s still a lot of factors that need to be considered. For example, you need to make sure that the writer is a good match for the subject matter, and they need to feel like someone you could work closely with. With that being said, if you do your research, and create a dialogue beforehand, you should be able to make an informed decision, which would mitigate much of the risk. If you can do that, you’ll be on your way to having a great product.

Ghostwriter

Missed Deadlines

Satisfaction Rate

Contact Me

Email Me

If you'd like to discuss a ghostwriting project, you can reach me at this email:

[email protected]

Have any questions?

If you have any questions, or if you’d just like to touch base, don’t hesitate to get in touch. During some of our busier periods it may take a day or two, but all of your messages will be acknowledged eventually.

We look forward to hearing from you!