Course Details

Ghostwriting just a book proposal can net you $5,000. Sure, seeing your own book, with your name on it, on bookshelves nationwide is one of the most rewarding achievements for a writer. But ghostwriting can be one of the most lucrative achievements for a writer. No, your name isn't the cover, but ghostwriting is a much-needed, yet talent-dry, underground industry that you can tap into for book writing experience, to expand your wealth of knowledge, and to receive a hefty paycheck for your silently hard work.

Many nonfiction books, especially those "written" by experts in fields other than writing, are actually written by ghostwriters. Ghostwriters have the gift of synthesizing information that comes out of someone else's mouth, regurgitating it, and spitting it out into an interesting, easily digestible book. Remember, we are all experts in something. Fashion designers may be good at putting together an outfit and fitness gurus may be good at slimming your body, but can they write a book? Not necessarily. But you can. You are a writer, that is your highly valued expertise. Take advantage of it. Los Angeles is where the diet, fitness, design and self-help trends are created. We are a melting pot of non-fiction experts, yet many writers in this city have their sights set on the big screen instead of the bookstore scene. Herein lies your opportunity to hook up with an expert and write their book!

In this class, you'll learn:

• How you can segue from freelance magazine writer to freelance book writer
• What the "rules" of ghostwriting are
• How to land a ghost writing gig
• The process of ghostwriting a proposal and a book

Instructor Bio

Laurel House's Courses

Laurel House is the chief officer of GreenIQ.com, an online calculator that measures your combined carbon and environmental footprint. She is also the beauty editor for Healing Lifestyles and Spas Magazine as well as the magazine's e-tip writer and web blogger. She is an editor for WuffingtonWag.com and contributor for WhiteApricot.com and CocoEco.com. Her articles have also appeared on HuffingtonPost.com, Gayot.com, GuidebookAmerica.com, BeMoreYou.com, FindBliss.com, and ExerciseTV.

Laurel is the co-author of The Gurus' Guide to Serenity, Raise the Barre, and Star Quality: The Red Carpet Workout for the Celebrity Body of Your Dreams. She has also written for First for Women, Men's Journal, Women's Health, Elite Traveler, Vegetarian Times, Elegant Bride, Playboy, and FHM. She has appeared on the Today Show, Soap Talk, Daily Buzz, KTLA Morning News, CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC.

Testimonials

I've taken writing seminars for 20 years from some of the top instructors in Los Angeles. Laurel House is one of the best. She speaks from a basis of hard-won, real-world experience about the esoteric field of ghostwriting. She provides both a broad knowledge of the realities of the publishing industry, and a shrewd sense of the writer's relationships with agents and book subjects alike. She's also completely candid about everything from 'How much money can I make?' to 'What are the hidden pitfalls to watch out for?' Highly recommended. -- Marcus Webb, President, Executive Speechwriter


"The seminar I attended was taught by Laurel House who was very informative, entertaining, and insightful. She gave the basic information without being long-winded, and she really focused on the information that a novice needs to know about. She was very realistic in her view of the industry and what an author or those aspiring to be one should expect of the publishing world. The time and money spent on the seminar was definitely worth it. Laurel is a wealth of information." -- Karen T. Gardoce, mortgage broker and aspiring author


"I thought Laurel was a doll, excellent speaker, knowledgeable (especially for her age -- she looked young). She was very energetic and enthusiastic and a picture of health. Her wealth of ideas was a bit intimidating and it seemed as if she had many fortuitous events that led to her success. Overall, I'd give that one an A+." -- Darcy Kimatian, freelance writer and former newspaper editor