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Title: The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner ISBN: 1-57322-857-5 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 10 April, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 (50 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: 'A Good Title is One That is Sold'
Comment: Betsy Lerner extracts and distills the essences of writers' and publishers' processes and puts them into book form with 'The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers.' As she says, 'this is not a book about how to write.' Rather, it's a book about project management: seeing one's work from the perspective of a book editor and, by this means, guiding it from conception to completion.
The first half of this book perceptively profiles some personality traits and types that writers might recognize in themselves and others:
'the ambivalent writer' or 'How do you stop trying to sound like Raymond Carver and find your own material and voice?'
'the natural,' to whom she counsels, 'Take heart, late bloomers. . . . even if you haven't written the great American whatever by forty, don't give up.'
'the wicked child,' to whom she advises, 'You must give yourself permission to tell.'
'the self-promoter' who might know that '[o]ften the best writers are mortified by their work and fear that it's only a matter of time before others see through them.'
'touching fire' or 'The only place you're likely to find more alcoholics than an AA meeting is a writing program.'
Her intention here seems to be one of consciousness-raising and validation. Next, in the second half, Ms. Lerner demystifies the book publishing process from an acquisitions editor's point of view. This section contains a colorful compendium of authorial dos and don'ts that would be useful for both writers and editors to know. She gives reassuring advice on how to deal with rejection because she says that 'no one suffers as much as the rejected writer.' She goes on to discuss what editors want, what writers want, and what publishers want. For published authors, Ms. Lerner offers tips on dealing with 'postpartum depression' and handing publicity, publicists, and the reading public. 'When all is said and done, there is nothing quite like seeing your book for the first time!'
A bibliography is included, (which is actually a works cited), but no index. Highest recommendation.
Rating: 4
Summary: Editors Made Human
Comment: This is a wonderful book that's divided into 2 sections: Writing and Publishing. In the first half of the book, Betsy Lerner describes the different types of writers and how they work and live. It was interesting and amusing, and sometimes sad. I found that I am basically a combination of two different types, and it was fun to read about the famous examples of those types. The second half of the book describes the publishing process from an editor's point of view. It's nice to see that they're human, and that they really care about the authors. Betsy gives some great advice on how to deal with rejections--and what they REALLY mean. She also brings you back to earth a bit when it comes to the dream of having your book published. She uses this quote by James Purdy, "Most books come into the world with the fanfare of a stillborn." Creepy, yes. But she's trying to say that many authors think that publication will change their lives on the day the book is released, and when it doesn't happen, depression can set in. But while she's delivering that dose of reality, she also gives encouragement and hope to authors. This is a wonderful book that certainly isn't a "how-to" but is more of an eye opener into the world of writers and editors. A good one to read while you're waiting for your manuscript to be evaluated by a publishing house. Worth the money.
Rating: 5
Summary: Publishing Intern
Comment: I am interning for a publishing company this summer and I honestly agree with everything that she is saying about the business. If you are looking to get published, read this and "Thinking Like Your Editor." These books could save you from getting rejections soley upon your cover letter and proposal. If you are serious about being published, you need to do your homework or you may not stand a chance, even if you have a great book. Read these books listen to their advise and keep trying.
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Title: Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction--and Get It Published by Susan Rabiner, Alfred Fortunato ISBN: 0393324613 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why, 2nd Edition by Jeff Herman, Deborah Levine Herman ISBN: 0471353124 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: 04 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write: How to Get a Contract and Advance Before Writing Your Book by Elizabeth Lyon ISBN: 039952827X Publisher: Perigree Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book by Susan Page ISBN: 0553061771 Publisher: Broadway Books Pub. Date: 01 June, 1997 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Food and Loathing: A Lament by Betsy Lerner ISBN: 0743221834 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 01 February, 2003 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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