How would you like to become the next John Gray or Mark Victor Hansen? The enormously successful authors of the bestselling Mars and Venus and Chicken Soup for the Soul books weren't always so famous or prosperous. Just like you, they once only dreamed of making it to the top. How they--and 58 other bestselling writers--made it big is revealed inside, along with the tips you'll need to make it onto the bestseller lists. You'll learn the secrets to: · Turning a good idea into a bestselling book · Writing book proposals that will reel in the big advances · Finding--and keeping--the right agent · Discovering the best promotional possibilities for you and your book · And much, much more! "People always ask me for advice on how to get their books published successfully. Now I can refer them to You Can Make It Big Writing Books--one of the best reference books on this subject."--Nelson Demille, author of The General's Daughter "Don't even think about writing a book until you read this. Jeff Herman tells it like it is in today's publishing world."--Arielle Ford, publicist and author "Conveys what it takes to become a bestselling author: the discipline, the perseverance, the knowledge, and the passion."--John Gray, author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus About the Author Jeff Herman is the owner of the Jeff Herman Literary Agency, one of New York's leading agencies for writers. He frequently speaks to writer's groups and conferences on the topic of getting published and can be reached at /www.jeffherman.com
If your goal is a Pulitzer, don't look here. But if your aspirations include wealth, bestsellerdom, and an appearance on Oprah®, You Can Make It Big Writing Books can help. The majority of the book comprises author and literary agent Jeff Herman's profiles of more than 60 topselling authors. While the profiles quickly begin to sound formulaic--the authors all seem to have been asked the exact same questions--there is a lot to learn from this group of confident, successful self-promoters: mainly that writing may be an art form, but, as says Carmen Renee Berry (Girlfriends for Life), "publishing is a business." Some of the best--and funniest--tips come from Ralph Roberts (Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman). Roberts recommends autographing books at every bookstore you can (it makes it more difficult for the store to return them to the publisher) and giving the pilot a copy of your book every time you fly. "It's awesome," says Roberts, "to hear the pilot announce: 'We have Ralph Roberts, the world's greatest salesperson, on board.'"
The final third of the book is devoted to promotional tips from Herman and other specialists. They advise that you write a query letter so good that an agent will feel compelled to call you immediately; make your radio appearances so engrossing that even ice cream in the trunk wouldn't make a listener turn off the car and go inside; and take advantage of America Online's 30-day free trial to promote your book to its members. Of course, divine intervention and that booking on Oprah® wouldn't hurt, either. --Jane Steinberg
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
How to Make It Big 30 Years Ago:
This book is a series of questionnaires filled out by successful authors. Many, if not most, have published 10, 20, or 30 bestsellers in the past 10, 20, or 30 years. Over and over the writers say that 30 years ago they did this or they had this bit of luck, which started their career. The Internet, self-publishing, print-on-demand, e-books, etc. are mentioned maybe once in passing, or not at all. What's repeatedly discussed is enduring reams of rejection letters from agents and publishers. I don't know any... more info
Invaluable, as usual:
I read Jeff Herman, Deborah Herman, and Julia DeViller's book voraciously, and following their advice allowed me to finish a proposal I had been stuck on for a long time. I now feel I have an excellent grasp of what I need to do to develop my nonfiction idea and make it as marketable as possible. All of Herman's books are essential for the aspiring writer, and "You Can Make It Big Writing Books" is no exception. I am confident that it will pay for itself a million times over in future book sales! Thanks... more info
Thumbs down:
This book has a misleading title. It will not tell you how to write a best selling novel or even tell you what the editors are looking for. Jeff Herman [if that who is writing; throughout the book there are personal comments, but which of the three authors is making them is anyone's guess] disses fiction which he refers to as "high art" [sort of like "high episcopalian"?]because his agency doesn't sell fiction and never has. If you write non-fiction, then you will enjoy this book, and it will tell you what... more info
Publishing is a Business:
This book is wonderful. It combines the professional know-how of 60 celebrated American authors. The topselling American authors all seem to have been asked the same questions, and there is a lot to learn from this group of successful self-promoters in the first 220 pages of the book. And in the final third of the book is devoted to promotional tips from top literary agent Jeff Herman and his colleagues.
Every page of "You Can Make It Big Writing Books" has inspiration. But this book is not about writing... more info
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