The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published (Complete Idiot's Guide to...)

Rating:
Summary: A complete, sensible step-by-step instruction book.
Review: Book Review The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published

Have you ever been in the position of having someone say to you "Do you have any more questions?" Have you been frustrated because you didn't have enough knowledge of the subject at hand to enable you to ask intelligent questions? Well, if it is "getting published" that is plaguing you with unanswered "how to", I have found your answer. It is appropriately called "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published."

You are guided down the road from "wannabe" writer to becoming an accomplished professional. Each step of the way is carefully detailed and you are very quickly brought to the realization that although writing may be fun, publishing is a serious business. You learn what to do and what not to do when writing your letter of query, and your proposal, or in submitting your manuscript. Each step in the process has a definite procedure and learning the tricks of the trade is half of the battle when the victory is a published book. I have concluded that non-fiction is the way to go! Do a year of research, a query, a proposal, and if the publisher likes your idea, then- you can write your book.. Fiction is a little more difficult. Write the book, write a synopsis, and then sell the publisher on the idea that it is "the" book of the year. However, do the selling through your agent! You only need a successful query to obtain the agent. The up side is that the agent works on the commission from your sales, and requires no money at the start.. Seriously, the book is the answer to all of the questions that you weren't aware that you needed to ask, when you decided that you were a "writer." This is just a sample of the pearls of wisdom, sample letters, and resources shared in this book. It is, without a doubt, a "writer's Bible" whether your aspirations are fame and fortune or the pleasure of self publishing. The authors have participated in all aspects of the game and willingly and unselfishly share their combined wealth of expertise and experience. Phyllis Fowler Sheree Bykofsky1999 Jennifer Basye Sander Alpha Books Macmillan General Reference Books A Simon & Schuster Macmillan Co. 1633 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019-6785

Rating:
Summary: Like having a smart friend on your bookshelf...
Review: ...this book is amazing! Step by step, exactly what to do and how to do it, this book will guide you from your great idea to your first royalty check (and then on to your SECOND great idea!!)

Jennifer Bayse Sander is a terrific non fiction writer (I have three of her books!) and Sheree B. is clearly an experienced and knowledgeable guide through the world of books!

Rating:
Summary: Thank you Sheree and Jennifer!
Review: Dear Sheree and Jennifer,

I'm writing to thank you for sharing your knowledge and wonderful
advice in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published. I was
completely new to the publishing world, but I followed every step in
your book and landed a book deal with Allworth Press for my book The
Diva Next Door: How To Be a Singing Star Wherever You Are. I'm
currently in the process of putting the spit and polish on my
manuscript, and when the time comes, I will continue to follow your

advice for publicity and marketing.

With enormous gratitude,
Jill Switzer

Rating:
Summary: The complete idiot's guide to getting published
Review: I found the book to be most informative and helpful, but even more than that, I enjoyed reading it. It is written with clarity and simplicity making the material easy to read and understandable. The organization is superb! I would strongly recommend the book to any writer seeking a publisher or agent, whether the writer has or has not been published.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely everything I needed and more than expected!
Review: I have wanted to write a book for over thirty years but hadn't a clue where to start. I took a leave of absence, bought a home overlooking the Mississippi River and moved in hoping the "spirit" of Mark Twain would somehow penetrate me by osmosis! Luckily my sister sent me off with The Idiot's Guide to Getting Published. This started my research in how to accomplish that dream. I learned which one of my topics was the most marketable, how to "package" my topic and the actual nuts and bolts to writing the query letter,proposal, and sample chapter. I have completed all of the above and on Christmas Eve sent out my first query letter. I know that my topic will help others and I am feeling so proud of myself that I have done all of this work...work I didn't even know existed one month ago. Thank you Jennifer and Sheree for helping me to put into process my dream of writing. I will be eternally grateful.

Rating:
Summary: Timing is everything
Review: I haven't yet read this book, but wanted to point out that Jill Switzer has indeed finished a book which Amazon does now list. The publishing world does not move quickly by the "gotta have it now" standards of the Internet Age. It takes a while to get a book listed and ready for publication. Jill Switzer said she was putting the spit and polish on her book back in July 2004. She never said that she would be finished doing so in a week, a month, or even a year. Using her as an example in such a manner was inappropriate and made her look bad. The review was supposed to be for this book not Ms. Switzer. By the by, for those who may care, the title of Jill Switzer's book is The Diva Next Door: How To Be A Star Wherever You Are. As of the date of this post it is as yet unreleased, but the listing does sport a cover shot.

I have a credit coming my way for a duplicate Christmas present which I intend to use for this book. I will write a proper review at that point.

Rating:
Summary: For people who are indeed idiots
Review: I mean no disrespect to a prior reviewer--Jill Switzer--or to anyone for that matter. But I do resent having been enticed to buy this book.

Ms Switzer expresses 'enormous gratitude' for the advice given in this book, which has led to a book deal. She wrote the review in July 2004--her only one--when she was 'putting the spit and polish on her manuscript.' I searched Amazon for her book but apparently it's not published yet, or Amazon hasn't yet begun selling it. Please look for Ms Switzer's book to check the authenticity of her review.

Another disquieting piece of advice in the book was the suggestion that the writer employ an indexing specialist. MS_Word does a pretty good job of indexing--am I wrong?

The book does not give sound advice regarding what to do when a publishing house tries not to pay a writer (usually first time writers will need to field such a 'try on'.) I remember it saying that under no circumstances should you bother the Editor of the Publishing House regarding money matters.

Overall, this book felt like it was designed for 'wannabees' who would never be.

Strange also, that this book, like so many others that seem to pander to the interests of the Publishers, won't state expected income in dollar terms for things like romance novels.

Thank God for Amazon's new 'real name' system--now I can read reviews with some certitude of genuineness.

Rating:
Summary: A superbly organized, easy-to-follow instructional
Review: Now in its third edition The Complete Idiot's Guide To Getting Published by literary agent Sheree Bykofsky and book publishing expert Jennifer Basye Sander, is a handy and thoroughly "user friendly" guide drawn from their years of practical experience in the business of writing and publishing. Instructing aspiring authors in the proper manner to draft a professional query letter, land a book contract, publicize themselves and their work, cope with the ever-changing circumstances of bookstores and inventory, and so much more, The Complete Idiot's Guide To Getting Published is a superbly organized, easy-to-follow instructional and advisory resource worthy of the highest possible recommendation and a "must read" for anyone wanting to become a published author in their own right.

Rating:
Summary: This one book answered hundreds of questions!
Review: Since I received this book two days ago, I have been mesmerized by each page. "Talk about a page turner!" I am getting very close to reaching the first draft of an approximately 75,000 word manuscript and, like many others, never thought about the mechanics of actually hooking up with a good agent, getting through the many revisions and myriad editors before the book hits the presses. There is certainly more to it than that, but the jist is that this is a wonderful and informative book.

Rating:
Summary: Eh... nothing new...
Review: This book is the way technical books should ALWAYS be written. After reading this book, I think I have a pretty polished idea of the book publishing process. In fact, I think any...well, idiot, could understand this book. These two authors explained the steps involved from query letters, to proposals, to agents, to behind-the-scene editorial meetings and with such dry topics, they made this seem so interesting. I have a whole new respect for editors and will take both of these ladies' advice.