Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 2001-2002: Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over

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Summary: Essential
Review: Essential research made easier with cd rom.- DaveDavidson.com

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Summary: a great resource for the beginning writer
Review: I'm trying to get a book published and this book is an excellent resource on how to write the proper query letter and assemble the perfect proposal submission to a publisher.

And, of course, this book has an exhaustive list of publishers of all kinds as well as literary agents. My only complaint would be that I wish they had an index organizing the agents by the genres they accept. It's a minor quibble on an otherwise flawless book.

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Summary: Read this if you are serious about getting published
Review: Jeff Herman is one of the top literary agents in New York. In this book, he offers his own insights, and he also calls on many of the key players in the publishing industry to explain, from their perspective, exactly how the business really works.
Learn what an acquisition editor looks for; what motivates an editor to want to publish your book; and the mechanics of the whole process. Armed with this information, you are in a much better position to contact the editors and agents listed in the book. There are other more famous books about markets available to writers... but this one is the best one... in my humble opinion. Oh... in case you think I'm prejudiced... Jeff is my agent and has done wonders with the material I've given to him: We've submitted four projects, and have four sales! I follow his advice, and do whatever he tells me to do with hesitation.

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Summary: wonderful book!
Review: Leave out the pretensious testimonials and preachy "Do's and Don'ts" section and you have yourself the ultimate reference tool for would be and struggling authors. Every literary agent, editor and publishing firm is listed along with contacts, email addresses and each firms "likes and dislikes" which can save you months of trial and error when submitting materials for publications. There are interspersed within this reference advice from published authors stating, sometimes in a boldly condescending fashion, how you "must" do things if you ever hope to be a published writer. Of course, I've never heard of most of these so-called writers and I would take their advise with a healthy grain of salt. But for pure informational reference, this is the book no writer should be without.

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Summary: TOO MANY INSIDERS BENEFIT FROM WRITERS' ETERNAL HOPE
Review: This book is all that you will need to succeed. (BELIEVE ME!) I can't stress it enough. I became an self-publisher (Good Girls Stay Empty-Handed) after being told so many times that poetry is dead, and that I will never find anyone who would be willing to represent me. After reading "Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents. I am putting the finishing touch on my second poetry book (The Powere of Love), and preparing to complete my first novel (Soft Words From A Man) for publication by May 2002. I have everything that I need to become successful right before my eyes.

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Summary: An essential reference for new and established authors
Review: This book is updated annually and I have been recommending Writer's Guide for years to both experienced authors and novices. You can quickly find information on both publishers and literary agencies. You will learn what topics they cover so that you can avoid wasting your time and theirs. (Editors hate receiving proposals on subjects they would never ever cover.)

You'll see a listing of recent books that publishers have released, and that will also help you gauge whether your book idea might fit their needs. The book also lists current editors, and it's very important to send your letter to someone who works at the company now.

The information on literary agents provides unique insights, such as what they think are the "most common mistakes authors make" and what topics get them excited, as well as the nitty gritty info, such as what percentage they charge.

This book is well worth the money and I frequently thumb through it. I strongly recommended Writer's Guide in my own book, Writing Freelance.

Christine Adamec

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Summary: Writer's Guide makes writers look like pros
Review: This is my most used book for reaching the major publishing editors. Knowing editors by name is a must for writer or agent. Agents study every letter from a publisher to see who actually handled a writer's manuscript. If they don't understand why it went to that editor instead of where it was sent, they ask. That's the kind of esoteric knowledge Mr. Herman delivers into your hands.

Knowing an editor's specialty areas by reading Writer's Guide practically rolls out the red carpet for the writers I represent. It gives me the facts I need on the editors I want and provides experienced wisdom besides.

Other directories repeat or simply rearrange what the publisher spokesman offers to say. Quite often that information came from someone in marketing, someone more interested in selling books to you than BUYING books from you, not an editor. Reading their "press release" entries to discover what they really mean is almost an art form. Mr. Herman's book reveals his professional opinion, giving a profound weight to every entry. Best of all, the editors names are in the index so I can look them up when (90% of the time) they E-Me back with nothing but their name in the letter.

The only complaint I have with Writer's Guide is that it only deals with the upper echelon of publishers.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and helpful
Review: This is well worth the money. I particularly like the fact that editor's names and interests are listed. Overall, a very useful and unique book.