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How To Be A Writer In The E-Age... And Keep Your E-Sanity!
HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE AND KEEP YOUR E-SANITY! is a collaboration between author and wildly successful publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen (THE CAMILLA RANDALL MYSTERIES) and bestselling international author Catherine Ryan Hyde (PAY IT FORWARD and 17 other novels). It’s a distillation of mentorship Catherine has provided over the years combined with Anne’s most popular blog advice. It’s the proverbial “What we wish we hadn’t learned the hard way.” Ebook buyers will receive a FREE updated version every six months to ensure you always have the latest information and advice available as you pursue your writing career.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
308 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2012
50 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Ryan Hyde
70 books6,098 followersCatherine Ryan Hyde is the author of more than 50 published and forthcoming books.
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 9, 2012
When two established and respected writers such as Catherine Ryan Hyde & Anne R. Allen team up to write a book about the craft of writing, it's bound to be a good one, and their offering of
How To Be A Writer In The E-Age... And Keep Your E-Sanity!
is just that. And maybe good is an understatement, because in this 295 page Kindle edition, there is an amazing amount of food for thought.
E-Sanity for the writer in each of us...
After a very upbeat introduction by the author partnership of Saffina Desforges ( Sugar & Spice ), we find two separate forwards, one from Catherine Ryan Hyde and the other by Anne R. Allen. This book is about helping novice writers learn the ropes on how to navigate the rapidly changing publishing business, to learn to be the best writer one can be, and above all, to keep on writing.
For those not familiar with them, Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author 18 published and forthcoming novels, including Second Hand Heart, Jumpstart the World and When I Found You , the last being a personal favorite. Some may know her best from Pay It Forward , her book that sparked a superb film and an international movement by the same name. Anne R. Allen is a popular blogger, a humorist, and the author of five comic crime novels. She's the author of The Camilla Randall Mysteries , and also teaches blogging and social media.
There are nine parts to this book, and they pull no punches when it comes to sharing their own personal experiences as writers. Early into this book, the following passage about rejection caught my eye:
She went on to explain that over the next year or so she received 122 rejections on about a dozen short stories and no acceptances, but then, and in a short time, acceptances began to roll in:
There's quite a bit of useful information in these pages, and both beginning and experienced writers will find a lot to gain from reading this one. There's a lot about rejection, but it's not negative; it's more about the experiences that these authors went through and how they dealt with it. There's also the balance about successes, and how these were achieved. Towards the end we find this powerful statement from Anne Allen, and it's good food for thought:
Interestingly, the authors have noted that this book will be updated every six months, which will ensure it will always have the latest up-to-date information about the rapidly-changing publishing scene. The updated ebook version will be sent to you free of charge if you add your email address to their mailing list, and this can be done easily in the final pages of this Kindle edition.
Whether you're a neophyte to publishing, a wannabe writer, or one familiar with the ins and outs of getting you book out there in print, there's a lot of excellent info in these pages. Kudos to both authors for bringing this one to market, and even more so for making this an upgradable edition. If you're interested in pursuing the craft of writing, then this one is highly recommended. It has brought me a couple steps closer to my own writing goals.
Note: portions of this review also appeared earlier on Amazon.com.
E-Sanity for the writer in each of us...
After a very upbeat introduction by the author partnership of Saffina Desforges ( Sugar & Spice ), we find two separate forwards, one from Catherine Ryan Hyde and the other by Anne R. Allen. This book is about helping novice writers learn the ropes on how to navigate the rapidly changing publishing business, to learn to be the best writer one can be, and above all, to keep on writing.
For those not familiar with them, Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author 18 published and forthcoming novels, including Second Hand Heart, Jumpstart the World and When I Found You , the last being a personal favorite. Some may know her best from Pay It Forward , her book that sparked a superb film and an international movement by the same name. Anne R. Allen is a popular blogger, a humorist, and the author of five comic crime novels. She's the author of The Camilla Randall Mysteries , and also teaches blogging and social media.
There are nine parts to this book, and they pull no punches when it comes to sharing their own personal experiences as writers. Early into this book, the following passage about rejection caught my eye:
"Between the time I wrote my first novel (my critique group didn't much like it) and the time I wrote my third novel (ditto) I was unable to interest an agent in my work. Sound like anybody you know? I sent out about 25 queries with synopses and sample materials, just like they asked me to do. And I waited. And not one single one of those agents wanted to know anything more about me or my novels. They either were not accepting new clients (or claimed they were not), or were 'unable to give my work the enthusiasm it so obviously deserved.' Right, I know. It's incomprehensible. It's not just you."
She went on to explain that over the next year or so she received 122 rejections on about a dozen short stories and no acceptances, but then, and in a short time, acceptances began to roll in:
"So, a year of nothing but rejection. Followed by three story acceptances in the span of two weeks. What does this say about the pattern of acceptance and rejection? So far as I know, nothing. There's not much to be said, because there really is no pattern. A lot of it is just the luck of the draw. Getting the right story to the right editor on the right day."
There's quite a bit of useful information in these pages, and both beginning and experienced writers will find a lot to gain from reading this one. There's a lot about rejection, but it's not negative; it's more about the experiences that these authors went through and how they dealt with it. There's also the balance about successes, and how these were achieved. Towards the end we find this powerful statement from Anne Allen, and it's good food for thought:
"Just as Johannes Gutenberg took power from the ruling priestly caste and gave it to the people--who could then read the Bible and find out for themselves what it said--ebooks are taking power from the ruling publishing caste and letting the people decide for themselves what they want to read. This means more power is now in the hands of readers and writers than any time in history. Thanks to ebooks and social media marketing, writers can now go directly to readers with fresh, innovative ideas and stories."
Interestingly, the authors have noted that this book will be updated every six months, which will ensure it will always have the latest up-to-date information about the rapidly-changing publishing scene. The updated ebook version will be sent to you free of charge if you add your email address to their mailing list, and this can be done easily in the final pages of this Kindle edition.
Whether you're a neophyte to publishing, a wannabe writer, or one familiar with the ins and outs of getting you book out there in print, there's a lot of excellent info in these pages. Kudos to both authors for bringing this one to market, and even more so for making this an upgradable edition. If you're interested in pursuing the craft of writing, then this one is highly recommended. It has brought me a couple steps closer to my own writing goals.
Note: portions of this review also appeared earlier on Amazon.com.
December 14, 2017
I’ve been reading this book on and off for the past year-and-a-half.
It’s an easy and comforting read, with plenty of tips delivered in a down-to-earth, practical, conversational, humorous manner.
As I go along, depending on my writing progress, I’ll probably re-read different sections as the need arises.
It’s an easy and comforting read, with plenty of tips delivered in a down-to-earth, practical, conversational, humorous manner.
As I go along, depending on my writing progress, I’ll probably re-read different sections as the need arises.
July 23, 2012
I finally had a chance to finish "How to be a Writer in the E-Age" this weekend and wanted to post a short review first thing this morning while it's still fresh. Although a good deal of what I read in this e-book tended to be things I've already experienced as a published author in the e-age, there were a few things I didn't know and will retain for future reference. I started writing for e-publishers about seven years ago when everyone was still laughing at the possibility of e-books going mainstream.
I so wish there had been a book like this back when I first started to consider writing for e-publishers. Until that point, all of my publishing experience had been with small traditional LGBT print presses. And because the LGBT market wasn't strong back then I made a point of trying to get my short stories into as many anthologies as I could each year. It wasn't mainstream publishing and the money was terrible, but I loved what I was doing and it was considered legitimate.
When I started to look into e-publishing I read more than one questionable thing about it...or I couldn't find any information at all. To be honest, I wasn't so sure about it myself. So I played it very safe in the beginning and submitted short stories to several e-publishers just to see what it was like. These manuscripts were released as e-books and I found that I loved working with e-publishers. They were just as professional as all the print publishers I'd ever worked with in the past and in some cases even more thorough. And, best of all, it didn't take a year or more to get a book released. That in itself was a novelty to me. The world's slowest industry in the world was now starting to pick up speed.
The moment I started to read "How to be a Writer in the E-Age" I knew it was a winner in every sense. The information is not only valuable to new authors, it's relevant to published authors who might be thinking about making the switch to e-publishing, too. Or for established authors who are interested in self-publishing and have been on the fence about doing it. I found nothing in this book that can be disputed either (not always the case with writer's manuals). From the introductions to the last page it's filled with realistic information that shows writers what the writing experience is like now.
One thing I'd like to point out that I liked in particular was that there are no preachy comments, and this book isn't pushing any one particular way to be a writer...or whether or not traditional publishing is better than e-publishing. There are many aspects of publishing talked about in this book and that's something I don't see often (the authors even read the same publishing blogs I've been following for years). In other words, it's not about hating literary agents and hating those big bad mean publishers and it's not about how spectacular self-publishing is and how it's going to change life as we all know it as writers and readers. The book talks about self-publishing in an objective way, which is something I don't see often these days either.
A while ago I read a writer's manual written by one of my all time favorite authors, Rita Mae Brown who was one of those authors that changed publishing in the 1970's, and I thought that was the best writer's manual I'd ever read. But this book on writing and publishing took what Brown had to say to another level and brought it all up to date so new writers will know what to expect and how to deal with all the changes that are happening in publishing now. But more than that, because it's an e-book and we can now do things like this with e-books, there's a feature I've never seen before. When you buy this e-book you get updates every six months that will allegedly deal with more changes in publishing as they happen. And the changes seem to be happening on a daily basis now.
As a side note, the book is affordable and worth every penny invested. Trust me, I paid far more for books and manuals on publishing fifteen years ago and got far less information.
I so wish there had been a book like this back when I first started to consider writing for e-publishers. Until that point, all of my publishing experience had been with small traditional LGBT print presses. And because the LGBT market wasn't strong back then I made a point of trying to get my short stories into as many anthologies as I could each year. It wasn't mainstream publishing and the money was terrible, but I loved what I was doing and it was considered legitimate.
When I started to look into e-publishing I read more than one questionable thing about it...or I couldn't find any information at all. To be honest, I wasn't so sure about it myself. So I played it very safe in the beginning and submitted short stories to several e-publishers just to see what it was like. These manuscripts were released as e-books and I found that I loved working with e-publishers. They were just as professional as all the print publishers I'd ever worked with in the past and in some cases even more thorough. And, best of all, it didn't take a year or more to get a book released. That in itself was a novelty to me. The world's slowest industry in the world was now starting to pick up speed.
The moment I started to read "How to be a Writer in the E-Age" I knew it was a winner in every sense. The information is not only valuable to new authors, it's relevant to published authors who might be thinking about making the switch to e-publishing, too. Or for established authors who are interested in self-publishing and have been on the fence about doing it. I found nothing in this book that can be disputed either (not always the case with writer's manuals). From the introductions to the last page it's filled with realistic information that shows writers what the writing experience is like now.
One thing I'd like to point out that I liked in particular was that there are no preachy comments, and this book isn't pushing any one particular way to be a writer...or whether or not traditional publishing is better than e-publishing. There are many aspects of publishing talked about in this book and that's something I don't see often (the authors even read the same publishing blogs I've been following for years). In other words, it's not about hating literary agents and hating those big bad mean publishers and it's not about how spectacular self-publishing is and how it's going to change life as we all know it as writers and readers. The book talks about self-publishing in an objective way, which is something I don't see often these days either.
A while ago I read a writer's manual written by one of my all time favorite authors, Rita Mae Brown who was one of those authors that changed publishing in the 1970's, and I thought that was the best writer's manual I'd ever read. But this book on writing and publishing took what Brown had to say to another level and brought it all up to date so new writers will know what to expect and how to deal with all the changes that are happening in publishing now. But more than that, because it's an e-book and we can now do things like this with e-books, there's a feature I've never seen before. When you buy this e-book you get updates every six months that will allegedly deal with more changes in publishing as they happen. And the changes seem to be happening on a daily basis now.
As a side note, the book is affordable and worth every penny invested. Trust me, I paid far more for books and manuals on publishing fifteen years ago and got far less information.
July 31, 2014
I read and reread this book ALL THE TIME. It's awesome!
November 24, 2012
Many of us brave forth into the e-wilderness seeking out our path to success, armed with the dream of becoming a Real Writer or a Bestselling Author.
However, this age of (mis)information overwhelms and dismays us. A month ago I vowed to “build my platform” and I got swallowed up in the sea of social media and virtual marketing, abandoning my writing “for now” until I was a little more organized. (I didn’t see that day in my foreseeable future.)
Then I found How to be a Writer in the E-Age… And Keep Your E-Sanity, which is aptly titled. This comprehensive, humorous and down-to-earth guidebook covers our ever-changing industry, our growing choices, and lays down what we can expect at the end of our road so we plan our travels well.
Catherine Ryan Hyde and Anne R. Allen have unique but complementary voices; they could well be two good friends who decided over tea that they could become e-mentors to thousands if they joined forces. Their prose is easy to read, warm, worldly, honest. They weave an environment akin to one of those European dinner parties where friends and strangers come together to eat, laugh, argue, cry, and share epiphanies over wine—instantly we are welcomed into their fold, and serious subjects (encompassing our dreams and livelihoods) become fun.
The humor, on rare occasions, may be considered “not funny”, but in the whole this is a tender offering from both authors, who truly wish for the success of all writers everywhere. How could this be anything but a labor of love when they have not only put together such a cornucopia of knowledge but then gift their readers free updates every six months to ensure that their “e-protégés” can keep up with the times? As writers, we can appreciate how much work goes into an endeavor of this magnitude, and the genuine care that Ms. Ryan Hyde and Ms. Allen have for their fellow writers shines in their book. I frequently laughed out loud and sighed with relief. When I finished I had recovered my center, de-stressed about the myriad of things I had to do before I could “make it” as a writer.
How to be a Writer in the E-Age… And Keep Your E-Sanity will be a comfort to the “new kids on the block”; a guiding force for those authors fording the whitewater rapids of social media and (mis)information; and it will revitalize those “Real Writers” who may have discovered that success, in modern terms, wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. The conclusion to the book reminds us that we are the only ones who can define success in a way that is meaningful. By playing with the tools the authors have shared, we can start paving the road to realizing our dreams, on our own terms.
However, this age of (mis)information overwhelms and dismays us. A month ago I vowed to “build my platform” and I got swallowed up in the sea of social media and virtual marketing, abandoning my writing “for now” until I was a little more organized. (I didn’t see that day in my foreseeable future.)
Then I found How to be a Writer in the E-Age… And Keep Your E-Sanity, which is aptly titled. This comprehensive, humorous and down-to-earth guidebook covers our ever-changing industry, our growing choices, and lays down what we can expect at the end of our road so we plan our travels well.
Catherine Ryan Hyde and Anne R. Allen have unique but complementary voices; they could well be two good friends who decided over tea that they could become e-mentors to thousands if they joined forces. Their prose is easy to read, warm, worldly, honest. They weave an environment akin to one of those European dinner parties where friends and strangers come together to eat, laugh, argue, cry, and share epiphanies over wine—instantly we are welcomed into their fold, and serious subjects (encompassing our dreams and livelihoods) become fun.
The humor, on rare occasions, may be considered “not funny”, but in the whole this is a tender offering from both authors, who truly wish for the success of all writers everywhere. How could this be anything but a labor of love when they have not only put together such a cornucopia of knowledge but then gift their readers free updates every six months to ensure that their “e-protégés” can keep up with the times? As writers, we can appreciate how much work goes into an endeavor of this magnitude, and the genuine care that Ms. Ryan Hyde and Ms. Allen have for their fellow writers shines in their book. I frequently laughed out loud and sighed with relief. When I finished I had recovered my center, de-stressed about the myriad of things I had to do before I could “make it” as a writer.
How to be a Writer in the E-Age… And Keep Your E-Sanity will be a comfort to the “new kids on the block”; a guiding force for those authors fording the whitewater rapids of social media and (mis)information; and it will revitalize those “Real Writers” who may have discovered that success, in modern terms, wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. The conclusion to the book reminds us that we are the only ones who can define success in a way that is meaningful. By playing with the tools the authors have shared, we can start paving the road to realizing our dreams, on our own terms.
December 7, 2015
Anne R AllenCatherine Ryan HydeI love this book! Honestly, I wasn't sure if I would. After all, I've read a 101 writing books, and I'm not even exaggerating. Catherine and Anne share their ups and downs in the publishing industry with honesty. Their kind and uplifting tone would make some of the tough facts and advice they give out easier to swallow. My favourite bits have to be the chapters about blogging and social media etiquette, though to be brutally honest, their advice sometimes contradict some of advice given by others who claim to be as knowledgeable. So, it could be a challenge to know who is correct.
For example, Anne cautions against thanking people for following you on Twitter. Another blogger tells me you should because it's only polite. Who do you believe? Who knows? In the end, both Catherine and Anne's advice is based on their experiences, so consider their words in that light.
Anne, for one, had gone through a rough spot of cyber bullying where she was threatened by an overzealous fan of a blogger who disagreed with her. So she's wary of forums such as Absolute Write etc because of her experiences. Maybe overly so. I can't say I blame her. I, too, met a bully on the popular Kindleboards forum for writers, Writer's Cafe. It began very innocently, mind you - I thought I was making friends with a fellow author. But I ended up being pushed around and bullied into helping him fulfill his moneymaking dreams. I am now just lurking in the forums, concerned at times by the herd mentality that I see going on in there.
However, I have to say that if you play the game well, don't trod on too many toes, certain forums can become invaluable sources of information and you can make great friends that way. Yes, even Kindleboards. So do take the authors' advice on forums seriously - cyberstalking and bullying, unfortunately, is far too real. And, behave well in cyberspace!
What this book doesn't do, however, is to teach you how to write a novel etc. It isn't that kind of book. It will, however, instruct you on how to have the attitude of a writer, how to get your book out there and yes, how to behave in cyberspace so that you don't ruin your career before it begins with a cyber meltdown.
Great book, especially if you want to build a digital platform as a writer.
For example, Anne cautions against thanking people for following you on Twitter. Another blogger tells me you should because it's only polite. Who do you believe? Who knows? In the end, both Catherine and Anne's advice is based on their experiences, so consider their words in that light.
Anne, for one, had gone through a rough spot of cyber bullying where she was threatened by an overzealous fan of a blogger who disagreed with her. So she's wary of forums such as Absolute Write etc because of her experiences. Maybe overly so. I can't say I blame her. I, too, met a bully on the popular Kindleboards forum for writers, Writer's Cafe. It began very innocently, mind you - I thought I was making friends with a fellow author. But I ended up being pushed around and bullied into helping him fulfill his moneymaking dreams. I am now just lurking in the forums, concerned at times by the herd mentality that I see going on in there.
However, I have to say that if you play the game well, don't trod on too many toes, certain forums can become invaluable sources of information and you can make great friends that way. Yes, even Kindleboards. So do take the authors' advice on forums seriously - cyberstalking and bullying, unfortunately, is far too real. And, behave well in cyberspace!
What this book doesn't do, however, is to teach you how to write a novel etc. It isn't that kind of book. It will, however, instruct you on how to have the attitude of a writer, how to get your book out there and yes, how to behave in cyberspace so that you don't ruin your career before it begins with a cyber meltdown.
Great book, especially if you want to build a digital platform as a writer.
March 25, 2014
This is a fabulous, informative, and funny tool for any writer looking for advice on how to enter the new age of 21st Century publishing. The authors are two smart, savvy ladies who know their stuff. They do not sugarcoat. They keep it real, and sometimes real can be depressing, but the fact is, not everyone will be successful at their writing endeavors.
They offer great, practical advice and back it up with experience. I enjoyed their humor - come on, you've got to have a sense of humor about it all - and would highly recommend this to anyone with questions about how to handle yourself in this new age of writing and publishing. I actually decided to restructure my new blog because of the information Anne shared on blogging. In addition, her blog annerallen (dot) blogspot (dot) com has also been hugely helpful, so I'd recommend subscribing to it, like now.
This book is a great complement to Kristen Lamb's latest, Rise of The Machines, on navigating the murky waters of social media.
They offer great, practical advice and back it up with experience. I enjoyed their humor - come on, you've got to have a sense of humor about it all - and would highly recommend this to anyone with questions about how to handle yourself in this new age of writing and publishing. I actually decided to restructure my new blog because of the information Anne shared on blogging. In addition, her blog annerallen (dot) blogspot (dot) com has also been hugely helpful, so I'd recommend subscribing to it, like now.
This book is a great complement to Kristen Lamb's latest, Rise of The Machines, on navigating the murky waters of social media.
September 11, 2012
The exact book every writer needs to read today, and it's available on ebook which means it's not expensive, and best of all, the authors promise to send you a free update to the book every six months, to keep the information bang up to date. What's not to like?
Part 1 is about getting started, Part 2 the inevitability of rejection, Part 3 getting useful feedback. Part 4 (especially useful) is called Getting Your Geek On, and is all about the internet, blogging and social media. Part 5 is about the query process, and Part 6 looks at traditional vs self-publishing. Part 7 is about editing, Part 8 the writing life, Part 10 the author's changing role in the 21st century. It offers everything you need to know, in a friendly, chatty style but that pulls no punches. Highly recommended.
Part 1 is about getting started, Part 2 the inevitability of rejection, Part 3 getting useful feedback. Part 4 (especially useful) is called Getting Your Geek On, and is all about the internet, blogging and social media. Part 5 is about the query process, and Part 6 looks at traditional vs self-publishing. Part 7 is about editing, Part 8 the writing life, Part 10 the author's changing role in the 21st century. It offers everything you need to know, in a friendly, chatty style but that pulls no punches. Highly recommended.
September 7, 2014
There is plenty of good advice in this book for both the new writer and established author. It covers how to deal with rejections and feedback to what is expected after publication. Written by two successful published authors, it includes information on both traditional and self publishing routes, so you know what to expect and helps you decide which path is the best for you. Highly recommended. It's one of those books you will keep coming back to.
July 25, 2012
An absolute must read for writers in all stages. Inspiring, informative, practical, it's everything you could want from two very experienced and successful authors and social media experts. For $2.99, it's an unbelievable value. I'm so glad I have mine- I WILL be referring back to it many times.
August 1, 2012
This is an excellent book, written by two successfully published authors. It covers both printed and e-book formats guiding the newbie writer through the many pitfalls of the industry. Highly recommended to anyone who is an author or who aspires to be an author.
August 22, 2012
Writers,
This is one dang helpful book. I gobbled it up & dog-eared MANY pages. CR Hyde is an accomplished author whose book on craft reminds me of Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird-another accomplished author who also shared her method with us. Buy it, you will be glad you did.
This is one dang helpful book. I gobbled it up & dog-eared MANY pages. CR Hyde is an accomplished author whose book on craft reminds me of Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird-another accomplished author who also shared her method with us. Buy it, you will be glad you did.
March 25, 2016
Amazing
I can't stop reading it I have read it 10 times this is one of the best book I have ever read
I can't stop reading it I have read it 10 times this is one of the best book I have ever read
January 8, 2018
Highly recommend if you are looking for encouragement and up-to-date info about writing and publishing in today's E-Age
October 5, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
I loved this book! Catherine and Anne are hysterically funny as they present detailed and helpful information about their experiences in writing, publishing, blogging, and the emotional rollercoaster ride of "being a writer." Together, their writing style made me feel as if we were having a conversation in my living room every morning when I sat down with my coffee to get my daily dose of encouragement and education. This book is at the top of my "go to" pile when struggling as a "new" writer. Thank you, Catherine and Anne!
October 5, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
I loved this book! Catherine and Anne are hysterically funny as they present detailed and helpful information about their experiences in writing, publishing, blogging, and the emotional rollercoaster ride of "being a writer." Together, their writing style made me feel as if we were having a conversation in my living room every morning when I sat down with my coffee to get my daily dose of encouragement and education. This book is at the top of my "go to" pile when struggling as a "new" writer. Thank you, Catherine and Anne!
March 5, 2024
Well written and easy to read. Unfortunately most of the info regarding ebooks is out of date and most of the references are no longer in service. Still worth reading the other chapters though if you are a soon to be author.
July 14, 2017
brilliant, witty, an easy read, engaging and provides tonnes of solid tips. Great book!
April 15, 2022
Catherine's comments about rejection and writer's block and goals were the best parts, but it was all interesting. Some of the info was a bit dated. A valuable resource for writers.
August 10, 2017
brilliant, informative, fun to read with great tips...
October 4, 2012
The chapters are quick and easy to absorb, you can't read just one.
Good beginner's introduction to the business. Written in a causal tone. Humorous short stories and examples, making it perfect reading for anytime you might have a few extra minutes. Bonus: The authors plan on updating material to keep up with the changing electronic publishing world.
Authors did a really cool thing, they put the cover image at each chapter head. My pet peeve about ebooks: I have a hard time remembering the title and author of the book because I don't get the opportunity to see the cover. (I have a kindle with the keypad.)
Favorite chapters:
-Literary Agents: Are They an Endangered Species? (Excellent heads-up about what you might not want in your contract.)
-The Big Advance Bites You in the Ass. (Understanding the money aspect of that book deal.)
Good beginner's introduction to the business. Written in a causal tone. Humorous short stories and examples, making it perfect reading for anytime you might have a few extra minutes. Bonus: The authors plan on updating material to keep up with the changing electronic publishing world.
Authors did a really cool thing, they put the cover image at each chapter head. My pet peeve about ebooks: I have a hard time remembering the title and author of the book because I don't get the opportunity to see the cover. (I have a kindle with the keypad.)
Favorite chapters:
-Literary Agents: Are They an Endangered Species? (Excellent heads-up about what you might not want in your contract.)
-The Big Advance Bites You in the Ass. (Understanding the money aspect of that book deal.)
November 20, 2015
I loved this book. Full of useful information and inspiration, these writers tell it like it is. The conversational tone of each author made the book easy to read, like you were chatting with your best friend over lunch. I especially liked the chapter on rejection. Catherine Ryan Hyde helped shed some light on the nature of rejection, and gave convincing reasons why you shouldn't let it get you down. Of course, Anne R. Allen's wit and humor is peppered throughout the book, which made some of the daunting truths easier to swallow. I'd recommend this book for seasoned writers as well as beginners.
October 14, 2014
Outstandingly helpful book.
I put it on my Wish List because it looked like something I should have, and I ordered it when I was trying to fill out my $35 order so I could get free shipping. Boy, am I glad I did!
This book contains so much up-to-date information that someone like me, just getting started publishing, later in life, and not tech savvy at all, absolutely needs. Get the paperback version too, because you will come to think of this as a reference book, and come back to it over and over again.
I put it on my Wish List because it looked like something I should have, and I ordered it when I was trying to fill out my $35 order so I could get free shipping. Boy, am I glad I did!
This book contains so much up-to-date information that someone like me, just getting started publishing, later in life, and not tech savvy at all, absolutely needs. Get the paperback version too, because you will come to think of this as a reference book, and come back to it over and over again.
December 28, 2017
Who hasn't wasted buckets of time and money on books about indie publishing? They all kind of melt into one mediocre pile finally, giving the same tired advice that many writers have already tried and discarded as a giant waste of time. This one was different. It was inspiring, easy to dip into to grab what you need, and inspiring. Did I mention it was inspiring? Save your money on the other models.
August 24, 2015
A book full-packed with good, practical advices from writers to writers. You want a realistic picture of what's a writer's life like? Here you have it. But what I loved most? Anne's wit. I definitely love her and will extensively explore her blog and her books. Catherine is more... serious? :P
April 7, 2013
Must read for any author. Gives you hope with practice advice.
April 5, 2014
This book was definitely a find packed with thought-provoking ideas and useful tips. Great for writers at all levels.
June 2, 2014
A great comfort to aspiring writers. Down to earth approach with great info to help one get started.
August 13, 2016
A really good and useful book. I agreed with ... oh, 99% of it. At least.
Read
August 27, 2018Bravo, the truth is told.
In one sitting, I read the good, bad and ugly truth. You are making a tough choice in deciding to write with the "expectation of plenty."
They help dissect why a person chooses to write, giving real world examples of what they went through, with dollops of self mockery.
I was fascinated to learn how Pay It Forward was rejected by one agent, and accepted by another; and how choosing "agent #2" had potential consequences also.
The message is to write. It's also to know what you're doing and getting signed up for.
It's also a good resource. Thanks for Red Door. Most don't know about that. It's a good investment reading this. I laughed a lot with mistakes that are only obvious after they pointed them out in this book.
Thanks, Cathy and Anne.
In one sitting, I read the good, bad and ugly truth. You are making a tough choice in deciding to write with the "expectation of plenty."
They help dissect why a person chooses to write, giving real world examples of what they went through, with dollops of self mockery.
I was fascinated to learn how Pay It Forward was rejected by one agent, and accepted by another; and how choosing "agent #2" had potential consequences also.
The message is to write. It's also to know what you're doing and getting signed up for.
It's also a good resource. Thanks for Red Door. Most don't know about that. It's a good investment reading this. I laughed a lot with mistakes that are only obvious after they pointed them out in this book.
Thanks, Cathy and Anne.
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