Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books on writing--and selling--I've seen
Review: Although most writers dream of crafting the Great American Novel, there are many writers quietly making an excellent living with non-fiction books. Many of these books are perennial sellers that bring the authors residual income for many years after initial publication.Marc McCutcheon has written the best book I've seen on writing and selling your non-fiction book. The success stories are inspiring. More importantly, he shares the nuts-and-bolts information you need to know to choose a subject, write your book, get it published, and promote it effectively. (Yes, authors have to promote their books. You can't rely on the publisher to do it.) My only quibble with the book is that I would have liked to see a chapter on when it is appropriate to consider self-publishing, a good option for some non-fiction authors. In fact, many of the success stories in the book are (or were initially) self-published. It's difficult to choose a "most useful" part of this book. Each section is crammed with great insider information about writing and publishing. Both novice writers and those seeking to make writing a full-time career will find the help they need to become successful non-fiction authors. If you have ever thought about writing a book, you need to read "Damn! Why Didn't I Write That?" Then, write your book--before someone else does! Cathy Stucker
Special Interests Publishing
Rating:
Summary: If you are serious about non-fiction- BUY THIS BOOK!
Review: I had an idea buzzing around for a non-fiction book, I wound up buying "Damn! Why Didn't I Write That?" as the title grabbed my interest and I needed more information on writing proposals.
I stayed up all night reading this engaging book. The next day I began hashing my proposal out, following the wisdom and guidance found in the book. Six months later and I've just been offered a contract from McGraw Hill! I think that speaks volumes!
This book will inspire you! Marc McCutcheon offers all the tools, motivation, and information needed to get started. It's no mystery that you have to add the "ideas",the writing talent, and the perserverance, but the rest of what you need, will be found in the pages of "Damn! Why Didn't I Write That?"
Thank you Marc McCutcheon for producing such a quality book!
Regards,
B.A.Webb
www.bawebb.com
Rating: 
Summary: Successful writers aren't ordinary
Review: I haven't read the book, but I'm mentioned in it. It's true that I make a good living as a writer, and it's a great career. It's fun and it offers a lot of freedom. Unfortunately, a lot of "how-to" writers' magazines, and books like this one, lead people to think that the average person can succeed as a writer. It's not true. Sorry. I see a lot of manuscripts and I can say that people with ordinary writing skills (in other words, very few writing skills) waste a lot of time pursuing projects that no publisher will ever buy. (I've done it myself, even after selling ten books to major houses.) If your writing is rejected by three or more publishers, do yourself a favor and take the hint. Take some writing courses, practice, and come back when you're no longer an ordinary writer.
Rating:
Summary: Need Motivation for Book Writing?
Review: If you need motivation for writing your non-fiction book--get this book today! This book motivated me to go for the gold! Now it's your turn. Go for it. So many other's did and were successful. You can do it too! Highly recommended. Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated
Rating:
Summary: Great reading for everyone
Review: It's a book that I bought on a whim for summer reading that perhaps will start me off on a new career. It's written in such a non-condescending way that not even a novice writer will feel threatened by it. I would recommend this book to everyone and would like to thank this writer for writing about his experiences as a writer and literary agent. The price of this book is a true, true bargain! This will hopefully help others who have perhaps been frustrated as to how to get started in the business. Well worth the cost. Marc, keep up the good work in helping others explore themselves and making a buck at it!
Rating:
Summary: Damn! Why didn't I write this FIRST?
Review: Many 'how-to-get-published' books are vague in the concept of writing, but strong on the proposal and submittal of manuscripts. Marc McCutcheon makes his book stand out with specifics for getting your writing noticed, published, and sold. His writing style is casual and humorous, yet professional. I found it to be easy to read, inspiring, and factual. He puts in print what I've been thinking for years as I browsed through the latest Thousands-of-Reasons-to-Make-Maccaroni-type titles: I could've written that...I'm not even a PhD and I could've done that, and so-on. McCutcheon's tips on writing are very concise and motivating, with a fresh delivery of facts, not rehashing. The book also contains a thorough section of resources; from finding an expert on your nonfiction topic of choice, to a glossary of publishing terms for newbies. You'll find examples of query letters McCutcheon used himself to sell his books, as well as sample contracts with translations from legalese into normal language. He lists several success stories of everyday people who sold blockbusters. Common obstacles are addressed such as not having a degree (he is a high-school dropout himself), whether your idea is promotable, contract negotiation, and how to research. You are shown that with the right tools and hard work, anyone can do it. Once believing I might be able to write a non-fiction book and get it published, I now KNOW it. This is a must-read.
Rating:
Summary: Getting me on the "Write" Path
Review: Marc has written a real winner. I used all I learned in the book to get my first book in front of publishers and I'm currently working on my second. Marc spells out exactly what to do and what to avoid with the five W's of writing in getting a book published. The last thing in the world I want is to have multitudes of "wannabe published writers" read this and be successful but I need to call a spade a spade and give my two cents worth. It's certainly not the only book on writing out there but it will get you going in the right direction. If this book does not give you the courage to get that book written then maybe you should spend your spare time playing video games or watching reruns of insulting sitcoms on TV or work at some fast food place for the rest of your days. But if you are serious about writing nonfiction and getting PAID for it, buy the book!!
Rating:
Summary: solid & inspirational
Review: Marc McCutcheon pulls out all stops from the get-go. Instead of implying that "you, too can make money writing books," he tells you the exact figures he has earned in advances and royalties for various titles he has published. He gives sample query letters and proposals, including the one for the very book you're reading! McCutcheon explains how even a highschool dropout like himself can become an authority on various subjects as long as the author is willing to research and stick with their projects. He covers marketing, publicity, agents and editors. The book is fairly brief considering the span of what is covered, yet it is very thorough and easy-to-read. I have picked up a number of "how to get published" books, but they are all snore fests. They ramble on so much, it has been hard to pick out the lean meat from all the fat in the way. McCutcheon is to be applauded for delivering a straight how-to book on a seemingly overwhelming industry. McCutcheon inspires the reader by making this industry approachable and makes attaining the hope of getting your book published attainable.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, inspiring, educational - what more can you ask for?
Review: McCutcheon opens by claiming that "nonfiction books are the most likely to bring the largest rewards for the least amount of struggle and heartache." He then gives eighteen pages of book titles (far from boring to read!) - but why? As a selection of the hundreds of titles that have sold from 50,000 all the way up to 83,000,000 copies. And yes, CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL is on the list, but so are many titles that may surprise you.
This book got me excited. While reading it, I jotted ten nonfiction book ideas inside the front cover. The author has given the tools to take each of these ideas through the crucible and decide whether they're truly worth developing.
McCutcheon also tells you how and where to research your nonfiction projects and how to put rejection into perspective. He gives his own personable slant on those familiar big issues: how to write a query letter and a book proposal; how to negotiate for better royalties; understanding the author's bundle of rights.
Author of the classic best-seller ROGET'S SUPER THESAURUS and other nonfiction titles, McCutcheon is a high school dropout with the writer's lifestyle we all dream of. I guess that says it all about this book!
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Summary: More than just HOW...This books reminds you WHY
Review: Sometimes a book is great because it's well-written, organized, clear, and/or comical. This book is all of the above. But in my opinion, what sets it apart from all the other good books on writing is Marc McCutcheon's personal touch. This is one of those books where the author's personality really shines through. I loved it from the minute I skimmed through it in the bookstore, and straight through the 3 or 4 times I've gone back to it over the last few years. The reason that it's the only writing book I've bought instead of just borrowed from the library is simple: Marc McCutcheon has achieved the essence of what I would one day like to achieve for myself. You might be wondering what that is, exactly. It's the freedom that comes from working for no one but yourself, and living your life in a constant state of creative expression. All you have to do to see that Marc McCutcheon has reached this point is read his dedication: "To all the kids on Hamilton Street who have drawn me away from the confines of my office to play whiffleball, break up fights, shoot hoops, check out salamanders,...apply bandages, build snow forts,...and provide endless excuses not to work when I didn't want to anyway..." This is the kind of life that being a successful writer can afford. There are many books that show you how to get there, but this is the only one that also reminds you why you're doing it in the first place. When you're swimming in rejection slips, uncertainty, and more than your fair share of disappointments, what you need most is NOT a how-to book, but something to remind you what you're working towards. This book is that something.
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