A Writer's Survival Guide to Getting Published

by Terry W. Burns

In one of the most informative books on the market today, award-winning author and Hartline Literary agent Terry Burns rends the veil between writer and publisher and allows a peek into the mysterious world of publishing. Beginning with practical advice for overcoming shyness and ending with surviving the editor's final cut, Terry covers the entire procedure and gives valuable tips for success. Topics covered include writing an eye-catching query letter, pitching effectively to an agent or editor, developing a broad platform and writing winning proposals and marketing plans. Terry Burns is an agent with Hartline Literary and has over 30 books in print including 10 novels. He has a new 4-book series from Port Yonder Press entitled "The Sagebrush Collection" and the first, On the Road Home, released March 2010. A Young Adult, Beyond the Smoke, won the Will Rogers Medallion. Terry's a popular speaker at workshops around the country.

Genres: Writing

152 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2010

About the author

Terry Burns has been with the Hartline Literary agency for ten years, more than five years as an agent, and has a substantial list of clients, a growing list of credits, and a reputation for presenting to conferences all over the country. Terry comes from a writing background, has over forty books of his own in print, most recently adapting a Christian movie script to print for the movie Footprints, a Young Adult novel entitled Beyond the Smoke, which won the Will Rogers Medallion, the three book Mysterious Ways series from David C. Cook, and a book on the skills needed to get published entitled A Writer s Survival Guide to Getting Published that was developed out of the month long course he held for the American Christian Fiction Writers. A bookstore of his available works as well as a periodic blog can be found at terryburns(dot)net. Terry has a BA from West Texas A & M and did graduate work at Southern Methodist University. He's a member of the Association of Author s Representatives (AAR).

Reviews

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adapted from an online course offered through the American Christian Fiction Writers Association, this compact book by literary agent and multi-pubbed author Terry Burns offers a glimpse behind the curtain into the truth of what agents really expect from supplicant authors. Burns opens with a fabulous chapter on banishing shyness and projecting confidence in both personal meetings with agents and written proposals.

From there, he goes on to offer an accessible battle plan for adopting the right mindset in querying agents and editors. He discusses the particulars of the art of querying and shares insights from his extensive experience as both an author and an agent. His unique perspective offers readers a balanced look at both sides of publishing business, and his calm and reasonable suggestions, encouragement, and precautions are invaluable.

Most chapters conclude with a Q&A section, take verbatim from his online courses, which offers further clarifications and, in many instances, answered any outstanding questions I had after completing the body of the chapter. Burns closes the book with a peek at one of his own successful submission packages, rounding off a thoroughly useful and expedient read.

[Pauline Creeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Clear and Concise Read. If you've ever wanted to ask an agent what will get your book rejected, the answer lies in this book. With details and examples of how to make a sales pitch for your book, it breaks down the fine print and amplifies it for you. Where Mr. Burns talks about how editing is like making a movie, getting the book to flow, it really hit home for me. Maybe I won't cry so hard now as the pages hit the editing room floor.

[Crystal Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully helpful book for writers. I highly recommend to those who are newly published or pre-published. You'll get an agent's advice on what goes into a shining proposal.