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Writing It Real
Writing It Real: Crafting a Reference Book that Sells
Ever wanted to write a nonfiction reference book? Curious about how to organize and develop your topic into an inviting, easy-to-use manuscript? Look no further!
Packed with tips, this book will walk you through insights into planning, writing, editing, pre-publication, and marketing your reference book, from pre-writing to post-publication.
Topics covered include—
• You, the Expert: Adventures in Choosing your Topic
• Writing a Book: All the Feels, Some of the Reasons
• Talking ‘bout Timelines: Gauging How Long it Takes and How Many Drafts You Need
• Decide and Divide: Organizing Sections or Chapters with Pizzazz and Ease for your Readers
• On Exciting Options: Possibilities for Page-Layout and Presenting Text with Panache
• Me-ouch! The Not-So-Small Matter of Tone
• A Small Step Sideways: Sustaining Your Project through the Unexpected
• Choosing the Best Publication Fit for Your Book
• Grow Your Own Success: Adventures in Self-Publishing
• Not Going it Alone: on Writing-Swap Partners and Beta Readers, Advice for Hiring an Editor, Marketing 101
and much more!
Packed with tips, this book will walk you through insights into planning, writing, editing, pre-publication, and marketing your reference book, from pre-writing to post-publication.
Topics covered include—
• You, the Expert: Adventures in Choosing your Topic
• Writing a Book: All the Feels, Some of the Reasons
• Talking ‘bout Timelines: Gauging How Long it Takes and How Many Drafts You Need
• Decide and Divide: Organizing Sections or Chapters with Pizzazz and Ease for your Readers
• On Exciting Options: Possibilities for Page-Layout and Presenting Text with Panache
• Me-ouch! The Not-So-Small Matter of Tone
• A Small Step Sideways: Sustaining Your Project through the Unexpected
• Choosing the Best Publication Fit for Your Book
• Grow Your Own Success: Adventures in Self-Publishing
• Not Going it Alone: on Writing-Swap Partners and Beta Readers, Advice for Hiring an Editor, Marketing 101
and much more!
120 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2022
2 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Faith
14 books89 followersMelanie Faith likes to wear many professional hats, including as a poet, photographer, prose writer, professor, editor, and tutor.
She enjoys old-school film cameras, quotes, that new-shoes feeling, thoughtfulness, ASMR videos about maps and books, and spending time with fellow writers and her nieces
Her latest narrative poetry collection, Does It Look Like Her? (February 2024), follows Alix, a forty-something artist, new educator, and mom, and the famous painting she sits for. The poems explore what it means to pursue artistic passion, the personal meanings we overlay onto art and artists in a society not conducive to art-making, ambition at midlife, and the indirect route to so-called overnight success.
Her latest books on writing craft (published by Vine Leaves Press in 2022) are: From Promising to Published: A Multi-Genre, Insider’s Guide to the Publication Process, Writing It Real: Crafting a Reference Book that Sells, and Writing It Real: Creating an Online Creative-Writing Class for Fun and Profit. Check out her other inspired books on creativity: In a Flash!, Poetry Power, and Photography for Writers (also Vine Leaves Press).
Her poetry has been set to opera, and her fine-arts photography has appeared on book covers and in juried shows.
She enjoys old-school film cameras, quotes, that new-shoes feeling, thoughtfulness, ASMR videos about maps and books, and spending time with fellow writers and her nieces
Her latest narrative poetry collection, Does It Look Like Her? (February 2024), follows Alix, a forty-something artist, new educator, and mom, and the famous painting she sits for. The poems explore what it means to pursue artistic passion, the personal meanings we overlay onto art and artists in a society not conducive to art-making, ambition at midlife, and the indirect route to so-called overnight success.
Her latest books on writing craft (published by Vine Leaves Press in 2022) are: From Promising to Published: A Multi-Genre, Insider’s Guide to the Publication Process, Writing It Real: Crafting a Reference Book that Sells, and Writing It Real: Creating an Online Creative-Writing Class for Fun and Profit. Check out her other inspired books on creativity: In a Flash!, Poetry Power, and Photography for Writers (also Vine Leaves Press).
Her poetry has been set to opera, and her fine-arts photography has appeared on book covers and in juried shows.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 17, 2022
Melanie Faith’s “Writing It Real” gifts aspiring writing instructors with a one-stop-shopping book containing everything they need to create dynamic online courses!
I’ve read the author’s other writing books, and she applies the same spot-on organization and amazing encouragement to this book. Every chapter is concise and provides loads of details about how to replicate the process of generating an array of online — and unusual — courses that speak to writers of all kinds.
Specifically, she addresses the nitty-gritty of various opportunities, such as teaching for a structured accredited college writing programs or offering independent courses. She covers the ins and outs of various digital platforms; what to think about when generating a syllabus; how best to communicate with students; how to set and collect payment; what time of the day/year to offer courses; and the need to foster one’s own self-care and creativity despite a busy schedule.
Whether you’d like to offer one course as part of your writing life, or develop a professional writing and teaching career, this book is for you. Best of all, Melanie is sincere in her offer to answer readers’ questions and connect with fellow writing instructors. That goes for those of us who are just starting out on what would otherwise be a confusing, scary endeavor, but that the author not only simplifies, but makes into an exciting adventure.
Well done!
I’ve read the author’s other writing books, and she applies the same spot-on organization and amazing encouragement to this book. Every chapter is concise and provides loads of details about how to replicate the process of generating an array of online — and unusual — courses that speak to writers of all kinds.
Specifically, she addresses the nitty-gritty of various opportunities, such as teaching for a structured accredited college writing programs or offering independent courses. She covers the ins and outs of various digital platforms; what to think about when generating a syllabus; how best to communicate with students; how to set and collect payment; what time of the day/year to offer courses; and the need to foster one’s own self-care and creativity despite a busy schedule.
Whether you’d like to offer one course as part of your writing life, or develop a professional writing and teaching career, this book is for you. Best of all, Melanie is sincere in her offer to answer readers’ questions and connect with fellow writing instructors. That goes for those of us who are just starting out on what would otherwise be a confusing, scary endeavor, but that the author not only simplifies, but makes into an exciting adventure.
Well done!
April 10, 2022
Melanie Faith has again distilled her formidable skills and experience into a how-to book for the rest of us. Faith’s hand-holding approach to what, to me, seems like a gargantuan, difficult to control task, makes everything—including crafting a reference book—feel possible.
Beginning with the table of contents, Faith breaks down every step of writing a reference book down into manageable steps. She begins by helping the reader explore why they want to write and what they want to write about—helping each author find the gem, the passion, that will make their book unique even in a possibly crowded field (and, yes, she teaches readers how to sort what really is already out there). We move step by step from shaping those first ideas, creating and sculpting content, recognizing when your manuscript is complete, all the way to publishing and marketing. Every section is filled with exercises, examples, and recommendations for finding the path that best suits each reader’s (potential author’s) style.
Faith processes a writing style that not only exudes knowledge but creates connection. She admits to her own difficulties on the path to writing and publication—and doesn’t shirk from sharing the likely struggles readers will have on their own journeys. Somehow, even in these passages, Faith manages to be both comforting and inspirational. She knows you can do it and by the end of Writing It Real: Crafting a Reference Book that Sells, you’ll know it too!
Beginning with the table of contents, Faith breaks down every step of writing a reference book down into manageable steps. She begins by helping the reader explore why they want to write and what they want to write about—helping each author find the gem, the passion, that will make their book unique even in a possibly crowded field (and, yes, she teaches readers how to sort what really is already out there). We move step by step from shaping those first ideas, creating and sculpting content, recognizing when your manuscript is complete, all the way to publishing and marketing. Every section is filled with exercises, examples, and recommendations for finding the path that best suits each reader’s (potential author’s) style.
Faith processes a writing style that not only exudes knowledge but creates connection. She admits to her own difficulties on the path to writing and publication—and doesn’t shirk from sharing the likely struggles readers will have on their own journeys. Somehow, even in these passages, Faith manages to be both comforting and inspirational. She knows you can do it and by the end of Writing It Real: Crafting a Reference Book that Sells, you’ll know it too!
April 3, 2022
I found this book very informative and delightful. Definitely five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author covers a lot of information in an easy to understand and thoughtful way.
I especially like the anecdotes that make a slightly dry topic much more relateable, and added a different perspective to the methods under discussion.
I definitely recommend this as a fantastic planning tool and I look forward to using some of the techniques I have learnt in my own writing.
I particularly like this quote:
"When I love something and want to make that something flourish, I have endurance, follow-through in abundance, and patience that rivals a bulldog. I am no flake. If I’m going to do something, you can bet I’m completely invested. I play the long game with all of its twists and turns; I invite you to do the same."
"Being a tortoise is not only fine, it’s often the way to go in a writer’s career."
I think this sums up the essence of the book.
What are you waiting for?
💕Happy Reading! 💕
The author covers a lot of information in an easy to understand and thoughtful way.
I especially like the anecdotes that make a slightly dry topic much more relateable, and added a different perspective to the methods under discussion.
I definitely recommend this as a fantastic planning tool and I look forward to using some of the techniques I have learnt in my own writing.
I particularly like this quote:
"When I love something and want to make that something flourish, I have endurance, follow-through in abundance, and patience that rivals a bulldog. I am no flake. If I’m going to do something, you can bet I’m completely invested. I play the long game with all of its twists and turns; I invite you to do the same."
"Being a tortoise is not only fine, it’s often the way to go in a writer’s career."
I think this sums up the essence of the book.
What are you waiting for?
💕Happy Reading! 💕
April 1, 2022
I want to thank the author/publisher for the opportunity to read an Advanced Review Copy of this book prior to publication. I am thankful the opportunity, but the following review is not influenced by their generosity.
Melanie Faith's Writing It Real: Crafting a Reference Book that Sells is a really interesting and in-depth examination of how to craft a reference book (obviously, it's in the title). As an author myself, I've considered writing a reference book, so I was excited to see what insights Faith had for this type of writing. Although I have not written a reference book yet, I definitely think this book will be very beneficial when I undertake this type of writing project.
Melanie Faith's Writing It Real: Crafting a Reference Book that Sells is a really interesting and in-depth examination of how to craft a reference book (obviously, it's in the title). As an author myself, I've considered writing a reference book, so I was excited to see what insights Faith had for this type of writing. Although I have not written a reference book yet, I definitely think this book will be very beneficial when I undertake this type of writing project.
February 28, 2022
This book, though a craft book that guides and steers, is swimming in voice--which makes it such a fun experience. You learn, you're totally entertained and enamored by Melanie's brightness and passion, and you're left with confidence to go out and try your hand at growing your writing career.
It wasn't surprising to me to read this book with a smile on my face, as I am not new to Melanie's personality--I've read her craft book on Flash Fiction too. She's all about going for it and being clear about the steps and possibilities. Melanie shines as a true expert and professional in her field. The book is built with a user-friendly structure and divided into every category you can anticipate as someone looking to launch an online course. Maybe someday, that will be me, now that I have Melanie's very trusty tool in my collection.
Bravo!
It wasn't surprising to me to read this book with a smile on my face, as I am not new to Melanie's personality--I've read her craft book on Flash Fiction too. She's all about going for it and being clear about the steps and possibilities. Melanie shines as a true expert and professional in her field. The book is built with a user-friendly structure and divided into every category you can anticipate as someone looking to launch an online course. Maybe someday, that will be me, now that I have Melanie's very trusty tool in my collection.
Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews