For over twenty years, How to Write & Sell Your First Novel has been giving the writing and marketing instruction you need to get that first novel published. Authors Oscar Collier and Frances Spatz Leighton will walk you through every step of the process from choosing the type of novel you want to write to publicity and self-promotion basics, and all the steps in between, such as:
Establishing daily writing routines
Developing compelling characters, realistic dialogue, and an engaging plot
Revising and editing your manuscript for submission
Deciding whether or not an agent is right for you
Handling contract negotiations
In addition to all of this great instructional advice, How to Write & Sell Your First Novel also includes interviews with novelists about their publishing experience, as well as the working methods, attitudes, and specific strategies superstar novelists--like Stephen King, John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark, and others--used to get published. Use their tips to help you build your own success!
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
What a disappointment!:
This book is disappointing! I had it on my shelf for years and finally got around to opening it up and diving in. I was let down because it tries to do too much with too little. It is split into two parts, the first comprising a rundown of writing tips, and the second being a series of author success stories. In my view, the first part is a complete waste of time. And resources. The writing tips read hollow and pithy; it is obvious an agent or publisher wrote them -- not a writer. So if you're looking... more info
This book got me started!:
The practical advice in this book got me started! I began the "three page a day" regime and I have now written three novels--my first, "Forever Retro Blues" is published. I knew very little about publishing, but this book directed me how to write, look for an agent, publisher, etc. They give inspiring examples of how someone went from a nobody, to a publishered writer. Examples abound of how persistance pays off. If you really want to get off the ground, get this book!
Some Areas Helpful - Others Dated:
The publishing world is changing so fast. The advent of E-Publishers and Print-on-Demand has also changed the industry.
Even though this book has a 1997 publishing date, some of the info is already dated. Don't get me wrong, there are sections that are very helpful. I've had the book three years and find myself flipping through it as a back-up to my other information.
Honestly, though, you can probably find more accurate info on the Internet than this book can really offer now.
Some irrelevant information:
The book started out extremely well, the first chapter was inspirational and very informative. The second chapter explained the different genres of fiction, i.e. mainstream, romance, mystery, etc. Further along the book, I found the book was most practical in its advice on preparing your final draft and submitting it to publishers.
The second part of the book is basically a biography covering the lives of several authors. Some were quite interesting as they were compressed into two or three pages, such... more info
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