Funny You Should Ask: Mostly Serious Answers to Mostly Serious Questions About the Book Publishing Industry

by Barbara Poelle, Holly Root (Foreword)

There is a certain perception from the outside that the publishing industry is a near insurmountable fortress, with gatekeepers and naysayers manning the turrets looking for any way to fire a flaming arrow at the dreams of an aspiring writer. Funny You Should Ask , based on the popular Writer's Digest column of the same name, assists to deconstruct, inform, and illuminate the path to publication and beyond, all while dispelling the rumor that those in the industry are better than thou.

And even though each writer's publishing journey is like a game of PLINKO--you can drop the chip in the same slot every time and get a different result--there are still common constructs and confusions that can be shared and explored together in order to help inform all writers. From understanding the nuts and bolts of a query letter, to learning how to process the soul-searing envy of watching someone else's career flourish, to how to talk to your editor, veteran literary agent Barbara Poelle covers the approach and execution of the common and uncommon bumps along the traditional publishing path.

Includes

   • More than 100 questions answered including expanded answers to topics that didn't get the full treatment in a column
   • Writing exercises, submission checklists, and publishing BINGO for every publishing milestone

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Adult

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 14, 2020

Reviews

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging, engaging, useful. Questions and answers about writing, getting/working with an agent, and publishing, with worksheets in the back (you can download or print them from the Writers Digest website). The author is an agent and very funny - I heard her on a podcast (Creative Writer's Toolbelt), was hooked enough to download a sample, and halfway through the sample I bought the ebook. It's good solid advice from a professional, and it's fun to read.

From the answer to a question about women's fiction:
"Let's all take a minute and rooollllll our eeeeeeeeyes at the notion that all women clearly have the same life experiences and therefore resonate with common themes. And as there is no corresponding category for men's fiction (those are just called novels [sound of smashing]), ..."

On word count norms:
"When I see a debut fantasy novel that rings in upwards of 135K, my experience has taught me that the world building has consumed the narrative. (Also let us not forget, that is very expensive for the publisher to create, and they are looking for the maximum return on investment...With a debut, you need to work a little harder for a date, so it's best for the story to be as well-groomed as possible."

On older writers with a first novel:
"...there is no age that can be applied to the ripening of a story that is ready to be told. It doesn't matter if you're 18 or 85; if the story is intriguing and the writing is captivating, it's time to take a chance on the author. Just write a fabulous book, and no one will count the candles on your next cake."

The first third is about writing; the rest is very specific advice on things like what to include in a query, how long to wait before getting worried that you haven't heard from your agent (and what to do next), and which parts of a publishing contract you should be sure to read yourself. Who knew that contracts typically include a morality clause that allows the publisher to cancel a novel "should the behavior of the author directly and clearly negatively impact the sale of the book to the intended audience"?

[Linsey Knerl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm already a fan of Poelle's column in the Writer's Digest magazine, but I find myself always wanting more than the few answers they have room for in each issue. This book is a collection of dozens of questions I find myself Googling about the writing business, mostly dealing with agents, editors, and major publishers. She answers with funny replies that make me genuinely chuckle but also get to the truth at how publishing works. She is straight to the point and doesn't just tell you what you want to hear while staying positive in the face of a sometimes brutal industry.

She pulls no punches when answering questions about writing advances, whether those agent speed date things at conferences are worth it, and how to answer that critique partner who won't stop bragging about all of their publishing wins. Questions are grouped by topic, however, so you can easily skip chapters that don't apply to you (although I recommend getting to all of them at some point. Lots to learn.)

With so many wishy-washy perspectives on agenting, this is a welcome addition to my writing toolkit from an agent who has earned her way in the industry. If you're geared toward self-publishing, you won't find it to be as relevant, but I think all those who have considered traditional publishing or may be open to it in the future should give this a read.

[Carrie Brownell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd put this at 3 1/2 stars more than five, mostly because I didn't enjoy Poelle's style of writing. However, this book is full of information for those wondering about the publishing industry. Handy tool in question and answer format.

[Luis Aponte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. So much, in fact that I recommend that you buy this book and attack it with a pack of highlighters, instead of borrowing it from the library. It’s filled with great tips from every stage of trying to get a book published, from the craft of writing; to getting an agent: to working with an editor and publisher. Barbara clearly has a ton of experience and familiar with every secret anxiety of newbie authors.

I enjoyed the humorous tone in which she responds to every inquiry (including the Editor’s Note on p. 178, “We didn’t tell her to say this, we swear!”) and I respect that she provides straightforward, but diplomatic answers, no matter the type of question asked.

In my opinion, the tips on improving your writing and recommended places to start publishing short pieces are worth more than the value of the book all by itself.

Conclusion:
I hope that I find an agent like Barbara, even if it is just to have a wheeled bar stool race through the lobby of a Hyatt hotel (p. 75) but alas, she does not represent my adult nonfiction true crime genre. This is definitely a great book to permanently have on your shelf if you are trying to publish your own book.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow— a very informative and helpful guide to finding and working with an agent and getting published. Not that she makes it seem easy — she doesn’t, even though she spices the text with humour — but we’re left with the feeling that we’ve been given a picture from behind the curtain, with solid advice on how to navigate the journey.

Barbara Poelle is a leading literary agent, and this book flows from her years as a columnist for Writers Digest. The book is divided in three sections:
-Craft (about writing)
-Finding and Working with an Agent
-Working with an Editor and Publisher.

This is a resource book, to keep on your shelf and dip back into in the future. But it’s also easy to read and entertaining, so worth a first read cover-to-cover. (with worksheets at the back, or downloadable.)

[Jo Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Lines: As a Writer’s Digest columnist, she says that “Folks have been generous and vulnerable in writing in and asking about the book publishing process and then allowing me to impart a bit of insight accompanied with wine sloshing, tuba sounds, and jazz hands.” Well, that set the stage for her humorous advice to those brave enough to write in, and I knew I was going to love it.

Voice: Both earnest and humorous and just what I needed.

Overall: Loved it and will probably read it again when I get closer to finishing my young adult contemporary fantasy novel. Sometimes you just need someone to inspire you to get it done, and Barbara did that for me.

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great tidbits of insider industry knowledge delivered in a comedic way. Nice easy light reading. Highly recommended. I heard about this book after Barbara was interviewed by Eileen Cook on the Creative Academy's virtual cruise. (Also, was delighted that my local indie bookstore had better price than Amazon and delivered to me quicker)

[J.J. Lair · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like this book discouraged me in writing more than encouraged me. The stories about her hundreds of submissions and hundreds of authors just went on and on. She tried to offer funny anecdotes with each answer that were rarely funny. There were parts I liked, word counts, guidelines, reading. I felt sad when I was done.

[Maxwell DeMay · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 / 4 : Read!
NON-FICTION
[With the self-professed aid of a few wine coolers, an award-winning agent tells all!]

An immensely readable FAQ for the aspiring author, effusing best-practice for entering a landmine-woven field.

And, yeah, it's pretty funny. The humor wears you down until it's under your defenses. Just let it happen.

[Emma Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a great time in the fiction writing major at CofC… but there was not a single course or source presented on how to take the next step after you finish a project! So now it’s time to buckle down and learn what the publishing world actually looks like, and Barbara Poelle does a great job of presenting it.

[Eileen O'Finlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Culled from liteary agent, Barbara Poelle's column in Writer's Digest, this book is filled with writing and publishing advice all delivered with her trademark humor. As an added bonus, several writing exercises are included at the end.

[Rebecca Martell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. Informative. Quick to the point. And bingo cards.

Barbara Poelle engages the full gamut of questions about publishing with humor and panache (plus some great one-liners).

I'm keeping this handy on my reference shelf. :-)

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so many questions. They were all in this book and answered. Then I questions I didn’t know I had were also addressed and answered in a hilarious and fun way. Loved it and will rely on it always.

[Gary Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about writing and getting published. It is made up of a series of queries the author received and the answers she gave. Worth reading and referring to often

[Colin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review here:

http://www.colindsmith.com/blog/2020/...

[Shawn Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three words: hilarious, informative, and valuable. Perfectly organized q&a for writers at any stage in the publishing process and a must read for aspiring authors.

[Susan Oram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly informative and funny too!

[Sarah Cerrone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and informative book.

[Suzanne Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You for writing this book. Your addition of humor helped soothe the sharp edged truth I needed.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read. Even though I am not on the hunt for an agent, I got a feel for the process which will come in handy the next time an author-client is puzzled about something.

[Kae Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

From cookie dough and spirit fingers on through to that eleventh cocktail Ms. Poelle had me completely rapt and enamored by her wit as much as by her wisdom. So much so I felt compelled to take it upon myself to make notes throughout the text, starring salient points, underling "funny shit Barbara says," and dropping lols in the margins... because she so craves the lolz. Though typically I grant them sparingly I found myself tossing them about like parade candy, the good kind, and thirty five of them to be precise.
Filled with crosswise humor, straight on answers and most importantly genuine examples of publishing world cares and concerns/I found this book invaluable as I set out on my own author's journey.
In a party of adventurers, it's clear you will always find Ms. Poelle in front paving the way, a knight in shining taffeta with fairy wand in one hand, highball in the other.
This book in its brilliance leaves me filled with warm fuzzies, positive energy and an undeniable urge to seize the nearest writing instrument and charge into the fray every time I reread her magical words. Highly recommended as a resource for all at any place along their path to publishing!