From the Publisher
"The authors use not only text and examples of successful ventures, but a variety of charts and tests to help the reader evaluate self, topic and form, and provide the mechanics of authoring and publishing." - Library Journal "It is intelligently compiled and written and, most important of all, it is responsibly encouraging." - Book Research Quarterly "This book is a useful tool for anyone starting out and a fine reference guide for established writers." - Arizona Authors' Newsletter "Even if you do nothing but read the quotations at the bottom of many of the pages you will receive some entertaining advice and inspiration." - Publishers Digest "If you have never written a book, or if you have written many, this book is a valuable reference. It is a comprehensive little atlas of the book writing process, from choosing a marketable topic, to researching the topic, organizing it, and marketing it." - The Northwest Review of Books "This book is easy to read, full of valuable information that is easy to apply." - Computer Exchange Review "For those of you planning to write that book someday, Is There a Book Inside You? is a must." - Press News Syndicate "The entire book has a practical, fresh, no-nonsense tone and, as always in one of Dan's books, is overflowing with information, including the valuable lists in the appendix." - Marin Self-Publishers News "The book looks at agents and what they can do, the standard publishing houses, vanity publishers, and, of course, just plain doing it yourself. If you want to go the self-publishing route, this book is a valuable tool." -Aviation/Space Writers Association Newsletter "A work that any would-be author needs to read and digest thoroughly. There's no nonsense here, just a head-on, very direct, point-by-point authoritative overview of how a book is written, manufactured and then marketed, using every bit of creative energy possible. Is There a Book Inside You? really tells it like it is, not some fanciful approach, no watered down vague theories or opinions. This book should be required reading for anyone serious about producing a literary project of value. Find this book; it works."- The Coast Book Review Service "Good resource book. You can't go wrong adding any of Poynter's books to your reference library."- Freelance Writer's Report. "A paint-by-the numbers system for writing a book."-Feminist Bookstore News. "It's a down-to-earth "how-to" and a kick in the pants to get you going."- The Whole Earth Catalog "Fresh ideas and innovative approach found nowhere else in other how-to-write books. Well researched and clearly presented."- Great Cookbooks Writing/Reference Give The World a Piece of Your Mind . . . Write Your Book Join the ranks of those who shape our society. Is There a Book Inside You? is your step-by-step plan.
You will learn:
o How to pick your topic
o How to break the topic down into easy-to-attack projects
o How and where to do research
o A process that make writing (almost) easy
o How to improve your material
o How to manage your writing partnerships
o How to evaluate your publishing options
o How to develop an individualized and workable plan Did you know that few books are the work of only one person? Do you think celebrities have time to write? This book will show you the secrets of breaking into print even if you are not a polished writer. You will learn how and where to find help such as:
o Researchers
o Editors
o Peer reviewers
o Clerical support
o Contract writers
o Co-authors
"Is There a Book Inside You? Introduces the science of management to the art of writing." --Jan Nathan, Executive Director Publisher's Marketing Association "This book is a useful tool for anyone starting out and a fine reference guide for established writers." --Authors' Newsletter "Is There a Book Inside You? is important to every writer. Writing books for others is good exercise; it hones your writing skills and keeps your writing mind active and alert while it buys time for your own writing." --Don Bower, Executive Director National Writer's Club The authors: AUTHORBIO: Dan Poynter is the author of 68 books including the best-selling The Self-Publishing Manual. Mindy Bingham is the author of 14 books; Choices, A Teen Woman's Journal for Self-awareness and Personal Planning has sold over 500,000 copies--so far. Let Dan and Mindy show you how to write your book Writer's Digest
Book Club Main Selection
From the Author
DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com The most difficult part of writing a nonfiction book is getting started and the easiest mistake is starting with chapter one. Approached from the beginning, the creation of a book-length manuscript appears to be a long, steep, hard climb. The first secret is to break the project down into easy-to-attack chunks-called chapters in the book writing business and the second is never begin writing with chapter one. Start with the chapter that appears to be the easiest, shortest or most fun-skip around. Many more secrets to book writing are contained in a great new book: Is There a Book Inside You?; A Step-By-Step Plan For Writing Your Book.
The authors, Dan Poynter and Mindy Bingham, offer numerous self-evaluation exercises to help would-be authors determine what kind of book to write, they provide a unique paint-by-the-numbers system for writing a book, and go on to describe several options for getting the book published. The book is illuminated with numerous encouraging success stories and their advice is backed-up with famous relevant quotes at the bottom of nearly every page.
Think you need help? Poynter asks: "You don't really think Lee Iacocca had time to write his two best-selling books do you? All authors get help from editors and proofreaders-some work with co-authors, contract writers or even ghostwriters." The authors provide detailed information on finding, hiring, and working with different types of collaborators.
Is There a Book Inside You? is not just for the neophyte writer. Just as accomplished cooks refer back to their recipe books, seasoned authors will enjoy and profit from Is There a Book Inside You?
Fans of Poynter's 73 earlier books, including The Self-Publishing Manual, will not be surprised to find this new volume delivers a great deal of well-researched information, clearly presented. With her background in self-development books and business management, Mindy Bingham brings fresh ideas and an innovated approach to this topic found no where else in books on 'how to write books'.
