Alan Rinzler

Consulting Editor

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The blog for writers

The Book Deal

Launching a successful blog tour

April 23, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

"When I was first starting out, I dreamed of being sent on a book tour. I'd travel around the world-at my publisher' expense, of course-and hit the major bookstores, where I'd do readings and signings for standing-room-only audiences," says Jackie Morse Kessler, the author of a four-book YA … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Marketing Your Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, blog tour, book bloggers, book tour, developmental editor, Jackie Kessler, promotion, publicity, self-publishing, writer

Book marketing & publicity: Advice from three experts

March 29, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

A smart marketing consultant and basic ideas like meet the users' intent, can be the secret weapon in an author's campaign to market and promote a book. That's according to Adrienne Biggs, one of three experts interviewed for this post. Since not all authors are experienced or even comfortable … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Marketing Your Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Adrienne Biggs, Alan Rinzler, book publishing, Cindy Ratzlaff, consultant, indie publishing, marketing, publicity, Stephanie Chandler

The Viagra Diaries: A self-publishing mega success story

March 26, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

"Barbara Rose Brooker is fearless. The Viagra Diaries does for single seniors what Helen Gurley Brown's Sex and the Single Girl and Erica Jong's Fear of Flying did for the women's sexual revolution in the sixties and seventies." -- Entertainment Tonight It's a blurb to die for, and well … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Marketing Your Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, Barbara Brooker, book deal, developmental editing, developmental editor, editor, HBO, self-publishing, Simon & Schuster, The Viagra Diaries, writers, writing

Why writers need agents: 4 pros weigh in

February 22, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

Literary agents are still the gatekeepers for authors seeking traditional book deals. That's the bottom line, despite all the big changes in publishing, says Candice Fuhrman, an agent with many New York Times bestselling authors in her corner. "As long as publishers are buying books and paying … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Literary Agent Profiles, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, authors, book deal, developmental editor, editor, literary agencies, literary agents, publishers, publishing, representation, writers

Ask the editor: Is it OK to cross genres?

February 2, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

Q: Is it ok to write a book that crosses genre lines, like a mystery with time travel, or a romance with extraterrestrials? A: The short answer is "Yes, absolutely!" That's the truth, despite the fear that agents and publishers will avoid a book that falls into more than one genre. But … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published Tagged With: advice, agents, Alan Rinzler, ask the editor, authors, books, bookstores, categories, crossing genres, developmental editor, editors, genres, mixing genres, publishers, shelf, writers

The new author pitch: Show, don’t sell

January 16, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

Authors today need a whole new attitude toward the all-important pitch. Until now, the author pitch was defined as a hard-sell verbal punch to persuade agents and editors to take on their book. It was typically brief, high-concept, often hyperbolic and was designed to convince the agent standing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Marketing Your Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author platform, authors, editors, pitching, selling your book, the author pitch, the new author pitch, writers

Fear of editors

December 20, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

Are you a writer who worries about working with a developmental editor for fear of losing control over the project? You're not alone If so, you’re not the only one. One writer put it this way recently on an online forum: “I worry that an editor will erase my voice.” Another said, “I fear I’ll … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, concern, control, developmental editor, editing, editor, fear, freelance developmental editors, how to find an editor, self-publishing, worry

Great book jackets: Tips from 4 design pros

November 10, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

Every good book needs a great cover. It's a powerful billboard for conveying the spirit and content of your book. So, you'll need a good graphic design belfast company or somewhere more local to help you bring the cover of your book to life. An eye-catching cover can persuade readers to pick … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Marketing Your Book, Parts of a Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, book cover, book jacket, cover designer, indie authors, jacket designer, self-publishing

What authors can learn from the bestseller lists

September 12, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

The gold standard for success as an author is to make the New York Times Best Seller list. That’s the big brand banner that publishers, authors and readers want to see on the front cover. It shouts “Read Me! I’m certified!” How does an author accomplish this feat? What does it take for a book to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Marketing Your Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, authors, Best Seller List, Garth Stein, Kathryn Stockett, New York Times Bestseller List, The Help, writers

New ways to sell short stories

September 4, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

There's lots of excitement bubbling about new publishing opportunities for writers of short stories, essays, journalism and other less-than-book-length works. Both established authors and self-publishing newcomers with short-form pieces that once appeared only in places like literary and news … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, Byliner, David Baldacci, developmental editor, Kindle Singles, Lee Childs, short stories, short-form fiction

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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/

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