Registration opens July 31, 2019
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ghostwriting. These units take you through the entire process from top to bottom. They’ll provide the foundation you need to command $35,000+ fees.
- Unit 2: Structure (5 weeks)
This unit covers how to deconstruct, fix, and restructure any manuscript for optimal author and reader satisfaction. Topics include:Structure Theory
How to discern (and tweak, if necessary) nonfiction thesis and fiction premise; how BISAC classifications impact a manuscript’s structure and language tiers; how to determine work-in-progress BISAC Subject Headings; and why Slinky® flow is so important.Markets v. Booksellers v. Audience
The vital differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary placement, promotion, and sales classifications.Structure Tools
How to develop nonfiction/memoir charts and fiction maps; and how to extract character studies from story and infer perspective, motive, and agenda from action.Nonfiction Structure
How to recognize concept disruptions and deal breakers; how to rectify those issues using the chart; and how to determine and impose one of 5 nonfiction (or 1 creative-memoir) templates.Chart to Chapters
The progression of: chart to outline to chapter breaks, to chapter theses; and chapter charts to mechanical deletions and substantive gap fill-in.Introduction to Fiction
The author’s process vs. the ghostwriter’s process; how to “grok” with fiction clients; how to mesh the elements of story with industry expectations and ghostwriting limitations; and how to keep your vision of the story off the page.Fiction Structure
How to determine architecture and implausibilities from the plot map; how to use a meet-in-the-middle workaround to “fix the middle”; and how to integrate PMA to rectify one-dimensional-characters/sequence-of-events storylines.Meet in the Middle
How to use an old Hollywood tool as a workaround to “fix the middle.”Map to Chapters
The progression of: map to outline to chapter breaks; and character studies to deletions and substantive fill-in. - Unit 3: Creative Analysis (8 weeks)
This unit covers the deepest-held secret of professional ghostwriting—the “intuitive” skill vital for every aspect of professional ghostwriting, from concept development through landing the gig. Topics include:Creative Analysis
The reverse-engineered progression that lets you view manuscripts (and clients) critically, objectively, and favorably.Critical Thinking
How to see the intent, perspective, and flavor behind the written word, not just the emotional reaction it tries to provoke.Debate Protocol
How to strengthen a nonfiction title by understanding every facet of a theory, including opposing arguments; how to unpack a fictional antagonist’s perspective, motive, and agenda (PMA) to add depth to their protagonist’s quest.Abstract Reasoning
How to expose a nonfiction’s missing and extraneous information; how to recognize and troubleshoot character/plot disconnect and/or implausibilities.Focused Ingenuity
How to combine critical thinking, debate protocol, and abstract reasoning to find the “gold” in any manuscript (or problem), to recognize and accentuate everything that works, to reveal what will make the manuscript even better, and to identify how that change will transform the manuscript into a marketable literary property.“Gold”
How to reimagine manuscript issues as Improvement Opportunities.Analytical Creativity
The 6-step deep-thought sequence used to develop a written analysis from
➀ a critical or developmental-editor’s report, to
➁ a positive review, to
➂ inspired remedies that will produce
➃ reader/market results, delivered in
➄ a personable Slinky flow
➅ in which every line resonates with purpose for the author.Analysis Drafts
The progression of: find the issues, find the gold, personalize the analysis, convert issues to improvement opportunities, connect to market or reader, take yourself off the page, tweak for Slinky flow.Nonfiction Analysis
Elements to consider: focus; structure; thesis and sub-theses; supporting arguments, examples, and illustrations; outcomes and conclusions; and tone, flavor, and effectiveness.Fiction Analysis
Elements to consider: premise; intent and aspiration; plausibility, plot/character integration; canon; author intrusion/editorial; and climax, denouement, and resolution gratification. - Unit 4: Ghostwrite (8 weeks)
This unit dissects the various aspects of ghostwriting a book-length nonfiction, memoir, or novel. Topics include:Ghostwriting Theory
The difference between pacing and drive; how to distinguish nonfiction editorial from narration and fiction stage directions from action; how to assuage yet work around pride-of-authorship; how and why to excise “but the reader needs to know!” material.“Tells” Technique
How to discern author voice, spirit, and flavor and maintain it while fleshing out ideas with nonexclusive material.Balance Expectations
How to balance author vision with industry needs and reader expectations.Ghostwrite Nonfiction
How to transform cerebral presentations to trade manuscripts; how to support examples with illustrations; when and where to place or replace editorial; how to frame chapters within a template.How to Ghostwrite Nonfiction
Book thesis; chapter thesis/development; I/Thou vs. You/They; memoir parameters; business parameters; self-help parameters; family & relationship parameters.Nonfiction Drafts
The progression of: info dump, rearrange, delete and fill-in, tweak for Slinky flow, segue or cliffhanger.Ghostwrite Fiction
How to reconstruct or eliminate script elements; how to utilize PMA to rectify implausibilities and strengthen character arcs; when and why to change/not change point of view (pov); how to intrigue/titillate rather than reveal (author intrusion); how to frame scenes; ghostwriter vs. author fiction elements; important genre specifics.How to Ghostwrite Fiction
Story premise; scenes vs. chapters; PMA vs. editorial; stage directions and settings vs. narrative.Fiction Drafts
The progression of: info dump, rearrange and delete, impose PMA to correct implausibilities, tweak for Slinky flow, cliffhanger or break. - Unit 5: Musical Line Edit (8 weeks)
This unit explores the apex of editorial revision: music, rhythm, and impact. Topics include:Musical Line Edit (MLE) Theory/Technique
Introduction to the “auto read” concept; how to eliminate unnecessary passive verbs and prepositions; how to use the MLE to correct structure, content, and ghostwriting issues; how to use the MLE to drag and accentuate drive.Ghostwriting vs. Editing
The differences between freelance, publisher, and MLE liberties and restrictions.MLE Drafts
The progression of: eliminate passive/static phrases, rearrange for Slinky flow, compound tight ideas, stand alone impact.Applied Nonfiction Technique
Real-time Nonfiction MLE demonstration.Applied Fiction Technique
Real-time Fiction MLE demonstration. - Unit 6: Submit/Publish (4 weeks)
This unit delves into selling the final analyzed, structured, written/rewritten, and musically edited property to literary agents, traditional publishers, and supply-chain entities. Topics include:Proposals & Strategies
The differences between Book Proposals and Bestseller Strategy Plans (BSP); and how to use each.Proposals # 1
How to create the Book Contents, Book Details, Author Bio, and Promotion sections of an industry standard Book Proposal.Proposals #2
How to create the Competition, Market, and Overview sections of an industry standard Book Proposal; how to arrange and package a Book Proposal for submission to literary agents and acquisition editors.Bestseller Strategy Plans
How to create the Overview, Author Intro, Action Plan, Competitive Loglines, Q&As, and Book Details Checklist for a self-publisher’s Bestseller Strategy Plan.Fiction
How to write an industry-standard synopsis; how to create an industry-standard fiction proposal and BSP.Submit/Publish
How to write an effective query letter; where to research agents and non-agent-required publishers; how to create submission and BSP-implementation logs. - Unit 7: Business/Professionalism (6 weeks)
AVAILABLE ONLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE EARNED AN 80% OR HIGHER AVERAGE ON ALL PREVIOUS UNITS.
This wrap-up unit explains how to put all your knowledge, skills, and tools to use to create, sustain, and grow your ghostwriting business. Topics include:
Analysis and Recommendations
A full-course review; how to create a compelling, “gold” oriented Analysis & Recommendations (A&R).Proposals & Strategies
The differences between Book Proposals and Bestseller Strategy Plans (BSP); and how to use each.Bestseller Strategy Plans
How to create the Overview, Author Intro, Action Plan, Competitive Loglines, Q&As, and Book Details Checklist for a self-publisher’s Bestseller Strategy Plan.Bids & Fees
How to price your services per gig; how to write an effective Project Proposal (bid) with and without an attached A&R; important deal closers.Contracts
How to write an effective, equitable ghostwriter contract.Business Plan
How to create your business plan; best practices for approaching your circle of influence. Mindset transition from freelancer > entrepreneur.Pre-launch
How to develop and stay on track with a pre-launch checklist. Mindset transition from one of several competitors > in a class of your own.Launch Your Business
How to formally launch your new enterprise; how to assess projects and clients; the 5-step negotiation/close sequence; how to establish and maintain your authority.Final Words
A recap of the mindset transitions; how to use the Elliott Wave principle and metaphysics to support your new career; and parting words. - Graduate!
On successful completion of the entire GPDP program, you’ll receive:Professional Ghostwriter Certificate
Signed by the Dean of CPIE/CSULBDigital Badge
Displays your name, the year you earned your certification, and the unique knowledge, skills, tools, and mindset transitions you acquired in the course. Post it on your website, SMN profiles, email signature, and any other digital media or locationInvitation
To join CertifiedGhostwriters.com for continuing education, news, resources, and community with other Certified Ghostwriters.Apprenticeship
One-on-one coaching through your first (or any) professional gig via Wambtac Ghostwriter’s team-oriented ghostwriting.