Your gateway into the world of books.
Introduction to Ghostwriting is not just the prerequisite Unit 1 of the only comprehensive ghostwriter training program in existence…
It’s also jam-packed with essential Theory, Mechanical Skills, Creative Skills, Book-Industry Principles, Business Skills, and Ghostwriting Psych insights that any
- Aspiring author
- Editor
- Self-publisher
- Traditionally published author
needs to put the power of knowledge behind their writing, their career, or their title.

Captivating
Enlightening
Challenging
Fun!
Discover
What it takes to land high-end author clients
How to “see” what other writers & editors don’t
The difference between bestsellers & top-selling titles
Who does what over the course of a book’s life
Where you fit in the book-business landscape
…and a great deal more

Topics
Welcome to GPDP: Theory
The scope, instructors, and logistics of Ghostwriting Professional Designation Program.
The End: Theory, Ghostwriting Psych
The elements necessary to land high-end clients including how to establish and maintain authority and an introduction to the power of Ghostwriting Psych.
Editorial Accountability: Theory, Book-industry Principles
The parameters and importance of editorial accountability for authors, editors, publishers, and ghostwriters.
MS Word for Writers (PC and Mac): Mechanical Skill
How to manipulate Microsoft Word to decode, style, and format book-industry manuscripts and documents.
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS): Mechanical Skill
The book industry’s default style-guide’s standards and exceptions, and how ignoring them reduces a manuscript’s credibility in the marketplace.
Basic Writing Conventions: Mechanical Skill
Fundamental writing protocols for verb choice, conjunctions, paragraphing, person, tense, multi-word modifiers, and story vs. report.
Creative Analysis: Creative Skill, Ghostwriting Psych
The four phases of creative analysis as they apply to ghostwriting books, client relations, and project management.
Action Steps 1-6: Creative Skill, Ghostwriting Psych
Practical application exercises for applying Creative Analysis to uncomfortable and familiar nonfiction and fiction titles.
This Business of Books: Theory
A brief overview of the book industry including the editorial, publishing, and supply-chain players, the concept-to-sales sequence, the various publishing options, and the state of the business.
The History of Ghostwriting: Theory, Ghostwriting Psych
The theoretical progression from ancient scriptures to modern ghostwriting.
Introduction to Ghostwriting: Theory
The complexity, scope, challenges, limitations, and rules of professional ghostwriting.
Mindset Transitions: Theory, Ghostwriting Psych
The various mental, emotional, psychological, and active business adjustments for nudging your current perspective, self-regard, and attitudes toward being an elite, specialized expert and book-industry insider.
Interviewing: Professional Skill
The vital differences between journalist/freelance-writer closed-purpose and ghostwriter open-purpose interviewing.
2023 Sessions:
- Jan 9 – Feb 13
- Mar 6 – Apr 10
Cost: $575
Class limit: 15 students/session
Next Start Date: Whenever you are ready
Cost: $450
This option can be started anytime and completed at your own pace