Ghostwriter Training Reviews and Testimonials
Ready to take the steps necessary to build a viable career in ghostwriting? Take a look at what our former students are saying about our online classes in our Ghostwriting Training Review section. Read how they gained a greater understanding of ghostwriting protocols and the ghostwriting business through our online program.
I am just about finished drafting a new memoir and, before the ghostwriting program began, I’d earmarked an editor who is a New York Times-bestselling author to do a developmental edit just to get her thoughts. Now that we’re two months into the ghostwriting program, I’m having trouble envisioning anything anyone anywhere would do or say or recommend that would be more valuable than an A&R. When I spoke to Liv last week, she mentioned in passing that many actual authors (as opposed to non-writing authors who hire ghostwriters) like to get A&Rs to help them change and think through their manuscripts. So I’m thinking I’d like to hire Wambtac to do an A&R on Missing Mae, my memoir. And, by the way, I sat down to edit a single-spaced, seventy-six-page memoir manuscript the other day and figured, You know what? I’m gonna chart this baby. So I did — in eight pages — and there it all was: what has to go, what has to be reduced, what’s missing, where it temporarily bifurcated, lots of consciousness shifts on the part of the author, the climax, the resolve. The gold was literally glowing off the chart, it was so clear. When I spoke to the author and nailed the gold at the beginning of the conversation (without calling it such), she burst out bawling on the phone. “That’s been inside me twenty-three years and I wrote it and you got it. I’m going to reach people, I really am!” Where has this chart been my whole life? This program rocks. I just signed on my first African client for an A&R and a New Jersey client for coaching. Quite a good morning. I remain amazed at the perfection of the services/packages you've come up with! They cover every possible author and situation. What a business model. I am so happy and lucky to have found you!
Lorraine A., Certified Ghostwriter
Claudia, You really launched me. Every one of your “Rules” has been absolutely essential. I finished that book on PTSD I wrote for the 94-year-old survivor of the Bataan Death March. Just hooked another client (97-years-old, and sharp as can be). He didn’t balk at the price, and I was sure to include the “death clause” in the contract! God, this is so fun. What can I say? You are a genius. I did my first professional A&R today for a writer in Fairbanks Ranch down in San Diego. What a delightful experience! Such a useful tool. I did it exactly as you taught us: find the gold, keep it short, use it as an outline, detail how the manuscript can be fixed. In addition, I recorded our one-hour conversation, and told her I’d send her a copy of our discussion on Dropbox. She was grateful not to have to take notes. We had a most productive meeting, and she left feeling like she got her money’s worth and was inspired to move forward with her project. She paid me immediately. (Rule #2) I owe everything to you, girl. It’s your invention, and it works miracles. Just wanted to let you know, and thank you again.
Jane Ploetz, Certified Ghostwriter
Claudia, I don’t know if I’ve thanked you enough for the value of your course. I’ve learned a lot and have a strong sense of confidence that I can now tackle projects I would have been afraid of doing before. You’ve opened up my eyes to a whole new world of opportunity and knowledge. There have been times when I felt like my head was going to explode with all the new knowledge you were exposing me to. I’ve gained enormous self-confidence after these fourteen weeks. As Michael Levin said, you are the ‘real thing.’ I believe that sincerely. You know your stuff and thank you for sharing some of it with me. Thank you very much!
Victory C., Certified Ghostwriter
Thank you so very much for all your time, teaching, patience, and feedback on the ghostwriting course. It was both a relief and exhilarating to graduate this year! I’m still working on my business and first “official” gig, but the course has been beneficial in my everyday work, too, especially when it comes to line editing! Many thanks
Mary W., Certified Ghostwriter
This program exceeded my expectations in every way. I spent a long time last summer choosing between this and a professional online content program. I am SO HAPPY I chose this one. My close friends comment on how enthusiastic I am about my future career, how confident I am, and how great this is going to be for me. I have never been so personally challenged than in this course. I have never asked myself
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Donna M., Certified Ghostwriter
Last month, I signed my first ghostwriting client—it’s a non-fiction book about information security. After a month of research, we’re starting interviews next week, and then writing through the winter and spring. The deal came together quickly, but at the same time, it feels like I’d been building to this for a while. We’re not far into the process, but I already feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do. Now, the prospect
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Brian B., Certified Ghostwriter
This morning, in the city of Buenos Aires, water was pouring and lots of hail. However, 120 journalists attended a free ghostwriting seminar at the University of Salvador. All the attendees send you many affections and thanks for the wise advice you gave me. And that I transmitted them. The appreciation is infinite. Again thank you very much.
Rodolfo C., Journalist/Ghostwriter
Today I successfully pitched with an A&R ghostwriting a very powerful transformational memoir, with an author I really connect with. She has accepted my quote of $5K per month until completed, which I estimate at 6 to 8 months ($30-40,000)
Laurel K., Certified Ghostwriter
Thanks for a very helpful group phone session on Wednesday. Perfect blend of Big Picture questions and concrete examples.
Lois N., GPDP student
I have begun a revision of my own novel, SWING GIRL. I weaned it off of life support with the tools I learned in GPDP; mapping (and re-mapping) and creating a meet-in-the-middle, restructuring the plot, analyzing for the gold and dealbreakers, finding the BISACs (Including NF tie-ins), and logline, PMAing the characters, and cleaning up the dreadful coding and formatting a master document. Finally, I made a realistic, but firm rewrite schedule (about 1 year.)
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Mallory White, Certified Ghostwriter
Wanted to thank you for our discussion yesterday about billing monthly. I'm still mulling it over. Reminds me of learning to ski when I met my hubby. He insisted I take lessons but I wanted to get as far as I could on my own first. No, he said, you'll just develop bad habits. So that's what's happened here, I think. I've written over 20 memoirs billing by the hour--it's hard to let go! And
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Maureen L., Certified Ghostwriter
Holy crap! Blown away by this final A&R tool that makes sense of everything preceding it. Wow. Amazing. Mind spinning a little at the sheer magnitude and where this takes me. You might be interested to hear I was approached, unsolicited and out of the blue, by someone who wants me to "fix" his book. I'm 100% certain that, without the skills learned in this course, I would have sunk into a morass of frustrating
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Jolanda Dubbeldam, GPDP student
Wanted to say, I've listened to the first 50 minutes of Wednesday's class. THANK YOU for the opening, that you're pushing us more than you have any other cohort, etc. Can't tell you how good it felt to hear that! The next 45 minutes (so far) were just fantastic! I felt like everything coming together. About REWRITING the MLE. Now I see. I see! Because I didn't see before, I didn't know how deep to
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Maureen L., Certified Ghostwriter
Even though I will not be able to complete the entire program, the modules I did work on have been extraordinarily valuable. You have been very generous in sharing your experience and insight. Every week you made me laugh, while at the same time getting me to nod in agreement with your wisdom. That’s a superpower-level combination, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn from you.
Kevin P., GPDP student
It was above and beyond what I thought it would be. I'm very impressed and, I like to think, a little wiser about the business than two months ago.
Juli O., Certified Ghostwriter
I haven't done a professional designation programme before, but this was just amazing. it's so tailored to being a ghostwriter. It's almost too good to be true if I think about it.
Kuvasha N.,
I can’t say enough positive things about Claudia and her team: always there to help; such a wealth of information about the industry and ghostwriting methods. I couldn’t be happier that I decided to take this class.
Ilana Schwartz, Certified Ghostwriter
I really enjoyed the GPDP. I thought the information was terrific. At first I was skeptical about the format (synchronous/online). I’m used to online classes being go-at-your-own pace. But once I got into the classes, I saw how valuable it was to work together. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
Tracy H., Professional Freelance Writer
You created the professional-ghostwriter me…. That course gave me confidence in my ability, gave me the industry knowledge I was lacking, and allowed me to up my game, for sure. Having the opportunity to do a real project with you further cemented it all. Your contract and all the work you did with us on presentation in the last two weeks of class help me avoid my typical bad business situation—working for less than I’m
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Beth B., Certified Ghostwriter
Nobody can do this class like you do! BEST.CLASS. EVER. The examples from your experiences make the concepts concrete.
Pam Sheppard, Certified Ghostwriter, T.A.
Thank you for your time today. It shows the tremendous gaps in my knowledge and that’s why I love this course: I’m learning something new all the time! Wheeeeeeeeee!!!! I found your attitude that all questions are worth asking was super helpful. Also your availability offline was fantastic! [GCT] has been a great learning experience and has convinced me more than ever that my future lies in writing.
Daniele Castle, GCT Graduate
I would have been happy to do this class over a nine month period (and pay three to four times the current cost) and repeat all the formats like a trained ape.
Paul B., Certified Ghostwriter
So, my friend, if I had not met you, I would not have even conceived that this would be possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You are so needed, wanted, and loved. (yeah, I remembered the serial commas!) It’s gonna be a fun ride and I’m thrilled we’re travelling on the same train!
Liv H., Certified Ghostwriter
The range and depth of information satisfied my need for professional development and enrichment. I now have a much greater understanding of ghostwriting protocols and the ghostwriting business. Plus, the course has given me more confidence and clarity about how to pursue ghostwriting as a lucrative and viable career.
Karen P., GCT Graduate
Wish I would have known about GCT a year ago – I could have saved myself so much time and made so much more money. Live and learn…. I’m glad you’re enjoying my participation and that I don’t fall in the category of same old, same old. For my part, I’m grateful GCT is, so far, everything and more it was promised to be.
Derek Lewis, GCT Graduate
Thank God for this course! The final business lectures were a great reminder that I’ve come a long way and I can hold my head up high when I talk to prospects because I know I have the skills. I CAN deliver a great service that people should pay for.
Marcus A., Certified Ghostwriter
Actually, I’m amazed about all the tiny details you’ve learned in order to master ghostwriting. The supplementary videos with graphics for the course are well thought out, well designed and easy to follow. When it’s recorded, I can go back and listen again if I haven’t grasp something.
Judy Seckler, GPDP Student
I finally finished the last video, one that I thought would be a nice wrap-up…after all, it’s only 10 minutes-ish. Was I ever wrong! This was so profound in laying out all the student learned in the course, reinforcing the essential mindset transitions that absolutely must happen for successful ghostwriting, starting a business, and the psychology of meeting/closing the deal. But then there is the whole part about dealing with ineffective rants! Great addition. As
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Sabriga T., Certified Ghostwriter, GPDP T.A.
This course was an amazing, enlightening experience. It lets you roll up your sleeves and actually engage in skill-building projects. You learn so much more than ghostwriting a manuscript – you learn how to become a true publishing authority! The unit on Submissions alone was a confidence-booster. The amount of industry knowledge gained from Claudia and her team is phenomenal. This program has forever changed how I view the world. I am now constantly trying
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Stephany T., Certified Ghostwriter
I was hoping to walk away with more confidence, but I realize now that the part I don’t yet feel confident about cannot be learned in a class. It will be learned when I start working. Practical application is the name of the game now, and I feel this course gave me the tools to get started. It was literally everything I needed…. The course was challenging but rewarding. Totally worth the investment.
Monique A., Certified Ghostwriter
Of all the content certifications I have worked (and am working) on, Certified Ghostwriter means the most to me…. I’m very grateful you’ve taken the time to offer more detailed instruction via our video calls and emails. Every class offers nuggets of wisdom I’m excited to master, which I know my clients will appreciate in the years ahead. The practical tools are the gold for me. I’ve already incorporated Manuscript Charts, Nonfiction Templates, and Musical
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Joshua Lisec, Certified Ghostwriter
I hope the university realizes what a diamond it has in this life-changing professional designation certificate program. The quality is off the chain. Claudia Suzanne is the Einstein of ghostwriting—and a master teacher, to boot. This combination is rare. The curriculum is phenomenal—intense, generous, brilliant, and complete. And I make both statements after a decades-long career in journalism and books that includes marvelous educational high points, including the hallowed halls of the Ivy League. And
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Lorraine Ash, Certified Ghostwriter
I don’t know how you do it. I’ve never encountered this level of feedback anywhere. From our perch out here in Studentland, it’s terrific.
Lorraine Ash, GPDP student
Truth is, this rappelling into prose is one of the three dozen things I love about this program. Who does this? All my life I have longed for a system of editing like this and have never seen anyone anywhere present anything close to this level of detail in instruction. And I have been looking in awesome places. I was even involved with the Nieman narrative conferences at Harvard several years, thinking they would get
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Lorraine Ash, GPDP student
First, congrats on the acknowledgment of your work with the first-ever Cal State digital badge. That’s a stupendous and well deserved development. I’m thrilled about it. The program is visionary and, frankly, no less than a benchmark in the history of writing and publishing! I look around me and I see tens of thousands of writers drowning in the decline of the print industry for lack of a vision or treading water in the world
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Lorraine Ash, GPDP student
I wanted to also say thanks for the feedback on my fiction project. I definitely felt more comfortable in this space, so your response was very validating for me. I think I’m getting the hang of this! I especially get what you mean regarding GhostWRITING vs GhostEDITING. I struggled with that the entire time I worked on the chapters. At first I was stuck because I worried that my changes would cross the line into
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Monique D., GPDP student
It is a comprehensive course and covers far more than any writing class I’ve ever taken.
JD Moore, GCT Graduate
I’m totally loving the class. I’m really mad I’ve been so behind on the homework, but I’m learning a ton. Ghostwriting is hard but actually seems pretty fun too. : ) Thanks!
Jessie Kempf, GCT Graduate
I’ve been telling all my writing friends about this course [Ghostwriter Certification Training]. I’d been ghosting (or trying to) for years. I now see where I went wrong in the past and what to do right for the future. It’s intense, it’s fun, and I’ve learned so much. If you’re going to do anything this year to advance your career, take this course. It’s one rollicking ride.
Roxanne K., GCT Graduate
You’re wonderful and I can’t thank you enough for preparing me to accept new opportunities and hone my writing skills. The only thing I could suggest would be emphasizing this is a program where the student not only receives certification at the completion, but this is an all-encompassing class, where the student will also have the marketing tools necessary to set-up their business.
Pat R., GCT Graduate
A note for your success files: A book I ghosted is being looked at by HBO, and they may option it for a series or a feature! Your teaching has been invaluable with regard to dealing with clients (among other things) and continues to help me. Not a day goes by that I don’t consult either your book or my notes from class. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Sonja S., GCT Graduate
Claudia Suzanne is the Queen Bee when it comes to teaching others the business of ghostwriting. If writing books for others is on your to-do list, look no further. This GCT course is a fast and furious ride you don’t want to miss. I loved the banter, side comments, tangents, inside scoops, and everything else that was “so Claudia Suzanne.” I love your ghostwriting rules. And I especially love these new shoes you’ve helped me
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Karen G., GCT Graduate
GCT is an information packed course taught by an expert writer/editor/ghost who has finely tuned teaching skills. The material is not available elsewhere, and this course is not just a marketing tool for a freelance writer who needs revenue streams. Claudia Suzanne offers a masters level class that will move the writer into a lucrative ghosting career or any number of other niches. Be prepared to work your butt off.
Maryan P., GCT Graduate
I will definitely recommend it to my writing students, the ones who are able to handle the sexual content in the material. Believe it or not, it would freak out most of my students who are on the Ultra Orthodox side. I for one enjoyed it. A hands-on workshop that offers a total immersion in the craft and business of ghostwriting. Fun, fast-paced, in a setting that gives you practically one-on-one feedback and guidance. A
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Ruchama F., GCT Graduate, Bestselling Novelist
Your book [Secrets of a Ghostwriter] will be the seminal text, the standard for all ghostwriters, established pros and neophytes. Your system is a gold mine.
Cora Foerstner, GCT Graduate
I had no sense of what to expect when I began this class. In a brief conversation I had with you ages ago, you mentioned that many former students claim to have finished this course feeling as if they’d been handed a career. I now wholeheartedly agree. You’ve mentioned that Starbucks is not your ideal teaching setting–I disagree. I love the informal intimacy that the setting allows and with a very large class the one-on-one
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Carolyn Smut-Haas, GCT Graduate
I LOVED this class and I will recommend it to anyone who will listen. Thank you so much, Claudia.
Mary B., Ph.D., GCT Graduate
I truly have learned a lot from your Introduction. As you know, these teachings are absolutely crucial to someone involved in any aspect of book publishing. On a personal note, thank you for validating me as a human being every step of the way. Your demeanor, the sailor-esque portions of your vocabulary, and some of your stated opinions about life in general, are relatable and hilarious. Thank you for the opportunity to take your introductory
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Bessie S., Intro Student
I’ve filled a notebook with notes, ideas, and suggestions from the past year. I thought the program would simply teach how to ghostwrite. Ghostwriting was just one piece in how to deliver a marketable literary property! ¶ doing the ponderings really helped me learn debate protocol. I’ll ultimately get to expand my clientele. The assignments have already been helpful to me, not only with ghostwriting but in my verbal discussions. ¶ I feel more prepared
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Robin Elvig, Certified Ghostwriter
Ghostwriting psychology, the mindset shifts, ghostwriting, and MLE were the gold for me. So were the hyper-intensive one-on-ones with all the instructors. The heavy attention to reviewing the homework set this class apart.
Sandra Yin, Certified Ghostwriter
My biggest takeaway is proper book structure for both fiction and nonfiction and the key Critical Analysis elements. And MLE! I believe these skills will set me apart and help a great deal with my future clients and personal projects alike. ¶ I learned that I am capable of writing from anyone’s point of view even if I disagree with the subject matter.
Kanisha Garrett, Certified Ghostwriter
There never was a time where I couldn’t get a question answered or schedule a one-on-one with an instructor. One of the biggest things outside of craft that I took away, which will help me with future clients was seeing how the instructors interacted with very different student personalities (especially when things got tense). There was a lot of gold in those interactions. ¶ You’ll become a better writer, learn things that would take years
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James Thole, Certified Ghostwriter
While there wasn’t enough time to truly absorb all the skills we learned, the curriculum was exquisite in its thoroughness and professionalism. The teachers’ knowledge of the book industry was superb. I felt their sincere desire to teach and for us to learn.
Gail Harris, Certified Ghostwriter
The gold and biggest strength of the program was the generous amount of time you spent with me one-on-one. ¶ Another gold/strength was showing us the difference between the first draft of editing and applying a whole new level of transforming the material by ghostwriting in the second draft and then the musical line editing in the third draft. That’s where you’ve lifted us to the elite level of the ghostwriting profession.
Cynthia Yockey, Certified Ghostwriter
The freelancer vs business owner distinction has been infinitely helpful for my business and for me personally. Having to cater to students for so many years, I was in the habit of bending over backwards and basically begging clients to hire me. Not good. I ended up with a few really terrible folks who were a horror to work with. But I can feel myself getting better at taking the one-up position and am hopeful
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Amanda Edgar, Certified Ghostwriter
I hadn’t realized how much I didn’t yet know about how to take someone’s manuscript and turn it into a marketable literary property while still pleasing the client. I feel I have a reasonable grasp of that now, and I’m excited to try. ¶ I was struggling as a freelancer, and [GPDP] showed me how to provide pro-level services in a lucrative niche—not to mention giving me book industry knowledge that I’ll also use when
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Chris Norton, Certified Ghostwriter
There is so much going on here, including literary deadlines, thanks to you and your program....any thinking professional who is exposed to one unit will immediately understand the quality of the waters they're in—and keep going. What you do is wholly unique. If you should have need for someone to testify as to the excellence and real-world success of your program, put me on the top of the list. I'll set 'em all straight.
Lorraine Ash, Certified Ghostwriter
"I just finished a 13-month long certification program at Cal State Long Beach to be a ghostwriter! Best decision ever!! I also used the MYCCA scholarship to pay for most of it. I have a BA in Literature and MA in Education. I was a teacher for 14 years and looking for another career. I found this program because I wanted something different and I wanted to use the MYCAA scholarship. I can't wait to
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Elizabeth Baldwin, Certified Ghostwriter
Thank You! You’ve launched another ghostwriting career. I wouldn’t be in this position without GPDP. I struggled accepting the idea that I could be a full-time ghostwriter (even after graduating GPDP). But one thing I know for sure is I never loved copywriting. These days, I kinda loath it. Copywriting feels like a one-night stand (too much risk and not enough pay off) Ghostwriting feels like a long term committed relationship – that can bear
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James Thole, Certified Ghostwriter
Thanks to the rigorous and comprehensive training you gave me, I entered the ghostwriting profession at an elite level with a respected credential and confidence in my skills.
Cynthia Yockey, Certified Ghostwriter
The program was more than I expected. I’ve filled a notebook with notes, ideas, and suggestions from the past year. I thought the program would simply teach how to ghostwrite. Ghostwriting was just one piece in how to deliver a marketable literary property! ¶ Doing the ponderings really helped me learn debate protocol. I’ll ultimately get to expand my clientele. The assignments have already been helpful to me, not only with ghostwriting but in my
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Robin Elvig, Certified Ghostwriter