Reviews of Writing Books
Page Two of Two2000-2001 Writer's Guide to Book Editors Publishers and Literary Agents by Jeff Herman
Prima Publishing, September 1999.Trade Paperback, 962 pages.
ISBN: 0761519610
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
This massive reference contains detailed
listings for book publishers and literary
agents. Each book publisher listing includes
contact information, a description listing
information about the publisher, recent
books published, imprints and a list of editors.
The listings include hundreds of U.S. publishers,
religious and inspiration publishers, university
presses and Canadian publishers.
Each literary agent listing contains contact
information, types of books represented,
commission, rejection rate, tips for writers and
a list of recent titles represented by the agent.
The Writer's Guide has been thoroughly researched
and contains detailed descriptions of
each publisher and agent listed in the book.
Also included in the book are articles
on the fundamentals of book publishing, including
query letters, book proposal writing, marketing,
perseverance, literary agency fees, collaboration
and ghostwriting. The book also provides a
glossary and a list of websites and other resources
for writers.
Author Jeff Herman, the New York literary agent whose clients include the bestselling authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, has expanded on his comprehensive reference for authors with this latest edition of the Writer's Guide. Herman is very familiar with the many publishers and agents included in the book and this valuable knowledge is passed on to the reader in the personalized, informative entries. Anyone interested in publishing a book, fiction or nonfiction, needs a copy of this detailed reference. An awesome collection of invaluable information for anyone hoping to land a book contract.
Writing Television Sitcoms by Evan S. Smith
Perigee, September 1999.Trade Paperback, 281 pages.
ISBN: 0399525335
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
This specialty writer's reference focuses
on writing television scripts. The book
provides instruction about writing
scripts, researching the market, agents,
the television industry, writing premise-driven
comedy, writing outlines, writing dialogues,
first drafts, agents, finding work, career development
and other related topics.
Advice from expert script writers
who have worked on hit shows such as
Ellen, Frasier, The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince
Of Bel Air, Wings, Martin, Bob Newhart and Late
Night with David Letterman is also provided. Also
included are examples, exercises and excerpts
from sample scripts, including a complete story
outline from an episode of Home Improvement.
Evan S. Smith, a career television writer, provides everything a beginning television writer needs to know about the TV industry and writing scripts for sitcoms in this introductory-level book. This book guides readers step by step through the creation of a script from idea to final draft, the fundamentals of script writing, getting the script published and finally onto career development strategies -- including a section about landing a staff job. Recommended for aspiring sitcom writers eager to break into television writing.
Your Novel Proposal by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook
Writer's Digest Books, August 1999.Hardcover, 246 pages.
ISBN: 0898798752
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Your Novel Proposal provides instruction
and samples for writing effective query letters,
cover letters and book synopses.
It also provides information about
how to decide where to submit your work and
how to get the attention of editors and agents.
As authors Blythe Camenson and
Marshall J. Cook explain, marketing your
finished novel is as complex and creative
a task as writing the novel itself.
"Getting your novel published will take the
same sort of creative problem solving, the same
determination and persistence, the same
refusal to quit that you brought into writing
the book."
The instruction in the book guides the reader
through the process of finding where to submit
completed work and then how to create
the cover letters, pitches and synopsis needed to
sell their work. Each section includes detailed
explanations, examples and tips. For example,
the query letter writing section includes
query letter writing basics, when to send a query
letter, query letter hooks, query letter approaches,
query letter samples, query letter tips and
a checklist.
The book also provides many samples of proposals,
pitches and book synopsis for study,
including a successful 27 page book synopsis.
A section of resources for writers, including
websites, is also provided.
Your Novel Proposal is an excellent book for writers working on the final stage, which is often the most difficult part of the publishing process. Writers with a completed manuscript will find this book invaluable in helping them along with the most exciting part of the process -- getting it published.
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