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Original Essays | June 22, 2009

All posts by Bethany Moreton Culture War on Aisle 5? Wal-Mart, Evangelicals, and "Extreme Capitalism"

"In the 'culture wars' narrative of the Republican ascendancy, this slippage represents the greatest con in recent history: while you rush to defend marriage or protect the unborn, please pay no attention to the financier behind the curtain." Continue »


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More copies of this ISBN:

Thinking like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction -- and Get It Published

by Susan Rabiner and Alfred Fortunato

Thinking like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction -- and Get It Published Cover

Staff Pick

"A former Powell's employee who has published many magazine articles recommended this book to me, and I in turn recommend it to anyone who has ever had the vague thought of writing a nonfiction book. Thinking like Your Editor will help sweep away the cobwebs and illusions about writing and publishing such a book, while illuminating what challenges you will need to focus on most."
Recommended by Doug, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Distilled wisdom from two publishing pros for every serious nonfiction author in search of big commercial success. Over 50,000 books are published in America each year, the vast majority nonfiction. Even so, many writers are stymied in getting their books published, never mind gaining significant attention for their ideas—and substantial sales. This is the book editors have been recommending to would-be authors. Filled with trade secrets, Thinking like Your Editor explains:

• Why every proposal should ask and answer five key questions;
• how to tailor academic writing to a general reader, without losing ideas or dumbing down your work;
• how to write a proposal that editors cannot ignore;
• why the most important chapter is your introduction;
• why "simple structure, complex ideas" is the mantra for creating serious nonfiction;
• why smart nonfiction editors regularly reject great writing but find new arguments irresistible.

Whatever the topic, from history to business, science to philosophy, law, or gender studies, this book is vital to every serious nonfiction writer.

Review:

"In 45 years in publishing I have never read better advice than this book offers. Bravo!" Hugh Van Dusen, HarperCollins Publishers

Review:

"[W]ill be the standard text for non-fiction authors." Herbert P. Bix, author of Hirohito, winner of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize

Review:

"[A]n excellent book, one of the best I've ever read on the art of serious nonfiction." Iris Chang, author of The Rape Of Nanking

Review:

"The path from good idea to great book is anything but a straight line, Rabiner and Fortunato know every precipice and crevice." John Paulos, author of A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper

Review:

"[S]hould be required reading for any writer of serious nonfiction." Laura N. Brown, president, Oxford University Press USA

Review:

"What a smart and useful book Thinking Like Your Editor is." Gerald Howard, editorial director, Broadway Books

Review:

"Rabiner and Fortunato take you through the corporate Oz of the publishing world, behind the smoke and mirrors." Dale Maharidge, author of And Their Children After Them

Review:

"Likely to become the gold standard for anyone hoping to be successful in trade publishing." Juliet B. Schor, author of The Overworked American

Review:

"This smart, straight-talking, profoundly encouraging book is an invaluable guide for authors and editors alike." Sara Bershtel, Associate Publisher, Metropolitan Books

Review:

"[Rabiner's] guide to succeeding with nonfiction is every bit as good as her submission letters: the best in the business." George L. Gibson, President and Publisher, Walker & Company

Review:

"Useful advice on every page." Publishers Weekly, starred review

Review:

"Many how-to's have been written by the dubiously credentialed. This one, with inside knowledge, has a clear and positive effect and is eminently readable." Booklist

Review:

"Avoids feeding fantasies in favor of detailing necessities." Library Journal

About the Author

Susan Rabiner is the former editorial director of Basic Books. She was a senior editor at Oxford University Press and Pantheon Books.

Alfred Fortunato is a freelance editor and writer. Together they run the Susan Rabiner Literary Agency.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780393324617
Subtitle:
How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction--And Get It Published
Author:
Susan Rabiner and Alfred Fortunato
Author:
Rabiner, Susan
Author:
Fortunato, Alfred
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Location:
New York
Subject:
General
Subject:
Marketing
Subject:
Authorship
Subject:
Composition & Creative Writing - Nonfiction
Subject:
Book proposals.
Subject:
Composition & Creative Writing - General
Copyright:
Series Volume:
31-E
Publication Date:
August 2003
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Pages:
288
Dimensions:
8.42x5.28x.76 in. .60 lbs.

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