Customer Reviews

Book Editors Talk to Writers

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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.

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.

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.