Comments on: Ask the editor: The top 5 secrets to getting a book deal http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/ A veteran publishing insider's views on how to get published in today's marketplace Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:53:12 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: r hamilton http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2196 r hamilton Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:18:33 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2196 In summary: this blog post rocks. Gerry's novel rocks. Viva la fruit loops. In summary: this blog post rocks. Gerry’s novel rocks. Viva la fruit loops.

]]> By: r hamilton http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2195 r hamilton Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:13:59 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2195 I followed the yellow brick road and found myself here. Great post! And many thanks to Gerry for directing me here. I've had the pleasure of reading Gerry's manuscript, which I devoured in a short amount of time. It's well-written and every page is interesting. My only complaint is now I've read it and the pages came to an end, leaving me alone without the characters I love (even the bad guys) to follow. Gerry has earned my respect as a writer so to basil I must say don't just a book by it's author's typo in a blog comment. What sucks is now that I've read gerry's story I am forced to improve my writing as it doesn't stand a chance in the slush pile with writing like his floating around. But at the same time, I thank him for setting that fire under my fanny. To alan, I'll be back to read this again when I've finished my edits. And potential blog-comment nazis: please excuse my blog comment, as it's being delivered via BlackBerry. And there is some peanut butter on the keys. Gerry would have warned me to stick to fruit loops¤ I followed the yellow brick road and found myself here. Great post! And many thanks to Gerry for directing me here. I’ve had the pleasure of reading Gerry’s manuscript, which I devoured in a short amount of time. It’s well-written and every page is interesting. My only complaint is now I’ve read it and the pages came to an end, leaving me alone without the characters I love (even the bad guys) to follow. Gerry has earned my respect as a writer so to basil I must say don’t just a book by it’s author’s typo in a blog comment. What sucks is now that I’ve read gerry’s story I am forced to improve my writing as it doesn’t stand a chance in the slush pile with writing like his floating around. But at the same time, I thank him for setting that fire under my fanny.
To alan, I’ll be back to read this again when I’ve finished my edits.

And potential blog-comment nazis: please excuse my blog comment, as it’s being delivered via BlackBerry. And there is some peanut butter on the keys. Gerry would have warned me to stick to fruit loops¤

]]> By: Gerry Johnston http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2189 Gerry Johnston Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:01:26 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2189 Your new number 1 fan. Sorry Basil. I also mix up words like petal and pedal when I'm not paying attention. Thanks for talking me down from that ledge. I don't know what came over me, thinking I could write. What was I thinking? I wasn't under the impression that a comment box was the place for a judgment on a work you've never seen, Basil. I think you may have been a little unfair with your generalization of my work. I'm not mad. What I am is saddened by your lack of optimism. I understand you may be a little cynical considering your trade, so I forgive your assumption that my story would be best served lining the bottom of a birdcage. Which is too bad, because I don't have a bird--but my origami is excellent. Maybe I'll make little paper swans and dinosaurs out of my novels and hand them out to the neighborhood kids. I already have an idea what your thoughts will be on this next statement, but I feel like I've been graded on a paper that I never handed in for marking. Feel free to stop by Authonomy and check out Dropcloth Angels. If you still feel the same way after a chapter or two, come back here and blast the crap out of me. I'll hold still for it, honest. And after you're through destroying my ego I'll mail you a nickel. ;) -Gerry J Your new number 1 fan. Sorry Basil. I also mix up words like petal and pedal when I’m not paying attention. Thanks for talking me down from that ledge. I don’t know what came over me, thinking I could write. What was I thinking?

I wasn’t under the impression that a comment box was the place for a judgment on a work you’ve never seen, Basil. I think you may have been a little unfair with your generalization of my work. I’m not mad. What I am is saddened by your lack of optimism. I understand you may be a little cynical considering your trade, so I forgive your assumption that my story would be best served lining the bottom of a birdcage. Which is too bad, because I don’t have a bird–but my origami is excellent. Maybe I’ll make little paper swans and dinosaurs out of my novels and hand them out to the neighborhood kids.

I already have an idea what your thoughts will be on this next statement, but I feel like I’ve been graded on a paper that I never handed in for marking. Feel free to stop by Authonomy and check out Dropcloth Angels. If you still feel the same way after a chapter or two, come back here and blast the crap out of me. I’ll hold still for it, honest. And after you’re through destroying my ego I’ll mail you a nickel. ;)

-Gerry J

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2186 Alan Rinzler Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:19:17 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2186 Hi Basil- I don't know whether or not Jerzy actually wrote The Painted Bird, but heard rumors that he didn't and yes, had suspicions. Never heard he bought the manuscript from starving gypsies, though, that's a funny one. Could be. I agree with everything you say about his subsequent work, except you didn't mention Being There, a pretty good book and great film with Peter Sellers. I knew him as a depressed and secretive guy who never seemed to enjoy himself or get what he wanted. Sad case. -Alan Hi Basil-

I don’t know whether or not Jerzy actually wrote The Painted Bird, but heard rumors that he didn’t and yes, had suspicions. Never heard he bought the manuscript from starving gypsies, though, that’s a funny one. Could be.

I agree with everything you say about his subsequent work, except you didn’t mention Being There, a pretty good book and great film with Peter Sellers.

I knew him as a depressed and secretive guy who never seemed to enjoy himself or get what he wanted. Sad case.

-Alan

]]> By: basil papademos http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2182 basil papademos Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:12:47 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2182 Alan, One last comment. I noticed that you've worked with Jerzy Kosinski. Over the years I've heard that he did not in fact write The Painted Bird. The story that's made the rounds is that he bought the manuscript from a starving gypsy in Prague or Warsaw or somewhere in Eastern Europe. Judging from his work after that seminal book, it's difficult not to suspect these stories might be true. Everything after The Painted Bird is of such a lower standard that I can't believe the same person wrote those books. Pinball was okay but nothing special. Certain not anywhere near the power and depth of The Painted Bird. Same with that other forgettable title of his, Sky Pilot or something like that. JK has always seemed like a hustler hell bent on climbing to the rarified air of the Upper East Side and he succeeded so good for him. Too bad he never produced anything remotely close to The Painted Bird. You must have had some of the same suspicions. Alan,
One last comment. I noticed that you’ve worked with Jerzy Kosinski.
Over the years I’ve heard that he did not in fact write The Painted Bird.
The story that’s made the rounds is that he bought the manuscript from a starving gypsy in Prague or Warsaw or somewhere in Eastern Europe.
Judging from his work after that seminal book, it’s difficult not to suspect these stories might be true. Everything after The Painted Bird is of such a lower standard that I can’t believe the same person wrote those books. Pinball was okay but nothing special. Certain not anywhere near the power and depth of The Painted Bird. Same with that other forgettable title of his, Sky Pilot or something like that.
JK has always seemed like a hustler hell bent on climbing to the rarified air of the Upper East Side and he succeeded so good for him. Too bad he never produced anything remotely close to The Painted Bird.
You must have had some of the same suspicions.

]]> By: basil papademos http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2181 basil papademos Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:00:18 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2181 Uh... Gerry J., I think you meant to write: 'Your new number 1 fan.' Not, 'You're new number 1 fan', which means 'You are new number 1 fan' - a completely different sort of comment. And about your line: 'Once upon a heroin induced fever.' Really? You too? I think you'd better get in line. I read a lot of slush pile manuscripts for a publisher (for very little pay) and if I had a nickel for every one that's made up of desperately abnormal characters, I'd be a modestly wealthy person. Examples to mix and match: Cerebral drug addict Cerebral mental patient Cerebral pyschopath Homeless prophet (male or female, your choice) Homeless alien/prophet/psychopath Grade school teacher/assassin Social worker/assassin Doctor/assassin Cerebral doctor/addict/assassin Homeless doctor Child prophet Child assassin Talking dog or other household pet Cerebral talking dog or other household pet Cerebral talking dog/assassin Circus clown/assassin/prophet/addict/household pet/psychopath Well, you get the idea... Uh… Gerry J., I think you meant to write: ‘Your new number 1 fan.’
Not, ‘You’re new number 1 fan’, which means ‘You are new number 1 fan’ – a completely different sort of comment.
And about your line: ‘Once upon a heroin induced fever.’ Really? You too? I think you’d better get in line.
I read a lot of slush pile manuscripts for a publisher (for very little pay) and if I had a nickel for every one that’s made up of desperately abnormal characters, I’d be a modestly wealthy person.
Examples to mix and match:
Cerebral drug addict
Cerebral mental patient
Cerebral pyschopath
Homeless prophet (male or female, your choice)
Homeless alien/prophet/psychopath
Grade school teacher/assassin
Social worker/assassin
Doctor/assassin
Cerebral doctor/addict/assassin
Homeless doctor
Child prophet
Child assassin
Talking dog or other household pet
Cerebral talking dog or other household pet
Cerebral talking dog/assassin
Circus clown/assassin/prophet/addict/household pet/psychopath
Well, you get the idea…

]]> By: Gerry Johnston http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2135 Gerry Johnston Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:32:24 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2135 Wow. You had me at, "I’ve worked with – Toni Morrison, Tom Robbins, Hunter Thompson". It's so very refreshing to see THIS take on the publishing process from an editor. This has been quite a boost, emotionally; I've been writing, deleting, writing, deleting the same basic query letter for days now. I've been wringing my hands as I paced the circumference of my cage, moaning out a song taught to me by my daughter: "Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. Think I'll go out to the garden to eat worms." But, you--you make this seem like editors and agents aren't the dragons or dreaded ghouls that others, like a certain blogger that rhymes with Query Shark, have made them out to be. (Don't get me wrong. I also read and really appreciate all she says. Honest. She just scares me a little, that's all.) But. Two words: You rock. My hat--ratty and stank as it is--is off to you, Alan. Thanks to you my tale of a self-centered--and very self-destructive--girl, her imaginary monkey, their cannibal blood-painting nemesis, and a gang of mental patients, might one day see print. Think I'll jump from here, and right back to that query! Ahem. "Once upon a heroin induced fever. . .." I'm gonna digest everything you have posted here. Thank you for this insight regarding the reality of being one of "Them", and that editors and agents are not so cynical as I thought they were up until about twenty minutes ago. In the battle for a writer's peace of mind, this blog is definitely worth its weight in enemy ears. You're new number 1 fan, Gerry Johnston Wow. You had me at, “I’ve worked with – Toni Morrison, Tom Robbins, Hunter Thompson”.
It’s so very refreshing to see THIS take on the publishing process from an editor. This has been quite a boost, emotionally; I’ve been writing, deleting, writing, deleting the same basic query letter for days now. I’ve been wringing my hands as I paced the circumference of my cage, moaning out a song taught to me by my daughter: “Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. Think I’ll go out to the garden to eat worms.”
But, you–you make this seem like editors and agents aren’t the dragons or dreaded ghouls that others, like a certain blogger that rhymes with Query Shark, have made them out to be. (Don’t get me wrong. I also read and really appreciate all she says. Honest. She just scares me a little, that’s all.)
But.
Two words: You rock.
My hat–ratty and stank as it is–is off to you, Alan.
Thanks to you my tale of a self-centered–and very self-destructive–girl, her imaginary monkey, their cannibal blood-painting nemesis, and a gang of mental patients, might one day see print.
Think I’ll jump from here, and right back to that query!

Ahem. “Once upon a heroin induced fever. . ..”

I’m gonna digest everything you have posted here. Thank you for this insight regarding the reality of being one of “Them”, and that editors and agents are not so cynical as I thought they were up until about twenty minutes ago. In the battle for a writer’s peace of mind, this blog is definitely worth its weight in enemy ears.
You’re new number 1 fan,
Gerry Johnston

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2029 Alan Rinzler Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:47:23 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2029 Hi Jane- Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you've found some useful information in these pages. I don't have a flat rate based on a manuscript's length, as each project has unique requirements. I generally first have a look at the whole manuscript to evaluate the complexity and level of developmental editing it might need. Feel free to contact me at alan@alanrinzler.com -Alan Hi Jane-

Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you’ve found some useful information in these pages.

I don’t have a flat rate based on a manuscript’s length, as each project has unique requirements. I generally first have a look at the whole manuscript to evaluate the complexity and level of developmental editing it might need. Feel free to contact me at alan@alanrinzler.com

-Alan

]]> By: Jane Cooper http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2019 Jane Cooper Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:13:29 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-2019 Thank you for the information. Having just completed my first novel, attended my first writer's conference (Writer's Digest Intensive), and revised my book, I feel more inspired than ever to make the book happen. "The Inside View of Publishing", which I've printed and plan to refer to over and over again, is more helpful than anything I've read so far. How much doo you charge for editing a 107,000 word novel? Jane Thank you for the information. Having just completed my first novel, attended my first writer’s conference (Writer’s Digest Intensive), and revised my book, I feel more inspired than ever to make the book happen. “The Inside View of Publishing”, which I’ve printed and plan to refer to over and over again, is more helpful than anything I’ve read so far.
How much doo you charge for editing a 107,000 word novel?
Jane

]]> By: Geraldine http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-1944 Geraldine Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:26:06 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/10/29/ask-the-editor-the-top-5-secrets-to-getting-a-book-deal/#comment-1944 I have worked with a developmental editor for my Romance novel and tt was an enriching experience. She has definitely taken my novel to the next level and since I will be sending out query letters on January, I wish to seek your advice on one thing. Should I include in my query letter that I worked with an editor ? I read in one agents website that including that in your query letter gives the agent a biased opinion -- they can't determine if the writer is good or not. My editor adviced to include this in my query letter since she knows most of the agents personally. What's your advice on this? Thanks. Regards, Geraldine I have worked with a developmental editor for my Romance novel and tt was an enriching experience. She has definitely taken my novel to the next level and since I will be sending out query letters on January, I wish to seek your advice on one thing. Should I include in my query letter that I worked with an editor ?

I read in one agents website that including that in your query letter gives the agent a biased opinion — they can’t determine if the writer is good or not. My editor adviced to include this in my query letter since she knows most of the agents personally. What’s your advice on this?

Thanks.

Regards,
Geraldine

]]>