Working editors share inside information on how book publishing really works Based on penetrating interviews with 44 experienced editors, this essential guide gives you the lowdown on everything you need to know to get published faster and easier. No matter what publishing category you want to break into—fiction, cookbooks, self-help, computer books, science fiction, mysteries, reference, or children's books—you'll find the information you need from an editor who specializes in that area. Here's the inside scoop on: Book proposals: Create the kind of query letter or book proposal that editors prefer - Agents: Figure out if you need one and how to find the best agent for your work - Bestsellers: Is it luck or are they "made"? - Publishing decisions: Who really has the final say - Book packagers: What they do for authors and editors - Publishing lingo: understand terms like "slush pile,""backlist," "remainders," etc. In this collection, 43 book editors from across the publishing spectrum spill the beans, Q&A style, about what they're looking for from writers, and what writers can expect from them. Half of the book is devoted to general book publishing; the other half comprises interviews with more specialized editors (among them, those who edit art books, self-help books, religious books, cookbooks, computer books, and textbooks). Book Editors Talk to Writers is a great resource for writers hoping to present an informed front: it divulges inside know-how on writing proposals, researching competing books, negotiating contracts, interacting with editors, bottom-line pressures, the extent to which a writer's participation in marketing aids a book, and more. Most interesting are the contradictions that arise when so many editors are asked similar questions. The lesson is that it behooves the writer in search of a publisher to find out as much about a prospective editor as possible. This is not to say that there aren't things most of them agree upon. "One of the big misconceptions people have about editors," says Rebecca Saletan, "is that they think we sit here surrounded by masterpieces, trying to decide which of them to publish." In fact, adds David Rosenthal, "there are very few really good unpublished authors around." And keep in mind Carole DeSanti's perspective that "editors feel beleaguered, overworked, and underappreciated a lot of the time." Interviews with over 40 experienced editors provide the basics on getting published; from creating a competitive, favorable query letters to selecting an agent and understanding the entire publishing process. The broad focus of this title allows for its application to all genres of would-be authors, unlike many. -- Midwest Book Review Based on interviews with 44 editors from a variety of publishers who frankly address what they look for and what turns them off. Contains indispensable advice on how to initially approach publishers, what elements distinguish a successful proposal from a reject, the role of marketing and sales in book publishing, pros and cons of using an agent, deciphering publishing terminology and much more. Working editors share inside information on how book publishing really works Based on penetrating interviews with 44 experienced editors, this essential guide gives you the lowdown on everything you need to know to get published faster and easier. No matter what publishing category you want to break into--fiction, cookbooks, self-help, computer books, science fiction, mysteries, reference, or children's books--you'll find the information you need from an editor who specializes in that area. Here's the inside scoop on: Book proposals: Create the kind of query letter or book proposal that editors prefer Agents: Figure out if you need one and how to find the best agent for your work Bestsellers: Is it luck or are they "made"? Publishing decisions: Who really has the final say Book packagers: What they do for authors and editors Publishing lingo: understand terms like "slush pile,""backlist," "remainders," etc. JUDY MANDELL is a freelance writer who has published numerous books and magazine articles. She taught "Creative Approaches to Publishing" at the University of Virginia.