Comments on: How to Get a Book Deal: Lessons From My Adventures in the World of Non-Fiction Publishing http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/ Demystifying Student Success Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:56:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Mary Ellen http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-6459 Mary Ellen Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:01:48 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-6459 Thanks for giving your insight. This is exceptionally helpful. Thanks for giving your insight.
This is exceptionally helpful.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-6392 Study Hacks Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:38:26 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-6392 <blockquote>I have so many unique stories that I know would be non-bad writing. What do I need to do to get prepared for communicating with an agent. I’m so in the dark with this business PLEASE help me.</blockquote> If you want to try to publish a book of unique stories you have to become an established writer first. At least from my experience, as mentioned above, a first-time writer needs a topic that people feel like they <em>have</em> to buy; personal stories fail this test. My two pieces of advice would be to: (a) search for a unique angle on your stories; (b) do lot's of writing. If you can start publishing in some smaller venues you can potentially pass the established writer's test.

I have so many unique stories that I know would be non-bad writing. What do I need to do to get prepared for communicating with an agent. I’m so in the dark with this business PLEASE help me.

If you want to try to publish a book of unique stories you have to become an established writer first. At least from my experience, as mentioned above, a first-time writer needs a topic that people feel like they have to buy; personal stories fail this test. My two pieces of advice would be to: (a) search for a unique angle on your stories; (b) do lot’s of writing. If you can start publishing in some smaller venues you can potentially pass the established writer’s test.

]]> By: Ann Mitchell http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-6388 Ann Mitchell Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:57:15 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-6388 I'm not college educated, so I don't feel very qualified to have a book published. However some of the books I read are shallow and haven't an interesting storyline. I'm 63 and would love to accomplished having a book or two published. I have so many unique stories that I know would be non-bad writing. What do I need to do to get prepared for communicating with an agent. I'm so in the dark with this business PLEASE help me. I’m not college educated, so I don’t feel very qualified to have a book published. However some of the books I read are shallow and haven’t an interesting storyline. I’m 63 and would love to accomplished having a book or two published. I have so many unique stories that I know would be non-bad writing. What do I need to do to get prepared for communicating with an agent. I’m so in the dark with this business PLEASE help me.

]]> By: Manny Stiles http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-6106 Manny Stiles Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:25:25 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-6106 Jeez, I don't suck, I don't fear sucking and I don't EVER have a problem with "writer's block" - hell, I often feel like I can't get it ALL out!!! I started writing on a "blog" and let my "online personna" overtake my real life abilities. I've put myself ina position where I am writing 20,000 words a week without effort, yet there's little purposeful direction. I think I'm a great writer because my passion for stortelling is greater than my ability to be "palatable" for mass consumption. How do I tune myself to open up to greater "mass appeal"? What is a writer who writes because they MUST write supposed to do in this world to get the attention of an agent who will be capable of reining in and purposefully directing that spirit that consumes a wordsmith like myself? I'm SICK of people telling me I could write about "toaster ovens" (all fine and dandy, but I don't like toaster ovens THAT much) and make it a good read? How do I convince an agent to mold me? Or better yet, how does a person like me find an agent - out of the blue - to direct my endless spew of wordcrafting and talent? I've tried (in my own obnoxious ways) to little avail... I guess responding to blogs like this isn't helpful? Jeez, I don’t suck, I don’t fear sucking and I don’t EVER have a problem with “writer’s block” - hell, I often feel like I can’t get it ALL out!!!

I started writing on a “blog” and let my “online personna” overtake my real life abilities. I’ve put myself ina position where I am writing 20,000 words a week without effort, yet there’s little purposeful direction.

I think I’m a great writer because my passion for stortelling is greater than my ability to be “palatable” for mass consumption. How do I tune myself to open up to greater “mass appeal”?

What is a writer who writes because they MUST write supposed to do in this world to get the attention of an agent who will be capable of reining in and purposefully directing that spirit that consumes a wordsmith like myself?

I’m SICK of people telling me I could write about “toaster ovens” (all fine and dandy, but I don’t like toaster ovens THAT much) and make it a good read? How do I convince an agent to mold me?

Or better yet, how does a person like me find an agent - out of the blue - to direct my endless spew of wordcrafting and talent? I’ve tried (in my own obnoxious ways) to little avail…

I guess responding to blogs like this isn’t helpful?

]]> By: Scott H Young » You Don’t Need to Be an Expert http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5458 Scott H Young » You Don’t Need to Be an Expert Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:01:42 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5458 [...] but were somehow gutsy enough to get started. These are the people who have started companies, had books published and appeared on [...] […] but were somehow gutsy enough to get started. These are the people who have started companies, had books published and appeared on […]

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5393 Study Hacks Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:40:33 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5393 @Vlad: Thanks Vlad. Keep writing! @Vlad:

Thanks Vlad. Keep writing!

]]> By: Vlad http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5392 Vlad Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:13:51 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5392 Interesting article. I'll definitely bookmark it for when I'm ready to publish a book. For now I'm working on improving my writing skills (as someone said - "suck less every day" :) ) It's interesting that you say you shouldn't write the book before pitching it. Tim Ferris gives exactly the same advice on starting a business. Test the demand first before even making a product. Anyway, I think I'll find more ways to improve my writing, for now I only have a blog. I might try writing some short stories. I always liked fiction :) Keep up the great blog! Interesting article. I’ll definitely bookmark it for when I’m ready to publish a book. For now I’m working on improving my writing skills (as someone said - “suck less every day” :) )

It’s interesting that you say you shouldn’t write the book before pitching it. Tim Ferris gives exactly the same advice on starting a business. Test the demand first before even making a product.

Anyway, I think I’ll find more ways to improve my writing, for now I only have a blog. I might try writing some short stories. I always liked fiction :)

Keep up the great blog!

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5391 Study Hacks Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:22:27 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5391 @Bill: This type of idea succeeds or fails almost entirely due to writer skill. (In other words, it's not the type of non-professional first-timer idea I described above.) My knee-jerk reaction is that any serious agent is going to want to see that you're a talented essayist. The implication would be for you to focus on your writing, If you can essays about some of these experiences published in good venues then I think you'd have an easier time convincing a strong agent. But take this all with a grain of salt...I'm no expert once we leave my comfort area of advice non-fiction. @Bill:

This type of idea succeeds or fails almost entirely due to writer skill. (In other words, it’s not the type of non-professional first-timer idea I described above.)

My knee-jerk reaction is that any serious agent is going to want to see that you’re a talented essayist. The implication would be for you to focus on your writing, If you can essays about some of these experiences published in good venues then I think you’d have an easier time convincing a strong agent. But take this all with a grain of salt…I’m no expert once we leave my comfort area of advice non-fiction.

]]> By: Bill http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5390 Bill Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:49:39 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5390 Great post and sound suggestions. I'm stuck at the point of finding/pitching the right literary agent. The idea is relatively simple, but I'm just not sure who would be the right person to talk. My concept is: "Please Fire Me: 25 years, 17 jobs, one employee." A humorous anecdotal account of my first quarter century of life and the ridiculous jobs that have kept me afloat, including financing my honeymoon by working as a clown in the underground children's entertainment industry, being an undocumented worker in France illegally teaching English to demented French youths, being an office manager where I had to fire someone every single day, being a political consultant to a 12-person Indian tribe, and a lot more. I've got a wealth of hilarious experiences to share, several years of non-bad writing (and even some occasional good writing in there), and a concept that everyone can relate to but a first-timer can write. I just can't figure out what category this idea falls in or how to find comparable literature. The only thing I can think of is David Sedaris-type essays that are tied to personal experiences. But I'd obviously like to fire off my idea to range of agents. Anyway, I hoped you might be able to steer me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for anything that comes to mind. Great post and sound suggestions. I’m stuck at the point of finding/pitching the right literary agent. The idea is relatively simple, but I’m just not sure who would be the right person to talk. My concept is: “Please Fire Me: 25 years, 17 jobs, one employee.” A humorous anecdotal account of my first quarter century of life and the ridiculous jobs that have kept me afloat, including financing my honeymoon by working as a clown in the underground children’s entertainment industry, being an undocumented worker in France illegally teaching English to demented French youths, being an office manager where I had to fire someone every single day, being a political consultant to a 12-person Indian tribe, and a lot more.

I’ve got a wealth of hilarious experiences to share, several years of non-bad writing (and even some occasional good writing in there), and a concept that everyone can relate to but a first-timer can write. I just can’t figure out what category this idea falls in or how to find comparable literature. The only thing I can think of is David Sedaris-type essays that are tied to personal experiences. But I’d obviously like to fire off my idea to range of agents.

Anyway, I hoped you might be able to steer me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for anything that comes to mind.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5332 Study Hacks Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:48:22 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/03/28/how-to-get-a-book-deal-lessons-from-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-non-fiction-publishing/#comment-5332 @sean: It's not that hard to become non-bad, and definitely worth it! @sean:

It’s not that hard to become non-bad, and definitely worth it!

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