Book Review - The Writer's Essential Tackle Box: Getting a Hook on the Publishing Industry by Lynn Price
Category Book Review Lynn Price The Writer's Essential Tackle Box: Getting a Hook on the Publishing Industry
I'm starting to move into the book writing realm, and I'm doing as much reading as I can to find out exactly how the business of publishing works. I found Lynn Price's blog, Behler Blog, during my research, and found she also had a book titled The Writer's Essential Tackle Box: Getting a Hook on the Publishing Industry. Loving her snarky style there meant that I was looking forward to a whole book's worth. And she didn't disappoint. Price has a great format that combines knowledge from a variety of sources, and shares her own wisdom in her unique style.
Contents:
Section 1 - Interviews - Casting the flyrod: Agents; The Book Review; Marketing and Sales; Book Shepherd; Bookstore events; Cover design; Distributor; Independent Editor; Warehouse Distribution; Internet Resources; Publicists; Websites; Conclusion
Section 2 - "Forget the bait, pass me the Maalox" - The Submission Process: Before You Bait Your Hook; Myth busting; The Log Line; The Pitch; Author Bio - creating something from nothing; Word count; The Snooze-less Query letter; The s-s-sy-sy-synopsis; Submissions Advice; Apres le query/submission; Rejection; "So why did you reject me?"; The Promotion Plan
Section 3 - "Chumming the Waters": Publishers Are Not Created Equally; The Players; Print-on-Demand - POD; Questions every writer should ask a publisher before querying; Vanity/Subsidy Publication - pay to play
Section 4 - "The Writer's Survival Style Guide": When a manuscript feels sick; Punctuation Beerfest; Submission Autopsy - Part 1 - Show vs. Tell; Submission Autopsy - Part 2 - Backstory, Fluff and Good Intentions; Submission Autopsy - Part 3 - Dialog tags; Submission Autopsy - Part 4 - POV; Physical Descriptions in Blocks of Text - Watch Out For Those Bosoms; Survival Style Guide; Watchful Writing - Mind Your Characters; Do Miracles Happen?
Conclusion; Index
Unlike books that tend to focus on fiction, non-fiction, or specific genres, Price offers up information that spans all writing types. Section 1 consists of interviews with a number of professionals in the publishing business. These interviews give the reader an understanding of everything that happens once you have a book or manuscript that is ready to be sprung on an unsuspecting public. From getting an agent to getting your book on shelves to letting people know your book exists, you'll get a solid understanding and perspective of what you can realistically expect. And the key word here is "realistic". Price and her interviewees don't sugarcoat the information or blow smoke. This is all hard work, and the more you know, the better.
Sections 2 through 4 moves the subject material back onto the side where Price controls the action... the publishing firm. Here she deals with what an editor will look for in terms of story, pitch, and writing. She answers the most important questions, such as what makes a successful query letter, how best to approach an editor, and the etiquette of following up on your submission. This manuscript might be the most important thing in your life, but it's just one of hundreds of submissions that the editor sees on an annual basis. Don't expect them to have the same love for your work as you do... unless you can successfully get them excited about it with your query. Section 3 is also very important, as she deals with the topic of "self-publishing" your work. As a traditional publisher, she has some definite views on that topic. You may disagree or feel like the old publishing model is dead, but her basic information is solid, and you'll be able to approach that path with eyes wide open if you choose to travel it.
I personally loved Section 4... Price is at her snarky best here. She pulls no punches on exposing bad writing and sloppy habits, but she also offers ways to clean it up. I hate to admit that I recognized myself more than once in there, so I have plenty of work to do. I also know of at least two editors who would send chocolate to Ms. Price if she could cure me of the "wasies"...
The Writer's Essential Tackle Box: Getting a Hook on the Publishing Industry is an excellent reference tool for anyone who has fantasies of one day being a published author. Yes, you might get lucky and have everything just fall into your lap without working at it, but it's far more likely you'll have to travel the ground that Price has mapped out for you. And her map will make your voyage much more productive.
Disclosure:
Obtained From: Author
Payment: Free
I'm starting to move into the book writing realm, and I'm doing as much reading as I can to find out exactly how the business of publishing works. I found Lynn Price's blog, Behler Blog, during my research, and found she also had a book titled The Writer's Essential Tackle Box: Getting a Hook on the Publishing Industry. Loving her snarky style there meant that I was looking forward to a whole book's worth. And she didn't disappoint. Price has a great format that combines knowledge from a variety of sources, and shares her own wisdom in her unique style.
Contents:
Section 1 - Interviews - Casting the flyrod: Agents; The Book Review; Marketing and Sales; Book Shepherd; Bookstore events; Cover design; Distributor; Independent Editor; Warehouse Distribution; Internet Resources; Publicists; Websites; Conclusion
Section 2 - "Forget the bait, pass me the Maalox" - The Submission Process: Before You Bait Your Hook; Myth busting; The Log Line; The Pitch; Author Bio - creating something from nothing; Word count; The Snooze-less Query letter; The s-s-sy-sy-synopsis; Submissions Advice; Apres le query/submission; Rejection; "So why did you reject me?"; The Promotion Plan
Section 3 - "Chumming the Waters": Publishers Are Not Created Equally; The Players; Print-on-Demand - POD; Questions every writer should ask a publisher before querying; Vanity/Subsidy Publication - pay to play
Section 4 - "The Writer's Survival Style Guide": When a manuscript feels sick; Punctuation Beerfest; Submission Autopsy - Part 1 - Show vs. Tell; Submission Autopsy - Part 2 - Backstory, Fluff and Good Intentions; Submission Autopsy - Part 3 - Dialog tags; Submission Autopsy - Part 4 - POV; Physical Descriptions in Blocks of Text - Watch Out For Those Bosoms; Survival Style Guide; Watchful Writing - Mind Your Characters; Do Miracles Happen?
Conclusion; Index
Unlike books that tend to focus on fiction, non-fiction, or specific genres, Price offers up information that spans all writing types. Section 1 consists of interviews with a number of professionals in the publishing business. These interviews give the reader an understanding of everything that happens once you have a book or manuscript that is ready to be sprung on an unsuspecting public. From getting an agent to getting your book on shelves to letting people know your book exists, you'll get a solid understanding and perspective of what you can realistically expect. And the key word here is "realistic". Price and her interviewees don't sugarcoat the information or blow smoke. This is all hard work, and the more you know, the better.
Sections 2 through 4 moves the subject material back onto the side where Price controls the action... the publishing firm. Here she deals with what an editor will look for in terms of story, pitch, and writing. She answers the most important questions, such as what makes a successful query letter, how best to approach an editor, and the etiquette of following up on your submission. This manuscript might be the most important thing in your life, but it's just one of hundreds of submissions that the editor sees on an annual basis. Don't expect them to have the same love for your work as you do... unless you can successfully get them excited about it with your query. Section 3 is also very important, as she deals with the topic of "self-publishing" your work. As a traditional publisher, she has some definite views on that topic. You may disagree or feel like the old publishing model is dead, but her basic information is solid, and you'll be able to approach that path with eyes wide open if you choose to travel it.
I personally loved Section 4... Price is at her snarky best here. She pulls no punches on exposing bad writing and sloppy habits, but she also offers ways to clean it up. I hate to admit that I recognized myself more than once in there, so I have plenty of work to do. I also know of at least two editors who would send chocolate to Ms. Price if she could cure me of the "wasies"...
The Writer's Essential Tackle Box: Getting a Hook on the Publishing Industry is an excellent reference tool for anyone who has fantasies of one day being a published author. Yes, you might get lucky and have everything just fall into your lap without working at it, but it's far more likely you'll have to travel the ground that Price has mapped out for you. And her map will make your voyage much more productive.
Disclosure:
Obtained From: Author
Payment: Free
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