With this guide, writers can learn how to create good fiction and publish profitably, guided by the timeless advice of the man who built the legendary literary agency that still bears his name. Includes information on creating characters, plotting a novel, formatting the manuscript, deciphering a publishing contract, and more.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When I was given this book, I had never been paid for my fiction. Now I make a living at it; in fact, since I started applying these principles to my fiction, I've never FAILED to sell a novel. I've sold nine so far.
This book contains everything you need to know.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Dorion Sagan
Format:Hardcover
First appearing in 1950, and a hilarious 1974 introduction by the redoubtable Arthur C. Clarke, pioneering literary agent Scott Meredith's (I923-1993) Writing to Sell is an excellent tool for the aspiring writer. Meredith has a deep understanding of the marketplace (although some of his observations have become dated), as well as of what makes plots work (his original aspiration was to be a science fiction writer).He generalizes the successful plot as one in which an initial conflict is complicated to a climax, makes useful distinctions (e.g., between "incident" and "story") and gives many practical suggestions on novel writing and revising. (There is one chapter devoted to nonfiction.) Perhaps reflecting Meredith's financial success, there is a tendency to equate literary success entirely with sales reminiscent of Mickey Spillane's comment that what intellectuals don't understand is more people eat peanuts than caviar-or Tom Clancy's comment not to "commit art." Meredith's clients have included Norman Mailer, Ellery Queen, Robert Silverberg, and Philip K. Dick; and he was mentor to many agents and editors. With the qualification that his "just-sell-it" tonic may quash artistic originality, there is a lot to learn from his distillation of the American writing experience-which is no doubt why this book remains in print with Writer's Digest Books half a century after its initial publication. From the need to start off in a recognizable genre, to the importance of not skimping on the first draft and presenting likable characters with seemingly impossible problems, Meredith's work is a highly readable primer on the basic attributes of a salable novel. In short, although somewhat mercantile and dated,Writing to Sell is an excellent craft of writing work.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
If you've ever thought that maybe you had a novel in you, then this is the book to help bring it out. This book contains the best overall look at writing a novel around. While it's far from being exhaustive in content, it does give you a good picture of all aspects of writing including the pros and cons of agents, how to write a great query letter, how to build a go-for-the-throat beginning, and how to create a leave-them-speechless ending. Don't miss the chapter: "Stuffing the Hollow Man" - an inc
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
And old book, good for a beginner but ...
This book has been through man editions, and is an excellent "how to" for a beginner. The story building, plot, charaterization and other parts of the actual wriring are... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. W. Bludis
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite what I had envisioned.
I didn't realize it was primarily about how to write and sell h books. I am more interested in writing to sell for magazines. Read more
Published 8 months ago by S. Loberg
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Almost-Perfect Guide for Beginner Novelists
I first heard of WRITING TO SELL when reading Peter V. Brett's blog. His debut novel, THE WARDED MAN, was incredible, so when I hear that he used WRITING TO SELL as a tool to help... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Eric Christensen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Instruction
A darn good book on the construction of fiction, with important information on working habits, story structure, and character motivation. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Rob Cornell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Writing to sell
This is one of the best books, I have ever read on the subject of writing to make a living. A editor friend had recommended it and I really do use it a lot. Read more
Published on February 17, 2011 by Don Knebel
5.0 out of 5 stars
The BEST Place to Start
Scott Meredith's Writing to Sell has enjoyed a huge following since its initial publication in 1950. Writers and would-be writers will find much to like in this book. Read more
Published on April 19, 2009 by stoic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple and Excellent.
I own a large pile of how-to-write books. Many of the books do not get you from here to there in terms of acquiring writing skills. Read more
Published on May 11, 2007 by James B. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
The first I read, but not the best.
When I first read this book, I was expecting it to be about writing stuff that publishers would buy. Read more
Published on July 9, 2000 by "brokensilence"
5.0 out of 5 stars
On a par with "Stein on Writing."
Now that I've read eight or nine how-to books on novel writing, I can say with certainty that this one, along with Sol Stein's, has had the greatest impact on me. Read more
Published on August 2, 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
There, what more could you want?
I read this book in it's previous edition, years ago, and I found it most inspiring. All you have to do is remember that it's written from an editor's point of view. Read more
Published on May 3, 1998
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