Writing to Sell

by Scott Meredith

With this guide, writers can learn how to create good fiction and publish profitably, guided by the timeless advice of the man who built the legendary literary agency that still bears his name. Includes information on creating characters, plotting a novel, formatting the manuscript, deciphering a publishing contract, and more.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

221 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1950

Reviews

[zerogravitas · Rating 1 out of 5]

50 years out of date.

On the modern market, this book is junk. I'm so sorry I threw money out the window to buy it. Just stay away from it, it contains nothing the modern writer can't get better and more of on the internet.

[Emma Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original version is 40 years old, but I still got a lot out of this. Especially:

"The desire to write the editor and tell him he's a moron will be so strong you may have to lock yourself up in a closet for a few hours until you get over it."

Replace "editor" with "random person on the internet" and that's the best advice I've received this year.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy of this was the 4th edition, which was published in 1995, so y'know, 29 years ago.

Unlike some of the top reviews for this on Goodreads panning how out of date this is, I loved this book because of how out of date it was. But I'll get to that in a sec.

I picked this up on an off hand recommendation by Brandon Sanderson in one of his early Writing Excuses podcast episodes (circa 2008 to 2009). I was intrigued by the title, and because I wanted to learn a bit more on the ins and outs of the book buying process, or at least the perspective of someone who sells books.

See, maybe I'm a weird one. But I've read a tonne of writing books (I'd read maybe 4 or 5 before I finally read Stephen King's On Writing). I've been listening to writing excuses for a while. I've bought 2 or 3 editions of Writers Market and read the essays and how to articles in there. I've had some non fiction stuff get into print, seeing as I've somehow made a living with words for about 8 years now.

So I don't need a writing book promising clarity on the latest trend or how to publish in the age of kindle and social media. Today's fads are tomorrow's has beens. I need stuff that is timeless. I need to understand the nuts and bolts so that I've got a solid head for whatever-new-thing-everyone-says-is-going-to-kill-authors-and-publishing (spoiler alert, people have been predicting the end of publishing for about 200 years now).

This is up there with Million Dollar Consultant, a book which is very out of date, but helped me a crap load in levelling up in my work and reporting to stakeholder skills. When you read the tactics advised which are out of date, you can grasp the thinking behind it, and ask yourself "so how do I deal with this today?".

There is a lot on what a writing teacher would call writing economy in this book. How to achieve the job in as few words as possible. How to make sure your manuscript doesn't have extraneous information (giving minor characters who serve little function vivid descriptions, for example). There are some things on what editors find annoying, which will have changed by today, but is useful to know that editors will find annoying what they keep seeing in a manuscript which the author thinks makes them look cute or to stand out.

You can find out that kind of info from a) reading in your field and picking up what everyone is doing and b) listening to a podcast which has an associate or submissions editor in that genre talking about what instantly puts a script in the bin (mind their pet peeves though. A pet peeve differs from editor to editor).

Finally, you're getting the perspective of why you should write a tight manuscript. You're understanding it from the perspective of a person who was in the business of selling scripts to editors. Who knew what sold and what didn't. Who understood that the chief ingredient of a good manuscript is that it isn't boring.

I wouldn't say this book is for everyone. If you're just starting out, just bloody write what you need to write. There are solid books out there on this (On Writing by Stephen King is good if you're a discovery writer and not an outliner. I'm yet to read a book by an author who's an outliner, hoping How To Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card does that. Also Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is great for just understanding that you're a bit crazy to write, and that's okay). Brandon Sanderson has his lectures that he teaches at University on YouTube, and they're honestly really great. He also talks about the business side of writing, which is highly useful.

But pick this up if you need a refresher on what you've learned. Pick this up if you are a bit in your head over "my manuscript is awesome! Why can't my agent sell my book!". Also pick this up if you have a bad agent. The last chapter on book contracts can save you a lot of pain.

Also pick this up if you're weird like me, who enjoys reading non fiction books that are "out of date". As it's always great to see what is timeless.

[Keith Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In all honesty I would give this book 3.5 stars, but I rounded up. (WHY CAN'T WE DO HALF-STARS, GOODREADS?). The latest edition of this book was published in 1995, over two decades ago, and it shows. The digital age was in its infancy then, and it is conspicuous in its general absence. Only a few mentions exist of computers or word processors in the entire book. The first section of the book, "The Business Facts", is replete with references to typewriters and paper manuscripts.

If you are looking for advice for writing styles that are considered salable, I think this book still has a lot to offer, but I'd start with Part Two. If you're looking for information about working with agents and publishers, then find something more current. There were a lot of business practices given as absolutes that I expect are outdated and/or substantially changed by this time.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meredith gives incredibly helpful comments about the building blocks of plot. It doesn't bother with the squishy, non-critical writing advice a whole lot of books do that makes people feel good about themselves, and it focuses heavily on plot to a degree I imagine many Literary Fiction authors would disapprove of. The whole book has a lot of value, but the section on plot and the sections tying into it are the real value of the book. Don't put it down just because he tells you that you're doing things that won't appeal to anybody.

[Tony Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by fellow fantasy author Nick Martell, who was told to read it by his and Brandon Sanderson’s literary agent. It is a great read for aspiring authors and I rank it up there with “must reads” like Stephen King’s On Writing and Anne Lamont’s Bird by Bird. While there is alot of helpful information for new authors, certain chapters are dated since this book is over 70 years old.

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a rash of books on the craft of writing when I was in my 20s. My journal notes from this time say I thought Meredith was "a hack" but that there was something to his suggestion about the idea of the "plot skeleton."

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

First written in 1950, this edition produced in 1995, read in 2025. Holds up in some ways, mostly around how to tell a story, and not so well in other ways, due to the changes of fashion (i.e., he keeps referring to "short stories" as "scripts," for some reason). Still worth a read.

[Ryan Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly decent book about what to do and expect when trying to publish. It is rather dated, so about 60% of the book was easy to skip. There are some good tools and reassurances on submissions to editors and agents. Something to pick up, but not necessary. :)

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of books out there about writing, filled with age-old truisms and not-so-truisms. Some are helpful, others...well...less so.

"Writing To Sell" was highly recommended to me by an old mentor of mine who had recently started writing a lengthy work of fiction. It's easy to understand why.

This is an easy read, full of practical advice. Much of it is dated, particularly in the context of the publishing world and as some other reviewers have noted the typewriter-vs-computer debate. However, the basic advice on good writing, manuscripts, plot development and dialogue are all timeless—especially for those who are either too busy to take a creative writing class or frankly, uninterested in shelling out hundreds of dollars for one.

Where the book really shines is in its practical approach in getting published and author Scott Meredith's glee in debunking "writer myths"—particularly the ones of writer's block, alcoholism and genre. This is no-frills advice at its finest and you're spared a lot of the flowery tips that some writers spout ("Don't give up on your dreams," "Persistence is key!" etc).

This is a good introductory book on writing and a good brush-up read for those already honing their craft—I would also recommend Stephen King's memoir "On Writing," for some more tips to the slightly more polished writer.

[Chandler Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct wisdom on the essentials of planning, writing, (the old model of) publishing, and editing. A must-read even if you know much of what's inside, for writers should not wander astray from this advice.

Keep your story moving steadily, believably, and inexorably forward from the inciting problem through each new connected complication toward the ultimate crisis and the final fitting solution. Authors should integrate limited flashbacks and descriptions of setting and characters into the present, forward movement of the story, striving for realism, within the confines of condensing and highlighting. Dialogue is key, but we only include what is essential and related. Everything is about advancing the reader effortlessly through your story.

[Ryoku Light · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing to Sell by Scott Meredith I've been really into writing lately and started to entertain the idea of selling them to publishers.  So I went to the library and checked this book out.  
 
It is a very easy, one sitting type of read.  It is full of some useful information and some ....not so useful information.  I really think it's a great start on the subject but I'm probably going to do more research since this book was kind of dated.

[Barbara Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read in one sitting. Not so very enlightening. This classic gets three stars because it would be really informative for a new writer. I learned one new thing. Dialogue should make up 20% of a fiction manuscript. Any more, and the dialogue is carrying too much weight. That's handy to know, as a guideline from a seasoned editor.

[Mur Lafferty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat dated (gives considerable advice on typewriter ribbon choice, and advises against newfangled computer writing because they make sloppy first drafts), and slightly sexist, this is still a solid book that gives good advice for writers, covering both the business and creative side. Take the tone with a grain of salt and check this book out.

[Tamera · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book. an Awesome reference book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good info on plotting for the largely self-taught writer (i.e., me). I can't speak to the business info, since I haven't gotten that far yet.

[Marissa Uden · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated, but still a good general overview esp. for beginner writers. It covers a lot of the most common traps new writers fall into.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for learning the basics of commercial writing.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good clearly written book on writing to sell.