What do you think?
Rate this book
Author Straight Talk
For anyone who has ever thought about writing a book, but suffered from fears of failure, felt intimated by the process, didn’t understand agents, rights or marketing, comes Author Straight Talk, a comprehensive book that gives readers the insider information on authoring.
Through 185 questions, acclaimed author Sarah Gerdes sheds light on ten core aspects of the business of authoring. In her brutally honest style, Gerdes holds nothing back as she lifts the veil on why manuscripts are really rejected, where the most money is made, what agents really say and do behind your back and why your book isn’t selling. At the same time, readers are introduced to Gerdes’ success strategies, for writing, editing, publishing, marketing and selling your book. The money she’s made, along with the mistakes are detailed, but so are the best tips she’s used for both mainstream and independent publishing.
“This book is the fulfillment of the promise I made twenty years ago. If I ever achieved success, I was going to share it with others. Author Straight Talk is the book I wish I’d had to help me along the way. I might not have always listened, but at least I would have known what to consider, think about and then make the best choice.” –Sarah Gerdes
Through 185 questions, acclaimed author Sarah Gerdes sheds light on ten core aspects of the business of authoring. In her brutally honest style, Gerdes holds nothing back as she lifts the veil on why manuscripts are really rejected, where the most money is made, what agents really say and do behind your back and why your book isn’t selling. At the same time, readers are introduced to Gerdes’ success strategies, for writing, editing, publishing, marketing and selling your book. The money she’s made, along with the mistakes are detailed, but so are the best tips she’s used for both mainstream and independent publishing.
“This book is the fulfillment of the promise I made twenty years ago. If I ever achieved success, I was going to share it with others. Author Straight Talk is the book I wish I’d had to help me along the way. I might not have always listened, but at least I would have known what to consider, think about and then make the best choice.” –Sarah Gerdes
345 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Gerdes
27 books45 followersMy readers know that the works I create are based on the people I meet, the experiences I’ve enjoyed and the places I’ve traveled. Therein lies the essence of the Traveling Author, for that’s what I am. Where some sit and write book after book, my lifestyle is one where I take a break, traveling to rejuvenate my mind, body and soul, absorbing all that I’ve encountered, then I return to my home and produce a novel.
Travel with me as I search for inspiration. You can virtually tag along, or show up with a book in hand. My itineraries are posted on my website under Destinations.
Travel with me as I search for inspiration. You can virtually tag along, or show up with a book in hand. My itineraries are posted on my website under Destinations.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 7, 2020
Award-winning Gerdes’s latest non-fiction is an insightful look at the raw material that goes into the making of a successful author, as well as proof that a successful writing career depends equally on the art of ‘Authoring’ and a writer’s ability to write good material.
Through 185 questions, Gerdes sheds light on ten core aspects of the business of authoring. Loaded with advice from her own two decades of writing experience and from other writers and industry professionals, the book provides a comprehensive guide to the making of a successful writer. Her practical tips range from the importance of 20-minute rule of writing to the need to hire professional editors and go through the grueling process of editing at any cost.
She tackles every subject crucial to the making of a book that really sells: how to deal with writer’s block, successful editing, tools to bring your book to market, time management, marketing, publicity, ownerships, rights, estate planning among several other. She concludes the book’s final chapter with a section about the most common questions people ask her as a successful author.
This excellent guide on authoring is full of practical insights, information, and anecdotes garnered from Sarah’s career as a fiction and non-fiction author and will help those aspiring to make a successful career in writing.
A must-have book for every writer who is looking to succeed in their writing career.
Readers will be wise to get the paperback version of the book for consulting and to use as a reference guide later.
Through 185 questions, Gerdes sheds light on ten core aspects of the business of authoring. Loaded with advice from her own two decades of writing experience and from other writers and industry professionals, the book provides a comprehensive guide to the making of a successful writer. Her practical tips range from the importance of 20-minute rule of writing to the need to hire professional editors and go through the grueling process of editing at any cost.
She tackles every subject crucial to the making of a book that really sells: how to deal with writer’s block, successful editing, tools to bring your book to market, time management, marketing, publicity, ownerships, rights, estate planning among several other. She concludes the book’s final chapter with a section about the most common questions people ask her as a successful author.
This excellent guide on authoring is full of practical insights, information, and anecdotes garnered from Sarah’s career as a fiction and non-fiction author and will help those aspiring to make a successful career in writing.
A must-have book for every writer who is looking to succeed in their writing career.
Readers will be wise to get the paperback version of the book for consulting and to use as a reference guide later.
March 16, 2018
I’m a fan of Sarah’s fiction works but when I found that she was writing a guide to help aspiring authors as they embark on the journey of writing, submissions and frankly as a person who is smack dab in the middle of that journey, I am fully taking every single piece of advice to heart. It contains real advice from a real author who has done this and succeeded. She’s gives proper advice for writing schedules, how to maintain momentum, about submitting your work, what to do after you finish your book to increase your exposure and how to use social media as a tool. This book is an absolute must have if you are a new author.
March 16, 2018
I’m a fan of Sarah’s fiction works but when I found that she was writing a guide to help aspiring authors as they embark on the journey of writing, submissions and frankly as a person who is smack dab in the middle of that journey, I am fully taking every single piece of advice to heart. It contains real advice from a real author who has done this and succeeded. She’s gives proper advice for writing schedules, how to maintain momentum, about submitting your work, what to do after you finish your book to increase your exposure and how to use social media as a tool. This book is an absolute must have if you are a new author.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews