How to Write and Sell Your First Novel

by Oscar Collier, Frances Spatz Leighton

Second revised edition of a guide to writing and publishing a successful novel in today's complicated market. The book gives case histories of first novel success, detailing exactly how the book was created and sold. Included are tips from now-famous novelists on how they made their first sale and practical ideas on manuscript presentation.

Even the most famous novelists had to start somewhere. Now you can make your start—successfully—will this book.

Literary agent Oscar Collier and successful freelance writer Frances Spatz Leighton team up to give you practical, specific advice on how to write your first novel and get it published. You'll find 100 expert tips, including:

Solid Writing Instruction
•choose the kind of novel you want to write
•make characters, dialogue and plot work together to keep your reader (and prospective editor) turning the pages
•determine how many characters your story needs
•establish a daily writing routine that works for you—and gets your novel finished
•revise, edit and prepare your manuscript for submission

Expert Markieting Advice
•the pros and cons of using an agent—and how to represent yourself if you choose
•contract negotiations
•publicity and self-promotion basics

Actual Cast Histories
•Conversations With Five New Novelists, a chapter dedicated to enlightening and inspiring interviews with newly published authors
•valuable insight into the working methods, attitudes and specific strategies superstar novelists used to get published—to help you start building your own success

“This book should inspire many yearners to start writing and stop talking about doing so. It is rich with tactical, down-to-earth information on how to write novels and contend with agents and publishers.”
—Howard Cody, former editor in chief of Little, Brown; Putnam's; and Holt, Rhinehart & Winston

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Business, How To

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Mira Domsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Outdated; minimal reference to computers. But the writing craft advice is still valid.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information on writing, though nothing I haven't seen elsewhere and in more engaging language. The publishing part I am loathe to speculate on, not having been published. But my recommendation is for anyone to do outside research as this book was updated, at least the copy I read, in 1997 and I have no idea if this information is still relevant. I wish the author had added more on self publishing than saying it was hard to do.

[Gearóid O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the craft and structure of writing a novel.
However the last quarter of the book is dated and this book would work best when used in conjunction with an up to date book that details marketing/I.T./Social media tips for your writing.

[Confused Hamburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good writing advice but outdated and also the authors section is too long.

[Elizabeth Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the writing books I love to read this one ranks first. Collier has an excellent forward-way of speaking and you can tell from reading it that he knows, and I mean really knows, what good writing sounds like. He frankly asserts what to do in face of writing questions, and he gives the reader hope at rising to author by giving many incredible examples of successes before they became big. If you are interested in writing, I assert this as a must-read. Don't worry, it will keep your attention- you won't be sorry you read it.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half is pretty much stuff I knew from NaNoWriMo. The second half got a little boring. It wasn't overwhelming though, and made me feel as if rewriting and publishing were something that I could do.

(my copy was a little out of date too...citing books that are old movies by this point. ALSO: some crude words/references!)

[Erin Nudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although well meaning and does contain some helpful advice, I'm afraid much of this book is outdated at this point. If you're looking to write a novel, I would go with Alan Watt's The 90 Day Novel. But, this book does go into how to go about getting an agent and additional steps after you've finished your novel, while Watt's book is specifically about writing the novel and nothing else.

[Rian Nejar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written book, full of anecdotes and publishing stories, that inspired me to get started on my first mainstream book. I returned to it many times for motivation and wisdom from the publishing world. A mite dated, given that it was first published a quarter century ago, but nevertheless helpful.

[Lauren Perotto · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I picked up this book at the library sale for 10 cents. Probably because I have a secret desire to write a book of my own someday and it caught my attention. Despite the fact that it's extremely out of date and I'm not sure how practical some of the "advice" was, it did in some small way give me an "I can do this" feeling. Perhaps I'll write a book after all.

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would definitely get this book out from the library again so I may refer to it in the future when I am closer to finishing my book. I believe it had some very good advice in it, and also provided me with lots of good tips in order to write my novel!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book, it has sound advise and at the end of each chapter it gives tips and covers the topics that were included.
This book doesn't try to sell itself.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for all aspiring writers to use as a reference guide. It's a good think to have as a refresher course.

[Stewart]

Bought and read in past 6 months

[Tasneem · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay book. It is helpful and the information is presented clearly, but it somehow lacks that special something. I wasn't completely satisfied with it.

[Jack Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice for preparing to write and presenting one's work, who to see, and how to behave. The Do's and Don'ts at the end of the book are especially helpful.

[Summeralism · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in one book on how to get started writing and publishing your novel :)

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some excellent advise, but rather dated since it was published in 1997. Still, some things never change and the principles are just as sound today as they were 15-20 years ago.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had some good points however it did not really give me the information I was looking for to understand the world of editing and publishing.