Sam Barry and Kathi Kamen Goldmark come to Write That Book Already! with heavy-hitting credentials as well as industrial-strength advice for those wondering how to get their books published. Barry is a marketing and promotions manager at HarperOne and the author of a nonfiction book. Goldmark has worked on publicity campaigns for many major publishers in this country. She is the author of a novel and coauthor or contributor to many other books. She also produces the radio program, West Coast Live. Together they write the Author Enablers blog at the Book Page website.
But wait - there's more! Not only are the authors experts, they also persuaded some of the top writers in the country to contribute their insights, recommendations, and advice. Wouldn't you like to know, for example, what other helpful writing books famous authors like Anne Lamott, Amy Tan, and Norman Mailer have suggested? How about a glossary of publishing terms from Acetate to Widow to make you sound in the know?
One caveat, though: Write That Book Already! is not a book about writing or how to write or even how to write a novel-length manuscript. The writing part occupies only the first 47 pages and it is more meta-writing than writing itself. It covers aspects like getting started, organizing yourself, managing time, and still segues into building a platform as early as chapter two. This may be annoying to begin with, but starting with chapter four, the writing settles down into a more logical progression.
It provides details and insights into the even more necessary functions of getting a book published — like writing a proposal and a query letter to first attract an agent. Other helpful sections (for after you've sold the book to a publisher) include how to work well with your publisher's editor, marketing and publicity.
The bonus chapter, I think, is one that every person who has even a fleeting notion of self-publishing just must read! It is a hard-hitting, no illusions, tough but realistic look into the realities of publishing your book yourself. The authors point out that this craze is nothing new. In fact, the earliest publishing was self-publishing, and it has flourished throughout the centuries. It's just a lot cheaper and easier these days to get a book printed. Their list of well-known books that were first published by their authors may astonish you.
Article comments
1 - Toya
Thank you so much for this review because I have been eyeing this book for a while through Writers Digest. Thanks to your review this is definitely a book I'll consider investing in.
2 - Georganna Hancock
This is the kind of response that keeps some of us keepin' on. Thanks so much, Toya, for taking the time and making the effort to comment. Good luck with your writing career!