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78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might
For the hundreds of thousands who buy writers’ guides every year, at last there’s one that tells the ugly writers who can’t get published are usually making a lot of mistakes. This honest, often funny, book shows them how to identify their own missteps, stop listening to bad advice, and get to work. Drawing on his experience as founding editor of MacAdam/Cage, Pat Walsh gives writers what they need—specific, straightforward feedback to help them overcome bad habits and bad luck. He avoids the optimistic, sometimes misleading directions often found in publishing how-to books and presents the industry as it is, warts and all. Here is the first guide that tells writers just what the odds against them are and gives them practical tips for evening them.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 15, 2008
Okay - there's no doubt that Pat Walsh is an accomplished exec in the publishing industry. As editor at independent press MacAdam/Cage (at least at the time of the printing) he exposes the water cooler talk about your prized submission.
The beginning of the book starts with the 78 reasons why your book "MAY NEVER BE PUBLISHED". Up until around 45, my gut reaction was "Good point Walsh!" or "What idiot does that, Walsh?"
But by the time I got to 60, I felt the reasons were more variations of previous ones, such as "You're in bad company" or "You are kidding yourself if you think you're not in the slush pile." Aren't they one in the same?
Eventually I began skimming, fighting discouragement. It was amazing any ounce of me still wanted to write by the time I got to the reasons why your book "JUST MIGHT" be published. But, he did warn that this book wasn't for the faint of heart and would challenge your goals and dreams of getting published.
This book is a must read if you think you know everything or nothing at all about the publishing industry.
The beginning of the book starts with the 78 reasons why your book "MAY NEVER BE PUBLISHED". Up until around 45, my gut reaction was "Good point Walsh!" or "What idiot does that, Walsh?"
But by the time I got to 60, I felt the reasons were more variations of previous ones, such as "You're in bad company" or "You are kidding yourself if you think you're not in the slush pile." Aren't they one in the same?
Eventually I began skimming, fighting discouragement. It was amazing any ounce of me still wanted to write by the time I got to the reasons why your book "JUST MIGHT" be published. But, he did warn that this book wasn't for the faint of heart and would challenge your goals and dreams of getting published.
This book is a must read if you think you know everything or nothing at all about the publishing industry.
February 18, 2009
There aren't a lot of writing books out there that say, "You may not get published because your writing may suck." This one does. It's funny, sarcastic, blunt, and terribly informative.
This is not a warm-fuzzy reassuring book. If you want a slice of cold, hard reality, read this book.
This is not a warm-fuzzy reassuring book. If you want a slice of cold, hard reality, read this book.
June 10, 2020
Lot of industry advices. Writers must read it.
June 7, 2011
78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never be Published & 14 Reasons Why it Just Might (let’s prune that from now on to 78/14, shall we?) is a slim-ish volume, but it’s not an easy read. The first time I read it, it took me weeks to plow through those first ruthless 78 to get to the promised nougatty center of the 14. I’d make it through a chapter, barely conscious after being bludgeoned over the head repeatedly with the cold hard reality of my chances at ever getting published, then after each slow, painful recovery of my psyche, I’d pick 78/14 back up and tell myself, “Keep your eye on the prize, Missy. It WILL get better.”
It didn’t.
As a writer struggling for the last ten years to become a card-carrying member of the “legitimate” publishing world (that is: *not* self-publishing, which Walsh refers to as “the red-headed step-child of publishing”), I took every word he wrote seriously. I weighed each chapter, each whipped-into-your-backside-with-a-switch lesson (the chapters are blessedly short, so the agony only lasts until the next chapter is begun—ha). By the time I got to the last section of the book, the part where Walsh imparts (in 23 measly pages) his wisdom on how I might actually get published, I was hotly anticipating some good news. Unfortunately, the good stuff was mostly regurgitated bad stuff with a positive spin on it, for example, where before he wrote about how a BAD writer doesn't research before querying; now he encourages you, as a GOOD writer, to research those queries.
You might think I’m leveling criticism at Walsh, who, as a founding editor of MacAdam/Cage, should know of what he speaks. The truth is: I adore this book. What I wouldn’t have given to have read it ten years ago. (Well, okay, in all honesty, if I’d read it soon after finishing my first novel, when my skin was thin as the recycled paper my book was written on, I might have plunged my head into a sandbank and never pulled it out again.) There is repetition in this book, but it’s necessary. Walsh is giving new writers the kind of insight ten years of bumbling around never gave me.
Yes, he back-hands you across the face with the truth, but he does it with such sly humor you don’t even mind when he brings his hand back around to box your ear from the other side. Once he’s gotten you thoroughly tenderized by pointing out the many, many ways in which you can screw up by simply writing the damned thing, he fills you in—in gruesome detail—on the multitude of ways in which the publishing industry can choose to ignore your novel. What’s really great is that he sheds light on why they do what they do, so by the time you get to the end, you’re almost rooting for the very faceless, heartless business machine that forces you to grovel for the privilege of making them money with your writing in the first place. (And by virtue of being who he is, he gives the faceless a face.)
What you must take away from this book is that if you are not prepared to be brutally honest with yourself (about the quality of your own work), meticulously careful (with how you comport yourself) and hold to a firm belief that luck will find you eventually, you won’t succeed. Have “high hopes and reasonable expectations.” And patience. Walsh encourages patience and persistence, especially as it pertains to editing your novel to a high-gloss shine and continuing to perfect your craft.
You're probably wondering why I wouldn't rather avoid a book that points out many of the mistakes (crimes against the industry) I’ve already humiliated myself with, but this last decade has thickened my skin. 78/14 is now one of my “go to” books whenever insecurity rears its butt-ugly. I may have finally gotten over the hurdle of getting an agent, but waiting to hear from her as my baby makes the round of editors (Oh, dear Lord, these are men and women JUST LIKE WALSH, aren’t they?!) makes me reach for the one book that, beneath a sarcasm directed at writers and industry alike, offers me hope. True, it’s a perverse hope based on the concept that knowledge is power, but it soothes me nonetheless.
PS: This review was written some time ago; I have since broken with my agent and gone ahead and self-published again, since the practice no longer has such a stench of failure about it.. ;o)
[Review originally published to Booksquawk]
It didn’t.
As a writer struggling for the last ten years to become a card-carrying member of the “legitimate” publishing world (that is: *not* self-publishing, which Walsh refers to as “the red-headed step-child of publishing”), I took every word he wrote seriously. I weighed each chapter, each whipped-into-your-backside-with-a-switch lesson (the chapters are blessedly short, so the agony only lasts until the next chapter is begun—ha). By the time I got to the last section of the book, the part where Walsh imparts (in 23 measly pages) his wisdom on how I might actually get published, I was hotly anticipating some good news. Unfortunately, the good stuff was mostly regurgitated bad stuff with a positive spin on it, for example, where before he wrote about how a BAD writer doesn't research before querying; now he encourages you, as a GOOD writer, to research those queries.
You might think I’m leveling criticism at Walsh, who, as a founding editor of MacAdam/Cage, should know of what he speaks. The truth is: I adore this book. What I wouldn’t have given to have read it ten years ago. (Well, okay, in all honesty, if I’d read it soon after finishing my first novel, when my skin was thin as the recycled paper my book was written on, I might have plunged my head into a sandbank and never pulled it out again.) There is repetition in this book, but it’s necessary. Walsh is giving new writers the kind of insight ten years of bumbling around never gave me.
Yes, he back-hands you across the face with the truth, but he does it with such sly humor you don’t even mind when he brings his hand back around to box your ear from the other side. Once he’s gotten you thoroughly tenderized by pointing out the many, many ways in which you can screw up by simply writing the damned thing, he fills you in—in gruesome detail—on the multitude of ways in which the publishing industry can choose to ignore your novel. What’s really great is that he sheds light on why they do what they do, so by the time you get to the end, you’re almost rooting for the very faceless, heartless business machine that forces you to grovel for the privilege of making them money with your writing in the first place. (And by virtue of being who he is, he gives the faceless a face.)
What you must take away from this book is that if you are not prepared to be brutally honest with yourself (about the quality of your own work), meticulously careful (with how you comport yourself) and hold to a firm belief that luck will find you eventually, you won’t succeed. Have “high hopes and reasonable expectations.” And patience. Walsh encourages patience and persistence, especially as it pertains to editing your novel to a high-gloss shine and continuing to perfect your craft.
You're probably wondering why I wouldn't rather avoid a book that points out many of the mistakes (crimes against the industry) I’ve already humiliated myself with, but this last decade has thickened my skin. 78/14 is now one of my “go to” books whenever insecurity rears its butt-ugly. I may have finally gotten over the hurdle of getting an agent, but waiting to hear from her as my baby makes the round of editors (Oh, dear Lord, these are men and women JUST LIKE WALSH, aren’t they?!) makes me reach for the one book that, beneath a sarcasm directed at writers and industry alike, offers me hope. True, it’s a perverse hope based on the concept that knowledge is power, but it soothes me nonetheless.
PS: This review was written some time ago; I have since broken with my agent and gone ahead and self-published again, since the practice no longer has such a stench of failure about it.. ;o)
[Review originally published to Booksquawk]
October 8, 2018
Eye opening and empowering.
July 25, 2016
Excellent tips here. Great conversational and sassy writing style. This book is highlighted and sticky'noted to death, and it left me feeling really hopeful. Not delusional, but full of possibility. Which is pretty cool--I figure it'd go that way or wanting to trash the whole thing.
September 27, 2017
This one was good. I thought it was going to be more about the craft of writing, but it was really more about the publishing industry and what to do after you write your book - which I think was more helpful. Good read.
May 7, 2019
Concise. Blunt. The right amount of soul-crushing for the new writer.
May 9, 2023
Reading this book, my first thought was, “I’d better give up writing and take up professional golf. With my current handicap of 25, I have a better chance of winning the Masters after sufficient practice rather than getting a Big 5 publishing deal, according to Pat Walsh.”
The title alone: 78 cons and 14 pros (165 pages telling why you may never be published compared to 20 pages telling why you may), shows how Sisyphean this mountain is. Published in 2005, the book may be a bit dated, for much has changed in the publishing industry. Walsh’s own independent publishing company went into financial difficulties 10 years after its founding in 1998 and declared bankruptcy in 2013 – so his advice may not have been all that sound even in his time, let alone today.
Despite the tried and true “dos and don’ts” that you get in most “How to get published” books by publishers who really don’t give a damn except for the royalties from their book, some new ones stood out for me:
1. You need ego and insecurity to write.
2. The first sentence in your book should be the best one in your first chapter.
3. Reading your work aloud, especially in the early drafts, hides a multitude of sins.
4. Paying a big advance gets everyone in the publishing company riled and revved to earn that money back – it’s a great motivator. News about it in the trade creates instant buzz.
5. It is in the publishing industry’s best interests to reject, discourage, and ignore you.
What grated on me was the glib (in his words "flighty”) attitude that seeps off the pages. He doesn’t appear to like writers that much, even though they are his bread and butter. If Walsh was trying to be humorous, then his jokes were flat to me. If he was trying to be insulting, then he succeeded, admirably. Yes, he is open about the jokes they trade around submissions when the editing team goes “slush diving” to find something worth publishing; about how jaded they are with submissions that range from the stupid to the bizarre. What has to be borne in mind with sensitivity is that all these “citizens of the slush pile” are trying to gain attention for their bundle of pages that they have worked their ass off over several years and are staking their future on – they need respect, and that is lacking.
He has a particular fatwa out on the self-published, while admitting that before publishing got industrialized in the early 20th century, this business was mainly author-funded. What he does not admit to is that with the advent of the internet and DIY tools, and the shrinking of the “industrialized” publishing industry, the worm may be turning towards both sides living together in an unholy truce. And his peeve about e-mail submissions being cheap and lazy? Hey, it’s the industry standard now!
Walsh also places undue emphasis on the query letter – one apostrophe out of place, and – reject! What I have found as a small publisher is that writers of great stories are poor formal letter writers. I wonder whether Thomas Wolfe, who couldn’t quite end his novels and tossed them off to his editor to finish, had ever written a query letter in his life (one that he would have to finish in a single page), and had he done so, would he have been published by the “industrial press”? Again, the writers need to be treated with respect – they are claiming to be novelists and story tellers, not concise letter writers. BTW, at the time of writing, Walsh had given up getting his own novel published and jumped over to the easier side, editing, and then writing this how-to (or more appropriately, how-not-to) book from his experience.
Overall, a light read – most of this stuff is already known. The cynicism, I didn’t need.
The title alone: 78 cons and 14 pros (165 pages telling why you may never be published compared to 20 pages telling why you may), shows how Sisyphean this mountain is. Published in 2005, the book may be a bit dated, for much has changed in the publishing industry. Walsh’s own independent publishing company went into financial difficulties 10 years after its founding in 1998 and declared bankruptcy in 2013 – so his advice may not have been all that sound even in his time, let alone today.
Despite the tried and true “dos and don’ts” that you get in most “How to get published” books by publishers who really don’t give a damn except for the royalties from their book, some new ones stood out for me:
1. You need ego and insecurity to write.
2. The first sentence in your book should be the best one in your first chapter.
3. Reading your work aloud, especially in the early drafts, hides a multitude of sins.
4. Paying a big advance gets everyone in the publishing company riled and revved to earn that money back – it’s a great motivator. News about it in the trade creates instant buzz.
5. It is in the publishing industry’s best interests to reject, discourage, and ignore you.
What grated on me was the glib (in his words "flighty”) attitude that seeps off the pages. He doesn’t appear to like writers that much, even though they are his bread and butter. If Walsh was trying to be humorous, then his jokes were flat to me. If he was trying to be insulting, then he succeeded, admirably. Yes, he is open about the jokes they trade around submissions when the editing team goes “slush diving” to find something worth publishing; about how jaded they are with submissions that range from the stupid to the bizarre. What has to be borne in mind with sensitivity is that all these “citizens of the slush pile” are trying to gain attention for their bundle of pages that they have worked their ass off over several years and are staking their future on – they need respect, and that is lacking.
He has a particular fatwa out on the self-published, while admitting that before publishing got industrialized in the early 20th century, this business was mainly author-funded. What he does not admit to is that with the advent of the internet and DIY tools, and the shrinking of the “industrialized” publishing industry, the worm may be turning towards both sides living together in an unholy truce. And his peeve about e-mail submissions being cheap and lazy? Hey, it’s the industry standard now!
Walsh also places undue emphasis on the query letter – one apostrophe out of place, and – reject! What I have found as a small publisher is that writers of great stories are poor formal letter writers. I wonder whether Thomas Wolfe, who couldn’t quite end his novels and tossed them off to his editor to finish, had ever written a query letter in his life (one that he would have to finish in a single page), and had he done so, would he have been published by the “industrial press”? Again, the writers need to be treated with respect – they are claiming to be novelists and story tellers, not concise letter writers. BTW, at the time of writing, Walsh had given up getting his own novel published and jumped over to the easier side, editing, and then writing this how-to (or more appropriately, how-not-to) book from his experience.
Overall, a light read – most of this stuff is already known. The cynicism, I didn’t need.
February 21, 2020
Per rispondere agli amici che attendevano la recensione: l'ho trovato così interessante che, prima di restituirlo alla biblioteca, lo fotocopierò.
Lasciando perdere lo stile, che gronda sarcasmo e rende dilettevole la lettura anche nei passaggi più amari (es. La sfortuna esiste), dal basso della mia posizione di totale inesperienza sul mondo dell'editoria, direi che questa lettura svela arcani non attribuibili solo alla nostra ignoranza crassa, ma anche al fatto che solo un insider può sapere certe cose.
Inoltre è pragmatico. E' preciso. E' realistico. E' schifosamente, volutamente materialistico, statistico, terra terra.
Poi, naturalmente, l'editoria americana non è l'editoria italiana, ma fatte le dovute proporzioni, e considerando che il traduttore si è premurato di commentare in nota le differenze più macroscopiche, confermo quanto detto sopra. Utile, utilissimo.
Riservato - come precisa l'autore stesso - a chi ha già in mano un manoscritto, mentre nelle fasi precedenti (ideazione, scalettatura, stesura...) meglio dei seri manuali di scrittura creativa.
Lasciando perdere lo stile, che gronda sarcasmo e rende dilettevole la lettura anche nei passaggi più amari (es. La sfortuna esiste), dal basso della mia posizione di totale inesperienza sul mondo dell'editoria, direi che questa lettura svela arcani non attribuibili solo alla nostra ignoranza crassa, ma anche al fatto che solo un insider può sapere certe cose.
Inoltre è pragmatico. E' preciso. E' realistico. E' schifosamente, volutamente materialistico, statistico, terra terra.
Poi, naturalmente, l'editoria americana non è l'editoria italiana, ma fatte le dovute proporzioni, e considerando che il traduttore si è premurato di commentare in nota le differenze più macroscopiche, confermo quanto detto sopra. Utile, utilissimo.
Riservato - come precisa l'autore stesso - a chi ha già in mano un manoscritto, mentre nelle fasi precedenti (ideazione, scalettatura, stesura...) meglio dei seri manuali di scrittura creativa.
February 4, 2023
This book was hilarious and full of so many gems. This book highlights many of the realities of writing a book and trying to publish it. But there are so many easily preventable mistakes that can help give your book the best chance in a game that is already almost entirely about luck. In other words, don't give publishers reasons to reject your work before they even read through it.
Very helpful, very fun to read. And not for the thin-skinned writer.
The book is full of relevant info, but be aware that it was written in 2005. Publishing has changed a lot in nearly 20 years, including the soaring popularity of digital books and online self-publishing. The author is the founding editor of a publishing house that has been defunct since 2014, but his perspective is still wildly relevant.
Very helpful, very fun to read. And not for the thin-skinned writer.
The book is full of relevant info, but be aware that it was written in 2005. Publishing has changed a lot in nearly 20 years, including the soaring popularity of digital books and online self-publishing. The author is the founding editor of a publishing house that has been defunct since 2014, but his perspective is still wildly relevant.
January 21, 2020
The book is discouraging, but truthful. If you’ve done your homework, you know it. He does give better advice than some of it what I’ve been given. Basically, you need to learn your craft, get stories published in respected journals, maybe get a referral from a successful author. This is the same thing Donald Maas said at his one-day workshop.
February 21, 2022
Some good information but the writer is very cynical and comes across as very arrogant.
May 10, 2022
This is one of the top two or three books I've read about writing. Very honest and funny.
August 29, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ pretty good information!
December 23, 2024
It was full of common sense, actionable advice delivered in an engaging format. A quick, fun, educational read.
August 15, 2017
A must read for anybody who wants to be a published author.
April 7, 2009
This was a three-star ("liked it") book for me mainly because it didn't suck me in . . . but that is not to say that it isn't a very important book. It's time to take all of the feel-good compliments that the people who love you give about your writing and wake up to the real world.
The number one reason that Pat Walsh, an editor at MacAdam/Cage, gives that your book will never be published is that you have not written it. Talk is cheap, and writing is very difficult.
Throughout the book, Mr. Walsh gives great advice on avoiding the pitfalls of the publishing industry (and the ones that we writers create in our own heads). The most valuable tidbits I got from it are: write as though you are writing to a stranger (if you're constantly worrying about what your family will think of your story, there's no way it will be honest), revise your book before you try to get it published (even if you have to re-write the whole thing), and take yourself and your work seriously (but not so seriously that you think your writing makes you the King of the Universe).
Sometimes negative feedback is the best feedback you can get about your writing, because it's the only feedback that is going to help you improve it. You have to be willing to step back and experience rejection for what it is--an opportunity to do better.
That said, he ends the book on a positive note, saying that no matter how hard writing and getting published is, it is definitely worth it.
The number one reason that Pat Walsh, an editor at MacAdam/Cage, gives that your book will never be published is that you have not written it. Talk is cheap, and writing is very difficult.
Throughout the book, Mr. Walsh gives great advice on avoiding the pitfalls of the publishing industry (and the ones that we writers create in our own heads). The most valuable tidbits I got from it are: write as though you are writing to a stranger (if you're constantly worrying about what your family will think of your story, there's no way it will be honest), revise your book before you try to get it published (even if you have to re-write the whole thing), and take yourself and your work seriously (but not so seriously that you think your writing makes you the King of the Universe).
Sometimes negative feedback is the best feedback you can get about your writing, because it's the only feedback that is going to help you improve it. You have to be willing to step back and experience rejection for what it is--an opportunity to do better.
That said, he ends the book on a positive note, saying that no matter how hard writing and getting published is, it is definitely worth it.
May 19, 2022
While I appreciate this book's candor in discussing why or why not someone's book may be published, I have to wonder at the accuracy of certain of the assertions made therein, especially in light of some of the more recent offerings that the literary world has given us.
Case in point: the entire stalker-disguised-as-twoo-wuv series known as Twilight. Mr. Walsh's #2 rule from his book is It's Not Good Enough, and after having tried to slog through the first chapter of the aforementioned Stephenie Meyer offering, I have to wonder what the qualification of "good enough" entails. Evidently someone, somewhere thought that piece of fanfic-based thesaurus abuse was 'good enough', so why not some of the less egregious keyboard-spew that others have created? Like many other things, it can be summed up as a matter of serendipity - it only takes the right person, in the right place, at the right time, to get your goals completed.
Regardless, this book does something few other books on getting published do: it tells the truth in a cold, hard, slice-of-reality manner, and that can be greatly appreciated, especially if one has tried to get published, and failed. This book might be able to help the aspiring writer discover what they did wrong, or at least gain some inkling of why they are failing to publish.
Case in point: the entire stalker-disguised-as-twoo-wuv series known as Twilight. Mr. Walsh's #2 rule from his book is It's Not Good Enough, and after having tried to slog through the first chapter of the aforementioned Stephenie Meyer offering, I have to wonder what the qualification of "good enough" entails. Evidently someone, somewhere thought that piece of fanfic-based thesaurus abuse was 'good enough', so why not some of the less egregious keyboard-spew that others have created? Like many other things, it can be summed up as a matter of serendipity - it only takes the right person, in the right place, at the right time, to get your goals completed.
Regardless, this book does something few other books on getting published do: it tells the truth in a cold, hard, slice-of-reality manner, and that can be greatly appreciated, especially if one has tried to get published, and failed. This book might be able to help the aspiring writer discover what they did wrong, or at least gain some inkling of why they are failing to publish.
June 18, 2011
Although harsh and to the point, I found this book incredibly useful. I am trying to get published myself and have been doing research nonstop in order to really get ready for query time. I am one that really wants to hear the not so happy stuff before I lunge into action with high expectations, so the title of this book attracted me right off the bat.
I read this book after attending a talk at Changing Hands Bookstore about getting published. My sister purchased it and read it before I did since she is kind of my editor right now. You know, Stanford degree and all. She's kind of the best person for the job at the moment. Anyways, I actually kept putting this book off just because I was scared to be completely discouraged, but when I actually read it, I just found the information incredibly useful. I look back at it from time to time now that my book is in, what I am hoping are it's final stages of editing before I can start querying. Hope my book doesn't end up in the "Slush pile"!
So, if you are looking to get published and you are really serious about it, I would recommend this book.
I read this book after attending a talk at Changing Hands Bookstore about getting published. My sister purchased it and read it before I did since she is kind of my editor right now. You know, Stanford degree and all. She's kind of the best person for the job at the moment. Anyways, I actually kept putting this book off just because I was scared to be completely discouraged, but when I actually read it, I just found the information incredibly useful. I look back at it from time to time now that my book is in, what I am hoping are it's final stages of editing before I can start querying. Hope my book doesn't end up in the "Slush pile"!
So, if you are looking to get published and you are really serious about it, I would recommend this book.
Read
November 15, 2010Un editor svela qualche segreto (di pulcinella) del mondo editoriale. Non si fa scrupolo di prendere a male parole e a pesci in faccia l'aspirante autore; speriamo che gli aspiranti siano abbastanza umili da leggerlo, però. Già i titoli dei "78 motivi" fanno morire dal ridere: non verrete pubblicati perché "Non vi accorgete che non gliene frega niente a nessuno" (dell'argomento), "usate metafore e similitudini brutte", "avete un'idea molto vaga della grammatica". Ma anche: "Non capite la sottile arte delle perdite e dei profitti", "non capite niente di propaganda, promozione e marketing". Finalmente qualcuno che dice chiaro e tondo, allo scribacchino convinto di produrre "arte", che una casa editrice è un'azienda con un budget, uno stato patrimoniale e bilanci da far quadrare.
Temevo che fosse orientato alla realtà editoriale americana, un po' diversa dalla nostra perché il mercato è molto più grande; ma le puntuali N.d.R. aiutano a contestualizzare cifre, fatti e consigli nella realtà italiana.
December 1, 2007
I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud at a book. I certainly didn't expect to get my first good guffaw in years from a book on writing. But if anything, author and editor Pat Walsh specializes in the out-of-the-ordinary. Not only does Walsh offer great insider tips to writers, he does so with humor, self-deprecation, and experience.
While there isn't a ton of new material here (most experienced writers already know not to use glittery paper and heart stickers when submitting their manuscripts), it's always good to be reminded that there are real people behind the form letters sent out with such abandon.
I can't say I have changed anything about the way I'm writing and submitting my novel, but I did enjoy Walsh's writing, and finished the book with a renewed determination to make it out of the slush pile.
While there isn't a ton of new material here (most experienced writers already know not to use glittery paper and heart stickers when submitting their manuscripts), it's always good to be reminded that there are real people behind the form letters sent out with such abandon.
I can't say I have changed anything about the way I'm writing and submitting my novel, but I did enjoy Walsh's writing, and finished the book with a renewed determination to make it out of the slush pile.
August 5, 2010
The most valuable sections of the book were the first section (what you may be doing wrong in writing your book) and the last section (what you should be doing right in writing, editing, and submitting your book). The sections in the middle about the publishing industry from agents to editors to book sellers was useful, but it wasn't as engaging. I read it once, but I think that's enough. I can't see myself going back to reference the middle sections as I know I'll be referencing the beginning and end.
Overall, Pat Walsh wrote with humor, sarcasm, and a healthy dose of honesty, which makes for an enjoyable read with lots of reference points. I would really like to see a supplementary checklist-type publication come from this.
Overall, Pat Walsh wrote with humor, sarcasm, and a healthy dose of honesty, which makes for an enjoyable read with lots of reference points. I would really like to see a supplementary checklist-type publication come from this.
March 3, 2016
This book should be read by every single aspiring author in the world.
The things Walsh brings up are things that editors and agents alike have literally told me to my face as being absolutely TRUE. These are topics that MUST be addressed, and are not nearly as often as they should be. So many writers completely ignore the appropriate protocol with getting represented and published, and then they complain about the publishing industry.
Walsh's writing is very accessible as well, and funny. He keeps you engaged and doesn't bog you down with a bunch of unnecessary information.
I would, however, have liked an included resource section (books, websites, etc. that would be useful).
If you want to be a serious and successful author, get this book. Really.
The things Walsh brings up are things that editors and agents alike have literally told me to my face as being absolutely TRUE. These are topics that MUST be addressed, and are not nearly as often as they should be. So many writers completely ignore the appropriate protocol with getting represented and published, and then they complain about the publishing industry.
Walsh's writing is very accessible as well, and funny. He keeps you engaged and doesn't bog you down with a bunch of unnecessary information.
I would, however, have liked an included resource section (books, websites, etc. that would be useful).
If you want to be a serious and successful author, get this book. Really.
April 21, 2012
This book is okay. You should certainly read it if you are an aspiring writer getting a lot of rejections and wondering where you are going wrong. But if you are an aspiring writer trying to get your feet wet, don't read this book. It might just make you take a desk job. I think I just enjoy positive reinforcement rather than negative. It makes me work harder. I can definitely tell this is written from an editor's point a view. No creativity there. Try reading Writing Down the Bones or The War of Art to really get yourself jazzed up to write. I bet the publishing world loses about 25% of potential best-sellers because of its gate keeping practices and general negativity.
December 4, 2007
if you're psychologically ready to look past the barrage of "anyone-can-do-it" titles that convince you fame and success is just around the corner if you just make your cover letter flashy enough, read this book. Some examples of the author's reasons why your book may never be published: Reason #1: you haven't written it.
Reason #2: It's not good enough.
and so on.
It's just one person's point of view, but at least he's being honest. I think it's a refreshing dose of reality. Plus, it actually has some really good advice.
Reason #2: It's not good enough.
and so on.
It's just one person's point of view, but at least he's being honest. I think it's a refreshing dose of reality. Plus, it actually has some really good advice.
October 19, 2014
Even though self-publishing has come into its own, I'm always interested in books by agents and editors. I even read Pat Walsh's book How to Win the World Series of Poker (or Not): An All-American Tale and enjoyed it. This book, I'm not so impressed with.
The main reason is that I don't believe that the writers who might need to read it will, but even if they do, I don't think they'll recognize themselves as needing it.
Even if they should, the "reasons" aren't all that helpful.
The full review is at http://suziequint.blogspot.com/2013/0...
The main reason is that I don't believe that the writers who might need to read it will, but even if they do, I don't think they'll recognize themselves as needing it.
Even if they should, the "reasons" aren't all that helpful.
The full review is at http://suziequint.blogspot.com/2013/0...
April 6, 2008
I came to Pat Walsh’s publisher insider cautionary tale via folks in my writing group. It’s no surprise that this is the most honest, scary, inspiring and emotionally satisfying book on publishing I’ve read in the short time since I quit advertising and televison production to work on my own writing and embark on the arduous journey of getting my own work published. I know I will be returning to this book to laugh and cry throughout the upcoming years.
July 17, 2008
A brutally honest perspective from an editor about what can prevent you from being able to get your book published as well as some tips for how you can improve your chances. I think this book can provide a more realistic perspective to authors who want to publish to counteract the wave of self help books which make getting published seem easy (i.e. they tell prospective published authors what they want to hear in order to sell their "how-to" books).
February 23, 2009
I don't know that this book is going to tell you anything you don't already know, if you've paid any attention to the publishing industry at all. But I love this guy. His top reason your book hasn't been published is "You haven't written it yet," followed closely by "It isn't very good." AMEN, BROTHER.
A lot of what he says is common sense, something wildly ignored by the egomaniacal writing community most of the time.
A lot of what he says is common sense, something wildly ignored by the egomaniacal writing community most of the time.
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