The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers [Hardcover]

Betsy Lerner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 157322152X | ISBN-13: 978-1573221528 | Publication Date: March 20, 2000

The first guide to writing (and publishing) by a veteran editor and publishing insider.

In a recent New York Times article, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., wrote, "there were creative-writing teachers long before there were creative-writing courses, and they were called and continue to be called editors." And who better to teach writing than a passionate editor with years of experience working with successful writers and discovering new voices? Betsy Lerner is such an editor--sharp, funny, psychologically astute, and deeply intuitive. In The Forest for the Trees she shares her editorial wisdom and imparts an insider's understanding of the publishing process.

Categorizing writers within personality types--the natural (who appears to do it effortlessly); the wicked child (with an axe to grind); the flasher (who loves to dazzle)--she helps readers to better understand their relationship to writing. An award-winning poet and a product of writing workshops herself, Lerner understands the anxieties and concerns of writers who are just getting started.

The Forest for the Trees is filled with anecdotes from Lerner's own experiences working with writers, and with legendary stories about famous authors. An indispensable guide with a unique perspective, it should join the ranks of such classics as Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird and Nathalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones. Now all writers can benefit from the wisdom of one of the smartest editors in town.

"You couldn't, as an author, have a more savvy editor than Betsy Lerner to guide you unscathed through the slings and arrows of outrageous publishing. Obey her, and all shall be well."--Thomas Cahill, author of How the Irish Saved Civilization

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One feels for Betsy Lerner's writers. Oh, sure, Lerner must be a fabulous agent. But too bad for them: In gaining her as an agent, they lost her as an editor. How rare and wonderful it must have been to have such an advocate, advisor, and, yes, admirer so firmly ensconced in publisher territory (at various times, Houghton Mifflin, Ballantine, Simon & Schuster, and Doubleday). In The Forest for the Trees, Lerner reflects on writing and publishing from an editor's point of view. There are so many books by writers and agents promising to disclose what editors really want; here, finally, is one straight from the source. Like all experienced editors, Lerner has seen writers at their best, and at their worst. "Like shrinks," she says, editors "have a privileged and exclusive view into a writer's psyche, from the ecstasy of acquisition to the agony of the remainder table."

To writers, particularly unpublished ones, editors can seem imposing figures determined to thwart their success. They won't take calls, they don't offer feedback--sometimes they don't respond to queries at all. Guess what: Editors don't lug home hundreds of pounds of manuscripts to read each year because they aren't looking for good writing. "An editor gets off," says Lerner, "on the thrill of discovering a new writer." Editors crave "succinct, well-written cover letters," inspiration that comes from within (as opposed to from the bestseller list), and "catchy, clearly targeted title[s]." They detest unsolicited phone calls, "query letters that sound as if they were penned by Crazy Eddie," and writers who offer to "write it however I want it" (it's "like saying I'll be straight or gay; you tell me, I have no preference"). Lerner is aware of how excruciating it is for a writer to wait for feedback on his or her work. But she also lets writers in on a little secret of her own. "I'm always anxious about the author's response," she confides. "Will he or she take to my editing?" --Jane Steinberg

From Library Journal

Lerner's credentials include editorial stints at Houghton-Mifflin, Ballantine, Simon & Schuster, and Doubleday. Working now as a literary agent, she shares an insider's perspective on the publication side of writing. Definitely not a "how-to" book or a style manual, this chatty, informal volume is anecdotal and encouraging to the novice or amateur writer. The first part describes various types of writers Lerner has worked with over the years and how a writer's personality influences both the writing and the ability to get published. Stronger and more helpful, the next section covers the process of manuscript submission and offers concrete advice about literary agents, query letters, multiple submissions, working with editors and publicists, and dealing with rejection and writer's block. Because of her unique approach, this book will find its audience among writers groups and workshops. Recommended for libraries supporting this activity.
-Denise S. Sticha, Seton Hill Coll. Lib., Greensburg, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (March 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157322152X
• ISBN-13: 978-1573221528
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

How many writers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Two.
One to screw it in, the other to say it was his idea first.

The Forest for the Trees is about what makes writers tick. It's not about how to write, or what to write, though I have strong opinions on those things. The chapters describe kinds of writers: ambivalent writers who can't get anything done, naturals (if they exist), self promoters and sabateurs, neurotics, addicts, and wicked children (those who tell vs. good children who write nice prose, yawn). The second half of the book is about inside publishing from my vantage point as an editor, author, and now as a sleaze bag, er, agent.

My blog is http://www.betsylerner.blog
Daily musings on publishing bile, writer misery, and hopelessness. It's fun.

I'm a recovered poet (card carrying Columbia MFA), a former editor and now agent with Dunow, Carlson and Lerner Literary Agency. I represent amazing clients and you can check us out at dclagency.com

Thanks for reading. If you buy my book, The Forest for the Trees or my memoir, Food and Loathing (about food and loathing), I will be very grateful.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book for serious career writers!!!, November 30, 2002

By 

Christopher J. Jarmick "Word Lover" (Seattle, Wa. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers (Paperback)

If you're a serious writer you already own a dozen writer's advice books or more; How to Write Better, How to get Published, Tips, Tricks, and the Holy Grail (doesn't exist) of Writing.. The best of them offer some positive useful advice (technical and in getting published) and many are valuable as writer's block breakers. Few of them however seem to be written because the author had to write them. It's usually the author decided to go on the lecture circuit or it was time for them to publish a book offering struggling authors some advice and/or positive uplifts. Besides, when cornered by the unpublished writer at conferences better to sell advice with a book than give it away for free, right?

Few books on writing are full of the kind of insider perspective that reveals any real publishing industry secrets (there aren't too many actually). Too few seem to written in the voice of a friend and confidante. Too few seem to tell of the author's personal experiences with honesty and truth.

Betsy Lerner is a well-known agent who began life as a poet and then worked for many years at several publishing houses until she became an editor. She understands writers as well as anyone and her book is conversational in tone. She tells stories, she offers some gentle advice and she educates in how things really work -not by preaching about it, but by relating stories. These aren't stories told with rose colored glasses, but warts and all stories. It isn't the publishing industry as you wish it was, or how it could be, or how it should be, but how it really is. Lerner's honest-- sometimes brutally so.

Lerner is also a writer in her heart and she understands the struggle, hopes and fears. There are several passages where she nails perfectly the feelings writers have gone through. How they struggle and fret over words, consider selling out to become published, question their sanity, resent the lonliness... You might find yourself shouting out-YES... that's it exactly. You might be tempted to read out-loud to non-writer friends, spouses and friends some passages from the books that state some of the emotions you have felt but have never successfully put down into words or verbalized.

Along with the stories (which usually avoid naming names for a variety of reasons) you will get a honest and truthful perspective of what editors, agents and published writers do.
You'll discover (probably) you're not quite as crazy as you though you were.

This is a great book if your serious about writing and getting published, or even if you already published and discovered some of the truths Lerner reveals the hard way.

Lerner won't make getting published any easier for you, but you'll gain valuable knowledge and probably come away from the book understanding the crazy world
Of book publishing much more than you ever have before.

Lerner passionately has devoted her life to writing and publishing-not to become wealthy or see her name in lights-but because she had no choice. Once she got bit by the bug, there was nothing else for her. She writes a little about this, so that we understand where she comes from and a little bit about who she is. Her passion and love for writing comes through on nearly ever page of this book. It's warm, funny, frustrating,
Eye-opening, discouraging, encouraging and ultimately a writer's best friend...

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Move Over Anne Lamott and Natalie Goldberg, May 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers (Hardcover)

Betsy Lerner's book is one of the best, if not the best, I have read for writers. She's as funny as Anne Lamott, as personal as Natalie Goldberg. She is both an excellent writer and was a (top) editor at major publishing houses as well. Now an agent, Ms. Lerner covers the writing life from all vantage points, allowing all writers (and serious readers) to see the editor's and agent's point of view, insights about which most writers remain seriously in the dark. No Longer! Betsy Lerner's humor and wisom make this book a page turner; I couldn't put it down. And having read it twice, I feel so much the wiser for all the insights she offers. She's succinct; she's hilarious and she holds a mirror to writers' lives as few books do. Every writer on this planet will find him/herself here.. Which means that writers the world over will have all those mysterious questions about: agents, editors, acceptance and what goes on behind the dark screen that is publishing resolved. As far as I know, no book has ever covered all these bases before...If I could, I'd give this book 10 stars.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Editors Made Human, May 29, 2000

By 

BME - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book that's divided into 2 sections: Writing and Publishing. In the first half of the book, Betsy Lerner describes the different types of writers and how they work and live. It was interesting and amusing, and sometimes sad. I found that I am basically a combination of two different types, and it was fun to read about the famous examples of those types. The second half of the book describes the publishing process from an editor's point of view. It's nice to see that they're human, and that they really care about the authors. Betsy gives some great advice on how to deal with rejections--and what they REALLY mean. She also brings you back to earth a bit when it comes to the dream of having your book published. She uses this quote by James Purdy, "Most books come into the world with the fanfare of a stillborn." Creepy, yes. But she's trying to say that many authors think that publication will change their lives on the day the book is released, and when it doesn't happen, depression can set in. But while she's delivering that dose of reality, she also gives encouragement and hope to authors. This is a wonderful book that certainly isn't a "how-to" but is more of an eye opener into the world of writers and editors. A good one to read while you're waiting for your manuscript to be evaluated by a publishing house. Worth the money.