Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book

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Summary: The Book Expo Buzz
Review: A look at Miss Page's publishing history reveals three relationship books. This may explain why she tells the writer to approach their book by 1) Establishing Your Book's Unique Identity, 2) Start Working on a Fabulous Title and only then, 3) Write Your Book. This may in fact be a good path for nonfiction, but they have little to do with helping a fiction writer get published. She spends a considerable amount of time on writing and post-publication, when the title promises to talk about getting to publication. If you need to know to write a book first and care about getting your book into paperback after its successful run in hard cover, or want some cheerleading, buy it. If you want insider knowledge and concrete, proven examples and insight, move on.

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Summary: Finally a place to start
Review: As a struggling writer with no knowledge of the publishing industry or all of the facets that accompany the actual writing of the book, I found Susan Page's book to be exactly what I needed to truly wade through the complicated world of moving from a "writer" to a "published author".

Her advice is timeless and valuable. I don't think I'd have made it past my manuscript, my various poems, and collections of journaling, and actually be on my way to publishing a book of my own without reading The Shortest Distance...

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Summary: The Book Expo Buzz
Review: 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!

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Summary: Buy this book... then go write a book yourself
Review: I told a friend of mine that I'd started writing a novel and she recommended "Shortest Distance" to me. I'd done quite a bit of research on the subject of book publishing over the years, but after reading this book, all of my questions about book publishing were answered. Ms. Page completely demystifies all aspects of the book publishing process as well as the industry as a whole. Now, instead of seeing writing and publishing a book as an arduous and possibly even terrifying struggle, I now see it as rewarding and totally within my grasp as a starting writer.

After reading the book, I thought of even more questions. I emailed them to Ms. Page and she graciously replied with answers. I recommend this book to any writer that wants a no-nonsense guide to publishing.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this book... then go write a book yourself
Review: I told a friend of mine that I'd started writing a novel and she recommended "Shortest Distance" to me. I'd done quite a bit of research on the subject of book publishing over the years, but after reading this book, all of my questions about book publishing were answered. Ms. Page completely demystifies all aspects of the book publishing process as well as the industry as a whole. Now, instead of seeing writing and publishing a book as an arduous and possibly even terrifying struggle, I now see it as rewarding and totally within my grasp as a starting writer.

After reading the book, I thought of even more questions. I emailed them to Ms. Page and she graciously replied with answers. I recommend this book to any writer that wants a no-nonsense guide to publishing.

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Summary: Want to get published? This book is for YOU!
Review: I've never read a more comprehensive and helpful resource for new writers. Page knows of what she writes...she's the successful author of several books and has promoted her work on several top-rated talk and radio shows. As I read her easy-to-follow strategies, I couldn't help but wonder, why is this author giving away her secrets? I guess the proof is in the pudding, for who would recommend this book if it didn't provide the goods promised by its title? And deliver the goods she does! Page outlines twenty essential steps for success. Besides "Write Your Book (If You Haven't Already)", as a published author myself, I suggest two others are standouts: "Enlist a Famous or Highly Credentialed Person to Write a Foreword or Endorsement for Your Book" and "Keep Your Eye on Production and Marketing Details". Page realises you'll be discouraged along the way, so she incorporates the best and worst of her own experience of taking six years to publish her first book. She'll keep your hopes high and your expectations realistic. Page's openness and honesty are qualities shared by successful educators. It's no surprise then that she has been teaching workshops since 1980.
Page also includes contact information. She wants to learn from her readers because she believes experience is the greatest teacher. Whether you are a first-time author or seasoned professional, The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book will leave you feeling excited, inspired and ready to get to work!

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Summary: From Publishers Weekly, May 12, 1997
Review: PUBLISHERS WEEKLY May 12, 1997THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND A PUBLISHED BOOK: Everything You Need to Know in the Order You Need to Know Itby Susan PageThe neophyte, certainly, and possibly even the already published will find that Page, as her subtitle claims, really does tell you what you need to know to get happily published. This self-help author (How One of You Can Bring the Two of You Together) knows what she's talking about, whether she's advising on how to write a book proposal, find an agent or promote one's book. To accomplish the latter successfully, Page suggests working at it full time for three months, then part time for a year - that's for the hardcover edition; the process starts again with the paperback reprint. Altogether she has devised 20 steps to walk you through a procedure that's likely to discourage the fainthearted. Page can't seem to resist a bit of lobbying as she makes a lengthy pitch in support of independent bookstores, and she's on target with her suggestions that attending regional bookseller conventions is beneficial. This is one of the more instructive guides to read before writing your book. (June

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Summary: This book delivers what it promises!
Review: 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!

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Summary: Writer Friendly and Experienced Guidance
Review: Thank you Susan Page! With your helpful hand, I have completed a book proposal and received a request from an agent in less than a week after querying. You've been like a kind-hearted but high-standards teacher keeping me progressing small step by small step. Invaluable!

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Summary: A great beginning source
Review: 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.