There are many books that list what you have to do to transform
yourself into a bestselling author. What makes this 300 page book worth
reading is that it is approachable. Most writers already know what
they have to do, but Patricia Fry makes it easy to own up to the parts of
the business of being a writer you tend to ignore and what to do about it.
If you just want to be a writer, and not a published author with an
eager readership, you should not bother to study this book because you
really will not want to see the marketing mistakes that most writers make
listed. But if you have some ambition to have your work published and
read, then read on.
The model presented is couched in terms that are easy to recognise.
Publishing is a business a bit like any other. So think of your book as
a start-up business. Instead of looking for just any publisher, try to
find the right one. Think of the publisher as the shop. Match the product
you are selling to the shop and its location. If you don’t have the
right book for the right audience, being put out by the right publisher,
your chances of success are reduced.
The author makes some interesting observations about building a
relationship with an agent. Many writers would reply that ‘chance would be
a fine thing’. The single shot application that most writers adopt in
their hunt for representation is probably not the best way to identify the
person you hope to be a key part of your team. Honesty is the key
attribute to look for, according to the author.
The book is liberal with ideas and templates for all those difficult
letters you have to write to publishers or agents, and later to the media.
This is an example of the practical approach that the author takes
throughout its fifteen chapters, starting with suggesting you stop
work and ending with a chapter on how to keep track of your money as the
royalties roll in.
There is a good section that busts some comfortable myths about the
writing business and three chapters about promoting your book. You may
have heard much of it before, but this book, aimed at the US market, is
informative, comprehensive and easy to read.
I have some works of fiction, which relate to my non-fiction writing,
framing themselves in my imagination. I will definitely have another look
at this book before I put my proposal together. I was certainly convinced
that I should put the deal together before starting the actual writing of
the books.
The book, and a number of other titles, can be purchased via the
author’s website.
http://matilijapress.com
ISBN 0977357600
Published by the author
