Alan Rinzler

Consulting Editor

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The blog for writers

The Book Deal

Proposal critiques: An adventure novel, a biography and a self-help book

April 29, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Welcome to round two in our series of book proposal critiques. It's an audiocast, so to get started, just click the play button below. Three submissions: A novel, a biography and an inspirational self-help book The first proposal we'll be looking at today is for an adventure novel with an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Proposal Critiques, How To Get Published

Proposal critiques: A novel and a children’s book series

April 12, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Click on the audio play tab below to listen to the first in our series for writers called My Proposal Critiques.  For those who are visiting here for the first time, we recently put out a call for book proposal submissions with an offer to critique them here on The Book Deal. Behind-the-scenes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Proposal Critiques, How To Get Published

Open call for book proposals! Free critiques!

April 7, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Every writer needs to know how to write a good book proposal that will stand out and capture the attention of potential agents and publishers. Consequently, when I appear at writers conferences and seminars, book proposals are often on the agenda.  I frequently offer my critiques of selected book … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Proposal Critiques, How To Get Published

Ask the editor: 8 tips for finding your voice

March 22, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Q :   I know that agents and editors look for writers who have strong voices, but I'm having trouble finding mine.  Any advice? A :   It’s true. Editors, agents, publishers and, above all, readers do respond most to a writer with a great voice. Voice is what gives writing energy, authenticity, it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing

Literary agent stars online: Nathan Bransford, blogger extraordinaire

March 14, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Every day legions of writers and wannabes trek over to literary agent Nathan Bransford's blog for a dose of some of the smartest, most honest, entertaining and generous advice on the book business I've seen online. Leading the charge Bransford, 28, an agent since 2005 with the venerable Curtis … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Literary Agent Profiles

Falling in love with your characters

March 1, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Are you an author who'd rather spend time with your fictional creations than with a real significant somebody who's waiting in the next room? Are you in love with your characters? An intimate relationship As an editor, I know how emotionally involved authors become with the people in their books.  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Craft of Writing

Web marketing wizardry: Q&A with an expert

February 20, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Book publishers know that web promotion is the best way to reach readers directly, so for help they turn to experts like Fauzia Burke. "It's our job to find an author's audience online," says Burke, founder and president of FSB Associates, one of the first firms to specialize in internet book … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Marketing Your Book

How successful writers keep up their confidence

February 8, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Self-confidence is the single most essential ingredient an author needs to succeed, since good writing is never that quick or easy. To keep at it requires energy, discipline, and a sense of humor. The most accomplished and productive writers I work with are able to sustain a level of assurance … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Craft of Writing, How To Get Published

Ask the editor: 7 techniques for a dynamite plot

January 30, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Q : I submitted my manuscript to an agent and she said the plot was confusing and needed a lot of work. I was crushed!  What should I do? A : Telling a good story is the writer's most important task. But constructing a great plot with so many ideas, characters and actions careening through your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published

Building a productive relationship with your editor: 9 tips for authors

January 24, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Once you have a book contract, the editor is your best friend in the company. It's your editor's job to not only help you develop a great manuscript, but to shepherd the book through the all-important stages of copy-editing, design, production, manufacturing, publicity, and sales. You need your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: How To Get Published

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About The Book Deal

Welcome readers.  Let me introduce myself and offer up some credentials for the opinions, perspectives and insights in this blog. In nearly … more »

Working with Alan

I can’t thank you enough!

"Working together was interesting, challenging, and fun. I can't thank you enough for taking my stories and putting them in a comprehensible order, focusing more on my younger, formative days with my parents, and helping me remember great events that added so much to the book."

– US Senator Barbara Boxer. Her memoir, The Art of Tough, was published by Hachette in June 2016.

Figure out how to get Alan on your side

"Figure out how to get Alan on your side. He took my rambling manifesto and helped me hone it into a sharp, funny, culture-changing book featured in the New York Times, the New Yorker, The Atlantic, the Times of London, and most recently on The Daily Show."

– Lenore Skenazy, author Free Range Kids – How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children Without Going Nuts with Worry.

Enthusiastic, imaginative and razor sharp

"Alan is enthusiastic, imaginative, razor-sharp, concise. His line-editing is specific and actionable; his developmental advice truly invaluable, providing focus and direction to the often chaotic process of writing a first novel."

– David Tomlinson, author of The Midnight Man.

An advocate, friend and mentor

“Alan can tell you at one glance, where a manuscript works and where it doesn’t. More than an editor, he’s an advocate, friend, mentor, and a bullshit detector of the highest caliber.”

–  Celeste Chaney, author of In Absence of Fear

A 5-star Olympic Gold Medal for editing!

"Alan Rinzler has edited seven of my books, and no one compares to his competence as an editor. Everything I write he makes better. Alan knows the business, knows writing and understands a writer’s needs. He has my 5-Star Olympic Gold Medal for editing! I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him."

– Michele Borba, author of Building Moral Intelligence, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, and others.

Featured Video

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Ask the Editor

Tips for blending in the backstory

Tips for blending in
the backstory
2015-07-28T14:50:53-07:00
Tips for blending in the backstory
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/tips-for-blending-in-the-backstory/

Wake up your readers! How to thicken a plot

Wake up your readers!
How to thicken a plot
2015-07-28T15:29:05-07:00
Wake up your readers! How to thicken a plot
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/another-link/

Memoir or novel for my true story?

Memoir or novel
for my true story?
2015-07-28T20:47:16-07:00
Memoir or novel for my true story?
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/3172/

Is your book in need of emotional glue?

Is your book in need of emotional glue?
2015-07-28T20:51:25-07:00
Is your book in need of emotional glue?
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/is-your-book-in-need-of-emotional-glue/

Can I really become a better writer?

Can I really become a better writer?
2015-07-28T21:05:22-07:00
Can I really become a better writer?
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/can-i-really-become-a-better-writer/

7 techniques for a dynamite plot

7 techniques for
a dynamite plot
2015-07-28T21:17:53-07:00
7 techniques for a dynamite plot
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/7-techniques-for-a-dynamite-plot-2/

What to expect from a developmental editor

What to expect from
a developmental editor
2015-07-28T21:21:18-07:00
What to expect from a developmental editor
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/what-to-expect-from-a-developmental-editor/

Categories

  • Ask the Editor (23)
  • Book Industry Trends (81)
  • Book Proposal Critiques (4)
  • Craft of Writing (72)
  • Guts Ball: Editing Hunter Thompson (3)
  • How To Get Published (80)
  • Literary Agent Profiles (11)
  • Literary Destinations (3)
  • Marketing Your Book (33)
  • Memoir (7)
  • Parts of a Book (5)
  • Self-Publishing (34)
  • The writer's toolkit (3)
  • Writers at work (2)

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