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The Byline Bible: Get Published in Five Weeks
Newspaper, magazine, and web editors are desperate for new voices and anyone, in any field, can break in. So why not you?
Over the last two decades, writing professor Susan Shapiro has taught more than 25,000 students of all ages and backgrounds at NYU, Columbia, Temple, The New School, and Harvard University. Now in The Byline Bible she reveals the wildly popular "Instant Gratification Takes Too Long" technique she's perfected, sharing how to land impressive clips to start or re-launch your career.
In frank and funny prose, the bestselling author of 12 books walks you through every stage of crafting and selling short nonfiction pieces. She shows you how to spot trendy subjects, where to start, finish and edit, and divulges specific steps to submit work, have it accepted, get paid, and see your byline in your favorite publication in lightning speed.
With a foreword by Peter Catapano, long-time editor at the New York Times where many of Shapiro’s pupils have first seen print, this book offers everything you need to learn to write and sell your story in five weeks or less,
• How to craft a cover letter and subject heading to get read and reviewed quickly
• Who pay for essays, op-eds, regional, humor, or service pieces from unknown writers
• Ways to follow up, build on your success, land a TV or radio spot, become a regular contributor, staff writer, and find a literary agent for your book with one amazing clip
Whether you're just starting out or ready to enhance your professional portfolio, this essential guide will prove that three pages can change your life.
Over the last two decades, writing professor Susan Shapiro has taught more than 25,000 students of all ages and backgrounds at NYU, Columbia, Temple, The New School, and Harvard University. Now in The Byline Bible she reveals the wildly popular "Instant Gratification Takes Too Long" technique she's perfected, sharing how to land impressive clips to start or re-launch your career.
In frank and funny prose, the bestselling author of 12 books walks you through every stage of crafting and selling short nonfiction pieces. She shows you how to spot trendy subjects, where to start, finish and edit, and divulges specific steps to submit work, have it accepted, get paid, and see your byline in your favorite publication in lightning speed.
With a foreword by Peter Catapano, long-time editor at the New York Times where many of Shapiro’s pupils have first seen print, this book offers everything you need to learn to write and sell your story in five weeks or less,
• How to craft a cover letter and subject heading to get read and reviewed quickly
• Who pay for essays, op-eds, regional, humor, or service pieces from unknown writers
• Ways to follow up, build on your success, land a TV or radio spot, become a regular contributor, staff writer, and find a literary agent for your book with one amazing clip
Whether you're just starting out or ready to enhance your professional portfolio, this essential guide will prove that three pages can change your life.
272 pages, Paperback
Published August 21, 2018
106 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
October 20, 2018
The Byline Bible has a great premise: “..the bestselling author of 12 books walks you through every stage of crafting and selling short nonfiction pieces. She shows you how to spot trendy subjects, where to start, finish and edit, and divulges specific steps to submit work, have it accepted, get paid, and see your byline in your favorite publication in lightning speed."
In execution, though, this reads like a brag book. Reading each chapter involves slogging through extensive lists detailing past projects that have been published by the author, her friends, or her past students. Sometimes I struggled to even find the lesson within the seemingly never-ending lists.
The entire time I was reading, I felt like the author adapted various lectures she's given by beefing them up with more examples than she would dare to use if giving this lesson in person. I had been looking forward to learning from a pro, but instead this book was just a tedious drag.
Definitely not my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley and F+W Media for providing me with a DRC of this book.
In execution, though, this reads like a brag book. Reading each chapter involves slogging through extensive lists detailing past projects that have been published by the author, her friends, or her past students. Sometimes I struggled to even find the lesson within the seemingly never-ending lists.
The entire time I was reading, I felt like the author adapted various lectures she's given by beefing them up with more examples than she would dare to use if giving this lesson in person. I had been looking forward to learning from a pro, but instead this book was just a tedious drag.
Definitely not my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley and F+W Media for providing me with a DRC of this book.
August 21, 2018
The Byline Bible by Susan Shapiro is a reference guide for writers who want to see their work in print—from big publications like The New Yorker and The Washington Post to online and regional publications.
This may be a bold statement, but I learned more in this book than I did in three years of journalism classes. Of course the journalism classes served to teach me how to write pieces that belong in these types of publications, but this book is what I needed to take the next step. As Shapiro points out in the beginning of the book, many writing programs don't offer common sense steps or advice on how to get your pieces published, just that in order to survive as a working writer you need to figure it out. Shapiro gives you all of the steps you need to take once you have started writing (this book doesn't do any hand-holding for those who still need to learn grammar and structure).
What is different about this book is that it doesn't just offer you the steps you need to get your next piece published. It also adds quite a lot of full examples of pieces that have made it into a wide variety of publications, both from the author and the author's students. Almost seventy percent of the book is examples, but this is the kind of stuff I'm always looking for. When I'm given any type of writing advice or assignment, I always ask to see examples so I know whether I'm on the right track or not.
The only thing I found a little disappointing is that this book promises detailed information on where to submit these pieces for pay, and what actually appears in the book is a little vague. To get a list of publications that may be appropriate for a reader's piece, you have to search through the examples to see where those were published, then check to see if the publication is still in business. Including this information could have made the book obsolete by the time it was released, but it would have been nice to be pointed to a database or webpage with relevant listings that could have been updated easier than a book.
I will be using the information I learned in this book to see what I can do with all of the essays I write, but never seem to find a home for.
*Book provided by Bookish First
This may be a bold statement, but I learned more in this book than I did in three years of journalism classes. Of course the journalism classes served to teach me how to write pieces that belong in these types of publications, but this book is what I needed to take the next step. As Shapiro points out in the beginning of the book, many writing programs don't offer common sense steps or advice on how to get your pieces published, just that in order to survive as a working writer you need to figure it out. Shapiro gives you all of the steps you need to take once you have started writing (this book doesn't do any hand-holding for those who still need to learn grammar and structure).
What is different about this book is that it doesn't just offer you the steps you need to get your next piece published. It also adds quite a lot of full examples of pieces that have made it into a wide variety of publications, both from the author and the author's students. Almost seventy percent of the book is examples, but this is the kind of stuff I'm always looking for. When I'm given any type of writing advice or assignment, I always ask to see examples so I know whether I'm on the right track or not.
The only thing I found a little disappointing is that this book promises detailed information on where to submit these pieces for pay, and what actually appears in the book is a little vague. To get a list of publications that may be appropriate for a reader's piece, you have to search through the examples to see where those were published, then check to see if the publication is still in business. Including this information could have made the book obsolete by the time it was released, but it would have been nice to be pointed to a database or webpage with relevant listings that could have been updated easier than a book.
I will be using the information I learned in this book to see what I can do with all of the essays I write, but never seem to find a home for.
*Book provided by Bookish First
October 17, 2019
This is an excellent writing resource that breaks down exactly what editors are looking for, how to come up with story ideas, and how to pitch. One of the things I most appreciated is that Shapiro includes real-life examples of essays that started under her guidance and were published in major publications. I've been writing essays for over a decade and learned a lot, and think beginning writers as well as more advanced ones will gain a lot from this book. I refer to it often when I'm stuck on developing an angle for an essay or brainstorming where to pitch.
December 2, 2018
This has a few good nuggets, but unless you're a true beginner, it won't help much. It also has a lot of pieces missing that I think would be valuable for someone wanting to get essays published.
It also seems that the author is arguing with other negative reviews, so I have blocked her. Who has time for that nonsense?
It also seems that the author is arguing with other negative reviews, so I have blocked her. Who has time for that nonsense?
August 20, 2018
A Genuine and practical Guide to writing and publishing
I'm not really sure if I wanted to write a book, but Susan Shapiro's "The Byline Bible inspired me to continue writing. Writing about basically anything. It also inspired me to write a meaningful piece of work. It didn't have to be a novel or a book as long as it hooks the reader on reading what I wrote. I found the personal anecdotes included in this novel to be enjoyable, especially regarding the students who took the author's class and later got their work published. Information regarding publishing was insightful and exciting to read about.
Normally, I'd look up all these stuff but this book had almost everything I needed to know. This book was such a gem. It hooks you right from the start (so you know it's good writing), even with practical information that I never knew I would actually be interested in reading. All in all, this book was a nice surprise. It was useful and engaging. Readers can read the essays of Shapiro's students and find out what worked and what didn't. This book's a definite must have for aspiring writers out there.
I'm not really sure if I wanted to write a book, but Susan Shapiro's "The Byline Bible inspired me to continue writing. Writing about basically anything. It also inspired me to write a meaningful piece of work. It didn't have to be a novel or a book as long as it hooks the reader on reading what I wrote. I found the personal anecdotes included in this novel to be enjoyable, especially regarding the students who took the author's class and later got their work published. Information regarding publishing was insightful and exciting to read about.
Normally, I'd look up all these stuff but this book had almost everything I needed to know. This book was such a gem. It hooks you right from the start (so you know it's good writing), even with practical information that I never knew I would actually be interested in reading. All in all, this book was a nice surprise. It was useful and engaging. Readers can read the essays of Shapiro's students and find out what worked and what didn't. This book's a definite must have for aspiring writers out there.
August 21, 2018
Sometimes, it's very hard to describe why I dislike a book. To put it very bluntly, the book put me to sleep several times while reading it. This is a common problem with nonfiction novels for me. I strongly prefer nonfiction books that are written with some kind of charisma. There is a way to write good advice, while making it enjoyable to read. I think that people would read nonfiction more if authors adopted that kind of writing style but that's just what I think, that's just my opinion.
In terms of the formatting, it was great. The writing was superb, which was why I had initially wanted the book, but again it bored my to the point of going to sleep.
The real star of this book is the advice, which is very legitimate. You could tell that the author was definitely a pro (if you don't know her credentials) just from the advice alone and I feel that there is a lot that people could learn from this book.
I just didn't like it and I'm sorry.
In terms of the formatting, it was great. The writing was superb, which was why I had initially wanted the book, but again it bored my to the point of going to sleep.
The real star of this book is the advice, which is very legitimate. You could tell that the author was definitely a pro (if you don't know her credentials) just from the advice alone and I feel that there is a lot that people could learn from this book.
I just didn't like it and I'm sorry.
June 25, 2018
I requested a copy of The Byline Bible because I am always interested in finding new income streams to support my editing work and fiction writing, and I wondered if articles might be the way to go. If anything, this book has made me reconsider that. I personally don't think I have the time to dedicate to all the research etc. needed. However, although it has put me off the idea at present, I do think this is a useful, well-presented book. Shapiro outlined the different stages involved in getting your articles into print, along with some excellent examples for inspiration and guidance. So if you are someone considering a career, or side job, in article writing, I would definitely recommend this book to set you on your way.
October 4, 2019
"It’s magic to see how quickly three pages can change your life."
To anyone who wants to write anything, please buy this book.
Nobody in the lit industry ever wants to tell you how to make money. It's like their noses are so far up their own a**es they believe that we can live off of our words, that the words will magically pay the light bill and buy us groceries. But that is not reality. This book is the tell-all guide on how to actually get published and get paid. Filled with everything from general-isms like “Obsession rids the mind of clutter” to specific instructions like "don’t submit your Valentine’s Day story on February 1," this book is a must-have for anyone who wants to see their work in print.
To anyone who wants to write anything, please buy this book.
Nobody in the lit industry ever wants to tell you how to make money. It's like their noses are so far up their own a**es they believe that we can live off of our words, that the words will magically pay the light bill and buy us groceries. But that is not reality. This book is the tell-all guide on how to actually get published and get paid. Filled with everything from general-isms like “Obsession rids the mind of clutter” to specific instructions like "don’t submit your Valentine’s Day story on February 1," this book is a must-have for anyone who wants to see their work in print.
August 13, 2018
As a writer of magazine fiction as well as nonfiction, I'm always seeking to improve my work. This book will help any writer, from beginning to professional published author. In each chapter, a different kind of nonfiction writing how to is presented. And, in each chapter, this author presents concrete advice through conversational, easy to understand language. I even found myself laughing out loud while reading so this is also entertaining while you learn.
An author must read, read, read magazine articles to know what works, what is published today, and what style and content different magazines seek. The author provides so many previously published articles right in the chapters as examples for the reader--boom! Some of your research is already done and will give the reader spring boards to generate more ideas for their own work.
Susan Shapiro also provides easy bulleted summaries of what to do and what not to do and some of these are the most humorous parts of the book. Readers will learn how to query an editor, format manuscripts, as well as how to politely follow up on submissions.
I highly recommend this book to writers who want to improve their craft, whether it be for newspapers, magazines, or publishing on line.
An author must read, read, read magazine articles to know what works, what is published today, and what style and content different magazines seek. The author provides so many previously published articles right in the chapters as examples for the reader--boom! Some of your research is already done and will give the reader spring boards to generate more ideas for their own work.
Susan Shapiro also provides easy bulleted summaries of what to do and what not to do and some of these are the most humorous parts of the book. Readers will learn how to query an editor, format manuscripts, as well as how to politely follow up on submissions.
I highly recommend this book to writers who want to improve their craft, whether it be for newspapers, magazines, or publishing on line.
August 25, 2020
I know this is a terrible time to be getting into freelance writing, but here I am. I have wanted to pursue writing since I was young. I am a good student and willing to do the work. I have been reading craft books, taking webinars, writing every day, and sending out pitches. I want those bylines. I want those acceptance letters. I want to see my words in print. I have byline instant gratification syndrome.
My recent purchase was the Byline Bible by Susan Shapiro, and I should have bought it before I even started this little enterprise. Shapiro teaches pitching and personal essay classes at The New School, and since Covid, has been teaching online. I hope to take her class this winter, if it is still online. It is pricey ($750), but I think will be completely worth it. Below are some of the most valuable nuggets from her book (imho).
Write the essays.
Good writing comes from revision.
Short, perfect cover letters can help sell even mediocre pages.
Shapiro provides a number of lists at the end that summarize the main points of the book which you should buy because it is necessary for those trying to break into bylines.
My recent purchase was the Byline Bible by Susan Shapiro, and I should have bought it before I even started this little enterprise. Shapiro teaches pitching and personal essay classes at The New School, and since Covid, has been teaching online. I hope to take her class this winter, if it is still online. It is pricey ($750), but I think will be completely worth it. Below are some of the most valuable nuggets from her book (imho).
Write the essays.
Good writing comes from revision.
Short, perfect cover letters can help sell even mediocre pages.
Shapiro provides a number of lists at the end that summarize the main points of the book which you should buy because it is necessary for those trying to break into bylines.
September 7, 2018
A great book that helps anyone in the journalism industry. If you are someone who is trying to become a reporter or trying to get more exposure for your writing, this is a great book to show you how to get it done.
I found the personal anecdotes included in this novel to be enjoyable, especially regarding the students who took the author's class and later got their work published. Information regarding publishing was insightful and exciting to read about.
Normally, I'd look up all these stuff but this book had almost everything I needed to know. This book was such a gem. It hooks you right from the start (so you know it's good writing), even with practical information that I never knew I would actually be interested in reading. All in all, this book was a nice surprise. It was useful and engaging. Readers can read the essays of Shapiro's students and find out what worked and what didn't. This book's a definite must-have for aspiring writers out there.
I found the personal anecdotes included in this novel to be enjoyable, especially regarding the students who took the author's class and later got their work published. Information regarding publishing was insightful and exciting to read about.
Normally, I'd look up all these stuff but this book had almost everything I needed to know. This book was such a gem. It hooks you right from the start (so you know it's good writing), even with practical information that I never knew I would actually be interested in reading. All in all, this book was a nice surprise. It was useful and engaging. Readers can read the essays of Shapiro's students and find out what worked and what didn't. This book's a definite must-have for aspiring writers out there.
May 27, 2019
Very practical. I feel equipped to pursue paid writing for today’s publications. Demystifies and educates.
September 2, 2018
Librarian: I'll have to check the collection to see if we have a particular need for books on this topic. If the answer turns out to be yes, then I will absolutely be ordering this for our high school library. It is well written, neatly organized and full of that rarest of all things... common sense.
Reader: This is an excellently written, well organized piece of writing. The information in it is actively practical, something that can't always be said for books on this topic. Many are either too detailed, or not interesting enough to keep the readers attention. This one is neither. This is an area that desperately needed updating in my personal library, so I'm glad that I was able to pick this one up.
Reader: This is an excellently written, well organized piece of writing. The information in it is actively practical, something that can't always be said for books on this topic. Many are either too detailed, or not interesting enough to keep the readers attention. This one is neither. This is an area that desperately needed updating in my personal library, so I'm glad that I was able to pick this one up.
August 21, 2018
The Byline Bible is a brilliant, essential guide to getting published. There's nothing else like it out there. The author, Susan Shapiro, is someone I've been studying with for five years. In that time, following her advice, I've been published in the New York Times, Salon, and other national publications. I found an agent for my book -- all because of Sue. I know this sounds like a cheesy, canned endorsement, but it's from the heart. Sue has helped thousands of students get published. She's the real deal! All her advice is right here in this smart, comprehensive, generous book. If you're serious about getting a byline and seeing what that can do for you, buy this book. Today.
May 25, 2020
Tremendous resource for writers at all stages! I am agented and my book is on submission and I am grateful I found Sue’s book right now. Her clear instructions and humor give me faith that I can write and place personal essays leading up to my book’s publication and into the future. For someone who loves things done yesterday, I am all for the “instant gratification takes too long” approach. I came to writing from another creative career and I want to take what I know and learn what I don’t in order to be successful in publishing. The Byline Bible is exactly what I needed to demystify this part of my journey.
September 13, 2018
Several pages of The Byline Bible are now underlined and highlighted. This book will remain next to my pen, yet close to my heart.
"Push yourself into completing this essay by telling one story as if it's the last piece you'll ever write and publish, and it won't be." —S. Shapiro
Such a terrific, valuable book—loved it!
"Push yourself into completing this essay by telling one story as if it's the last piece you'll ever write and publish, and it won't be." —S. Shapiro
Such a terrific, valuable book—loved it!
February 3, 2020
I love learning from examples and this book is exactly that - comprehensive and clear instructions followed by examples! It's an easy and fun read, yet it pack lots and lots of valuable advice.
August 28, 2018
A writer for 35 years and writing instructor in journalism and creative writing for two decades (New York’s New School, NYU, and Columbia University), Susan Shapiro offers a trove of valuable inside secrets and practical advice in this guide to telling and selling personal essays. It’s like a complete, compact course on getting published—very up-to-date.
According to the author, social media has opened new doors so that it is now “easier to make your opinion and narrative known.” And she really does expect novice writers to get published in just five weeks, as she has witnessed among her own students and demonstrates through samples of their writing. We learn, for instance, that “the most successful writers don’t necessarily have the most talent but are the most obsessed.”
Unlike most writing experts, Shapiro uses an informed, conversational style that gently takes aspiring writers under her wings without a know-it-all lecturing tone. She purposely avoids an academic approach in order to create a results-oriented guidebook she wishes had been available when she first learned how to sell her own writing. Her book includes helpful lists of what to do and what to avoid doing, explanations of how to balance showing with telling, and numerous examples of topics that worked for her and her students in getting published. Approximately half the book is devoted to end-of-chapter sample essays, writing exercises/assignments, checklists, and recommended reading lists and Internet links. The author includes instructions on writing cover and pitch letters (with examples of each), finding lucrative markets, ensuring payment, and handling the aftermath of publication (ex: possible TV/radio interviews, requests for inclusion in anthologies, job offers).
All along this fascinating journey into publishing personal essays, opinion pieces, and short humor essays, Shapiro never loses sight of the fact that she was—and is, in many ways—one of us: still seeking and aspiring, always honing and improving her writing. This writing “bible” is a generous, straightforward, and easily referenced work that belongs on the shelves of beginning and intermediate nonfiction writers and that undoubtedly will result in many new “bylines.”
This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
According to the author, social media has opened new doors so that it is now “easier to make your opinion and narrative known.” And she really does expect novice writers to get published in just five weeks, as she has witnessed among her own students and demonstrates through samples of their writing. We learn, for instance, that “the most successful writers don’t necessarily have the most talent but are the most obsessed.”
Unlike most writing experts, Shapiro uses an informed, conversational style that gently takes aspiring writers under her wings without a know-it-all lecturing tone. She purposely avoids an academic approach in order to create a results-oriented guidebook she wishes had been available when she first learned how to sell her own writing. Her book includes helpful lists of what to do and what to avoid doing, explanations of how to balance showing with telling, and numerous examples of topics that worked for her and her students in getting published. Approximately half the book is devoted to end-of-chapter sample essays, writing exercises/assignments, checklists, and recommended reading lists and Internet links. The author includes instructions on writing cover and pitch letters (with examples of each), finding lucrative markets, ensuring payment, and handling the aftermath of publication (ex: possible TV/radio interviews, requests for inclusion in anthologies, job offers).
All along this fascinating journey into publishing personal essays, opinion pieces, and short humor essays, Shapiro never loses sight of the fact that she was—and is, in many ways—one of us: still seeking and aspiring, always honing and improving her writing. This writing “bible” is a generous, straightforward, and easily referenced work that belongs on the shelves of beginning and intermediate nonfiction writers and that undoubtedly will result in many new “bylines.”
This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
August 20, 2018
Do you want a book about getting published that is written by an unknown person? I don’t think so. The author, writing professor Susan Shapiro, has taught more than 25,000 students at NYU, Columbia, Temple, The New School, and Harvard University during the last 20 years. Many of her students have had their first stories printed in the New York Times. I personally think that’s pretty impressive; that’s the person I want to learn from!
The book starts out by saying that it offers everything you need to learn to write and sell your story in five weeks or less. Her first piece of advice is that the best way to break into publishing is with a great three-page double spaced personal essay. From there, she starts you off at a pretty good clip, because after all, in order to accomplish this in five weeks, you have to get started. So pick a story, write in new York Times format (buy a newspaper if you need to see what that looks like.) and follow Shapiro’s directions. All this and more comes from the first assignment she gives her students. Moreover, she states that she was “blown away” by what her students had written when she first did that, and surprised that many of them were published. I think that should offer encouragement to anyone who thinks they would like to have an article published.
I love to read, and so far I am very happy to do only that. I got a copy of this book for my son, who writes well, and I hope it will be useful to him. Perhaps someday, I will try my hand at writing too. If I ever do, this is definitely the book I will turn too.
The book starts out by saying that it offers everything you need to learn to write and sell your story in five weeks or less. Her first piece of advice is that the best way to break into publishing is with a great three-page double spaced personal essay. From there, she starts you off at a pretty good clip, because after all, in order to accomplish this in five weeks, you have to get started. So pick a story, write in new York Times format (buy a newspaper if you need to see what that looks like.) and follow Shapiro’s directions. All this and more comes from the first assignment she gives her students. Moreover, she states that she was “blown away” by what her students had written when she first did that, and surprised that many of them were published. I think that should offer encouragement to anyone who thinks they would like to have an article published.
I love to read, and so far I am very happy to do only that. I got a copy of this book for my son, who writes well, and I hope it will be useful to him. Perhaps someday, I will try my hand at writing too. If I ever do, this is definitely the book I will turn too.
September 3, 2018
An engaging, practical and easy-to-read reference book on the art of crafting compelling stories/articles and getting published. Susan Shapiro, author of the Byline Bible offers practical advice that approaches common issues facing writers from a variety of angles. For example, on the topic of submissions, Shapiro highlights the elements of a killer cover letter, 16 instances of “what not to do,” 20 cover letters that (editors) never finish reading, and several successful cover letters. She goes on to describe the likely course of events once the writer hits send, tips on how to (and not to) follow up, and dealing with rejection. All that in one chapter!
Shapiro offers her own work and that of her students, as engaging and thought-provoking samples. I particularly appreciate her willingness to explore a broad spectrum of publications and markets (e.g., Great regional reads by my students! And My Top Five Humor Pieces). The layout and flow were ideal; easy to read cover-to-cover, then go back and zero in particular topics.
If I had to pick the one piece of advice I took most to heart, it was to figure out why you want to get published, and then find the publications best suited to meet your objectives. I also liked her top five lists at the end.
A five-star, highly recommended book for fellow writers.
I received an ARC from bookish first for a candid review of the book.
Shapiro offers her own work and that of her students, as engaging and thought-provoking samples. I particularly appreciate her willingness to explore a broad spectrum of publications and markets (e.g., Great regional reads by my students! And My Top Five Humor Pieces). The layout and flow were ideal; easy to read cover-to-cover, then go back and zero in particular topics.
If I had to pick the one piece of advice I took most to heart, it was to figure out why you want to get published, and then find the publications best suited to meet your objectives. I also liked her top five lists at the end.
A five-star, highly recommended book for fellow writers.
I received an ARC from bookish first for a candid review of the book.
August 14, 2018
This book has some amazing insights and tips on how to be published. The author is a professor at NYU, among other colleges and has been published in multiple media. She has her fingers on the pulse of the publishing world and shares her knowledge with us on how to get published quickly.
Not only that, but she lays out where to get published based on what you want to write about, how much exposure you want, who you want to see your work, and how much you want to get paid.
She shares not only her own personal examples, but also those of her students.
Just one warning: she does discuss her own political and (I suppose) controversial viewpoints. Do not let this be a deterrent. She only does so as examples of her writing and how she had articles that she wrote published when everyone was writing about the same thing at the time.
She has some amazing insights that everyone who ever wanted to be published, or be published AGAIN, should read!
Thank you to BookishFirst and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.
Not only that, but she lays out where to get published based on what you want to write about, how much exposure you want, who you want to see your work, and how much you want to get paid.
She shares not only her own personal examples, but also those of her students.
Just one warning: she does discuss her own political and (I suppose) controversial viewpoints. Do not let this be a deterrent. She only does so as examples of her writing and how she had articles that she wrote published when everyone was writing about the same thing at the time.
She has some amazing insights that everyone who ever wanted to be published, or be published AGAIN, should read!
Thank you to BookishFirst and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.
July 27, 2018
So many people out there feel like they have a good story in them, and this book - The ByLine Bible - seems to be honest encouragement to any reader: yes, you probably do have an interesting story to tell. The big "however," as this author points out, is that one has to know how to professionally complete assignments and where to begin to pitch or market your essay, story, etc. After reading the ARC chapter and the humorous forward, i feel certain that there is some good advice in this book. I liked the fact that there are some specific details to wanna-be authors in this very first chapter and some suggested sources. I hesitate to give this book 5 stars and decided on 4 stars since one chapter does not guarantee that the quality and depth of advice continues into other chapters. I will gladly revise from four to five stars if I read the book and ascertain that there is worthwhile advice throughout the book. This book seems to fill an important niche.
August 13, 2018
In this clearly written writer's manual, writer and teacher Susan Shapiro provides step-by-step instructions for writing several styles of non-fiction essay along with tips for getting them published. Based on a successful course she teaches (many of her students have been published after taking this course), each unit includes an assignment, clearly explained, examples of successful topics, suggestions for improving your writing, and essay examples, lots of essay examples! I'm a writer who hasn't been writing, and I plan to work my way through the assignments in this book to jumpstart my writing process. Who knows? Maybe I'll actually be a published writer as a result of following through with the lessons in this book.
August 17, 2018
This is an excellent book to give a writer the path to publishing a non fiction piece of work. It very clearly begins with a humorous dialogue to engage the reader & lays out exactly what is needed to help the reader maneuver through the twists and turns of publishing an original manuscript. In a world of documentation, history, & screening of fact from fiction, the reader will be taken to the answers of who will be responsible to pay for publishing, how to introduce oneself to publishers, and how to accept a rejection letter and move forward with positive feedback.
The Byline Bible by Susan Shapiro is appropriate for all ages of writers & students of writing to use as a guideline to becoming published.
The Byline Bible by Susan Shapiro is appropriate for all ages of writers & students of writing to use as a guideline to becoming published.
August 21, 2018
To be honest, I enjoy reading about writing much more than I actually write which is why it is not my dedicated profession. This book by an accomplished essayist and author, is probably the most common sense and practical approach to writing that I have ever read. Focusing on nonfiction pieces, this pulls the experience of the author, her students and editors to provide very good advice, not only on writing but making money from writing. So even though I probably won't start writing a publishable piece anytime soon, I will be checking out more of Susan Shapiro's writing. I received a complimentary ARC of this book through BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2018
I have recently returned to writing and was happy that I won an advance copy of this book to read and review. There's nothing like a good book on the subject of writing, and this one hits the mark. I enjoyed the insight into the writing industry the author gives the reader. The book is something that i will use as a reference in my writing. While I write fiction, and this book is geared toward article writing, there is so much knowledge that all writers can take away from this book.
I recommend that any type of writer pick up this book. The book is well written, easy to follow and the author is very experienced within the writing industry. Read it, learn from it, reference it and go write!
I recommend that any type of writer pick up this book. The book is well written, easy to follow and the author is very experienced within the writing industry. Read it, learn from it, reference it and go write!
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October 28, 2022I read this as a rec from Ericka Andersen who I look up to in the publishing arena. She has been giving me a lot of tips and this book was one of them.
It is a great reference book and introduction into the publishing world and what is to be expected as a freelance writer. The most helpful piece of advice for me personally, was the writing assignment of a well-written 3 page personal essay. This is one of the first things she talks about. I find it to be something I naturally write anyway, so this felt like a good encouragement.
I’d like to explore more of the freelance world in the coming years, so it was good to get this information into my brain early on. I hope to submit articles and essays for publication and her tips were helpful.
The tone and the content in this book particularly (she shares a lot of examples from her and her students’ publishing journeys) weren’t always relatable for me, so I skipped around when she shared essays that others had written.
It is a great reference book and introduction into the publishing world and what is to be expected as a freelance writer. The most helpful piece of advice for me personally, was the writing assignment of a well-written 3 page personal essay. This is one of the first things she talks about. I find it to be something I naturally write anyway, so this felt like a good encouragement.
I’d like to explore more of the freelance world in the coming years, so it was good to get this information into my brain early on. I hope to submit articles and essays for publication and her tips were helpful.
The tone and the content in this book particularly (she shares a lot of examples from her and her students’ publishing journeys) weren’t always relatable for me, so I skipped around when she shared essays that others had written.
August 22, 2018
This book is fantastic for any writer seeking to get their work published. It is full of personal experience and advice from someone who actively freelances for some of the biggest publications in the country including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NY Daily News, and countless magazines. Her students do as well, and continue long after class ends. It’s full of entertaining anecdotes from editors, authors, and Susan. You will not need another writing guide.
August 28, 2018
Great advice from someone who has been doing this for 25+years. Susan Shapiro is THE person to know in NYC if you want to get published in any newspapers/magazines. As someone who has gotten her start from taking Shapiro's classes, I can vouch that her advice is top notch and gets the results you desire. Thanks to her advice, I am now a full-time freelance writer!
August 30, 2018
Sue Shapiro teaches how to craft pieces editors want. You learn what pitches work, how to take rejection, how to follow up, and even how to handle success. She knows the hustle well, having schooled 25,000 students in the game, mentoring many to best-selling careers. While students leave some MFA programs not knowing how to sell their work, with enough ambition and a bit of talent, they will know how to begin a career with the guidance of this book.
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