Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Scene: A San Francisco birthday party at a friend's home, 1988..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

In The Shortest Distance Between You And A Published Book, Susan Page offers twenty essential steps for publishing success including three "magic first steps" to start with so that success will eventually follow, the real differences between self-publishing and selling to a publisher, clever methods for finding a truly brilliant book title, the formula for writing proposals that get read -- and then bought, a deliberate method for finding the right agent, the six biggest hidden heartbreaks in publisher contracts and how to avoid them, the range of royalty advances and how much to expect, seven minimum requirements for a six-figure advance, and a step-by-step method for planning your own "blockbuster" promotion. Susan Page has an ability to instill enthusiasm in those readers yearning to break into print -- one way or another. There are a number of significant and important "tips, tricks and techniques" that can save money, time, and frustration. Highly recommended. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Description

Publishers buy new book ideas every week. Why not yours?

Whether your book consists of a few notes on the back of a napkin or a completed manuscript, Susan Page's proven system will make your dream of successful publication come true. A bestselling author and leading consultant to other writers, Susan Page knows the difference between common industry wisdom that doesn't work and the precise, easy-to-follow strategies that actually get results. In this breakthrough book, she leads you away from the obstacles that often delay and frustrate writers and introduces the twenty essential steps for success, including:

• The three "magic first steps" you must take now to claim success later on

• The real differences between self-publishing and selling to a publisher

• Clever methods for finding a truly brilliant title for your book

• The formula for writing proposals that get read...and then bought

• A deliberate method for finding the right agent for you

• The six biggest hidden heartbreaks in publishers' contracts and how to avoid them

• The range of royalty advances and how much you might expect (hint: it may be larger than you think!)

• Seven minimum requirements for a six-figure advance

• A step-by-step method for planning your own "blockbuster" promotion

Susan Page not only tells you how to proceed, she anticipates how you might feel at various stages and deftly coaches you through the best and the worst of it all. And the gift many of her clients have appreciated most is the crucial, little-known skill of keeping your hopes high and your expectations realistic. This book will leave you feeling excited, inspired, and ready to get to work.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (May 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553061771
• ISBN-13: 978-0553061772
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #233,771 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great beginning source, February 5, 2005

By	Brian Hawkinson (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a great beginning source for someone who is an aspiring author. It goes through the motions that an author should do and, at times, parts with valuable information on how to perceive a situation with an editor, agent or publishor, as well as the section on how to promote your book and get it into the bookstores. So, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to be or is an aspiring author.

But, as the previous reviewer had noted, if you are looking for a hand holding, this would be the book to read. She takes you from point A to point B, no matter how small, and explains every detail. At times I could only skip ahead because it is something that is extremely basic that she is going into such detail, and at others I find myself skipping because of its redundancy. As well, this book is definitely geared for the nonfiction writer more so than it is for the fiction writer, although there are many useful tidbits that the fiction writer could take in.

All in all, which is why I gave it a four star, she does as she sets out to do, and that is to compile much of the information to the questions that many of the beginning authors have. If you are familiar with the field, I would stay away. But for the amateur just starting out, she does a great job in walking you through the steps and how to continue on with success.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book delivers what it promises!, August 9, 1999

By	Amy L. Snow (Fridley, MN USA) - See all my reviews

Susan Page has artfully and skillfully condensed and organized the publishing wisdom she has gained from her own frustrating years of trying to break into print into a golden tour-guide for the newcomer to the writing-for-publication world. She has sequentially described every step in the process of getting a book published. She also has shared from her personal storehouse of publishing horror stories -- industry faux pas to avoid. Thanks to her excellent advice, I have located the perfect literary agent to represent my own book. Thank you, Susan, from the bottom of my ink-well!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Expo Buzz, July 14, 2004

By A Customer

At the last Book Expo, I talked with numerous people in the book world (sellers, agents, authors, media), all of whom said this was THE book to get to write a proposal. So, I got it. Off of what the book tells you to do (in very helpful details, with steps in order you do them), my proposal and query letter have now garnered interest from two major agents.

I'd say the book is more for nonfiction than fiction. Page herself states that for fiction, you have to write the whole book, there's no substitute for that. And only nonfiction books are sold off the proposal alone.

One weakness: her advice for writing the opening didn't work for me, though I followed it to the letter. The agent I'm probably going with wants me to rewrite the first 4 pages of my proposal. I would read more than just her book in doing a proposal. Try another biggie in the field: How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen.

BUT!! Considering that this is the one all the players in the industry recommend and that it is just SO good, you can't afford to pass this one up if you have hopes of getting published. This woman knows her stuff and gives you a guide that is the most thorough I've seen.

Happy publishing!