Customer Reviews

Writing Successful Self-Help and How-To Books (Wiley Books for Writers)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is one book that I not only read but referred back to again and again. I have read this book over three or four times; I have marked up paragraphs and highlighted important passages. This book really crystallized my planning for a book I had in mind. In chapter 4: the author's five ways of structuring a How-to book gave me an idea for the overall structure (I chose method 4 the "component-based book"). Her extensive and helpful discussion of titles and subtitles and how and why to choose them (chapter 3) lead me to spend a great deal of time in considering this critical book element. Finally, the chapters about proposal writing for a How-To book were simply great. Several other books discuss proposals and give examples, but many are for fiction proposals which aren't close to what I was trying to do. The narrowing of focus to just How-To/Self-Help proposals was just what I needed. Highly recommended.

I should begin by saying that this book does contain some useful information. However, I have three main gripes with the presentation:

1. The author repeats herself over and over again from one sub-chapter to the next. For every five pages of writing, there's one page of information that has been stated in 5 different ways. This makes for a very boring and often frustrating read.

2. The book attempts to capitalize on the specific genre of 'Self-Help & How-To' books. However, the advice is not at all specific to this genre. This is the same advice that is given in many other, and much more complete, nonfiction author guides that are available in the same price range as this book. The author attempts to make specific references to the 'Self-Help & How-To' markets. But one gets the impression that these references are thrown in just to keep the content somewhat true to the title - which one quickly comes to believe is a front to sell this book to a specialized target market. In reality, this book does very little to help the 'Self-Help & How-To' author specifically.

3. Much of the book focuses on how to write a book proposal. However, there are no full examples of book proposals to be found! At best, we get disconnected snipets taken from proposals which may or may not even be real because most come without references. So, this becomes a very bad 'How-To' book on how to write 'How-To' books. With that said, one has to question the validity of her advice since her own 'How-To' book is really not very good.

In short, this is a condensed and content-lacking version of the more complete books on this subject by authors such as Snell, Herman, Lyon, etc. Again, I should say that there is some useful information to be found if you can dig between the lines of repetitive fluff. But, after you extract the few worthwhile tidbits, you are left with little more than a genre-specific title, and a space in your wallet where $16 used to be.

My advice: Invest elsewhere.

Jean Marie Stine's book seemed very lazily thrown together. There were no samples of query letters, outlines, or book proposals included! There were only 3 pages discussing how to submit to an agent or publisher. I'm going to chuck this book and go back to "How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query and Cover Letters" by John Wood. There were no big big secrets revealed in Stine's book--the only good news is that it made me realize I already know what I have to do to publish my own self-help book, and I just have to go do it!

I'm always a bit wary when I read a book on the same topic as one of my own, but in this case - especially - I was delighted to see that Jean Marie shares many of my own beliefs about structuring non-fiction and getting it published. Along with some similarities also there are many differences between our two books, which only goes to show that there is always room for another expert to share his or her experience and knowledge with new authors. An excellent guide and well worth buying.

The author stresses selling your book propsal before writing the book. Perhaps this is good business advice for an experienced writer but I'm an inexperienced writer and need to write first to see what I'm going to say. The book is mostly a collection of lists tersely explained. It should have been titled, "Selling Your Book Proposal." I was disappointed.

This book is unique in it that specifically addresses the writer of self-help or how-to-books. It's perfect for psychologists, motivational writers, or anyone who wants to write about self-improvement. This is a specialized market, and Stine's stylistic guidelines and suggestions are excellent for this target market.

Interestingly, Stine encourages writers to develop a "sales pitch" for their book, and write a benefit-driven book. Your readers want to know "what's in it for me?" Stine also encourages writers to make promises to the reader-- by listing specific outcomes or benefits that will result from reading and applying the advice in your book. That's excellent advice! Most of us have read a self-help book that failed to present a succinct strategy or plan-- and came across more like an encyclopedia or a personal journal entry. Benefits are what readers crave, Stine says, and keeps them reading until the very last page.

At the same time, Stine warns against over promising and under delivering. She suggests that you keep a running list of your promises, intended outcomes or benefits, and be sure to delete anything that isn't addressed in your book.

Some of the negative reviews posted on Amazon about Stine's book are a reflection of how frustrating and difficult it is to write a good self-help book. Even if you have a good idea for a self-help book, it is a challenge to develop and fine-tune your ideas so that you can present it in an understandable, concise yet creative way that catches your reader's attention. As a writer, I must admit that I love those times when someone asks me a question, and all of a sudden, it all comes together-- and it's a brilliant concept that could be developed into an article, chapter or book. My friend Kalinda Rose Stevenson (a published author) reminds me that writing is often "slogging" around. Writing is hard work, and sometimes we have to dig around (reading, observing and contemplating) until the pieces come together.

Stine's book is not something that will launch you into a flow state, where bestselling book ideas and topics flow out of you faster than you can write them down. Instead, Stine's book is more of a stylebook or guidebook. It is the voice of a critic... which you really don't need if you're still brainstorming or formulating your ideas.

If you're struggling with your writing, take a deep breath... and relax. Be gentle with yourself, as you continue to focus and re-think your ideas. Your book will eventually come. If you're still formulating your ideas, then let your creative muse run wild.

When you're ready to get critical, give Stine's book a chance. Remember that a critic stifles your creativity if you're still in the early stages of developing your book idea. But when you're ready to write your book proposal, structure your book, or fine-tune your ideas, then Stine's book can help you get it together. Here's to all us little guys who are hungry to write a successful self-help book. May all of our hard work and effort result in a contract with a literary agent or publisher. If not, there's always self-publishing!

...and to sell my book!
Complaints of "lacking sample queries and proposals" against this text seem fairly thin when her suggestions clearly (and repetitively, but some of us need that!) direct readers on how to compose their own!

For those seriously (read: willing to do the necessary legwork and research) seeking direction on how to create a thorough, presentable, and persuasive proposal on your "How-To" concept, I'd recommend this book without reservation!

I had to publish two books before I could appreciate how much information is packed into this simple little book.

Although the title sold me when I first saw the book in a bookstore, my first reaction when I got home was negative. I found it too abrupt, and too brief. The book sat on my bookshelf for nearly two years.

Then, while working on my third how-to book I ran into a particularly difficult problem. My outline wasn't working, and I couldn't seem to find the right opening. I pulled Stine's book down, and immediately found a solution. The advice that seemed too abrupt and concise two years ago, now seemed beautifully simplified. There is an amazing amount of information packed into this book.

I collect writing books and have several shelves of them. This one just moved to the "most used" shelf.

Recommended for anyone who is writing a how-to or self-help book.

PS: Stine's emphasis on the the proposal is absolutely right. Her advice will save you many, many hours of wasted effort and frustration.

Fantastic Book! I'm grateful to have received it. Ms. Stine gives us the benefit of her experience in publishing. While writing my proposal, following her program, I clarified the book I'm currently writing. Thanks to Jean Marie Stein for a great job and a valuable book. Lee Benton

This book is a must for anyone writing a "how-to" book for the first time!

It was invaluable in making our first book a reality.Why Don't They Just Quit? What families and friends need to know about addiction and recovery.