If you look at the title of the book, you will likely think it is full of writing advice on how to “write that book already!” It’s not. This book is all about the publishing process after you’ve written and polished that book. In that, the title does seem a bit deceiving, and I am sure some writers pick it up expecting a book on craft. That’s not this one.
Title aside, the book is not a bad introduction to getting a book published, particularly if you are interested in pursuing a traditional published route. There is some discussion of independent publishing, but the majority of the focus is on the traditional model of agent to editor to publishing house. The advice is generally solid. The authors do know the process of finding the right agent, the submission process, and what comes after acceptance and before the book is actually printed. Authors focused on independent publishing only may not find this particular book very helpful. There are sections on independent publishing, but they are not as comprehensive as the space devoted to traditional. There are sections of advice from established writers (Stephen King and Amy Tan are two examples). The subjects are approached with the new writer in mind, and are broken out into steps and procedures that can get you moving in the right directions. The authors rely on humor throughout the book to get some of the points across.
If you plan to pursue publishing on the traditional platform, or are curious what that model entails, this book is a good start to find out. You will finish knowing what to do to give yourself at least a chance at that acceptance and contract, and what to expect along the way. If you are more focused on publishing independently, this might not be the place to start.
My latest published book:
“Crossed Wires and Other Very Short Stories”. Twelve scifi and twelve fantasy short stories that can each be read in minutes. Available now Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and most other e-book retailers. More information here
I have written science fiction, fantasy, and urban fantasy stories. There are novels, novellas, and shorter pieces to fit everyone’s reading time. There are even some free stories, both here on the site and in other places. You can go here to find out more about the books I have published. They are available at Amazon, Smashwords, and most ebook retailers. Thank You
And So On... 