Synopses & Reviews
Who knows the mind, the motives, and the mistakes of a writer better than his or her editor? Betsy Lerner-in addition to being a prize-winning poet and an author's agent-has spent years editing for major New York houses. In this unusual and compelling book, she shares the wisdom and insights she's gained from that work. Far more than a how-to manual, this book offers inspiration, inside views, and a colorful, anecdotal look at the publishing world-all delivered in the smart, funny, unpretentious voice that has helped to make Lerner one of the most prominent names in the business.
Review
With this book, Betsy Lerner becomes what every writer hopes for-a friend in the business. (Chicago Tribune)
Review
Cleverly disguised as a sensible reference work...its tone is singularly authoritative, compassionate, irreverent...and unafraid. (New York Newsday)
Review
A fascinating look into the mind of an editor and the publishing world.... (Lucy Grealy, author of The Autobiography of a Face)
Synopsis
Personal inspiration and practical advice from an expert in the field who delivers.
Synopsis
In this unusual and compelling book, an editor shares the wisdom and insights she's gained from that work. Far more than a how-to manual, this title offers inspiration, inside views, and a colorful, anecdotal look at the publishing world, all delivered in the humorous voice that has helped to make Lerner one of the most prominent names in the business.
About the Author
Betsy Lerner has worked as an editor at Houghton Mifflin, Ballantine, Simon & Schuster, and was most recently executive editor at Doubleday. She began her editing career working for literary journals, including the Minetta Review and The Paris Review, and co-founded the magazine Big Wednesday. She has been awarded the Tony Godwin Fellowship and was selected as a Jerusalem Book Fair fellow. A published poet, she is currently a literary agent at the Gernert Company. She is married to John Donatich, publisher of Basic Books.