How to Publish Your Book by Jane Friedman (Goodreads Author and Narrator)

How to Publish Your Book by Jane Friedman

4 of 5 stars  ****

How to Publish Your Book is part of The Great Courses offered by Audible books. Jane Friedman narrates this course with eloquence and professionalism. This book dispels the myths that many may have about becoming a successful author just because they are published. She points to the internet ease of pushing a key to publish anything anyone writes. The self-published are not necessarily increasing their chances of success; rather, they can actually hurt their chances of becoming a successful writer. This book lists the big publishing houses and what their editors are looking for when a properly formatted manuscript is submitted. The submission process is also important if one desires to have a chance at getting their work read. She lists the "Do's and Don't's" of submitting papers and approaching publishers. There is an etiquette in the industry that must be observed to enhance one's chances. Once an editor is reading a story, it must have a good narrative thrust, a cohesive intention from one chapter to another to hold the reader's attention or else the editor stops reading the story. Ms Friedman also informs readers that the story, itself, is more important than grammar or spelling. When all is said and done, over 99 percent of new authors' submissions are either rejected or ignored. The publisher has a big investment in a published, distributed, and advertised book. They expect a respectable return for their investment. Because of this, they usually stay with known, well qualified, tried and tested authors whose novels appeal to a large population waiting for their next novel to be written. This book is not intended to discourage writers; rather, it strives to be realistic by explaining the history of publishing and the nuts and bolts of the business. Advice comes in the form of "Do's and Don't's" throughout the process and the purpose why one writes. Jane believes that one should write about what is important to the writer and not write for the audience. She believes the best writing comes from such authors. How to Publish Your Book is the kind of book this author and reader will refer to from time to time to avoid the wasted time people experience in writing then submitting their work for publication. I would call this a reference book because it is comprehensive in covering all the genres and their particular rules to follow when approaching the appropriate publisher.