Welcome readers.  Let me introduce myself and offer up some credentials for the opinions, perspectives and insights in this blog.

In my 40+ years in book publishing, I’ve worked at Simon & Schuster, Bantam Books, and Grove Press, and I founded Straight Arrow Books, the book division of Rolling Stone Magazine.

I’ve been privileged to edit and publish some notable authors, including Toni Morrison (Bluest Eye), Hunter S. Thompson (Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail, and several other HST titles), Tom Robbins (Jitterbug Perfume), and others, including Robert Ludlum, Andy Warhol, Shirley MacLaine, Jerzy Kosinski and Clive Cussler.  There’s more about that in the author list of this website.

I also work with private clients as a consulting editor.

The Book Deal is my blog for writers and book people, about the strange and inscrutable way books are published and the big changes going on in the business today. Look here for my perspectives on the challenges and opportunities writers face in the world of digital and print book publishing, the mysterious process of acquisition, development, sales, and marketing, and how agents and publishers conspire and compete behind the scenes to find the best new authors.

Posts range from how to write an attention-getting book proposal, to developing a selling “hook” and building your author platform. We also invite colleagues and experts to comment on specific aspects of publishing, such as book and cover design, agenting and niche marketing.

You can always find older posts in Blog Categories, organized by subject. And be sure to check out The Buzz, with links to pub biz news and features.

There’s a lot to talk about, and I enjoy the spirited back and forth with your comments and ideas about these exciting times in publishing.

Contact me directly at alan@alanrinzler.com