Manuscript Submission

Elements of Fiction Writing

by Scott Edelstein

Looks at the current fiction market, explains how to select and approach editors and agents, and indicates the proper form for proposals and submissions

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Since 1978, Scott has studied happily and productively with several spiritual teachers, including Toni Packer, Dainin Katagiri, Tim McCarthy, and (currently) Steve Hagen. As the friend of many spiritual teachers from a variety of traditions, he has also spent much time with them off duty, sometimes serving as confidant. He is a longtime practitioner of both Buddhism and Judaism, and a committed proponent of serious spirituality in all forms and traditions. He has been a member of Methodist, Quaker, Buddhist, and Jewish congregations.

Scotts short work on spiritual topics has appeared in Shambhala Sun, American Jewish World, The Writer, the anthology What About God? (Upper Room Books), and elsewhere. His new book Sex and the Spiritual Teacher will be published in April 2011 by Wisdom Publications. A sequel, Breathe, Listen, Learn: A Practical Guide for Everyone Who Wants (or Has) a Spiritual Teacher, will be published in 2012 by Wisdom.

Scott is the author of 15 other books on a wide range of subjects, including writing and publishing, success in college, and recovery from addiction. "

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

OMG THE DATED INFO!

My feeling reading this book was mostly, "I didn't realize 1990 was so long ago!" Memo to me: check publication dates on guides like this. All the information on how to use my local library card catalog to find agents, or how to cleanly correct my type-written manuscript will not be helpful. "Some libraries are linked by computer now!"

Clearly illustrates that in 1990 the internet was called "library."

I do not envy those people their tedious searching through source books to find addresses so they could call directory assistance. "Never call an agent collect!"

The one thing useful in this book are the query letter and novel synopsis examples, which seem to me to be every bit as relevant today as then. I was particularly amused that one of the samples was "Murder at the War!" A book very popular with SCA members, of which I am one. :)

[Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, easy to understand, and thorough book about getting your writing into professional shape. My editor at HarperCollins once said he reads an unsolicited manuscript of query letter until he finds a glaring gaffe either in usage or proofing. If it isn't until the 25th page of the manuscript, he continues reading, for the writer has done his or her work in doing their best to prepare a manuscript to be read by an editor. Conversely, if a writer cannot find the time (or the talent) to adequately proof their work for misspellings, syntax errors, and number-subject agreement, he simply assumes they are not serious and by definition not professional. Edeltein's book is designed to help you submit like a pro. Every serious writer should read this book.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference