75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE book for serious career writers!!!, November 30, 2002
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 Besides, when cornered by the unpublished writer at conferences better to sell advice with a book than give it away for free, right?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...
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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
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.
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Editors Made Human, May 29, 2000
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.
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