Book Editors Talk to Writers [Paperback]

Judy Mandell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0471003913 | ISBN-13: 978-0471003915 | Edition: 1

Working editors share inside information on how book publishing really works

Based on penetrating interviews with 44 experienced editors, this essential guide gives you the lowdown on everything you need to know to get published faster and easier. No matter what publishing category you want to break into—fiction, cookbooks, self-help, computer books, science fiction, mysteries, reference, or children's books—you'll find the information you need from an editor who specializes in that area. Here's the inside scoop on:

• Book proposals: Create the kind of query letter or book proposal that editors prefer
• Agents: Figure out if you need one and how to find the best agent for your work
• Bestsellers: Is it luck or are they "made"?
• Publishing decisions: Who really has the final say
• Book packagers: What they do for authors and editors
• Publishing lingo: understand terms like "slush pile,""backlist," "remainders," etc.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In this collection, 43 book editors from across the publishing spectrum spill the beans, Q&A style, about what they're looking for from writers, and what writers can expect from them. Half of the book is devoted to general book publishing; the other half comprises interviews with more specialized editors (among them, those who edit art books, self-help books, religious books, cookbooks, computer books, and textbooks). Book Editors Talk to Writers is a great resource for writers hoping to present an informed front: it divulges inside know-how on writing proposals, researching competing books, negotiating contracts, interacting with editors, bottom-line pressures, the extent to which a writer's participation in marketing aids a book, and more. Most interesting are the contradictions that arise when so many editors are asked similar questions. The lesson is that it behooves the writer in search of a publisher to find out as much about a prospective editor as possible. This is not to say that there aren't things most of them agree upon. "One of the big misconceptions people have about editors," says Rebecca Saletan, "is that they think we sit here surrounded by masterpieces, trying to decide which of them to publish." In fact, adds David Rosenthal, "there are very few really good unpublished authors around." And keep in mind Carole DeSanti's perspective that "editors feel beleaguered, overworked, and underappreciated a lot of the time."

Review

Interviews with over 40 experienced editors provide the basics on getting published; from creating a competitive, favorable query letters to selecting an agent and understanding the entire publishing process. The broad focus of this title allows for its application to all genres of would-be authors, unlike many. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471003913
• ISBN-13: 978-0471003915
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,754,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and enjoyable; the straight scoop from editors., December 30, 1998

By 

D. ONEAL (Charlottesville, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Book Editors Talk to Writers (Paperback)

Not only is this an informative book for new and experienced writers, it's also quite fun to read. Through Judy Mandell's question/answer format I felt as though I were in a restaurant eavesdropping on a conversation in the next booth. A variety of editors speak openly and candidly about the publishing world -- what makes a best seller, what makes a winning nonfiction proposal, what they want (and don't want) from authors. From small university presses to powerful New York publishing houses, Judy Mandell conducts over 40 interviews and asks editors the questions I've always wanted to ask. How are advances determined? Which books get "the big push" in promotions? When I finished the book I understood a little better how editors think and what they need from writers. That's invaluable information.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It;s like having your own personal publishing mentor, July 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Book Editors Talk to Writers (Paperback)

This is one of my two favorite books on the publishing business. Read it cover to cover and you will come away with ammunition most writers don't have when they try to sell their books. No matter what kind of book you are writing, Judy has an editor who addresses the topic. These interviews are extremely candid. It's like having a friend in the publishing business.
Buy this and the only other book you will need is "Write a Book Without a Finger", by Mahesh Grossman, which shows several actual proposals by first time authors, two of whom sold their first books for over $100,000 dollars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read, July 23, 2008

By 

Bookworm2 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Book Editors Talk to Writers (Paperback)

Writers often send in a manuscript without reading the publisher's writing guidelines, properly formatting their work, extensive proofreading, etc. Book editors talk about these topics and more in order to enlighten writer's about what is expected of them before they put their manuscript in the mail. It is frustrating for an editor to read manuscripts that are not well-written or unsuited for their publishing house. I enjoyed reading this book and, in fact, finished it in two days.