Customer Reviews

How to Sell, Then Write Your Nonfiction Book

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The strongest points of this book are the sections on ascertaining the market for your book idea, the options available to get your foot in the door, and the need to write a quality proposal (better is better than faster). The chapter about the elements that make up a book proposal are sound although not as extensive as they could be. The examples of query letters and proposals are excellent. I found the sections on writing the book to be less useful but sound. Other writers may find them very helpful. The book is graced with some wonderful quotes. One of my favorites - by Patrick Dennis - is "Writing isn't hard. It isn't any harder than ditch-digging."

In terms of "writing" a nonficition book, this book provides sound advice. As for "selling" your nonfiction book, well, that's an entirely different story altogether. The three sample query letters/proposals the author provides comprise 80+ pages of this only 213-page book. Yet, only one of the three actually SOLD. One is, by the author's own admission, her only manuscript that NEVER SOLD. The other, one the author thought was so compelling and was sure would be snatched up quickly, was ultimately self-published after being shopped around for years. If you're seeking rudimentary info on nonfiction publishing then this book passes. If you're going to model your own proposals after those provided within, however, you'd be better served elsewhere.

Ms. Camenson presents a terrific overview of the nonfiction publishing world in general. More specifically, she outlines the necessary steps to sell your nonfiction book before you actually write it. This is one of the major keys to professional time utilization. Ms. Camenson points out that there's no point investing a lot of time writing a book that might never sell.

Included in the book are tips for researching ideas, preparing and presenting query letters and book proposals, information on "standard" contracts, and advice on writing your book once you sell it.

As far as the writing advice section goes, there are much better aids, books, and guides for this. But, on the whole, this is an excellent book for the nonfiction writer's bookshelf.

Like a lot of people, I have flirted with the idea of writing the great American novel. However, a while back, I realized it might be easier to write non-fiction. So, if you have an idea for book and maybe an outline, this comprehensive book explains how to pitch and sell that idea before you put pen to paper - so to speak. I recommend it.

I have to say that I am grateful for online descriptions of books and music because it can make a purchase choice very easy. When I read the description of How to Sell, Then Write Your Nonfiction Book by Blythe Camenson I have to admit I was very intriqued by the title. The idea, I can sell my novel to an agent before they would read a manuscript? Actually, I have thought about speaking with an literary agent and proposing this idea... if it was such a thing. When I read this book, I was surprised that it was a good thing to do so, especially if it is your first book.
Blythe speaks so down to earth and in simple terms that it is truly amazing. I plan on joining her membership that is found in the back of the book with other related websites to search for information regarding the publishing world and organizations to contact. Blythe's membership is a pricey $90.00(information stated in her website) but reading all the benefits and especially personal contact from Blythe for consultation and related questions, I feel the price is worth it.
This book is a must for the ever changing book and publishing industry. I felt Blythe was right in the room with me when she explains different categories and what to do and what to expect. I did not feel alone anymore when I read this book. I feel that I have complete hope and it gave me even more inspiration that my research is not done in vain and my manuscript will rise to the occasion.

The book is educational, but not exciting, but why should it be? The author has over 50 books published so she is qualified to write on the subject and some interesting points are made. It did not cover exactly what i was after, but kept coming back to the same point - GET AN AGENT!

She has only one book which is as yet is unpublished - English Cookery; that is English meals and as she includes parts of it in her book, and as an English man i can see why she was unable to get it published! Toad in the hole was the 80s though sprang from the 40s!