This is the insider's guide to getting published sucessfully. The secret to making money from your fiction writing is not only in the quality of your work but your approach to the publishing process: in this book an industry professional shows how to make the system work for you. Advice is here from almost the moment you pick up the pen - identifying the market for your work - to working constuctively with your author or agent, safeguarding your rights, negotiating and understanding contracts, and understanding how you book will actually be sold. "From Pitch to Publication" is the complete guide to presenting yourself effectively to publishers, and navigating the periods before and after publication for continuing success.
From Pitch to Publication
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This authoritative guide, by an experienced literary agent, contains advice for would-be authors on how to get books published. This is good, nitty-gritty stuff, including what to include in a submission, how to present your work and how to write a synopsis. There is also much about the book trade, including an excellent section entitled "Does an agent need you?"
I'd give the book top marks except for the fact that the author is rather over-prescriptive. For example, she advocates very lengthy synopses, whereas many other agents prefer them shorter.
Summary: a fine book, but take a second opinion before sending off your precious manuscript.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Rebecca Jane
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I wanted to write a book, but I didn't know where on earth to start. I was chatting to a journalist who told me I had to read this book. It gives you the steps you have to take in order to get published.
I'll explain quickly - write a 'submission', get an agent - who in turn finds you a publisher - who prints your book. I read 'From Pitch to Publication' from beginning to end, and it was VITAL in teaching me how to write a submission...I'm not giving away the secrets contained in the book, but I followed it almost to the letter....Guess what, for the person writing about the 'negative undertone', writing books and getting published isn't easy. It's not negativity, it's a thing called 'realism'. You need a seriously thick skin in publishing. This book tells you exactly what happens, and it doesn't gloss it up. (P.s - Writers & artists yearbook, great for a list of agents to send to, messy and complex for everything else!!!!!)
Fast forward a month, I sent my submissions to no less than 15 agents (Yes, that included yours Ms Carole <COUGH> ;-) ...)) .... every single one turned me down. This book had prepared me, I can't say I was distraught. I expected it. It simply wasn't my time.
Fast forward another year, I re worked my submission, and sent it directly to an agent I knew may be interested in my book (she was part of one of the agencies that turned me down the year previous too!!!) Within a week she signed me up. My now agent is still highly embarrassed at the situation, but she did say that 9 times out of 10 random submissions the tea boy gets to read and very few make it through. It's VITAL to send to an agent directly, and hope luck is shining your way!!!!!!!
To sum up really quick, because I've waffled enough....... Read more ›
I'll explain quickly - write a 'submission', get an agent - who in turn finds you a publisher - who prints your book. I read 'From Pitch to Publication' from beginning to end, and it was VITAL in teaching me how to write a submission...I'm not giving away the secrets contained in the book, but I followed it almost to the letter....Guess what, for the person writing about the 'negative undertone', writing books and getting published isn't easy. It's not negativity, it's a thing called 'realism'. You need a seriously thick skin in publishing. This book tells you exactly what happens, and it doesn't gloss it up. (P.s - Writers & artists yearbook, great for a list of agents to send to, messy and complex for everything else!!!!!)
Fast forward a month, I sent my submissions to no less than 15 agents (Yes, that included yours Ms Carole <COUGH> ;-) ...)) .... every single one turned me down. This book had prepared me, I can't say I was distraught. I expected it. It simply wasn't my time.
Fast forward another year, I re worked my submission, and sent it directly to an agent I knew may be interested in my book (she was part of one of the agencies that turned me down the year previous too!!!) Within a week she signed me up. My now agent is still highly embarrassed at the situation, but she did say that 9 times out of 10 random submissions the tea boy gets to read and very few make it through. It's VITAL to send to an agent directly, and hope luck is shining your way!!!!!!!
To sum up really quick, because I've waffled enough....... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Emanon
Format:Paperback
This book is very detailed and Carole Blake is obviously very successful in her area. The book is not however the best book a writer can read to get published. The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is more useful. The problem with this book is that it has a very negative tone and is very defensive. It puts you off. Ms Blake explains how a writer's day job can determine whether they get published. The quality of the writing doesn't seem to be the deciding factor, at least for her. Carole Blake is obviously very capable, but if she ever revises the book she should address the tone.
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Penny Harvey
Format:Paperback
OK - so she scared me just a little, and would probably render me speechless if I met her face to face, but Carole Blake has written an essential guide to what agents are looking for, as well as what a writer should be looking at, once they are accepted for publication. She makes no excuses for this text being directed solely at commercial fiction, nor does she sugar coat any of the facts about the difficulty any new author faces when trying to secure the services of either agent or publisher.
Much of the book is taken up with information regarding contracts, royalties and auctions - which, as I am not in the fortunate position of having had any work accepted for publication, I skimmed over.
The initial third of the book covers the nuts and bolts regarding presentation, approach and attitude of the author. It's direct, concise and honest and although it can be read as saying 'you have more chance of becoming immortal, than becoming published' I actually found it refreshing and stimulating.
She notes throughout that some 'selling power' from the author is helpful i.e. they're a 70 year old dyslexic; and if I intend to submit anything to her agency I will have to stop smoking - otherwise my mss is likely to be returned unread.
But if you are serious about your writing and want to become a published writer I would strongly suggest you read from Pitch to Publication. After all, once accepted, you can dip into it again to read up about the auctions, contracts and royalties.
55 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
It's undoubtedly a very informative book, but readers should be clear that its sole target is commercial fiction, where you let marketability guide your writing from the word go. As such, I found it depressing in its affirmation of all about the conventional publishing game that makes unpublished authors despair. Go back a space if you're a dentist or a civil engineer: not glamorous or exciting enough. Go back 3 spaces if you have just one novel, however brilliant; publishers are only interested if you show promise of being a cash-cow. Go back 5 spaces if you smoke: Carole Blake will be offended by the smell of your manuscript. Go forward 2 spaces if you have a marketing angle like being 17 or 75, or a single mother, or a stock market trader. If you have the qualities that allow you to play this game, the book will be helpful. Otherwise its only message is that you may be unpublishable not because of what you write, but because of who you are.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews
4.9 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Fourteen years out of date
This book was written so long ago (published in 1999) that much of its information is hopelessly dated. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Lexi
4.0 out of 5 stars
The author tells it as it is
This book does not hold back, the author tells it as it is. All writers want to be published, and by a reputable publisher. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Gundlack
5.0 out of 5 stars
A helpful publication
This book covers the subject from all angles and, as someone trying to find a literary agent, I found it very useful.
Published 2 months ago by D. Gifford
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dated, but worth all the same.
Very good book, though a little dated as it was published in 1998.
I feel the title was wrong, it should have been called "So You Want To Be A Publishing Agent" as it... Read more
I feel the title was wrong, it should have been called "So You Want To Be A Publishing Agent" as it... Read more
Published 5 months ago by NIGEL COOPER
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some good advice but needs updating
This is a useful book in many ways. It sets out a lot of the basics for new writers and the section on roles within a publishing house is interesting and helps to explain a lot of... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Fitzcooney
5.0 out of 5 stars
For Wannabe Novelists Everywhere.
What a useful book! If you've got any questions about getting your fiction published, you will almost certainly find the answers to them here. Read more
Published 16 months ago by N. Vincent-abnett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb book
Having read some of the (few) negative reviews accusing Carole Blake of a commercial bias, I simply had to assure those who have not read it, and who have a novel of any kind to... Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2011 by fhebbert
4.0 out of 5 stars
Carole Blake - From Pitch to Publication
From Pitch to Publication is a very easy to read book which provides guidance for aspiring writers, particularly novelists. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2010 by detty the catt
5.0 out of 5 stars
A frank and informative book
This book was suggested to me by the author herself via twitter. I am a writer and am keen to learn more about the nuts and bolts of publishing with a particular view to getting... Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2010 by mattberkshire
5.0 out of 5 stars
The embodiment of generosity
This book is superb: a detailed, generous sharing of the author's knowledge, experience and insights. What writer would not wish to have her as their agent?
Published on 22 July 2010 by FRANFLANEUSE
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
