Publishing 101 (out of print)

Whether you’ve finished your manuscript or just have the seeds of a book idea, Publishing 101 shows you how to approach editors and agents with your work, while avoiding the common pitfalls of first-time authorship.

Publishing 101

Experienced editor and publisher Jane Friedman offers insights from more than 15 years of working on both sides of the desk, and offers step-by-step advice on:

  • evaluating the commercial potential for your work
  • finding and approaching editors and agents professionally
  • preparing query letters and book proposal materials
  • marketing and promoting your work effectively
  • protecting your rights and avoid infringing on others’ rights, and
  • understanding the self-publishing and ebook market—and if it’s the right path for you.

Publishing 101 describes the dramatic changes underway in the publishing industry, as ebook sales increase and physical bookstores decrease in number. These changes affect how authors get book deals—meaning you need to be prepared to adapt to a risk-averse industry during a time of uncertainty.

Avoid frustration—don’t embark on the submission process without being fully educated about how the industry works. You’ll better focus your time and energy, increase your chances of success, and learn to decipher the language of industry professionals.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Dirty Secret About Writing Advice
Chapter 1: The Psychological Battle
Chapter 2: Are You Ready to Face the Business of Publishing?
Chapter 3: A Few Words on Craft
Chapter 4: How to Get Traditionally Published
Chapter 5: Understanding the Self-Publishing Path
Chapter 6: The Basics of Author Platform
Chapter 7: Marketing and Promotion for New Authors
Chapter 8: Author Websites and Blogs
Chapter 9: The Key Principles of Online Marketing and Social Media
Chapter 10: Rights and Legal Issues
Chapter 11: Advice on the Writing Life
Chapter 12: The Future of Publishing

8 thoughts on “Publishing 101 (out of print)”

  1. I want to be clear that not all of what I read was what I wanted to hear. Some of Ms. Friedman’s most specific advice required that I carefully review why I was writing and what I was trying to accomplish. I was very excited to have finished my first draft of my manuscript and I wanted to know what I needed to do next to get published. Instead, after reading this book, I realized I was not at all prepared for publishing. I needed to rethink my entire project. I also needed to create a website, something that was not at all part of my plan. You can’t get 120,000 words together without caring about your project, so it was upsetting to read that I had to take on another project to setup a website. But it was what I really needed to hear, and what I needed to do next.

    Reply

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