Today's Monday Book Review features Jerry D. Simmons' new book, What Writers Need to Know About Publishing. Simmons spent twenty-five years in book publishing (Random House and Time Warner Books) and offers advice from the inside.
Short Summary: Simmons' book lays out the publishing process in a systematic order. He discusses the different ways you can publishing a book: major house, small press, or self publishing. He introduces a number of topics -- acquisition, marketing, understanding numbers, participating in decisions -- and provides vast information on what happens from the writing to bring a book to market.
Important Quotes
- "If you decide to find an agent and, hopefully, land a contract with a major publisher, remember that books are products. Knowing how your book should be packaged, priced or marketed and understanding how to make suggestions can help your book sales soar and give you a better chance at a lasting career as an author."
- "One article with your picture in a newspaper holding your book will sell more copies than a paid advertisement in the same paper every day for a week. Consumers are much more drawn to a featured segment such as an article or interview than to an advertisement."
- "As you begin your quest to become a published author, it is crucial you make every attempt to participate in as many decisions as possible surrounding the publication of your book. First, you need to educate yourself about the business, why decisions are made and how those decisions can impact the sale of your book. In order to take part, you must be willing and knowledgeable. If you lack either, you will not be successful."
Comments
I think readers will be surprised at how much of the book focuses on things beyond writing. Many writers believe that everything after the writing is taken care of by the publishing company. Simmons works hard to dissuade readers from that path. He stresses the importance of understanding the publishing process if you hope to be successful in your writing efforts.
Simmons expends considerable energy defining his terms ("Announced First Print," "Actual First Print," "Total Shipped."). I think most readers would find this helpful because this is the kind of information that is not taught in MFA programs, but that writers need to know. The one piece I would have added to the book would have been an index because this is the sort of book that you want to be able to refer easily back to concepts taught within it.
Here's the blurb: This is one of those books all writers should read before they begin writing! Success comes to the prepared.
Comments