A very valuable glimpse into the mind of an editor
Written: May 15 '01
Product Rating:
Pros: useful, uses own experiences, covers various writing and publishing issues, easy to read
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: Important information about writing and the publishing world that you aren't likely to find out on your own. Honest, straightforward, tough, valuable, with a sense of humor and personable style.
lustylady's Full Review: Betsy Lerner - The Forest for the Trees: An Editor...
This easy-to-read advice book by noted editor-turned-agent Betsy Lerner is a very valuable tool for those who want to write, are writers, or want to learn more about the publishing industry. Lerner amply demonstrates her knowledge of the industry and delves into both the editor's and the author's viewpoint. She provides enough detail about her own journey from college poet to grad student to editorial assistant, who managed to work her way up through the editorial ranks at various big publishing houses, to let the reader know that she truly knows what she's talking about.
Lerner identifies various kinds of writers and gives many examples about their personality types. This is welcoming as a writer, because it let me know that I am not alone, and that there are predecessors who went through many of the same problems today's writers go through.
She gives writers an extremely helpful glimpse into the life of an editor, showing that, say, when an author's calls are not returned it may not necessarily be that the editor doesn't like the author's work but that he or she is just too busy to call at that time. She also goes into issues not directly related to writing, having to do with marketing, publicity, feedback, media buzz, etc., that are all helpful for a potential author to know. Her advice is general enought to apply to various kinds of writers, fiction and nonfiction included, but is specific enough to be valuable to anyone interested in writing and marketing a book. This will be one that I keep handily on my bookshelf to reread as needed.
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