Customer Reviews

Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish and Market Your Book

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you have the urge to write but are unsure of your ability, direction, or just don't think you know enough about the industry then take heart. Patrika Vaughn's book "Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish & Market Your Book" has everything you need to get started. Many books are available in the writing genre but this one has a few things that set it apart. The first thing I noticed is that she really starts at the beginning. The first chapter starts with examining why you want to write and how this colors your writing. It also examines what to do once you know what you want to write, and methods to keep yourself motivated.

One of the better sections is a short chapter that deals with how to cure writing fears. Everyone who writes has them at times but not everyone knows how to get around them. Patrika Vaughn obviously does. Other exceptional chapters include ones on writing an effective beginning, developing the action, and developing characters. Poor character development is one of the leading causes of novels that can't keep a reader's interest. When it comes to hooking the reader and then keeping them interested in the characters and plot this book teaches all the basics.

The last part of the book covers how to approach the market, how to submit your presentation, and even self-publishing. The sections on approaching the market and presenting your book or proposal are both excellent. "Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish & Market Your Book" is a recommended read for anyone who wants a top quality overview of the writing, publishing, and marketing business. It is very evident from the writing style and information that Patrika Vaughn knows exactly what she is talking about. If you are looking for help with a specific area of writing such as plot design there are better books that focus just on that area. However, if you want a strong overview and a clear understanding of what is needed to become a writer and how to go about it, you can't go wrong with this book.

I've read a lot of books on how to write & get published. This one told me more, and said it in language I could easily understand. It gets my vote as the best book on these subjects.

A valuable resource for those considering the idea of: writing and publishing a book. "Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish and Market Your Book" is very easy to understand; will save you lots of valuable time, and will navigate you away from costly mistakes. Patrika Vaughn is an accomplished writer and publisher, and a respected leader in the industry. Patrika's advice provides readers with the fundamental tools necessary from which to build a viable writing, publishing and marketing profession. She is extremely generous with sharing the secrets of her success. Her book provides current information and walks you through every step in the process. If you have questions about writing, publishing and marketing a book, Patrika Vaughn knows the answers. She provides ample knowledge about how to cultivate the image and talent an author strives for. Vaughn's book is sprinkled with many nuggets of helpful information. This edition is a worthwhile investment that you will not regret.

C.J. Good, Author

Firstly, I haven't read the book. I rated it five stars because I'm not here to attack the author. I would merely like to point out that Amazon led me to notice that chunks of my own book, Frank's World, are used to amplify the author's points. Okay, I guess...but why not ask me first? I might have said no. A book is a book, and not a collection of paragraphs, and I'm not sure I like my work presented out of context. And, most ironically, I am hardly "successful" in any way shape or form. The book sold poorly, and I haven't been able to find a publisher for it's companion piece, Tiny Bubbles. Together, the two books represent a two-sided coin mirroring the poles of cosmic possibility: good and evil, light and shadow, day and night, male and female, heaven and earth, spirit and matter, life and death. Perhaps the author would be interested in representing or publishing me? :)

My advice to writers would be this: DON'T drop out of college; be practical; have something to fall back on; a starving writer has no money for research and a head full of worries; find a good way to make money and spend half your time doing that; spend the other half of your time writing; hope for the best; pray for riches, prepare for poverty; and don't compromise your vision or integrity; hold onto your pride as you are dragged through the commercial gutter.

good luck to all of you!

Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish & Market Your Book couldn't be written by anyone more experienced in the publishing industry than Patrika Vaughn. She has been widely published and has worked as a literary agent and professional writer for over thirty years. Throughout her book, her mission is simple: to set writers up for success.

In this self-proclaimed manual, she addresses both the writing and business side of a book. Her overview is brief but takes on the amount of depth necessary for the reader to start on the path to writing and provides a step-by-step approach to creating a book.

Vaughn begins by walking the reader through the writing process and assisting the reader in creating a vivid story or work of nonfiction. Vaughn provides a more systematic approach to writing; therefore, her method may not work for everyone. However, it is worth reading and is a perfectly adaptable format to any writing style, as she takes into consideration the aforementioned possibility.

As Part I and II are about the process of writing, Part III is about the business--what to do with what you have written. In this part of the book, Vaughn gives a general overview of self-editing, the preparation of manuscripts, and of the various markets that might take the completed work. Following these sections, there are two chapters that focus specifically on self-publishing and marketing the self-published book. Because this book was originally published in 1997, the advice given here should be taken with some caution and the reader should research today's book market for up-to-date information.

The one thing I dislike about this book is that the author tries to cover too much in a small space. Also, its focus is very broad, attempting to cater to both fiction and nonfiction writers when both need different kinds of attention, which limits the book to being a good general overview for the writer just starting out. Though Vaughn's book is geared more towards the beginning writer, any writer should be able to benefit from this information-packed book.

Patrika Vaughn's book, Writer, Publish & Market Your Book, is available from Amazon.com in print and Kindle editions.

Patrika's book inspired me by breaking down the craft of writing into managable, "bite-sized" pieces! She takes a step by step approach, covering all aspects of the craft, from finding a place to sit and write to marketing and publishing. Excellent!

Patrika Vaughn has written, in a concise and easy-to-read style, an outstanding basic how-to book covering all facets of fiction and non-fiction writing, tied in expertly with marketing and publishing the final work.

The topics in Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish and Market Your Book include the basics of getting started, the strategies and elements of writing, and she even includes exercises to help the writer sharpen his/her skills.

The chapters on developing plot, characterization, and editing are outstanding, and the sections on marketing and promotion are chocked full of helpful ideas and information.

Ms. Vaughn's section on approaching the markets is an excellent summation of the publishing industry today. I highly recommend this indispensable book for anyone who wants to become an effective writer and published author.
Linda Morelli,
Author of FIERY SURRENDER and SHADOW OF DOUBT
(...)

Patrika Vaughn has written, in a concise and easy-to-read style, an outstanding basic how-to book covering all facets of fiction and non-fiction writing, tied in expertly with marketing and publishing the final work. The topics in "Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish and Market Your Book" include the basics of getting started, the strategies and elements of writing, and she even includes exercises to help the writer sharpen his/her skills. The chapters on developing plot, characterization, and editing are outstanding, and the sections on marketing and promotion are chocked full of helpful ideas and information. Ms. Vaughn's section on approaching the markets is an excellent summation of the publishing industry today. I highly recommend this indispensable book for anyone who wants to become an effective writer and published author.