Customer Reviews

Breaking into Print: How to Write and Publish Your First Book

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When it comes to writing a first book and getting published, Jane Evanson's and LuAnne Dowling's BREAKING INTO PRINT really "cuts to the chase." In concise form, this reference pointedly addresses basic principles such as creating a writing environment, planning a writing project, organizing ideas, and finding/selecting an editor. The chapter on query letters features outstanding examples and useful tips about using positive language and discovering a publisher's expectations. Segments on copyrights, agents, contracts, and self-publishing are equally valuable. BREAKING INTO PRINT is an outstanding basic reference for any writer--especially the novice.

For several years I had an idea for a book I couldn't let go of, but I didn't know how to go about preparing the manuscript or submitting it to a publisher. Jane and Luann's book "Breaking Into Print" made all the difference for me, and clearly took me step by step during all the phases. With the help of this book I completed the manuscript, submitted it to a publisher and have a contract! Its quite exciting, and would never have happened without the common sense guidance I was able to take advantage of. I've had the good luck to be able to attend one of Jane Evanson's workshops as well, and they are every bit as positive and supportive as the book is - and absolutely wonderful if you have a chance to go to one! I highly recommend this delightful book - its so positive and encouraging as well as giving you all the tools you need to actually publish your first book! Its fun reading and the absolute best 'how to' book I have ever read.

Breaking Into Print is a clear, enthusiastic examination of what it takes to begin a writing project or to get one off dead center that has stalled. This book is a straightforward, no nonsense, step-by-step guide from the inception of your idea to seeing your finished work on display on a bookstore shelf or magazine rack. I'm in a unique position to know about this -- for more than a decade, LuAnne Dowling has edited my books, newsletter and essays. This book, like her editing, is written with affection for the reader. She shares with her co-author, Jane Evanson, an unfailing belief that everyone has something to say and can learn to express it well in writing. Breaking Into Print is a concise, thoughtful, and unpretentious crusade for clarity in a field that is often made to seem more complicated than it really is. If you've always wanted to write, but have had trouble getting started, here's your chance. Highly recommended.

The question that seeks out the value of a how-to is: Does it work? It doesn't matter whether I like a book, or you like it, whether reviewers gush over it, or five hundred professionals admire its form, construction, layout, completeness, accuracy, or readability. What matters in a beginners' book on breaking into print is whether beginners break into print. What I want to know is whether first-time writers find enough practical pointers, step-by-step instruction, encouragement, and advice to take their manuscripts from their heads (or from their computers) to a bookshelf and beyond.

Does Breaking into Print work? Yes. As a copy editor, I've watched first-, second-, and even third-time writers start the book with vague ideas, rough notes, half-finished manuscripts--sometimes with copy they thought was ready--and come out of it energized--with better manuscripts, clear ideas on publishing options, and some even with a contract.

For the record, I like it.

Thank you, Jane Evanson and Luanne Dowling for writing Breaking into Print. It was indispensable in helping me complete my book. It reminded me that, "Writers maintain work schedules just as athletes maintain training schedules" (p.1). It provided self-editing suggestions, gave me tips for locating and working with a professional copy editor, led me step-by-step through preparing my manuscript, and showed me how to query, find a publisher, and negotiate a contract. Breaking into Print worked! I am now happily published. Evanson and Dowling give new writers the kind of information that can turn their dreams into reality.

I have it in my head to write a book, and I know what I need to do in order to write it. The problem for me has been... then what? The first part of Breaking into Print seemed rather trivial to me, such as how to find a place in your house to write. However, the majority of the book, which is only about 100 pages, gave helpful and enlightening information for carrying your book to completion. The authors define agents and editors, and how to find them, and describe different ways to get published, including self-publishing. Particularly helpful are samples of a query letter, cover letter, synopsis of the book, and an entire proposal. I liked the short length of the book for a beginner; anything more would be overwhelming. The final section lists online and printed resources for such things as finding publishers and acquiring an ISBN number. I believe this book gave me everything I need to know to feel confident about getting started with and carrying out my dream.

I had a $10 coupon and there was free shipping so I thought I would take a chance. There are so many better books like "Literary Agents: What They Do, How They Do It, and How to Find and Work with the Right One for You, Revised and Expanded by Michael Larsen" and "Agents Directory 2004: 2004 (Agents Directory, 2004) by Rachel Vater" and "2004 Writer's Market by Kathryn S. Brogan". These are serious books on how to get published. This book, I should say pamphlet since it is so short, has very little and very basic information on how to get published. You could obtain the information on writing for free on the internet. The price of this booklet is way out of proportion to any value you will receive.

This book is shrinkwrapped with the words "No Return If This Is Opened". In other words if you look at the book you can't return it. That should have been my first warning. I have ordered a lot of books on Amazon and this was the first time I encountered that.

The book gives very limited and primary information. Only 96 pages and 7 of them blank. ( Except Appendix ).Every body knows most of the information given in the book. I didn't buy this book to learn which place is more appropriate for writing in my house. There are unnecessary pictures.