Product Description
Whether the medium is books, magazines, newpapers, scripts, or greeting cards, From Pen to Print is the single most complete guide available for writers on the practical business of getting published. Answers questions on everything from queries and submissions to contracts, copyrights, publicity, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Oldie, but goodie
This book is definitely dated as it again and again refers to manual typewriters (with an occasional reference to `keyboarding' on a `word processor') and talks about snail-mailing manuscripts (possibly using a modem or MCI mail [an early predecessor of email] to submit, if you have such options available), but other than that, most of the info seems to be worthwhile. I'm certain that the list of Writer's Organisations is out of date, too, but a good place to start. Just search the Internet (which didn't exist when this book was written) and I'm certain you'll find plenty of help. I may have more to say when I finish reading it as I just acquired it a week ago, mostly because of her Rule #2: "There is always something else to do, so if you really mean to write, you have to ignore that something."

Smart, practical information
From Pen to Print is one of the best practical guides I've read. The material is well organized and easy to read. If you're looking for a solid introduction to writing and the writing business, this is it. What I like best about From Pen to Print is that it is well written, an attribute that shouldn't be, but is, a novelty among how-to-write books. The author knows the business and isn't afraid to share her knowledge. ... Read more

Product Description
Workbook dealing primarily with the writing process through a series of practical lessons enhanced by self-tests and assignments. For the novice writer. Previous edition: c1992. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A useful read
Parsons' book contains useful information about publishing, but Parsons wrote the book as more of a journalistic study of the publishing process and how it works. (From what Parsons says, he wrote the book as his PhD dissertation for his terminal degree in journalism.) In other words, there is very little advice.The book does contain useful information, but I'd recommend William Germano's _Getting It Published_ instead. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a practical handy guide for first time academic writers who need to find out about the serious business of getting their work published. ... Read more

Product Description
This text offers anyone interested in getting their work published 500 tips for success. It provides guidance on all aspects of publishing, from finding a publisher to technical and legal issues, and from publishing in journals to electronic publishing. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by a best-selling academic author, Effective Writing for Health Professionals provides insights and strategies for publishing designed for nurses, midwives and health professionals. ... Read more

Product Description
Writers question everything--authority, reality, status quo. But when they have questions about the craft, business and idiosyncrasies of writing there was no single source for fast answers--until now. Writer's Market FAQs provides all the information in one easy-to-use, comprehensive reference, covering topics like: * Inspiration* Getting Published* E-Publishing* Protecting Your Work* Working with Agents and EditorsNearly all writers want to be published--more easily, more often, or for more money.They also want inside information on how publishing works and how they can improve their chances of getting published.Peter Rubie's quick-reference, question-and-answer approach delivers the goods easily and rapidly.Amazon.com Review
"There are a lot of books about writing," says Peter Rubie in Writer's Market FAQs, but few address "the metamorphosing business of publishing." Being a successful writer, Rubie advises, has as much to do with understanding marketing and sales and audience as it does with writing well. That's no surprise to anyone who's been in the business a day or two, but it might well shock the supernovice. Newly aspiring book authors have much to glean from Writer's Market FAQs, in which Rubie, an agent as well as an author, provides questions and answers to nearly 300 questions about publishing. Rubie divides his questions into 10 categories, including agents, editors, and other publishing people; marketing your work; how your manuscript becomes a book; reading the contract; and e-publishing and other routes. With terrific lay translations of typical contract terms and the Association of Authors' Representatives Code of Ethics. --Jane Steinberg ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Facts for FAQs
"Young" writers often make the mistake of believing that all they have to do to get published is learn the craft of writing and hone their talent, says Peter Rubie. "Alas," he adds, "technique is only a path, not an end." Then he goes on to say that the trick for new writers is to find what kind of books publishers want and who will publish the books he wants to write.

Rubie loves to answer questions and that's what this book does. It's quite comprehensive. There's no way I can give you a complete overview of the questions he answers but you'll get some idea from the subjects. In Chapter 1 he begins at the beginning: "How do I get started in the business of writing?" Notice the question is not about starting to write, it's about the business. Rubie has answers for questions like what to do when you're staring at a blank computer screen and whether or not writer's groups are useful so it's not all business.

Chapter 2 is about genres. In it he explains what they are, why they matter, how writers meet reader's expectations and more.

Chapter 3 covers agents, editors and "publishing people" with detailed information on subjects like researching agents and editors, what they do, reading fees, organizations, Code of Ethics, agreements, editorial departments, art departments, subsidiary rights ad infinitum.

Chapter 4 discusses marketing, from your idea to the bookstore. What to do about time sensitive material, trends, what to do with a great idea.

Chapter 5 describes developing ideas and creating book proposals. This leads off with "What should I write about?" and covers bad ideas, "reader's needs," exercises to develop ideas, writing different book proposals, structure, writing organizations, to name a few.

Chapter 6 gives you a good idea of how your book is developed from a manuscript from "what happens when I get an agent?" through subjects like what "well published" means and whether you need a lawyer. He talks about revisions, charts and illustrations, corrected manuscripts and finishing the book.

Chapter 7 has a lot of great information about how to read book contracts and what to do about them.

Chapter 8 discusses subrights and royalties pretty thoroughly and goes into sharing, selling foreign rights, returns and book scouts.

Chapter 9 is all about E-publishing and book packaging.

Chapter 10 covers writing and editing with discussions of things like rewriting, critiquing groups, structure in writing, "creative nonfiction," author's voice, dramatization and lots more.

Lest you have the impression that Rubie's book is just for newcomers, let me assure you that the information he offers is thorough enough and detailed enough to be useful to anyone no matter how seasoned. These are the questions writers ask, and Rubie has the answers.

Peter Rubie has been an editor and a literary agent as well as a book reviewer and author of fiction and nonfiction. He is the president of the Peter Rubie Literary Agency in New York City. In Writer's Market FAQs, Rubie serves up the world of publishing in the clear, cold light of fact. ... Read more

Product Description
Every page of this insightful and fun book has a writing tip, an explanation, an illustrative story, and an inspirational quotation. A great gift book for aspiring writers, it offers hints on developing topics, conducting research, building the book, finding an agent, and getting published.Amazon.com Review
Successful Nonfiction is a collection of pointers andaffirmations for those nonfiction writers who view their books as"products" and their readers as "customers." Self-publishing guru DanPoynter weaves together real-life publishing anecdotes, quotationsfrom writers, and information from his own research and vastexperience to comment on everything from combating procrastination toknowing when to call in a ghostwriter. He can tell you where to placeyour photograph (not on the cover, please), how much to invest inillustration, and when it makes sense to collaborate ("do notcollaborate," he warns, "with someone you would not go campingwith"). He explains why autograph parties are bad and bad reviews aregood. Poynter's pagelong tidbits are short but pithy. If you want towrite nonfiction but are unfamiliar with the publishing business, thisis a good place to start. You'll learn to recognize when it's time toturn to a book doctor, why proofreading is not to be skimped on, andthat, sometimes, self-publishing is the preferred path ("since ittakes most publishers 18 months to turn a manuscript into a book,chances are high you will be first if you publish yourself"). And,just in case you were debating whether to write a novel or a how-to,remember: "Fiction writers tend to be creative, interesting people whoare fun at parties. But nonfiction writers drive better cars." --Jane Steinberg ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Nothing special - and some tips are increasingly outdated
Dan Poynter is a virtual one-man self-publishing industry. Most of the books I've seen by him are more motivtional than educational.

"Successful Nonfiction" carries a 2000 copyright date in the book (though not in the Amazon listing). As a result, much of the book is badly outdated. Print on demand is nowhere to be found. There is no mention of Amazon or any form of online selling. Poynter boldly advises that you get a computer and use e-mail! Even in 1999 - 2000, this was dated advice.

On the other hand, Poynter does include a lot of commonsense snippets that are handy reminders for not only writing, but just about any other endeavor as well. For example, a reminder to "Know what to cut - write tightly" is always relevant as is "Writing is all about rewriting".

Overall, a barely okay buy if you find it remaindered or used, but not something you want to pay full price for.

Jerry

Writing Secrets from a Master Publisher
I have never met an author who was sorry he or she wrote a book. They are only sorry they did not write it sooner. ~Sam Horn

Dan Poynter is famous for "The Self-Publishing Manual" and the way he coaches authors towards publishing success. His website and books are especially helpful for authors who are tired of waiting to get their work out into the world. With online publishing and opportunities to make your work available, there is no time like the present to find out how you can publish your next nonfiction book.

Each and every page of Successful Nonfiction is filled with tips and secrets you will want to read sooner than later. This book opens up an entire field of knowledge gained through years and years of experience.

Ideas about how to make your book longer than 100 pages to command the best price and how to get the first draft started make this book very practical as are ideas about how to rewrite to make your book even better or when it is best to hire a proofreader.

Should you use a pseudonym?
Will you be treated differently as a published author?
Where is your potential customer?
Can you truly plan your future by the books you write today?
Will the cover you choose sell the book?
Can you sell more copies self-publishing?

"My object in living is to unite my avocation and my vocation." ~Robert Frost (1874-1963)

Successful Nonfiction is filled with ideas you can put into action today. I only wish I had read this book sooner!

~The Rebecca Review
Trying to follow page 80...testing recipes...

Rev. Kenny says "God Bless Dan Poynter.
Thanks to Dan and his books, my bunch of random stories is soon going to be a book. "Sucessful Nonfiction" has lots of things that 1st timers won't think of, but will save you many hours and lots of dollars.Rev. Kenny D. Kozlowski

A disappointment
This is a small book, written by a popular writer on writing, who has had several useful books published. But, this one is a disappointment. It is a short collection of one piece of advice per page, which is then briefly elaborated on in plain, first writer's terms. It is, as I find most Dan Poynter's books to be, a "cheerleading" book for aspiring published writers. For the price, it is a disappointment, though. Writers will get basic, common sense advice that could have been written in article form.

Another Great Book by Dan
This book is loaded with great ideas to improve your non-fiction publication. I found this book very useful and helpful when I wrote my first book in 2003. Highly recommended.

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated ... Read more

Product Description
This complete guide and motivational gem is a must-read for aspiring poets and published poets who want to expand their market. Tom Williams removes the mystery with a step-by-step explanation of the business, explaining how to get poetry noticed and what magazine and book editors want, including the "9 secrets of publishable poetry."

Comprehensive in scope, "Poet Power" also addresses: designing and publishing poetry books; editing a chapbook series; selling poetry to bookstores, retail outlets, and catalogs; promoting and selling at poetry readings; getting media attention as a published poet; becoming a speaker on poetry in the community; using the internet, and much more.

Williams's authoritative but accessible style comes from his own experience. Not only has he had his literary works published, he also built a successful publishing company from scratch. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Poet Power by T. Williams
Most helpful! Learned a great deal from his suggestions! Highly recommend to poets looking for some good suggestions to use if wanting to publish.

Power to the Poets!
This is the book you want to get if you need lots of information on getting your poetry into print or marketing your poetry if you are self-publishing.It has lots of good info and ideas I would not have thought of...A couplet: It's a Great Book, Do take a look!

Reader-friendly, authoritative and accurate
Thomas Williams' Poet Power!: The Practical Poet's Complete Guide To Getting Published covers every aspect and facet of the process of submitting poetry for publication. Williams explains how the business of publishing works and provides a crash course in the economics of publishing and what it means to the aspiring poet seeking publication. Poet Power! goes on to explain what editors want and the "7 Secrets" of publishable poetry; how to get published in magazines; how to have a volume of poetry published; designing and publishing one's own books of poetry; becoming the editor of one's own chapbook series; selling poetry in bookstores, retail outlets, and catalogs; gaining personal visibility in order to succeed as a published poet; and how to enhanced one's reputation as a published poet in order to achieve worthwhile goals and becoming a spokesperson for poetry in the community. "Must" reading for all aspiring poets yearning to break into print, and for published poets seeking to expand their literary audiences, Poet Power! is reader friendly, authoritative and accurate, comprehensive and practical. ... Read more

Product Description
Do you have a story or a message that just keeps dogging you and just won't let you go? Every time that your gaze falls upon a bestseller list, do you wonder why your name is not on it? Are friends, family members, and/or colleagues continually commenting on how much they love to read your letters? Would publication of your work land you the professional praise or tenure that you seek? If you answered "Yes" to any of the above, "You were born to be published," says author Tom Bird, founder of The Tom Bird Method T, which offers, no matter what you write, a proven system for getting your writing published. Some of the central themes to be covered in this book include: . Seeing your book in print in as little as twenty days . Learning the secrets behind getting published that other authors don't want you to know . Getting paid for your book before it is even written . Receiving offers to get your book published or represented by a top literary agent in as little as a few hours . Discovering everything you need to know about protecting your work from being stolen. Tom Bird employed all of the orthodox methods for getting published and met with nothing but frustration and failure. So he finally decided to develop his own strategy for not only writing a book quickly, easily, and enjoyably, but getting whatever it is he wrote published, The Tom Bird Method T. Six weeks after doing so, at the age of twenty-six, Tom sold his first book to, at that time, the third largest publisher in the world, for an amount equivalent to three times his yearly salary as The Assistant Director of Publicity with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Since then, Tom, who has gone onto publish fifteen other books and whose work has appeared in dozens of magazines, has shared his Eleven Laws through over 3,000 appearances at more than 100 top college and university campuses, and has helped thousands of writers in securing a publishing deal. He details in this book not only his own successes, but his methods for leading so many others to their literary dreams. As a result, you will find everything you need to know to publish whatever it is that you write. If you ever wanted to publish, for whatever reason, and/or felt that you were born to be published, this book is for you. Tom resides in Sedona, Arizona, with Tammy Kelly, their daughter Skyla, and their two dogs, five cats, and two birds. "I can't thank you enough for helping me fulfill my heart's deepest desire..."-Debra Blais, Author of Letting Your Heart Sing. "Thank you for showing me how to get published...over 200,000 books sold to date..."- Jan Larkey, Author of Flatter Your Figure, Simon & Schuster ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Tom Bird is an inspiration
If you are an aspiring author, you cannot be without this book. Tom Bird is such a positive inspiration and this book is filled with industry facts. It is easy to read and understand and it lets one understand that writing the book is merely the first step in a series of many that needs to be taken to get published. But you know what? YOU CAN DO IT! Thanks for the energy Tom.

Put your passion into action!
Outstanding... the system presented in this book is simple enough for the unpublished writer to follow, motivating enough to follow it, and detailed enough to follow through, each step of the way.Tom Bird answers every reason for not getting published in this inspiring, common sense manual.He assumes we writers want to make a positive difference in the world, and that we need to make a living.Right on!

This book introduces the world of publishing in a step by step way.The author is well aware of how frightening this can be to a novice.He gives generously of his own positive attitude, and addresses each concern with practical strategies.The eleven "laws" that organize the book function more as a motivational "ladder" than as a useful list.The 90+ pages of examples, to do lists, and resources are worth the price of admission, alone.

If you are looking for a book to inspire and inform you, this is the perfect one.Forget lethargy, passivity, and inaction.Forget ruthless self-criticism!The success stories of new writers will renew your faith in your own unique contribution.From there, it is just a question of taking action.If you have a passion to be published, this book can help you to get it done.

Some golden nuggets among the sludge
Shouldn't someone who teaches writing and publishing have an editor whose spell check program at the very least deletes the "a" from "heafty" before putting the book into print? This type of pervasive sloppiness, along with a little too much oddly placed self-promotion, distracted me from the main message, which is how to get a book or magazine article published.

On the plus side, it does appear that anyone can get published, with perseverence and time and effort, especially if one happens to be buddies with a famous person in need of a ghostwriter.There are some good references to valuable resources, including one web site that is misspelled once but spelled correctly another time. And the book has a very positive, encouraging tone, which may provide stuck would-be published authors with the impetus to get those hundred letters to literary agents out sooner rather than later.

Tom Bird Nails It Again
Tom Bird gives you the nuts & bolts of publishing in an easy-to-learn intuitive manner. He breaks down publishing your book, whether fiction or non-fiction, into simple chunks of information.

Just like in "Write From God" or "Releasing Your Artist Within," with Tom's fresh approach and deep industry knowledge, he distills the essence of publishing into a handful of simple guidelines. These guidelines or laws range from, "Always write what you feel most strongly about..." to "If you are so led, collaborating on a book with a well-known source or celebrity is a great way to get published fast."

Tom provides substantial supporting information such as a checklist for self-publishing, sample query letters and sample book proposals.

"You Were Born To Be Published..." is a great tool for you to become the published writer that you want to be!

You Were Born to be Published by Tom Bird
So, you've just completed your first opus, and you're pretty proud of yourself. After all, this could just be the Great American Novel. Little do you know that, even though your manuscript is finished, your work has only just begun! There are miles to go between "The End" and that Oprah interview.

You're a babe in the woods. You are about to enter the world of agents, queries, proposals, copyrights, contracts, publicity and promotion, and you are a deer in headlights. You haven't a clue about the many procedures, options and decisions that lie ahead of you, not to mention the many landmines in your way that will derail your progress to the top of the best-seller list.

Enter Tom Bird with his roadmap to getting there. He has been down this road, through the trials and tribulations and, finally, with his own method, to the successes of book publishing.

This book is a gem, a "must have" for any first-time writer. It is not only comprehensive, but concise, succinct, clear, and very easy to use. It is well organized, and loaded with examples of query letters and proposal submissions to help jump start the process of getting published.

You Were Born to be...Publishedwill be an indispensable reference book on any writer's shelf.
... Read more

Product Description
Written by one of the most successful agents and packagers in the book publishing industry, The Insider's Guide to Getting Published is a look at everything an aspiring writer needs to know to jump-start a career as a successful author. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Tough Love Writing Course
Originally published in 1986 as "The Awful Truth About Publishing: Why They Always Reject Your Manuscript and What You Can Do About It" (a title that may have been too hard for aspiring writers to take, despite the softer subtitle), Boswell's book is a concise, accessible guide taking the neophyte writer through the various stages of writing and pitching their book, always with a realistic view of the publishing environment writers will operate in. Boswell also includes valuable copies of query letters and the proposal for the book itself, so you have concrete examples to learn from. Best of all, he never sugar coats the hard truths about the long odds against writers, as when he explains why you must reconsider your proposal or the idea it embodies if you are rejected 10 times by agents or editors.

You can learn a lot from this book!
Very well wwritten and worth buying. There are some good tips and you can learn a bunch about the publishing world- take a shot.

Rick Frishman Pres PLANNED TV ARTS (NYC) ... co authorGUERRILLA PUBLCIITY & GUERRILLA MARKETING FOR WRITERS (Writers Digest Books)...

This book will outlast a jar of mayonnaise
A "how to" book may seem an unlikely choice for a review submitted with the sole intent of winning 100 bucks of Amazon books credit. However, you must love books and maybe have even thought about writing one, otherwise you would not have landed here. Push your virtual shopping cart to the aisle marked "Boswell" and grab this book. The book, originally published in 1986 under a different title, defies the author's assertion that a "jar of mayonnaise will most likely have more staying power" on the sales shelf than most books.Boswell offers practical and humorous guidance gained during a long career as a publisher and an author. He debunks the romantic image of the editorial meeting and offers valuable advice about the nuts and bolts of getting published.This book is for you if you want common-sense advice (beware: ego-deflating too) and a blueprint for your writing dreams. Push your cart a little faster.This book may not be released again until the next century ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very good overview of pub biz & contracts from author POV
I came upon this book when I joined the Entertainment & Media Practice of a big-5 consulting firm.It was recommended to me as a good quick backgrounder on the business side of publishing, and I have recommended it to many, many people since. It was extremely useful when I found my self on my first project at a publishing company with no prior book publishing experience.The part that I found particularly useful was a chapter that presented a Contract for Trade Book Publication, with running commentary on key points...and as you would hope, the length of the comments exceed the text of the contract!

The edition that I have is 1992, which may be the last edition, as that's what's listed here on amazon.com. Of course, there are many new topics that an author should be considering that weren't on people's screens at the time that this book was written....such as electronic books, and the implications of print-on-demand to the definition of a book being "in print".Like any text, you should look at it as a starting point, and then search more current trade pubs and the net to get current.

Still, it's a very enjoyable, clearly written andinformative book...well worth finding.

(And Ray, if you read this, you should consider updating the book and going print-on-demand with it if your publisher doesn't want to do a new edition....I think the Author's Guild can facilitate that process...though I doubt i need to tell you that!) ... Read more

Product Description
Many Christians have a desire to communicate the gospel through the medium of writing but do not understand the basics of writing for publication. This helpful volume of 22 brief chapters provides encouragement for budding Christian writers to continue in their work, instruction in the craft of writing, and instruction in the basics of the Christian writing business.Contributors include Jerry B. Jenkins, Jerry Brecheisen, Liz Curtis Higgs, James Scott Bell, James L. Garlow, Sally Stuart, Stan Toler, and Karen Ball. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Learn from the Pros
Whatever aspect of Christian writing you're interested in, this book can help you realize your dream. This is not so much a how-to book as it is a book of insights into what it takes to get published in the discipline you choose to pursue. Highly recommended.

Good stuff!
Writers on Writing is full of tibits on how to write both fiction and nonfiction and how to get published. No matter if you are just beginning your writing career, or have been published--you can learn more about the craft of writing through reading this book.

Sound Advice from Seasoned Writers
Here's a terrific smorgasbord about different aspects of the writing business. Whether you want to write magazine articles, devotionals, fiction or nonfiction, humor or screenplays, you will gain a taste of what it takes from someone who practices this particular discipline.

The information is organized into three parts: The Writer, The Craft and The Business. Each contributor includes critical information for their subject. For me, the value of this entire book is captured in the excellent chapter from long-time fiction editor and best-selling author Karen Ball. She covers the seven editing checkpoints to ensure your story is a well-crafted as possible. While the emphasis is fiction, many nonfiction writers can also profit from the different points.

Writers at various stages in their career--beginning, intermediate or experienced--can learn from these chapters. I recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Topics Covered:
What Type of Books Are Easier to Get Published?
Tips for Writing a Book That Will Get Published
Tips for Writing a Children’s Book That Will Get Published
Is It Easier to Publish a Children’s Book?
Will Your Book Get Published?
Writing a Book: What You Need to Know About the Publishing Process
Resources to Help You Get a Book Published
Should You Self-Publish Your Books? Signs That You Should
The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing Your Own Book
eBooks: A Great Alterative to Print Publishing ... Read more

Product Description
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York City. Concise references for nurses new to the process of writing and publishing books or journal articles. Discusses writing style, selecting a journal, the difference in writing a book, how to work with a publisher, and more. ... Read more