- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Perigee Trade (Jan 16 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0399525084
- ISBN-13: 978-0399525087
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.1 x 1.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 181 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #622,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Veteran writing-book author Scott Edelstein's 100 Things Every Writer Needs to Know is geared decidedly toward the novice. Should I quit my day job? Pay someone to represent me? Employ a vanity press? Anyone who's been around the writer's block knows the answers to these questions (no, no, and no), but this book is a great place for a rookie to pick up a lot of knowledge without too much hard work. More experienced writers will also appreciate Edelstein's authoritative and reassuring words, and may pick up a few hints, as well. Edelstein has great advice on determining whether a writing workshop will be worthwhile, and some clever recommendations for wriggling one's way into a writing job and a list of 10 foolproof methods for making at least $50,000 a year as a writer (for instance, "Write a Broadway show that runs a long time"). He warns against relying on the Writer's Market books too heavily, as they list only "35-40 percent" of the markets available; gives the go-ahead on multiple submissions; and--unless you're seeking representation--advises against sending query letters. "Ninety percent of the time," he says, "you'll get a reading," regardless of whether a publication claims not to consider unsolicited manuscripts. Oh, and in case you don't know better, "bribery, toadying, and sucking up not only are smarmy, but almost never work." --Jane Steinberg
Book Description
Writer, editor, and literary agent Scott Edelstein has done it all--and now this industry insider brings his valuable secrets to both beginning and established writers. Covering everything from building writing skills to dealing with editors to starting a writing business, this all-important guide will get you started and point you in the right direction. With matter-of-fact advice and encouragement from an expert, you'll get the information, inspiration, and guidance you need to write your best and begin a successful writing career.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
Imagine someone were to tell you "You're not a bicyclist until you've ridden at least five hundred miles," or "You can't consider yourself a real bather until you've spent at least a thousand hours in the tub." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Imagine someone were to tell you "You're not a bicyclist until you've ridden at least five hundred miles," or "You can't consider yourself a real bather until you've spent at least a thousand hours in the tub." Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good look at writing,
By
This review is from: 100 Things Every Writer Needs to Know (Paperback)
"100 Things Every Writer Needs to Know" is one of those books that the title alone causes you to set your expectations low. Not being the thickest tome doesn't help the cause.But what a surprise this pleasant little book is! In a sea of writers' helps, this one carves a niche by not only being surprisingly comprehensive in the breadth of topics it addresses, but also densely packed with useful tips. And did I mention that it is also breezily written, so it is not a chore to wade through? Kudos to Scott Edelstein for writing such a fine book to help writers, while also simultaneously proving that it is possible to know the writing profession inside and out and STILL actually write well! This book contains plenty of the typical writer's advice like getting through writer's block, fostering creativity, and such, but also discusses the spiritual aspects of writing, common myths of the profession, and even technical advice. Each of the one hundred tips of the trade runs little more than a couple pages (with major exceptions being a few of the glossary tips), so this is a book that can digested in spurts. Read a bit, put it down for a while, and then read some more later. What makes this book, though, is Edelstein's welcoming writing style. Within a few pages, you feel like you know him and vice versa. He's the mentor all of us need. Much more than expected. A worthy addition to your writing library.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love how this book is set up!,
By KatSchool "KitKat" (Stafford Springs, CT United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 100 Things Every Writer Needs to Know (Paperback)
I love the short concise chapters--so zen. He gets to the point and doesn't let the reader forget why she started writing--for joy! For fun! He encourages; he makes us laugh. When I'm having a down day either writing new projects, or promoting my novel, "Forever Retro Blues," I love to pick this book up and just flip to a page. Inevitability, there is some priceless gem of advice that bolsters me.
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite writing book,
By TheCafeWriter (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 100 Things Every Writer Needs to Know (Paperback)
If I had to pick ONE THING in this whole book that I found was of value, it would be Chapter 10 beginning on page 16: "You Can Safely Ignore Most of the 'Have-To's' You've Been Taught About Writing."He lists nearly every 'have to' in every writing book (and MOST of them have 'em): I nearly stopped writing altogether trying to follow some of those "have-to's" in other books! It's great that some combination of those things work for *some* people, but Edelstein is the only author I've seen who truly recognizes that everyone's writing process is unique and that a large part of writing is discovering what works for YOU. Definitely worth the money!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
Most recent customer reviews |
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Nonfiction > Education > Language Instruction
- Books > Nonfiction > Education > Reference > Words & Language > Reference
- Books > Reference > Foreign Languages
- Books > Reference > Publishing & Books > Authorship
- Books > Reference > Words & Language > Reference
- Books > Reference > Writing > Writing Skills
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
