3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A realistic, no-fluff, straight-talking guide to getting published, June 22, 2005
This review is from: You Can Write!: The Inside Scoop on Publishing Your Nonfiction Book (Paperback)
Finally a book that tells it like it is. This important resource for aspiring nonfiction writers offers practical advice for getting published, a healthy dose of reality, and a generous measure of hope and compassion: it's the second best thing to being a fly on the wall of a publishing house. With real-life examples and frank discussions about the realities of today's publishing landscape, YOU CAN WRITE! spells out what publishers look for, how to write a successful query letter and proposal, impressing agents and editors, and ultimately, getting your book published. In addition to samples of query letters and proposals that caught agents' and editors' attention (and samples of common mistakes to avoid), the book includes tons of helpful information, such as a glossary of publishing terms, a sample literary agent agreement, guidance for strengthening your author profile, and an appendix of writers' resources. Simply put, YOU CAN WRITE! is a realistic, no-fluff, straight-talking guide to getting published,
As an editor for a major trade publisher, I am constantly deluged with proposals and manuscripts from hopeful authors who may have a good book idea, but who clearly haven't taken the time to think about framing that idea so that I see its merit right away. Given the demands on my schedule, if the author's cover letter doesn't pique my interest, it's hard for me to justify reading much further. And I guarantee that I give much more serious attention to proposals that are well-written, that demonstrate an awareness of the market and the competition, that showcase a strong author profile, and that answer the questions I will eventually have to answer for the sales and marketing executives on my publishing board. I have purchased a copy of this book for my personal library and I strongly recommend it -- and the authors' website (YouCanWrite.com) -- to new authors who want to take their writing career seriously.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Experienced Voice Worth Careful Reading, January 22, 2008
This review is from: You Can Write!: The Inside Scoop on Publishing Your Nonfiction Book (Paperback)
Where can a writer turn for good advice? It's hard in the world of competing voices to find someone with a great deal of publishing experience to recommend to others. Often I see it in the writer's conferences. Someone has published one book or even five books and suddenly they become an "expert" and are teaching at various conferences yet they've just burst on the scene. I've attended some of those workshops and words like surface and shallow spring instantly to mind.
It's one of the criteria that I use when I go and listen to someone else teach about publishing. I'm looking at their credentials and experience because I know firsthand the lessons from publishing are continual.
In the nonfiction area of book publishing, it is a challenge to find fresh teaching. Why nonfiction? As I've written about in the past, if you study the numbers of books sold from traditional publishers, nonfiction substantially out sells fiction hands down--year after year. I've watched many writers gravitate toward fiction because they believe it's "easier." Basically they are fooling themselves with this line of reasoning because fiction is not easier. Overall there are less fiction slots than nonfiction and many more people trying to write fiction than nonfiction. If you choose to write only fiction, then you are intentionally targeting the most crowded area of the marketplace within traditional publishing. That's my case for nonfiction in books so back to my original question, where do you turn for some seasoned advice?
The publishing marketplace is diverse and no single individual has all of the answers or insight. Yet I've read a terrific resource, You Can Write! by Sheryl Fullerton & Naomi Lucks. Several years ago I met Sheryl, executive editor at Jossey-Bass, at a writer's conference. You can see more details in the "About Us" section of their website You Can Write (www.YouCanWrite.com). Look around this site because it's another resource to know about and study.
You Can Write! is loaded with sound wisdom and I want to give a small example. In Chapter 13, Fullerton and Lucks give the Nuts and Bolts of Book Proposal Format and Style. A sub-section is called "Take a Good Last Look" and they suggest hiring a professional editor before you send out your proposal and sample chapters. Then say, "If you can't afford to or don't want to hire a professional editor, go over the whole thing very carefully yourself. Ask a couple of intelligent friends to do the same and invite their candid comments (and sharp-eyed proofreading skills). Here are a few things to watch out for:
-Look for obvious mistakes--we all make them. Missing words, typos, and other common errors are easy to miss when you're familiar with your proposal.
-Use your computer's spell-checker, but don't count on it. Your spell-checker doesn't know if you meant "there," "they're," or "their," but you do."
Then they include three more valuable insights but you get the point. This book is loaded with insight and the voice of experience. It is well worth your time to read and study this book. I highly recommend it.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
If you want to get published, READ THIS BOOK!, June 29, 2005
This review is from: You Can Write!: The Inside Scoop on Publishing Your Nonfiction Book (Paperback)
Speaking as a former book editor at large trade house, this is the only how-to book you need to sell your nonfiction project. Based on my experience, YOU CAN WRITE! provides practical insight and unparalleled advice for getting published. Sheryl Fullerton and Naomi Lucks have taken the mystery out the process, because they explain exactly what editors want and need. I know of no other book like it -- read it, and see yourself in print!
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