Personal inspiration and practical advice from an expert in the field who delivers.
One feels for Betsy Lerner's writers. Oh, sure, Lerner must be a fabulous agent. But too bad for them: In gaining her as an agent, they lost her as an editor. How rare and wonderful it must have been to have such an advocate, advisor, and, yes, admirer so firmly ensconced in publisher territory (at various times, Houghton Mifflin, Ballantine, Simon & Schuster, and Doubleday). In The Forest for the Trees, Lerner reflects on writing and publishing from an editor's point of view. There are so many books by writers and agents promising to disclose what editors really want; here, finally, is one straight from the source. Like all experienced editors, Lerner has seen writers at their best, and at their worst. "Like shrinks," she says, editors "have a privileged and exclusive view into a writer's psyche, from the ecstasy of acquisition to the agony of the remainder table."
To writers, particularly unpublished ones, editors can seem imposing figures determined to thwart their success. They won't take calls, they don't offer feedback--sometimes they don't respond to queries at all. Guess what: Editors don't lug home hundreds of pounds of manuscripts to read each year because they aren't looking for good writing. "An editor gets off," says Lerner, "on the thrill of discovering a new writer." Editors crave "succinct, well-written cover letters," inspiration that comes from within (as opposed to from the bestseller list), and "catchy, clearly targeted title[s]." They detest unsolicited phone calls, "query letters that sound as if they were penned by Crazy Eddie," and writers who offer to "write it however I want it" (it's "like saying I'll be straight or gay; you tell me, I have no preference"). Lerner is aware of how excruciating it is for a writer to wait for feedback on his or her work. But she also lets writers in on a little secret of her own. "I'm always anxious about the author's response," she confides. "Will he or she take to my editing?" --Jane Steinberg
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Practical Sage Advice on Surviving the Writing Process:
Betsy Lerner warns that The Forest for the Trees is not a prescriptive formula about rules and style. Instead, you learn about the various writing personalities she has often encountered and gives compassionate advice so that aspiring writers may overcome their most damning psychological roadblocks. Whether you're the writer with a million ideas you can't choose from or the self-promoter who wishes to gain fame and notoriety, she has practical advice to help you. She acknowledges that the writing... more info
pleased to be a writer:
It's the first book I've read that I couldn't put down. Reading it for me was like taking a long car ride with someone you enjoyed spending time with. They say "When the student's ready, the teacher will appear." That's how I thought about this book.
Love this book!:
Oh that all editors had Betsy Lerner's dedication, wisdom, and skills. She's brilliant and I loved reading her book. She hit me right in the face in the first chapter when she described ME: the ambivalent writer. And I so much appreciate her reminder that it doesn't matter who says what about your work -- what matters is what YOU believe, how YOU take it, what YOU do about it. I feel tougher and braver having read this book. I'll keep it for a shot of confidence when I need it again.
One of My Favorite Writing Books:
Betsy Lerner is the legendary editor who published Elizabeth Wurtzel's "Prozac Nation" and held her hand through the writing of her second book (detailed in More, Now, Again: A Memoir of Addiction, incidentally). Lerner understands authors and reading this book is like writers' therapy. I've re-read this book every year or two since its publication, and will continue to do so for many years. "Forest for the Trees" is the perfect book to help you through those times that you're struggling with the question... more info
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