Agents, Editors and You: The Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book Published (Writers Market Library) (Paperback)

~ Michelle Howry (Editor) "Go to a writers conference, a critique group, or an online chat about writing, and it's probably the most common question: Do I need an..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Harry Potter, Random House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Herculean effort required to write a book can seem almost negligible when compared with the energy it takes to line up a hardworking agent, a caring editor, and an acceptable contract. Agents, Editors, and You, edited by Michelle Howry, is a substantial primer for the uninitiated. The book is divided into four sections: Preparing and Submitting Your Manuscript, Selling Your Manuscript, Publishing 101, and Trends in Publishing Today. Howry and the publishing professionals included here emphasize that just as a writer's work is scrutinized, so should the writer examine the work of the agent and the editor, the value of the contract, and the promotion plan. Issues of contemporary concern--e-queries, e-publishing, self-publishing, and even an odd riff on anthrax in the mail--are given their due. The many interviews with and essays by well-regarded agents and editors put a human face on what can often seem from the outside like a corporate monolith. And it is particularly nice to know that, at least according to Jonathan Galassi, editor in chief of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, "there's plenty of room for idealism in publishing today." --Jane Steinberg

Product Description

Every writer wishes that they had a mentor in the business-someone who could share up-to-the-minute insider advice for getting their work published. That wish comes true with Agents, Editors, and You!

Dozens of industry professionals provide fiction and nonfiction writers with essential information about a variety of important topics-everything from preparing a manuscript and getting it into the hands of an editor to the finer points of e-publishing.

Readers will also learn what happens to a manuscript once it's accepted, how to market their books and gain publicity, plus what they should know about sub rights.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books; 1 edition (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582971528
• ISBN-13: 978-1582971520
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #394,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What you need to know, September 7, 2002

By	Joan Mazza "Author, speaker, poet" (Mineral, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This collection of articles tells writers what they need to know about many of the most important business aspects of writing a book: what agents do and don't do, how their tasks differ from those of editors, how to choose and attract the interest of an agent, and why you are likely to need one. Unlike many other books published on these subjects, this one discusses recent changes in publishing with bigger conglomerates and e-publishing. Readers will get answers to questions they didn't know enough to formulate, such as specific advice about approaching editors and agents, the value of an agent who belongs to AAR (including their not charging reading fees!), information on book promotion and who does it, and some of the issues involved in self-publishing.

The information here is current and clear.

~review by Joan Mazza, author of six books, including Dreaming Your Real Self.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Agents, Editors, and You-Great Resource, October 6, 2002

By	Anne B. Jones "annebjones" (USA) - See all my reviews

Writer's Digest Books Agents, Editors, and You (edited by Howry) is a full of important information for writers about the publishing business.
This book is crucial to those who want to follow good submission procedures, avoiding preventable mistakes that could cost a sale.
There are many ideas related to contacting agents and editors. It is the "Miss Manners" of proper protocol... I'm glad I have this book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Minimal Help, April 30, 2006

By	Teddy - See all my reviews

If you've read many writing guides, this one will be of minimal help. It's a collection of old articles and interviews, most preceeding the 2002 publication date by 1-3 years. There's nothing here you can't find on-line or in a book with more specific help.